Agendas 2016

Agenda of of May Ordinary Meeting


Sligo County Council
Corporate Services
County Hall
Riverside
Sligo

071 911 1216

3rd May, 2016

TO:   THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held:

ON:  Monday 9th May, 2016

AT:  11.00 a.m.

IN:  Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo

You are requested to attend.

K. Colreavy
Administrative Officer

 

CLÁR

  1. To confirm the Minutes of Meeting of Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee held on 24th November, 2015  (Copy attached and posted on extranet). 
      
  2. To confirm the Minutes of Meeting of the Ballymote-Tobercurry Municipal District held on 15th February, 2016 (Copy attached and posted on Extranet) 
      
  3. To confirm the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tobercurry – Draft Schedule of Municipal District Works 2016 held on 24th March, 2016 (Copy attached and posted on Extranet). 
      
  4. To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 4th April, 2016 (Copy attached and posted on extranet). 
      
  5. To note the Monthly Management Report for March 2016 (Copy to follow). 
      
  6. Financial Plan – to hear an update. 
      
  7. To set dates for the County Council and Municipal Districts Annual General Meetings. 
      
  8. To hear a Report on introduction of Pay by Weight System for Refuse Collection. 
      
  9. To approve the 2016 Student Grants Scheme (Copy attached and posted on Extranet). 
      
  10. To approve allocation of Grant Awards under the Community and Voluntary Sector Grants Scheme 2016 (Copy attached and posted on Extranet).  
      

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    "That Sligo County Council write to the Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe requesting funding for the feasibility study of the disused rail route as a greenway from Collooney to Bellaghy in County Sligo.” 
      
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    "That Sligo County Council call on the Government to immediately increase the Carers allowance substantially considering carers save the state Billions". 
      
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    "That Sligo County Council engineering staff review the Traffic flow at the Cleveragh/ Pearse road junction as motorists are experiencing significant delays exiting from Cleveragh". 
      
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “That we be provided with a report as to who is responsible for the maintenance and general upkeep of the grounds that the sewerage treatment plant at Corpus Christi Estate is built on”.  

 

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “Can Sligo County Council repair the solar powered warning lights at the rear of Scoil Naomh Molaise, Grange. Also can yellow lines be painted at rear entrance to school to discourage parents from parking to ensure safety of children entering/exiting the school premises.

    Can the Council also explore the possibility of a crossing point from the parking area at the rear of the school to provide a focal point for crossing safely rather than the indiscriminate crossing which is the current situation.  These points would help to ensure a safer school environment.” 
      
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to facilitate a meeting with the concerned Residents in Ballymote to discuss the vehicle safety concerns on the development much welcomed Primary Health Care Centre at Ballymote”. 
      
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That Sligo County Council calls on Tesco Ireland to accept a Labour Court recommendation instead of attempting to force significant wage cuts on a large number of staff members”.  
      
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That Sligo County Council calls on Tesco to withdraw its threat to unilaterally change its employees conditions of employment, including its threat to cut employees pay; and further the Council also calls on Tesco to fully implement the terms of the Labour Court Recommendation (LCR21139) which states that Tesco should pay all of its workers a 2% pay increase and a share bonus.” 
      
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. MacManus:
    “That due to the hardship which would be caused to many tenants of this Council and other users, by the closure of the finance desk in City Hall, this Council asks the CEO to reconsider this action”. 
      
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Kilgannon:
    “Sligo County Council calls on licensed waste providers to ensure that households with permanently incapacitated individuals are not unduly penalised under the new Payment by Weight system of refuse collection from 1st July, 2016”. 
      
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Kilgannon:
    “What progress has being made by Sligo County Council to secure funding for an extension to the Pontoon facility at Sligo Harbour?” 
      
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor K. Henry:
    "Calls on Sligo County Council to work with the residents in the Marren Park, Earls Court, Pearse Road area of Ballymote and the local schools to devise a road safety plan and amend traffic flow if necessary in advance of works commencing on the new Primary Care Centre". 
      
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. MacManus:
    “To ask in the interest of pedestrian safety, that the pedestrian crossing on the R2777 adjacent to Golf Course Rd and St Patricks Church Strandhill, be re-furbished.

    Such works should include repair/replacement of Belisha Beacons and repainting/up-grading, if necessary, of crossing”. 
      
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That Sligo County Council provide the necessary resources to commission and implement a County Recreational Strategy in partnership with relevant agencies and interest groups in recognition of the huge potential for growth in this area and in order to capitalise on the benefits that strategic investment in recreation can bring to the socioeconomic development of the county and its tourism offer”.   
      
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. MacManus & Councillor T. Healy:
    ”Sligo County Council calls on Tesco Ireland to withdraw their threat to unilaterally cut pay and conditions of employment for Tesco workers and urges them to meaningfully engage with the Mandate Trade Union and to utilise the state's industrial machinery, the Labour Court , if necessary and to fully implement its recommendations”.  
      
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “To ask Sligo County Council for an update on the new treatment pump and tank in Castle Grove Estate Ballymote”. 
      
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “Noting the need for improvements in Rosses Point, including:
    1. the provision of additional refuse bins on the promenade
    2. the provision of dog fouling notices
    3. the erection of a handrail on the path to the second beach
    4. the erection of signage warning swimmers not to swim on the left (South) side of the swimming pool
    5. the provision of a small wall on the west side of the swimming pool
    6. the provision of additional ramping for wheelchair users
    7. the provision of seating on the scenic walkway linking the pier with the Yacht Club
    8. the resurfacing of the said walkway
    9. the provision of a footpath on the road linking the School with the Catholic chapel
    10. an extension of the bicycle lane from the entrance of the village along the promenade road,
    11. the painting of the “Beachery” building

      This Council resolves to ask the Executive to prepare a plan and schedule of works so as the necessary improvements can be implemented within a reasonable period of time.” 
        
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Kilgannon:
    “To request Sligo County Council to examine the possibility of providing further car parking close to the Cottage Café in Rosses Point.  Extra parking is urgently required in this area for safety reasons” 
      
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To ask Sligo County Council for an up to date report on the Church/Abbey in the old graveyard in Ballisodare and what progress has been made to clean up this graveyard.”  
      
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “That this Council calls on the H.S.E. and the Minister for Health to immediately reverse the decision to cut back on Home Help hours”. 
      
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:“That Sligo County Council would write to the new owners of The Mill Apartments,  Ballisodare to see what proposals they have in respect of the completion of the development”. 
      
  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to prepare a report on the protocol that dog owners must follow when they have their dogs in public area ie. Beaches Parks and Public areas”. 
      
  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to contact the Department as a matter of urgency to seek more staff to deal with the housing crisis in county Sligo”. 
      
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to contact Electric Ireland to erect fencing around the metal substation power unit number 355040X located in the green play area of Parklands estate, Tubbercurry as this is causing concern to residents.” 
      
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “Ask the Director of Services to review safety at piers and slip ways in the county”. 
      
  22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “Ask the Director of Services to allocate funding towards traffic calming measure on R297 Main Street, Enniscrone”. 
      
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “That this Council requests the H. S. E. for the up-to-date position on the their application for funding to progress to Design Stage the provision of a Primary Care Centre for Tubbercurry”. 
      
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “Noting that the Council at its February meeting agreed to consider the motion on Fracking when the draft County Development Plan is presented for consideration.

    This Council now 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)” 
      
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
    “Seeks the support of Sligo County Council in the development of a surf rescue service in Strandhill together with information and signage to the safe swimming beaches.” 
      
  26. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
    “Seeks a report as to the strategic infrastructure and environmental assessment undertaken regarding the development of the Wild Atlantic Way”. 
      
  27. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor K. Henry:
    “To ask Sligo County Council for an update and timeline on the taking over of Rathosey Estate Coolaney”. 
      
  28. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “To ask for a report on the proposed implementation of  30 km speed limits in Housing Estates has funding been provided and if so when is it going to take place.  Also as part of the scheme is there flexibility whereby ramps can be provided in estates that have none at present”
      
  29. Votes of Sympathy 
      
  30. Votes of Congratulations 
      
  31. Conferences 
      
  32. To note the summary of proceedings of conferences attended in accordance with Section 142(5) (f) of the Local Government Act, 2001. 
      
  33. Correspondence:
    1. Letter dated 30th March, 2016 from the Road Safety Authority in reply to Sligo County Council’s resolution re. safety measures at schools in County Sligo.
    2. Acknowledgement of 7th April, 2016 from the Office of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources re. resolution on mobile phone coverage.
    3. Reply dated 11th April, 2016 from the Chief Inspector and Director of Regulation, Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) in relation to Cregg House Residential Centre.
    4. Acknowledgement dated 11th April, 2016 from the office of Mr. Tony O’Brien, Director General of the Health Service in relation to Cregg House Residential Centre.
    5. Acknowledgement dated 12th April, 2016 from the Office of the Minister for Health concerning “Sugar Awareness Day”.
    6. Acknowledgement dated 12th April, 2016 from the Office of the Minister for Health concerning staffing review at Cregg House Residential Centre.
    7. Acknowledgement dated 12th April, 2016 from the Office of the Minister for Health concerning the location of the National Children’s Hospital.
    8. Letter dated 6th April, 2016 to the Station Master of MacDiarmada Station, Sligo regarding the provision of a car park at the rear of the station and reply received on 19th April, 2016.
    9. Correspondence from Kerry County Council dated 19th April, 2016 re. “Charter of Independent Living” compiled by Cumann Iosaef, Tralee.
    10. Copy of motion agreed by Donegal County Council regarding Brexit poll on 23rd June.
    11. Correspondence dated 26th April, 2016 from Meath County Council regarding sewerage issues affecting householders. 
        
  34. Matters Arising from Minutes 
      
  35. Any Other Business

 

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Meeting Date 09/05/2016