Agendas 2016

Agenda of January Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held on Monday 11th January, 2016 at 11.30 am


Sligo County Council
Corporate Services
County Hall
Riverside
Sligo

071 911 1216

5th January, 2015

 

TO:  THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

 

The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held:

ON:  Monday 11th January, 2016

AT:  11.30 am

IN:  Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo

You are requested to attend.

K. Colreavy
Administrative Officer

 

CLÁR

  1. To confirm the Minutes of the December Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 7th December, 2015. (Copy posted on extranet).
      
  2. To confirm the Minutes of Meetings of Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee held on 12th September, 2014, 14th October, 2014, 28th January, 2015, 21st April, 2015 and 8th July, 2015  (Copies posted on extranet).
      
  3. To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tobercurry held on 19th October, 2015 (Copy posted on extranet).
      
  4. To confirm the Minutes of the Budget Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tobercurry held on 12th November, 2015 (Copy posted on extranet).
      
  5. Presentation on ‘Families of the undocumented Irish in America’.
      
  6. Update on December Storm Damage.
      
  7. To make the Sligo Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2021 in accordance with Section 66A-H of the Local Government Act 2001 (as amended).  (Copies of A) Plan dated January 2016, B) Report of Director of Services dated 5 Jan 2016, C) SEA Screening Report dated 5 Jan 2016, attached herewith and posted on extranet.  HEA Screening Report dated 5 January 2016 to follow). 
      
  8. That Sligo County Council, being satisfied of their general public utility, declares the Roads named below to be Public Roads in accordance with Section 11(1) of the Roads Act, 1993.”

    Road NumberLocation
    L-84067-0 and L-84067-1 Roads situate in the development known as “The Rock”, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo.
  9. To note the Monthly Management Report for November 2015 (copy previously circulated).
      
  10. To appoint one (1) Member to the Sligo Gaol Conservation Plan Steering Group.
      
  11. To consider the Community and Voluntary Grants Scheme (Copy attached and posted on extranet). 
      
  12. To appoint Members to the Assessment Panel for the Contributions to the Arts Scheme. 
       
  13. To note report in relation to Section 128 of the Local Government Act, 2001 – Recognised Associations(Copy to follow). 

 

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Lundy:
    “To ask Sligo County Council to remove the burden of commercial rates from early childhood care and educational facilities in Co. Sligo, as is the case with all other educational premises, both public and private throughout the country.”  
      
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “I call on Sligo County Council to support Saint Vincent De Paul in the efforts with their Christmas appeal and to acknowledge the extraordinary work they do in our county.”  
      
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to (a) contact the Department with the view to develop a home improvement grant scheme to enable people on low income to bring their private family homes up to an acceptable standard. young families that may need a extra room for over crowding, new roof, windows heating system, (b) to activate the old housing in lieu grants.”  
      
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Kilgannon:
    “That Sligo County Council request the National Transport Authority to include Grange in County Sligo for the erection of Bus Shelters in 2016.”  
      
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Lundy:
    “To ask Sligo County Council to write to the Minister for Health and the H.S.E. in relation to the ongoing Medical Card crisis, which is causing huge distress to many people, especially to those who are ill and our senior citizens.”  
      
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    "That Sligo County Council call on Central Government to acknowledge the extraordinary commitment of the people of Sligo in bearing the brunt of cuts necessary to meet the councils financial debts and therefore allocate a once off, immediate bail out of €50m in early 2016 before the general election to alleviate debts caused by the expansionary policies demanded by the Department of the Environment in pursuit of the targets and ambitions set out in the national spatial strategy."  
      
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    "That Sligo County Council call on Central Government and the Minister for Justice in particular to re-establish Ballymote Court and re-open Garda stations closed in this  area."  
      
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    "That Sligo County Council call on the Minister for the Environment to urgently direct Irish Water to proceed with the upgrade of the sewage treatment works at Grange, Strandhill, and Tubbercurry."  
       
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “That the Council carry out improvement works on the Rinbane Road, (R461/558) and that its part of the Roads Programme 2016.”

 

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Kilgannon:
    “To ask the Roads Department of Sligo County Council to improve sight lines at the junction on the Rosses Point road with Scottman’s walk for health and safety reasons”.  
      
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Kilgannon:
    “To ask Sligo County Council what plans if any they have for an extension to Rosses Point Graveyard”.  
      
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor  M. Casserly:
    “I propose that this Council write to the Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation to the effect that the government should, under the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act, allow for the adoption of an Employment Regulation Order to be established for workers in the Childcare Sector”.  
      
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor  M. Casserly:
    “I propose that the Council write to the Minister of the Environment and Local Government to establish an ombudsman for the waste and recycling industries, the function of which would be to regulate the significant increases in charges that are being levied on householders and businesses over the past number of years”.   
      
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor  S. Kilgannon:
    “Sligo County Council expresses its deep concern over the signing by the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan on the unnecessary Credit Union Restrictions on the amount of deposits an individual can hold in a Credit Union”.  
      
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “To ask Sligo County Council has a cost estimate been prepared for funding and, if so, has this been submitted to the OPW for drainage works along the main channels of Arrow and Owenmore Rivers.

    The Minister has stated that a breach of the Habitat Directive will be allowed for urgent works under this scheme as a result of the extensive flooding to lands and roads in South and East Sligo”.
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To ask Sligo County Council to contact the NRA to address the issue of water flowing out onto the dual carriage at the Ballisodare exit coming from Sligo”.  
      
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To ask Sligo County Council for an up to date report on the recent flood damage to roads and property in Union Wood and Knockbeg, Collooney. And the Coolaney/Collooney road also Mowlam Nursing home and Woodlands estate in Ballytivnan and the Ballygawley to Collooney road. Has a plan been put in place to avoid a reoccurrence?”.  
      
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree and Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “That the Council be provided with a copy of the report of the review carried out by the Council’s Ethics Registrar in response to the screening on the 7th December of the RTE Investigates programme on Standards in Public Office, and further that the Council requests the Standards in Public Office Commission to outline its response to the contents of the programme.” 
      
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That Sligo County Council support the GloHealth All-Ireland Schools and Universities cross country finals in whatever way possible to ensure that this unique national event is a resounding success.

    March 5th sees the GloHealth All-Ireland Schools and Universities cross country finals taking place at Sligo Racecourse. This is the first time ever that this event has come to Sligo and will be the biggest athletics event in Sligo to date. 2016 also marks 100 years of Irish Schools Athletics. Over 1000 athletes will be competing on the day from all four provinces in minor, junior, inter and senior schools races as well as universities races, for male in female in all categories. Expected attendance will be 3000-5000”. 
      
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Lundy:
    “I will ask this Council to provide for in the Road Works Scheme 2016, a footpath from the junction of Road 516/R294 to Drimina National School, which is located on the very busy Regional Road the R294, in the interest of safety for the children who have to walk to school along this very busy road (R294)”.  
      
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “Due to the ongoing flooding on the R294 at Kilcoynes Oughambaun, and Gallaghers Quarryfield resulting in the road having to be closed the council puts forward proposals for special funding to the Department of Transport to have measures put in place  to avert this happening in the future”.  
      
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by CouncillorJ. Lundy:
    “On Tuesday, 29th December, 2015, the Minister for Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White, T.D. signed the licence allowing natural gas to flow in the Corrib pipeline.

    I will ask this Council to write to the Minister asking that Sligo city and county would benefit from this natural resource, in view of the fact that it is coming ashore in our neighbouring county Mayo.  This would help attract industry to our county and in turn create much needed employment for the people of Co. Sligo”.  
      
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “To ask Sligo County Council to examine the large old trees which overhang on to the N59 at Beltra as some appear in a dangerous condition”. 
      
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “Noting that the Council drew down the sum of €1,232,000 from the Department of the Environment, in May 2008 to pay for the purchase of 6 apartments designated for social housing which have not yet been purchased; and further noting that the Council received loans amounting to €750,000 in 2010 for the provision of burial grounds and only €170,000 of this money has been spent; this Council requests the Chief Executive to indicate what the outstanding €1,812,000 balance is being used for; and further the Council requests the Chief Executive to indicate if any other funding has been received or borrowed for specific projects which has not been used for the specific projects.”  
      
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That Sligo County resolves to include the following text and policies in regard to Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction, in the Draft County Development Plan 2017-2023:

    UNCONVENTIONAL GAS EXPLORATION AND EXTRACTION

    It is a strategic goal of the County Development Plan to adopt the ‘precautionary principle’ in respect of development where significant environmental implications are involved, in particular proposals for unconventional oil/gas exploration and extraction projects/operations.

    Further to this, the Council wishes to safeguard and nurture the unspoilt/green image and reputation of Sligo and the health of its present and future communities, centred on the rural characteristics of the County, agricultural activity, the landscape and its environmentally sensitive lands and water bodies – both surface and groundwater.

    This Council is cognisant of the significant ongoing controversy around, and the significant proven levels of risk associated with, unconventional oil/gas exploration and extraction internationally and acknowledges that the high volume of public objections to unconventional oil/gas exploration and extraction internationally, nationally and locally relate to potential and actual adverse impacts on the environment and human health, including impacts on:

    Local Communities;
    Local Infrastructures;
    Local Landscapes and Amenities;
    Water Quality and Water Supplies;
    Air Quality and Safety;
    Land/Soil Integrity;
    Agriculture;
    Tourism;
    Climate Change;
    Local Businesses;
    Property Prices.

    Objections are not solely restricted to the above.

    Applications for onshore exploration licences have been received for the Northwest Carboniferous Basin including parts of Leitrim and several other counties.

    It is acknowledged by this Council that there is significant and growing public concern in respect to the social, public health, economic and environmental impacts that may be associated with unconventional oil/gas exploration and extraction in County Sligo and adjacent counties.   This  Council will endeavour to protect the rights of the people of  Sligo and adjoining  counties  to  be  safe  in  their  own  communities  and  understands  that  short  term national policy can have long term and permanent negative effects.

    In 2012 Sligo County Council adopted the following motion:  “Recognising the dangers that hydraulic fracturing/fracking poses to water quality, to human safety and the general environment, this council resolves to work together with other local authorities in the region, to oppose the practice of hydraulic fracturing/fracking and we call on the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Irish Government to ban the practice of hydraulic fracturing/fracking North and South of the border.”

    Having  regard  to  the  foregoing,  the  Council  has  set  out  the  following  policy  with  regard  to hydrocarbon exploration and extraction.  

    Policy (A) It is the policy of the Council to apply the precautionary principle to Unconventional Oil/Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE) projects/operations proposed within the county.    Given the scientific evidence, and personal testimonies, of the risks of UGEE projects /operations and with the objective of avoiding the risk of serious danger to human health or the environment, it is therefore the policy of Sligo County Council that UGEE projects/operations shall not be permitted within the County of Sligo.

    Policy (B)  It is the policy of the Council to carefully scrutinise any unconventional oil/gas exploration and extraction project/operation proposal outside the County where it may, due to geographical proximity, have a significant impact on the County and where  available evaluation does not allow the risks to the environment of the region,  the ecology of the region and human and animal health within the region to be determined with certainty.   It is also the policy of this Council in such cases to seek from the relevant authorities a comprehensive full life cycle Health Impact Assessment,  together  with a full life cycle analysis of all possible cumulative and permanent negative effects for the potential full development.

    Policy (C)  It  is  the  policy  of  the  Council, in the eventuality that an outside body or bodies takes steps to overrule Policy (A) above, that a comprehensive full life cycle  Health Impact Assessment, together with a full life cycle analysis of all possible cumulative and permanent negative effects for the potential full development, will be required for any  proposal for oil/gas exploration and extraction projects located inside the County, as a mandatory component of the evaluation of any such proposals.

    Footnotes

    1.  ‘Precautionary Principle’:-  (http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001395/139578e.pdf)
    2. Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE) refers both to the use and full life cycle of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of low permeability sources such as shale gas deposits, coal seams and tight sandstones.   The impacts of UGEE projects/operations to be considered are those arising from UGEE  projects/operations in their totality, not just from fracking activities, including all stages of UGEE projects/operations, i.e, drilling, construction, commissioning,  operation,  decommissioning and aftercare as well as off -site and other developments.
    3. Including but not limited to the Compendium of Scientific, Medical, and Media Findings Demonstrating  Risks and Harms of Fracking (Unconventional Gas and Oil   Extraction) Concerned Health Professionals of NY, July 2014  (http://concernedhealthny.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/CHPNY-Fracking-Compendium.pdf)”. 
      
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor Margaret Gormley
    “That works be carried out on the Sligo Road at Rathdooney Beg where cones are in place in the interest of road safety”. 
      
  18. Votes of Sympathy. 
      
  19. Votes of Congratulations.  
      
  20. Conferences. 
      
  21. To note the summary of proceedings of conferences attended in accordance with Section 142(5) (f) of the Local Government Act, 2001. 
      
  22. Correspondence:
    1. Letter dated 30th November, 2015 from Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government re. proposed merger of Cork City and County Councils.
    2. Letter dated 3rd December, 2015 from Donegal County Council re. global re-valuation of utilities.
    3. Letter dated 10th December, 2015 from Dublin City Council re. Irish League of Credit Unions.
    4. Letter dated 14th December from Mrs. Catherine Meehan, Daughloonagh, Keash acknowledging vote of sympathy from Sligo County Council.
    5. E-mail dated 17th December, 2015 from Leitrim County Council re. dredging of the River Shannon.
    6. Letter dated 18th December, 2015 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. drainage works on the Owenmore River.
    7. Letter dated 18th December, 2015 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. Financial Plan.
    8. Letter dated 18th December, 2015 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. Storm Desmond.
    9. Letter dated 21st December, 2015 from the Private Secretary to the Minister for Justice and Equality re. deportation order on Mr. Jimmy Gralton.
    10. Letter dated 22nd December, 2015 from the Office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine re. flooding on public roads.
    11. Letter dated 22nd December, 2015 from Mr. Aaron Forde, Chief Executive of Aurivo (copy previously circulated).
    12. E-mail dated 23rd December, 2015 from Irish Water re. the Ballymote to Keash cast iron pipeline replacement project.
    13. Letter dated 29th December, 2015 from Archbishop Charles J. Brown, Apostolic Nuncio re. Sligo County Council’s invitation to Pope Francis to visit County Sligo.
    14. Letter dated 4th January from the Office of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government re. proposed merger of Cork Councils.
    15. Letter dated 4th January from the Office of the Minister for Health re. I.N.M.O. Emergency Nursing Staff. 
        
  23. Matters Arising from Minutes. 
       
  24. Any Other Business

 

Download Agenda of January Ordinary Meeting - 11th January 2016 (PDF) - 121 kbs  

 

 

 


Meeting Date 11/01/2016