Agendas 2020
Agenda of September Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held on Monday, 7th September, 2020 at 10.00 am.
Corporate Services,
County Hall,
Riverside,
Sligo.
071 911 1111
1st September, 2020
TO: THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL
The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held
ON: Monday, 7th September, 2020
AT: 10.00 a.m.
IN: Knocknarea Arena, Institute of Technology Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo F91 YW50
You are requested to attend.
Bartley Gavin
Director of Services
CLAR
1. To confirm Minutes of Meetings of the Borough District of Sligo held on
a) 20th January, 2020
b) 17th February, 2020 and
c) Annual General Meeting held on 19th June, 2020 (Copies attached).
2. To confirm Minutes of Meetings of the Municipal District of Sligo-Drumcliff held on
a) 20th January, 2020
b) 17th February, 2020 and
c) Annual General Meeting held on 19th June, 2020 (Copies attached).
3. To note Minutes of Sligo County Council Audit Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 10th March 2020 (Copy attached).
4. To confirm Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 6th July, 2020 (Copy attached).
5. That Sligo County Council, being satisfied of their general public utility, declare the Roads named below to be Public Roads in accordance with Section 11(1) of the Roads Act, 1993.
Road numbers Location
L-42047-0 and The roads serving development known as “Woodbrook”,
L-42047-1 Culfadda, Co. Sligo.
L-92115-0 The road serving development known as “Carns Duke”, Cairns Hill, Sligo.
(Report previously circulated).
6. To approve in accordance with Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of dwelling house and its Property at Carrownadargny, Geevagh, Co. Sligo to Michael O’Rourke and Therese O’Rourke (Report previously circulated).
7. To approve in accordance with Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992, and Regulations thereunder, provision of assistance to Focus Housing Association Company Limited by Guarantee in the form of Capital Assistance Scheme for the acquisition project at No. 59 Cornmill Park, Ballymote, Co. Sligo (Report to follow).
8. To approve in accordance with Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992, and Regulations thereunder, provision of assistance to Focus Housing Association Company Limited by Guarantee in the form of Capital Assistance Scheme for the acquisition project at No. 7 Millrace View, Ballymote, Co. Sligo (Report to follow).
9. Presentation by National Broadband Ireland.
10. To receive an update on the Western Distributor Road Phase II.
11. Q2 June 2020 Financial Report (Report to follow).
12. To consider setting a local adjustment factor to the Local Property Tax for the period 1st November, 2020 to 31st October, 2021 (Report to follow).
13. To appoint a Member to fill the casual vacancy on SPC 3 – Planning, Community and Economic Development, Arts and Culture arising from the resignation of Cllr. Chris MacManus.
14. To consider the appointment of a Member to the Life Start Childcare Board of Directors.
15. To approve the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) Annual Report 2019 (Copy attached).
16. To note Additional Allocation of Creative Ireland Funding (Report previously circulated).
17. To note the Monthly Management Report for June/July 2020 (Copy attached).
DEFERRED MOTIONS
18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
“To write to Minister Stanton to address the serious issue of online gambling. Given the major societal issues coming from gambling particularly the ease of access through mobile phone and online platforms to gambling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, that credit cards be banned for use for online gambling accounts. And that this motion be shared with all other local authorities in the country.”
19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
“To call on Sligo County Council to provide an update on the review of the County Development Plan.”
20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
“Re: Sligo County Council’s Disability, Inclusion & Access Strategy 2019-2022 That Sligo County Council give an up to date report outlining:
a. The Annual Work Programme proposed by the Council under the Strategy (which was adopted on the 10 May 2019).
b. The specific actions in the Strategy which are proposed to be implemented by the Council in 2020.
c. The amount of funding provided by the Council for the year 2020 to carry out the specific actions which have been identified and proposed to be carried out in 2020.
d. Details of the membership and staff names of the Council’s Internal Access Team established under the 2019-2022 Strategy who are to work on the Strategy.
e. The percentage of each Council team members’ time which is expected to be devoted to this team work and for which funding has been provided by the Council in 2020.”
21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor P. Taylor:
“To ask Sligo County Council to support Government Office Hubs in Ballymote & Tubbercurry and other locations in our rural towns and villages. To also assist Civil Service to work remotely within their own communities and to support the staff with their family commitments while promoting a work life balance.”
22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Baker:
“That Sligo County Council investigates the establishment of Community Home settings in rural areas.”
23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
“That the meeting be provided with an updated report regarding the provision of mooring facilities at Inishmurray Island.”
24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
“To call on Sligo County Council to acknowledge the contribution to the county of Sligo of two former Ministers, Shane Ross and Michael Ring, for their service to the State.”
MOTIONS
25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
“That this Council strongly object to the proposed withdrawal of Court sittings from Sligo and call on the Board of the Courts Service and Minister for Justice to ensure adequate & appropriate access to Justice for the people of Sligo and Leitrim in close proximity to where they live and work. Can this motion be forwarded to Leitrim County Council also?”
26. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
“To receive a progress report on the Western Distributor Road and the Eastern Garavogue Bridge”
27. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
“That Sligo County Council engineering staff carry out a full survey of all footpaths in Cartron Estate with a view to repair works as requested by the residents in the Estate.”
28. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
"That Sligo County Council engineers provide members with an update on the proposed Oakfield Alleyway-Enhancement Works which will include, Clearance, drainage, Kerbing, footpath surfacing and seeding"
29. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
“To call on Sligo County Council to let the residents in Woodbrook Heights Estate in Ballisodare and the residents in Fairgreen Estate in Collooney know who is responsible for the cutting of the large grass areas beside both Estates as this is an ongoing issue.”
30. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
“To request an update on ongoing developments in finding a site for Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré Sligeach.”
31. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
“That Sligo County Council upgrades and repairs the footpath at Cairns Road beside the Bus Stop.”
32. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
“For Sligo County Council to write to the relevant Ministers to address the issue of extending the timescale and conditions of employment of Tús and CE participants on various employment schemes. These participants are greatly contributing to their local communities and helping out in so many ways, and are also benefiting socially from these schemes. However after a certain period of time they must leave the scheme and cannot avail of it again until another period of time has passed. This is unsatisfactory for many participants and also for the sponsor groups in the communities where they work. Can this motion be shared with all other local authorities”.
33. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
“To call on Sligo County Council to name the bridge over the Bellawady River, at Lower Main Street, Enniscrone after Volunteer Thomas Howley and to erect a plaque on said bridge in time for his hundredth anniversary in 2021. I ask that this be brought to the attention of the Placenames Committee for their consideration”.
34. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
“That Sligo County Council reviews the Zebra Crossings in Strandhill at the Gala Shop and the Pharmacy.”
35. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
“Sligo County Council will install a high speed charging point and additional charging points around the County for electric vehicles”.
36. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
“Sligo County Council will appoint an Arts Officer”.
37. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
(a) That Sligo County Council no longer recognises Easkey Community Council (ECC) as a community group. That ECC is an active private limited company and it no longer fits the criteria to receive public funding, Sligo County Council must now notify all funding agencies and government funding departments and the charity regulator.
(b) That Sligo County Council will now encourage and facilitate a new Community Group to be formed so that public money can continue to be channelled to the Easkey area. This group must be representative of the whole community of Easkey. Membership must be open to all the citizens of Easkey. A management board, elected by the members, at a public meeting. Monthly public information meetings must take place. All the people of Easkey and all public funding agencies must have confidence that openness, transparency and democracy is at the core of all the objectives and activities of this new Community Group”.
38. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
“That Sligo County Council engineers put in traffic calming measures at Martin Savage Terrace in consultation with the residents in the area”.
39. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
“That the Council provide traffic calming measures in Martin Savage Terrace.”
40. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
“To ask the Chief Executive Officer the financial position of the Council with regard to the Covid 19 crisis and if the CEO will state: the amount of revenue lost to the Council due to the crisis, the additional expenditure incurred and the central Government additional funding received to date.”
41. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
“To call on Sligo County Council to undertake a review of recent works outside Scoil Mhuire agus Iosaf/entrance to Kiernan Avenue in Collooney and address these safety issues. Currently there is a roundabout that is making this area unsafe. In addition I would ask Sligo County Council to replace existing speed ramp at Church View and make provision for a new speed ramp on entry to Kiernan Avenue on the lower side.”
42. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
“Sligo County Council will provide assistance to the school cyclebus for Strandhill initiative whether through provision of high vis vests, bike racks, mechanical services for repairs and a map to highlight possible availability safe routes for users.”
43. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
“Given that there has been a notable increase in sheep kills and dog thefts, Sligo County Council now calls on the Government and the Minister for Agriculture to review the current dog licence and to introduce a number of varied licences bands, i.e.; as currently exists in the gun licence legislation. Band A; Working farm dogs, Guide dogs, senior citizens’ companion dogs, Remain a nominal rate or current rate. All other dogs should be at higher rate of at least €100 per dog. All funds raised by a new licence programme should be ring fenced for animal and dog rescues groups, dog wardens and proper dog’s policing and management.”
44. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
“Further to previous motions - September & October 2019; the situation has significantly deteriorated in Easkey, and Sligo Co Co has failed to remedy the situation.
Due to historic and on-going issues in relation to Easkey Community Council's (ECC’s) governance, finances, planning, membership & actions; ECC can no longer be truly considered a Community Group, representing the best interests of Easkey and the wider community. The ECC grouping purporting to represent the wider community are not truly doing this. ECC operates as a private company posing as a Registered Charity.
I therefore call on Sligo Co Co's CEO to:
1. Notify ALL funding agencies that ECC is no longer eligible to receive public funding from any source with immediate effect, as it cannot be legitimately classified as a community group.
2. Notify the Charities Regulator, the ODCE & the International Fund for Ireland (as the IFI holds a charge on all the Company Assets dating from 2010) of this company's status and failures in adherence to rules of proper governance/transparency
3. Order a full external audit of ALL monies received by the company to be carried out immediately, examining financial controls and spends; as no monies have reached or benefited the community. (Motion passed in this chamber September 2019)
Sligo Co Co has failed to address the forensic analysis provided by the Whistleblower, who committed much personal time compiling the information to assist the funding bodies. The serious risks highlighted in the Whistleblower'sprofessional report have been ignored.
In line with the responsibilities of the local authority:
I hereby propose that the CEO IMMEDIATELY shuts down all public funding to ECC from this day forward
Furthermore, Sligo Co Co in conjunction with The Charities Regulator & IFI -IMMEDIATELY secures all assets registered to ECC/And its Directors, for the benefit of Easkey Community.
In light of recent revelations & concerns raised in relation to Planning Permissions (2 warning Letters issued by Sligo Co Co Enforcement Office since February 2020), I also call for a full and detailed audit of ALL planning permissions granted to ECC, to determine whether ECC has fully complied with all planning permissions and conditions heretofore granted & publicly funded, i.e. by taxpayers & the local community.(motion brought to this chamber October 2019 - CE asked for time to be honest broker to mediate himself- this effort has failed) 70 people paid €30 to become members 1 year ago, have not been admitted, They reneged on admitting them at a meeting arranged by the CEO, for 27th February 2020.”
45. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
“To ask the Chief Executive to commence the process of reducing speed to 50 km on Rd 94 at Kilglass N.S.”
46. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
“To call on Sligo County Council to examine the Union to Ballisodare road in terms of safety and to improve signage and markings on approach to the community sports facility at Youngs Quarry from both sides. That Sligo County Council consider making application for funding through the Low Cost Safety Scheme for speed warning signs.”
47. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
“To ask Sligo County Council to make application for funding for the refurbishment of public toilets at Rosses Point Beach and improvements to the public car park.”
48. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
“That Sligo County Council now calls on the Government and the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien to report on a long awaited review of the Tenant Purchase Scheme. As the current scheme is not fit for purpose and militates against families that cannot satisfy the high income technical purchase conditions.”
49. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
“Recognising that people with disabilities have the same right to use and enjoy public spaces that we all share; Acknowledging the obstacles which people with disabilities face in their daily lives, including badly parked vehicles and bicycles, billboards, over-grown hedges and other ill-placed hazards; Understanding that most obstacles are caused by thoughtlessness and genuine lack of awareness; this Council reiterates its support for Ireland’s Annual “Make Way Day” which takes place this year on Friday 25th September.”
50. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
“Recognising the financial burden that the property tax is imposing on families this meeting of Sligo County Council declares its opposition to the imposition of the government’s property tax and resolves to reduce the Property Tax by 15%.”
51. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
“That Sligo County Council undertakes to ensure that the existing permanent Public Toilets at Mullaghmore are fully operational and staffed for the 2021 Season. That Sligo County Council also undertake to have sufficient staff or contractors for the summer season in place by March of 2021 and to inform Councillors in the Sligo Drumcliff area no later than March 31st 2021 if there is any issue with Staffing or Contractors.
To also ensure that Portable Toilets or Portaloo structures are not put on the scenic Village Green that is the centre point of the Village.”
52. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
“That Sligo County Council report on the procedures used to implement the provisions of Section 90 of the Housing Act 1966 which prohibits alienation, mortgaging and charging without the consent of Sligo County Council for a period of 20 years from the date of disposal.
Re. Special Conditions
A. “The dwelling shall, unless the housing authority otherwise allow, be occupied as a normal place of residence by the purchaser or the purchasers successor in title or by a member of the purchaser’s family or the family of its successor in title”
B. “The Dwelling or any apart thereof shall not, without the consent of the housing authority, be mortgaged, charged or alienated otherwise than by devise or operation of law”
And include in that report
1. From What date has Sligo County Council included a special condition that shall apply to the dwelling for a period of twenty years from the date of vesting of the dwelling?
2. How many times have Sligo County Council not consented to the sale of a dwelling under these special conditions listed above in the following timelines?
(a) Five years from date of disposal
(b) Five to Ten years from date of disposal
(c) Ten to Fifteen years from date of disposal
(d) Fifteen to Twenty years from date of disposal
3. Was the decision to include these 20 Year Special Condition approved by Councillors or were the Council Members informed of the provision of this 20 Year Special condition?
53. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
“That Sligo County Council liaise with TII to ensure that the N15 Cashelgarron to Aghagad (Grange) 3.5 km resurfacing project will be completed as soon as possible and that a timeline is put in place to have the “Prime Coat” or wear layer applied before the onset of cold wet weather in November and December
Many National Road projects need “Prime Coat” or wear layer repairs within a short number of years after resurfacing and this may be related to works carried out when surface is cold or wet.
TII should be aware that Bituminous construction can be affected seriously by cold or wet weather and normally should not be attempted. Cold-weather paving with bituminous materials may indeed prevent adequate compaction.
"Prime Coat" should generally not be placed on any wet surface, or when the average surface temperatures are low.”
54. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
“How much in contributions has been paid to date Re; Special fund to upgrade the 'Top Road' section of the R292 in Strandhill Village. Such contributions were attached as planning conditions for new residential developments along the 'Top Road' in the village.”
55. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
“That Sligo County Council would allocate funding to bring the Pedestrian walkway known as Mud-lane Cartron foreshore up to a satisfactory standard of safety and accessibility for everyone, also provide funding for the Enhancement and Development of the foreshore area.”
56. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor P. Taylor & Cllr. M. Baker:
“To ask Sligo Co Council
1) How many Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans have been applied for to this Council?
2) How many qualified through Sligo County Council and
3) How many applications have been successful through the final stage of the process?”
57. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor P. Taylor:
“To ask this Council to make an application for further funding for our Rural Roads, to include Regional Roads, Class 2 & Class 3 Roads.”
58. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor P. Taylor:
“To ask this Council to contact the H.S.E. & the other relevant Bodies to help ensure the reopening of our Health Centres in our Towns and Villages throughout the County.”
59. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. Mullaney:
“To call on the Director of Services for Infrastructure to give a report on the number of L.I.S. and C.I.S. applications awaiting funding.”
60. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. Mullaney:
“To call on Sligo County Council that forestry owners applying for a felling licence and a loading bay would have a condition of planning that they would contribute to a C.I.S./L.I.S. scheme a monetary figure determined by the local authority.”
61. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
“That Sligo County Council writes to the Department of Justice with concerns about Ireland being the worst country in Western Europe for tackling human trafficking.”
62. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
“That Sligo County Council writes to the Minister for Finance to intervene and stop Bank of Ireland increasing their customer charges to €6 a month.”
63. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Fox:
“In light of recent storms and the probability of more to come this winter there continues to be a serious safety issue of dangerous overhanging branches and trees falling on to our public roads.
Residents continue to be concerned of the potential risk to road users. As a matter of urgency I call on Sligo County Council to write to land owners and to provide this Council with an updated report when this is done.”
64. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Connolly:
“To ask Sligo County Council to construct a columbarium on the grounds of Kilmactigue Graveyard.”
65. Votes of Sympathy.
66. Votes of Congratulations.
67. Conferences/Training.
68. To note the summary of proceedings of conferences attended in accordance with Section 142(5) (f) of the Local Government Act, 2001.
69. Correspondence:
a) Letter dated 30th June, 2020 and enclosed extract from local newspapers from Mr. Martin Ford re. election of Mayor of Sligo,
b) Copy of resolution from Limerick City and County Council in support of the National Small Business Recovery Plan,
c) Acknowledgement dated 30th June, 2020 from the Office of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection regarding Maternity Leave,
d) Response from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Planning & Local Government re. reconfiguration of areas within Municipal Districts in Sligo,
e) Copy of resolution received on 14th July, 2020 from Roscommon County Council re. Financial support for Tidy Towns and Voluntary Groups,
f) Acknowledgement dated 14th July, 2020 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government re. compensation for pyrite issues,
g) Copy of resolution adopted by the Members of Waterford City and County Council concerning the “Big Start Campaign”/Early Years services,
h) Acknowledgement dated 14th July, 2020 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government re. funding for L.I.S.,
i) Acknowledgement dated 14th July, 2020 from the Office of the Garda Commissioner re. Sligo Garda Station,
j) Letter dated 14th July, 2020 from Mr. Bernard Gloster, Chief Executive of TUSLA concerning child abuse substantiation procedures,
k) Acknowledgement dated 16th July, 2020 from the Office of the Minister for Rural and Community Development re. funding for Class 2 and 3 Roads and L.I.S.,
l) Acknowledgement dated 15th July, 2020 from the Office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine re. Property Registration,
m) Acknowledgement dated 15th July, 2020 from the Office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine re. support for Fishermen and Seafarers,
n) Acknowledgement dated 15th July, 2020 from the Office of the Taoiseach re. stimulus package for S.M.E. Sector,
o) Copy of resolution received on 17th July, 2020 from Limerick City and County Council re. the National Planning Framework,
p) Letter dated 10th July, 2020 from Derry City and Strabane District Council re. domiciliary care services,
q) Acknowledgement dated 17th July, 2020 from the Office of the Minister for Justice and Equality concerning request for meeting re. Sligo Garda Station,
r) Acknowledgement dated 20th July, 2020 from the Office of the Minister for Justice and Equality re. registration of Rights of Way,
s) Acknowledgement from the Office of the Taoiseach dated 16th July, 2020 re. representative lines for Councillors to mobile telephone and broadband service providers,
t) Acknowledgement from the Office of the Taoiseach dated 16th July, 202 re. Direct Provision System,
u) Letter dated 17th July, 2020 from Dr. Tony Holohan, C.M.O. in reply to Vote of thanks extended to him by the Members of Sligo County Council,
v) Acknowledgement dated 16th July, 2020 from ComReg,
w) Acknowledgement dated 17th July, 2020 from the Office of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection re. support for Fishermen and Seafarers.
x) Letter dated 17th July 2020 from Life Start Childcare re: invitation to Members to sit on Board of Directors.
y) Letter dated 22nd July, 2020 from the Office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation re. National Small Business Recovery Plan,
z) Acknowledgement from MSLETB re. appointment of Cllr. Arthur Gibbons,
aa) E-mail from the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, An Garda Síochána re. Sligo Garda Station,
bb) Copy of resolution adopted by the Members of Kerry County Council re. State pension public service fund,
cc) Letter dated 14th August, 2020 from the Commission for Communications Regulation re. Representative lines and
dd) Letter dated 14th August, 2020 from Mr. John Mullaney re. closure of Fáilte Ireland office in Sligo.
(Copies attached).
70.Matters arising from Minutes.
71.Any other business.
Meeting Date 07/09/2020