SPC 3 - Minutes

Minutes of SPC3 Meeting (Planning Community & Economic Development, Arts & Culture) held virtually at 3 pm on 10th December 2020


MEMBERS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady (Chair), 
  • Councillor Gerard Mullaney,
  • Councillor Arthur Gibbons,
  • Councillor Thomas Walsh,
  • Councillor Tom Fox,
  • Corena Ward,
  • Aidan Doyle and
  • Karen O’Hara

 

OFFICIALS PRESENT:

  • Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
  • Margaret McConnell, Senior Executive Officer
  • John Reilly, Head of Enterprise
  • Siobhan Ryan, Heritage Officer
  • Leonora McConville, Executive Planner
  • Suzanne Siberry, Senior Staff Officer

 

APOLOGIES

  • Suzanne Tynan,
  • Councillor Tom MacSharry and
  • Sanya Ivandic

 

ITEM NO. 1:  WELCOME AND CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THE 25TH SEPTEMBER, 2020:

Councillor R. O’Grady welcomed all members to the meeting. 

It was proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney and seconded by Councillor T. Walsh and agreed that the “Minutes of the Strategic Policy Committee meeting held on the 25th September, 2020 be confirmed”.

 

ITEM NO 2:  MATTERS ARISING:

There were no matters arising.

 

ITEM NO 3:  PROGRESS REPORT ON SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL’S PUBLIC REALM ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME: 

Ms. Leonora McConville presented the Report to the Members.  Councillor R. O’Grady thanked Ms. McConville for the presentation.  Councillor T. Walsh stated that both the consultations and feedback were very good.  He enquired about the enhancement of Rockwood Parade and the outdoor seating in front of cafes/restaurants.  In reply Ms. McConville said the existing footpaths, double yellow lines would be removed and the streetscape would be all on the one level and would allow for outside catering.

Councillor A. Gibbons enquired about the Centre Block Master Plan and how realistic the project is.  In reply Ms. D. Clarke stated that this is a long term project which involves a lot of stakeholders.  It is an important project and will be delivered through time.  A draft master plan has been prepared and is currently being finalised. 

Councillor T. Fox thanked Ms. McConville for her presentation.  He enquired about the disabled parking spaces in Stephen Street Car Park and the provision of electric car parking stations.  Ms McConville informed that the disabled parking provision hasn’t changed.  Councillor R. O’Grady said this is very important and complimented Councillor A. Gibbons for all his work in this area in the past. 

 

ITEM NO 4:  UPDATE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COUNTY SLIGO HERITAGE PLAN 2016 – 2020 AND TO NOTE THE PREPARATION OF A NEW COUNTY SLIGO HERITAGE PLAN (2021 – 2025):

Ms. S. Ryan presented the update to the Members.  Councillor R. O’Grady thanked her for an interesting presentation.   Councillor T. Walsh welcomed the national Heritage Plan but noted that the amount allocated from the Department is quite small.  He enquired about the old burial grounds at Killery and Kilross.  Ms. Ryan advised that the best Scheme for this type of works would be the Community Monuments Fund which is a new fund provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for capital works to archaeological monuments.  The closing date for this Scheme is mid to end of February.

 

ITEM NO. 5:  TO NOTE UPDATE IN RELATION TO REMOTE WORKING HUBS

Ms. M. McConnell presented the update to the Members.  Councillor R. O’Grady thanked her for the update.  Ms McConnell informed that the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC) and the Western Development Commission has prepared a Strategy “Hubs Network Strategy 2020 – 2023”.  This Strategy will inform the way forward in the development of the overall hub concept and address the need for shared resources, investment in technology and smart systems, a low carbon future and a better work life balance for citizens.  7 No. Hub Centres have been identified throughout County Sligo whom the Council and the Atlantic Economic Corridor office are engaging with.  The Working Hubs initiative requires guidance, support and the need to avail of all opportunities to secure funding.  Ms. Corena Ward thanked the Council for all their great work in this regard and welcomed the new Strategy.  Ms. McConnell added that the Council had been endeavouring to look at Community and Broadband Connection Point Centres across the County to maximise the opportunity to support the development of quality facilities as working, study or community facility hubs in local areas.  Councillor G. Mullaney thanked Ms. McConnell for the presentation and said there is a great need for these Working Hubs as they are the future of rural Ireland. 

 

ITEM NO 6: ANY OTHER BUSINESS

  1. Ms. D. Clarke mentioned an item that Suzanne Tynan had raised regarding the time that SPC meetings were held that it clashed with her working hours and could it be held outside office hours. It was agreed that this matter can be discussed at the next meeting of the SPC It was emphasized by some members that while meeting times after normal working hours would suit some people it could discommode others.  
  2. M. McConnell mentioned that Sligo has been selected as one of six locations for the Shine your Light event on the 20th December, 2020. Shine your Light is a RTE and Creative Ireland project.  Details of this event to be circulated to Members. 

 

Councillor R. O’Grady thanked all who participated and Ms. Suzanne Siberry for her input. 


Meeting Date 10/12/2020