Agendas 2011

Agenda of December Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held on 5th December 2011 at 11am


Corporate Services
Sligo County Council
County Hall
Riverside
Sligo

Phone: (071) 9111111

29th November, 2011

TO:  THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL

An Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held:

ON:    Monday, 5th December, 2011

AT:     11.00am

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

You are requested to attend.

Signed
F. Mac Nabb
Meetings Administrator

CLÁR

  1. To confirm the Minutes of the November Ordinary Meeting held on 7th November, 2011. (copy attached)
  2. To confirm the minutes of SPC No 1 (Economic Development and Planning Policy) meeting held on 15th September, 2011. (copy attached)
  3. To confirm the minutes of SPC No 1 (Economic Development and Planning Policy) meeting held on 24th March, 2011. (copy attached)
  4. To confirm the minutes of SPC No 1 (Economic Development and Planning Policy) meeting held on 25th November, 2010. (copy attached)
  5. To confirm the minutes of SPC No 4 (Housing Policy, Social and Cultural Development) meeting held on 23rd May, 2011. (copy attached)
  6. To confirm the minutes of SPC No 4 (Housing Policy, Social and Cultural Development) meeting held on 25th March, 2011. (copy attached)
  7. To confirm the minutes of SPC No 4 (Housing Policy, Social and Cultural Development) meeting held on 16th December, 2010. (copy attached)
  8. To confirm the minutes of SPC No 4 (Housing Policy, Social and Cultural Development) meeting held on 28th July, 2010. (copy attached)
  9. To note National Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PRFA). (copy attached)
  10. That Sligo County Council being satisfied of their general public utility declare the following roads as public roads in accordance with Section 11(1) of the Roads Act, 1993. 

    Road NUMBER Location and Terminal Points
     L-61028-0 Road situate in the housing development known as “Cooney Lane” in the townland of Cooney Stonepark, Ballisodare. 
     L-76099-0  Road situate in the housing estate of “Highwood Park” in the townland of Collooney.
     L-36071-0  Road situate in the housing estate of “Ashbrook” in the townland of Collooney.
     L-16045-0  Road situate in the housing estate of “Grattan Court” in the townland of Ballymote. (report attached)
  11. Presentation by Mr Ben Wrafter, Chairman of Atlantic Ocean Energy Alliance.

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Barrett
    “That the Council take measures to make safe a culvert on the road at Pullaheeney (opposite Mrs Brown’s House)”.
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor P. Barry and J. Devins
    “To call on the County Manager to review the Beach Bye-Laws for the County”.
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. 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.”

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Devins
    “To ask Sligo County Council to take in charge Castle View, Cregg, Sligo.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley
    “That this Council calls on the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government Mr Phil Hogan that;

    The registration charge of €50 on septic tanks is a once off charge.

    If upgrading or replacement is needed that the funding is provided to have the necessary works carried out.

    That there are no inspection charges.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor P. McGrath
    “To ask Sligo County Council to include Road L5501, Branchfield to Cloonamahon in the 2012 Road Works Scheme.”
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke
    “To Call on Sligo County Council to paint the houses and walls in Mill View Estate, Dromore West.”
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley
    “Noting that three more employees have been moved out of the Department offices in Tubbercurry and, recognizing the vital importance of these offices they have to the economy of Tubbercurry and the South Sligo area this Council calls again on Minister for Small Business, Deputy John Perry who made a firm commitment before the general election that these offices would be retained and the facility expanded upon, to immediately take the necessary steps to ensure they are retained.”
  6. 20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor H. Healy McGowan
    “To call on the Minster and the Tánaiste not to make any cuts in the children's allowance payments in the forthcoming budget.”
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan
    “To ask the County Manager to update on what directive he has received from the Department of Environment for fees on septic tanks.”
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan
    “To ask the Cathaoirleach to set up a cross party deputation to meet the Minister for Environment, Phil Hogan regarding the serious financial situation of Sligo County Council.”
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Lundy
    “That this Council oppose the recently published legislation on rural septic tanks, because of it’s unfairness to rural dwellers and farmers.”
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Lundy
    “I will ask that this Council provide a “ Yellow Box “junction at St. Attracta’s  Second Level Community School, Ballyara, Tubbercurry on the Ballina Road R294 in the interest of safety for  students, teachers, parents  staff and bus drivers.”
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Lundy
    “That this Council write to the Minister for Justice to seek assurances from him that all existing Garda Stations and Court Houses in Co. Sligo will  remain open.”
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Cawley
    “That Sligo County Council provide a report on the options available to improve existing traffic flows on Hughes Bridge, in the short term and to eliminate potential traffic hazards. Particularly, it is vital that southbound flows turning right onto the quays are investigated, as there are existing difficulties therein.”
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree
    “Concerned at the refusal of the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly T.D., to meet with a deputation from the Save Our Cancer Services NW to discuss the re-opening of the Breast Cancer Service in Sligo General Hospital; and recognising the pressing need to have the service restored; this Council calls on the Minister for Health to reverse his decision and to meet with the deputation from the Save Our Cancer Services committee without undue delay; and further this Council calls on Government Oireachtas members from the area to make the necessary representations to ensure that the meeting with the Minister takes place.”
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree
    “That the Council resolves to ask the County Manager if it has been brought to his attention that the contract to maintain all public lighting in the Connaught region, including county Sligo is currently held by Airtricity Utility Solutions; and to ask the Manager if it has been brought to his attention that this the contract recently went out to tender and a company called Electric Skyline were named as preferred bidder; and to ask the Manager if he is aware that should the new contract be awarded to Electric Skyline, workers currently employed on the contract with Airtricity Utility Solutions have a right (under the European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertaking) Regulations, 2003 (“TUPE”) to transfer across to the new contractor; and to ask the Manager if he is aware that Electric Skyline have informed the workers trade union (Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union TEEU) that they have no obligation and no intention to honour the legislation; and to ask the Manager how a contract of this scale could potentially be awarded by local authorities including Sligo County Council, to a contractor who does not appear to understand or is unwilling to comply with the basic laws in relation to employment, namely TUPE; and to ask the County Manager in light of this information if Sligo County Council intends to proceed with the contract.”
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree
    “Recognising that over the past decade the PwDI  (People with Disabilities in Ireland) has been accepted by statutory and non statutory organisations and agencies as being the acknowledged expert voice of people with disabilities in Ireland, this Council expresses its dismay at the government decision to withdraw all funding from the organisation; and recognising that PwDI is the umbrella organisation which brings people together locally and nationally to work on common issues that affect all people with disabilities, this Council calls on the government to reconsider its decision and to reinstate the funding without further delay.”
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Barrett
    “That this Council provide funding for a wench at Pollnaybhe Pier to enable fishermen to bring boxes of fish from their boats in a safeenvironment.”
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke
    “To call on Sligo County Council to prepare a report on Planning No 10/235 and the Council's decision to give permission for a third route, exempt planning  to Powercon Ltd.
    1. Was the proper planning procedures followed?  Were there EIS and archaeological excavations carried out?
    2. Was there consultations with the National Parks and wildlife Service?  
    3. Was there consultations with the EPA?
    4. Was there consultations with the North western Fisheries Board ?
    5. Was there consultations with the indigenous People of area?
    6. How Many thousands of tons of Blanket Bog peat will be displaced?”
  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke
    “To call on Sligo County Council to call on the Minister for Small Business, Mr John Perry TD, after nine months in power, to outline his plans to help businesses to survive in the light of this 2% rise in VAT;  what is the Minister doing to give some hope to small indigenous businesses.”
  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Collery
    “To ask Sligo County Council to call on the Minister for Housing to introduce an easy payment plan for the NPPR or second home tax, as many owners are heavily mortgaged and would find it easier financially if they could pay by direct debit or a payment plan over a 12 month period.”
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley
    “That we, the members of Sligo County Council be given an up-to-date report on when the upgrade of the Tubbercurry Sewerage will commence.”
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Baker and Councillor T. Collery
    “To ask the Director of Services, Infrastructure to report to this Council in relation to Riverstown water supply and in particular to the apparently high levels of chlorine in the water.”
  22. 36. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Baker
    “To ask the County Manager to examine the possibility of using workers employed under various Social Employment Schemes to carry out work such as opening of culverts, cleaning gullies, etc, in light of the reduction to Council Outdoor Staff”
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey
    “To ask Sligo County Council to improve the visibility for traffic exiting on to the N59 at Stone Hall Ballisodare.”
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey
    “To ask Sligo County Council what plans they have for the 2 vacant council houses on the Green Road, Coolaney.”
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Barrett
    “That this Council calls on Coillte to clear drains on their property along Road 5 linking with Road 4 at Knockadoo to prevent flooding of farmers land.”
  26. Votes of Sympathy
  27. Votes of Congratulations
  28. Conferences
  29. Correspondence
    1. Letter dated 2nd November, 2011 from the Office of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government regarding septic tanks and the Tubbercurry sewage plant.
    2. Letter dated 10th November, 2011 from Monaghan County Council regarding a resolution adopted by the Council re the Keane Report and distressed mortgage holders.
    3. Letter dated 14th November, 2011 from the office of Joan Burton TD, acknowledging receipt of correspondence.
    4. Letter dated 14th November, 2011 from the Office of the Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government re the household charge.
    5. Letter dated 14th November, 2011 from the Office of the Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government acknowledging receipt of correspondence re allotments.
    6. Email dated 14th November, 2011 confirming Barry O’Leary’s (IDA) attendance at a special meeting of the Council on 21st December, 2011.
    7. Letter dated 15th November, 2011 from the Office of the Minister for Education & Skills re the VEC offices at Quay St., Sligo.
    8. Letter dated 15th November, 2011 from Mary Henry re Vote of Sympathy.
    9. Letter dated 16th November, 2011 from South Tipperary County Council regarding a resolution adopted by the Council re rateable valuation.
    10. Letter from Charlie Haughey re Vote of Sympathy.
    11. Letter dated 18th November, 2011 from the Office of the Minister for Justice and Equality re Ballina Garda Station.
    12. Letter dated 23rd November, 2011 from the Office of the Minister for Education and Skills re the VEC offices in Sligo and Leitrim.
  30. Matters Arising from Minutes
  31. Any Other Business

Meeting Date 05/12/2011