Agendas 2011

Agenda of November Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held on 7th November 2011 at 11am


Corporate Services
Sligo County Council
County Hall
Riverside
Sligo 

Phone: (071) 9111111

1st November, 2011

TO:  THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL

An Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held:

ON:  Monday, 7th November, 2011

AT:  11.00 AM

IN:  The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo

You are requested to attend.

F. Mac Nabb
Meetings Administrator

 

CLAR

  1. To confirm the Minutes of the September Ordinary Meeting held on 5th September, 2011 (copy attached).
  2. To approve the Minutes of Tubbercurry Electoral Area Committee Meeting held on 10th June 2011 (copy attached)
  3. To set a date for the Annual Budget Meeting (copy of circular letter Fin 06/2006 attached)
  4. To note the Revenue Account position for quarter 3 2011 up to 30th September and the notification from Irish Public Bodies Insurance (copy of report attached).
  5. To consider the construction of a Waste Water Treatment Plant at Ballintogher in accordance with Part 8 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 2001, (as amended) (copy of report in post).
  6. To note DraftSligoCounty Council Winter Service Plan 2011/2012 (copy attached).
  7. Presentation by Marie O’Byrne, Director, Hawks Well Theatre.

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan
    “To ask the Director of Services to commence the process of developing bye-laws on Road 79 and around Easkey Castle to restrict car and caravan parking in the location.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan
    “To ask the Director of Services for Housing to explain how someone outside the county can get their name included on Sligo County Council housing waiting list.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan
    “To ask the Roads Section to construct ramps onPier Road, Enniscrone at Waterpoint in the interest of safety.” 

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Michael Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to carry out a program of restoration of class 3 roads over the next three years, from the block grant allocated from the Department”.
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Margaret Gormley:
    “Due to the ongoing dangers that exist at Gurteen Cross, that this Council
    1. Examine what immediate action can be taken to improve sight vision.
    2. That funding be sought for the installation of traffic lights at this junction”.
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Veronica Cawley:
    That the problem of street lighting at the Brookfield housing estate in Cliffoney be investigated by the Sligo County Council staff to establish who has responsibility for the development with the objective of getting the lighting restored as soon as possible as there are major health and safety issues as a result of the street lighting being switched off for the past six months”.
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Deirdre Healy McGowan:
    To ask theCountyManagerhas Sligo County Council yet submitted an application to FailteIrelandto build a centre of excellence for surfing in Strandhill”.
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Jerry Lundy:
    “As we approach the winter months, I will ask the Council to ensure that adequate supplies of grit, salt and transport are readily available to cope with extreme weather conditions as we have witnessed over the last two winters, and to ensure that local communities have access to these supplies to use on roads in their own areas”.
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Sean MacManus:
    “That Sligo County Council agree to grant, under Section 183 Local Government Act 2001, a long term lease to the Collooney Allotment group on a plot of land owned by this Council adjacent to the junction of the N4/N17.  This plot which is currently rented from Sligo County Council for a 11 month period by the Collooney Allotment group should be granted for a nominal annual rent”.
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Jerry Lundy:
    “I will ask Sligo Co. Council to have urgent drainage works and road repair works carried out on local road 406, at Carrowloban, Aclare, as soon as possible, and to have this busy road included in the 2012 roads programme for restoration improvements works”.
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Michael Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to provide a report of the inspections on high rise buildings in the County, in the light of the Priory Hall situation to allay any fears that theSligopublic may have.
    1. What is the inspection regime; 
    2. How many buildings have been inspected; 
    3. What buildings are of concern”.
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Michael Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to provide a report on Housing,
    1. How many local authority houses have not reallocated and why? 
    2. Three vacant houses in St. Farnan’s Drive, Dromore West, three vacant houses in Archers’ Cottages, Easkey, and so on. 
    3. Has there been a policy change with regard to transfers, where a tenant has occupied a house for a two year period. 
    4. What assistance can be given to applicants who have difficulty with the detailed housing application?”
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor David Cawley:
    “Sligo County Council call on the Government to compel the banks operating in this state to reduce the rate of @interest on arrears’ (or penalty interest) charged on loans advanced, to ensure that this interest does not exceed the banks % margin over and above the cost of funds to the bank funding the loan.  Should legislation be required to do this, then such legislation should be prioritised”.
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Mary Barrett:
    “That the Council take measures to make safe a culvert on the road at Pullaheeney (opposite Mrs Brown’s House)”.
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Margaret Gormley:
    “Due to the constant rainfall I am calling on the engineering staff of this Council to ensure that the water tables are cleared to prevent water lodging on roads”
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Joe Queenan:
    “Call on the Minister for Social Protection to give a commitment to leave the community welfare service in rural areas”.
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Joe Queenan:
    “Ask the Minister for Education to ensure that the VEC offices atQuay Street,Sligo, remain an integral part of VEC structure going forward”.
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillors Patsy Barry and Jude Devins:
    “To call on theCountyManagerto review the Beach Bye-Laws for the County”.
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Declan Bree:
    “Recognising that Sligo County Council pays the highest resurfacing costs in the country for the resurfacing of roads under the Roads Restoration Maintenance Programme; and noting that Sligo County Council paid an average of €10.87 per square metre in 2010 for the resurfacing of Regional Roads while Clare County Council paid an average of €3.78 per square metre; and noting that Sligo County Council paid an average of €11.53 per square metre in 2010 for the resurfacing of Local Roads while Cavan County Council paid an average of €2.72 per square metre; and noting that the Department of Transport by way of Circular letter of the 11th February 2011, has set maximum costs of €4.50 and €5.50 per square metre for surface dressing for local and regional roads respectively; and further noting with concern that the Circular states that where these rates are exceeded a Council’s grant will be reduced by an amount equal to the excess cost; this Council calls on the County Manger to comply with the requirements as set out in the Department Circular.”
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Declan Bree:
    “That necessary repairs/maintenance works be carried out on the outdoor swimming pool at Deadman’s Point,RossesPoint.”
  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Hubert Keaney:
    “In the light of the recent high rain fall and flooding throughout the country, could we have an outline report on the Council’s plan for such an event and on any proposed preventative measures being taken, and the identification of high risk areas.  Also what level of communication is there between other service providers, eg. OPW, fisheries board, civil defence, etc.”
  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Hubert Keaney:
    “To call on this Council to prepare a proposal document for the Department of the Environment on the establishment of a building control department within the Council structure so as to ensure that in the future there is proper and regular onsite inspection of all building work carried out in this country”.
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Aoiffe McLoughlin:
    “To request Sligo County Council to provide traffic calming measures at Ransboro national school in the interest of safety”.
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Jerry Lundy:
    “I will ask the housing section of Sligo County Council if they expect funding to be granted before the end of this year for housing grants for older people and people with disabilities, and will applications be accepted again when funding is granted from the Department”.
  22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Veronica Cawley:
    “That Sligo County Council contact the Department of the Environment to enquire what action it intends to take in the short term to protect the properties adjacent to unfinished housing developments, which are being affected by flooding and issues of health and safety and security relating to these unfinished housing developments”.
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Dara Mulvey:
    “To ask Sligo County Council to strengthen the soft margin along roadside at Ranaghanbeg, Ballinacarrow, Co Sligo”.
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Dara Mulvey:
    “To ask Sligo County Council for an update on the proposed footbridge on road 4 at the new town centre, Coolaney”.
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Margaret Gormley:
    “That provision is made in the 2012 roads programme to extend the public lighting on the Ballymote Roadout of Tubbercurry (R294) to the end of the existing footpath”.
  26. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Michael Fleming:
    “To propose that this Council actively support the National Plan for development of Tidal, Wind and Wave Energy Technology along the West Coast to acquire energy security for the region, and maximize the benefits accruing to the economy of our nation.”
  27. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Declan Bree:
    “Recognising that older people die each winter in Ireland because they cannot afford to keep themselves warm: and further recognising that lives could be saved if the Government reversed its decision to cut their electricity and gas units; Sligo County Council resolves to support the Age Action Ireland campaign and calls on the Government to reverse the cuts to the free gas/electricity units available under the Household Benefits Package, given the increased hardship it will cause for older people on low incomes”.
  28. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Veronica Cawley:
    “That a report be presented to Sligo County Council members for consideration on the feasibility of Sligo County Council providing garden allotments through the County”.
  29. Votes of Sympathy
  30. Votes of Congratulation
  31. Conferences
  32. Correspondence
    1. Letter dated 21st September 2011 from Clare County Council.
    2. Letter dated 27th September 2011 from the office of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to Pat the Cope Gallagher, MEP, acknowledging receipt of correspondence regarding the upgrading of rural septic tanks.
    3. Letter dated 28th September 2011 from the office of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in response to correspondence regarding major road projects inCountySligo, including the N17 Collooney to Tubbercurry and the Tubbercurry Bypass.
    4. Letter dated 28th September 2011 from Monaghan Town Council.
    5. Letter dated 30th September 2011 from the office of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to Pat the Cope Gallagher, MEP, in response to correspondence relating to grant aid for the replacement or upgrade of septic tanks.
    6. Letter dated 30th September 2011 from Jim Higgins, MEP, in response to correspondence relating to the upgrade of septic tanks.
    7. Letter dated 7th October 2011 from the office of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government acknowledging receipt of correspondence regarding a feasibility study to provide a sewage treatment system and sewer network for the village of Rathcormac.
    8. Letter dated 10th October 2011 from the Office of the Taoiseach acknowledging correspondence that he has referred to Phil Hogan, TD, for response.
    9. Letter dated 11th October 2011 from Clare County Council.
    10. Letter dated 12th October 2011 from the North West Alcohol forum Ltd requesting an opportunity to make a formal presentation to Council members.
    11. Letter dated 14th October 2011 from the Office of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport acknowledging receipt of correspondence regarding emergency funding for essential repairs on class 2 and class 3 county roads.
    12. Letter dated 19th October 2011 from Senator Imelda Henry in response to correspondence relating to concerns about decentralized Government offices in Tubbercurry, CoSligo.
    13. Letter dated 21st October 2011 from the Office of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government acknowledging receipt of correspondence relating to Strandhill (Wastewater) Sewerage Scheme.
    14. Letter dated 21st October 2011 from the Office of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government acknowledging receipt of correspondence relating to the utility charge.
    15. Letter dated 24th October 2011 from the Office of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to the household charge.
  33. Matters Arising from Minutes
  34. Any Other Business

Meeting Date 07/11/2011