Agendas 2021

Agenda of May Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held Monday, 10th May 2021 at 10 am


Corporate Services,
County Hall,
Riverside,
Sligo

071 911 1111

4th May 2021 

TO:  THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held:

ON:  Monday, 10th May 2021  

AT:  10.00 a.m.

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

You are requested to attend.

Kevin Colreavy
Meetings Administrator

 

CLÁR

  1. To note Minutes of Meeting of SPC1 (Housing and Corporate) held on 15th December 2020 (Copy attached).  
  2. To note Minutes of Meeting of Ballymote-Tubbercurry Municipal District held on
    1. 15th February 2021 and
    2. 16th March 2021
      (Copies attached).
  3. To confirm Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 12th April 2021 (Copy attached).
  4. To consider the following recommendation from meeting of SPC 4 – Climate Change held on 31st March 2021:

    “That Sligo County Council recognises the overwhelming evidence that a global climate and biodiversity crisis exists and that society at all levels must take responsibility in responding effectively to the challenges facing the future of our planet. Having adopted a Climate Adaptation Policy in 2019 to inform its efforts in adapting to climate change, Sligo County Council now acknowledges the need to assume a more visible leadership role by immediately implementing the following steps:
    • Declare a Climate Emergency for County Sligo
    • Declare a Biodiversity Emergency for County Sligo
    • Commit to implementation of the County Sligo Biodiversity Plan
    • Commit to providing Climate and Biodiversity Action Plan Report regular updates at Council meetings
    • Commit to signing up to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.”
  5. To consider report in relation to commencing the process of taking in charge the estate known as ‘Cois Abhainn’, Bellaghy, Co Sligo” (report attached).
  6. To make arrangements for Annual General Meetings of:
    1. Sligo County Council and
    2. Municipal Districts (report attached).
  7. Business Improvement District (BID) Budget 2021 – to determine the rate of the BID levy and the Council collection charge (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 ICARE Housing Company Limited by Guarantee in the form of CALF Loan for the Mortgage To Rent CALF P&A acquisition project at No. 39 Ashbrook Collooney, Co. Sligo”. (report previously circulated).
  9. To agree the allocation of the Regional Festivals and Participative Events funding 2021 (report attached).
  10. To consider the recommendations of the Decade of Centenaries Steering group under the CI : Creative Sligo Open Call funding 2021 (report to follow).
  11. To consider Draft Parking Bye-Laws for:
    1. Mullaghmore
    2. Rosses Point
    3. Strandhill
      (report to follow).
  12. To approve in accordance with Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of land at Bellanascarrow East, Ballymote, Co Sligo to Mr. Padraig Duffy and Mr. Neil Henry (Report previously circulated). 
    1. To note Minutes of Meeting of the County Sligo Placenames Committee held on 3rd April 2018 (copy attached)
    2. To consider report of County Sligo Placenames Committee – Consideration of Placename Proposals (report to follow)
  14. To note the review and preparation of the County Sligo Heritage Plan 2021 – 2025 (report to follow).
  15. To approve the recommendations of the Arts Assessment Committee on the contributions to Arts Grants Scheme 2021 (Report to follow).
  16. To note the Monthly Management Report for March 2021 (Copy attached).

 

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the meeting be provided with a progress report relating to the development of a walking route to the neolithic cairn located on Carns/Cairns Hill”.
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy and Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to address the concerns raised by residents who live on the old road that runs alongside the R291 in Rosses Point. Residents wish to see the junction at Ballyweelin closed to traffic and asked that the Roads Department would look at this proposal in the interest of health and safety”.
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “To ask Sligo County Council to reopen L7216-0 West from the N15 to L72123-0 that was closed to Vehicular Traffic on March 31st 2021 and to realign this road opposite the L7216-0 East as was the original layout when the current N15 was built with properly constructed turning lanes both East and West and to engage with the local residents in meaningful consultation to allay their fears and concerns”.
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “To call on the government to ensure that the national herd is not reduced under the Climate Change Bill”.
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan and Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to activate Section 34 6 of the Planning Act so that the development of surfing accomodation on former IDA lands at Easkey, Co. Sligo can be considered for planning”.
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “To ask Sligo County Council to report on what procedures are in place to either refund or pay to Irish Water the contribution made by members of the public as a condition of planning permission who paid to Sligo County Council a contribution towards expenditure that was or that is proposed to be incurred by Sligo County Council towards the provision of water facilities. This fee would have been paid at commencement of development work but the connection was never completed due to delays in finishing the dwelling.

    And to ensure that no householder is asked to pay a second contribution to Irish Water when they have already paid for the provision of water facilities to Sligo County Council.”
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “To ask Sligo County Council to provide an update on both Greenway Projects, the SLNCR and the Sligo to Bellaghy Greenway.”

 

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
    “Given the dramatic increase in sea swimming, this Council will:
    1. Consider undertaking year long water sampling to ensure the quality of the water is safe at all times.
    2. Investigate the possibility of designating Dorrins Strand as a bathing water beach.
    3. Create an alternative route to Dorrins Strand from the Airport Road to relieve the traffic issues which occurred last year.
    4. This Council will prohibit the use of inflatables at our beaches and on our inland lakes and waterways.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
    “Acknowledging the positive step forward by the government in introducing the coercive control legislation, this Council seeks that further supports are provided for those who experience domestic violence and that formal recognition is given to those encountering parental alienation”.
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
    “To ask this Council to outline its planned programme of works to counteract coastal erosion which is particularly evident at Strandhill”.
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That the roads department of this local authority would carry out a traffic management study of the road that leads up to St, Brendan's National School Sunset Drive ”Cartron Point in the interest of health & Safety of the children, parents and the residents who live alone on that stretch of road.” 
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “I am asking Sligo County Council to write to the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys and ask that all working mothers and their partners be allowed to take paid leave after suffering a miscarriage or stillbirth. This bereavement allowance would give employees three days’ leave when a pregnancy ends in miscarriage or stillbirth, rather than forcing them to use their sick leave.”
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “I ask Sligo County Council to write to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD seeking an increase in farm grants as soaring material costs are reducing the value of grant aid to farmers. Also, I call on the Department of Agriculture to publish revised reference costs for building work.

    Significant price increases for structural steel, cladding, timber and concrete. The cost of steel alone has jumped 30pc, Concrete prices up around 5-10pc, building costs are estimated to have increased around 10-15pc overall since the start of the Covid-19 crisis.”
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “To ask for an update on the route selection of the new N17 roads project.”
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “To urgently request that the Dept of Transport recognise the vital service that Sligo Airport provides to the entire region of the North West and to make funding available annually to ensure that this service is retained in Sligo.”
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That this Council call on the Minister for Justice to reconsider her department’s decision not to have a specific offence of stalking introduced on to the statute books, and to not only introduce an offence of stalking but to also introduce longer sentences for the crime than that currently available to prosecutors.”

    At present in Ireland, there is no law that defines stalking as a crime. This Council calls on the government to urgently enact clear and concise stalking legislation in Ireland.

    On the rare occasion that stalking is prosecuted in Ireland, it is prosecuted under harassment laws. The terms ‘stalking’ and ‘harassment’ are sometimes used interchangeably, but they can be significantly different.

    Harassment is unwanted behaviour from someone else that makes you feel distressed, humiliated or threatened. Stalking, however, is more intense, sinister and distressing. Stalking is a pattern of fixated, obsessive behaviour which is repeated, persistent and intrusive. It causes fear of violence or engenders alarm and distress in the victim. Victims of stalking are often at risk of violence from their stalker.

    Although stalking has recently been associated with crimes against women it can also be a crime against a man. It can be used against celebrities, politicians and civic leaders and needs to be clearly defined as a crime.

    The Law Reform Commission has recommended that stalking be defined as a separate crime to harassment. In the UK, when stalking was made a crime there was an increase in prosecutions - meaning it was necessary and overdue. This Council calls on the Minister for Justice to act urgently and legislate to make stalking a crime in Ireland.
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    “That Sligo County Council would carry out restorative works including painting to all the benches at the sea front in Strandhill”
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “To ask Sligo County Council to make provision of a pedestrian crossing at Carraroe centre linking the car-park at Carraroe Church/ R284 to the car-park at Carraroe National School/Well Pet Hospital in an effort to make this busy area safer.

    That Sligo County Council considers making application for this project to the Low Cost Safety Scheme in 2021.”
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “Following Governments allocation of €200,000 under the Active Travel Scheme for the provision of a new footpath linking Collooney to Ballisodare, that Sligo County Council provide an update on the project including project detail and an estimated start and finish date.“
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to write to the owners of the ‘Old Mill’ apartment in Ballisodare for an update on what they intend to do with this property and also that they address the ongoing concerns of youth's entering this derelict building.”
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Can Sligo County Council resurface the road at Barrack Street.”
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council calls on the government to introduce a solidarity tax on wealthy individuals or companies to pay for the covid pandemic.” 
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “That Sligo County Council calls on An Garda Siochana to permanently position an Armed Support Unit in Sligo to ensure that members of An Garda Siochana have rapid access to armed assistance in an emergency.

    That Sligo County Council write to the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice, the Assistant Commissioner for the North-Western Region and the Chief Superintendent for Sligo Leitrim to ensure that this request is seriously considered to protect both the public and Garda members on a day to day basis.”
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the Council be provided with the full list of bodies which received funding under the heading “Contributions to Other Bodies” including the specific amount paid to each organisation in the year’s 2019 and 2020.”
  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the Council be provided with a report outlining (a) the reason or reasons for the significant delay in having planning applications validated (b) the proposed steps the Council executive intends to take to expediate the validation process.”
  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council for an update report on the proposed Yeats International Centre and the planned Drumcliff visitor facilities.”
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the Council be provided with a report (a) indicating the beaches in the county which are wheelchair accessible (b)  indicating the proposals which the Council has to provide wheelchair access to beaches which are currently inaccessible.” 
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That this Council notes:

    The EU Commission’s new Regional Aid Guidelines, which apply from 2022, reduce from 51.28% to 35.9% the eligible population of the 26 Counties that can benefit from regional aid.

    That the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment must now notify the EU Commission of Ireland’s new regional aid map according to these new guidelines.

    Further, regrets the EU Commission decision to reduce the eligible population that can benefit from regional aid given the economic impact of Brexit and the continued need for investment in the Border and Northern & Western regions.

    Calls on the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to include County Sligo as part of the Border and Northern and Western regions in the State’s Regional Aid Map as areas qualifying for ongoing assistance.”
  22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “Noting the reply to Motion 34 November 2020 Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council (Submitted by Councillor Bree), can Sligo County Council issue an updated report on
    1. Design for proposed works by Langan Consulting Engineers
    2. Details of what works are proposed this design will be.
    3. Progress on procurement of funds to carry out the expected work.
    4. Progress on procurement of a contractor to carry out works.
    5. Expected date on which the Department could be asked to consider issuing licences to boats to carry fare paying passengers to Innishmurray
    6. Report on what inspections have been carried out to ensure the preservation and care of the delicate natural and heritage sites on the island.”
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council ensure that overnight serviced parking facilities are available for use by touring caravans and camper vans in time for the expected staycation tourism influx for the months of June July and August 2021. So that these camper vans and touring caravans do not choose to park overnight at Special Areas of Conservation and other unsuitable sites.”
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “In light that any CCTV footage cannot be used under GDPR guidelines to identify a person whose dog fouls our footpaths and all open spaces including housing estates, what alternative process will Sligo County Council use to bring forward a successful prosecution.”
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “That Sligo County Council consider providing the additional service at Bring Banks for Plastic Goods.”
  26. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “That Sligo County Council review the standard of grass cutting across the County.”
  27. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “That Sligo County Council increase resources to the Environment Department to combat illegal Dumping and dog fouling.
  28. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Baker:
    “To ask Sligo Council to write to the Minister for Social Protection, Ms. Heather Humphries requesting that the appeals process in respect of the Carer’s Allowance be examined and reviewed.”
  29. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. Mullaney:
    “To call on the Government to provide the necessary funds for Community Hubs in rural areas that already has adequate Broadband but needs a building fit out and necessary office equipment.”
  30. Votes of Sympathy.
  31. Votes of Congratulations.
  32. Conferences/Training.
  33. To note the summary of proceedings of conferences attended in accordance with Section 142(5) (f) of the Local Government Act, 2001.
  34. Correspondence:
    1. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Monaghan County Council re: global distribution of vaccines.
    2. Email dated 6th April 2021 from the Minister for Health and Older People re: mental health services in Sligo.
    3. Copy of resolution passed by Members of Cork City Council re: condemnation of racial abuse inflicted on Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Hazel Chu.
    4. Letter dated 12th April 2021 from the Office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment re: the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the EU and CETA.
    5. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Donegal County Council regarding Period Poverty in Donegal.
    6. Email dated 16th April 2021 from the Minister for Health re acknowledgement of correspondence re medical card income threshold eligibility.
    7. Email acknowledgement dated the 16th April 2021 on behalf of Minister of Sports and An Ghaeltacht, Jack Chambers, re Basketball Ireland Centre of Excellence for Sligo.
    8. Email dated from 16th April from Housing Minister for State, Peter Burke re Working Group on maternity leave for County and City Councillors.
    9. Email from Minister for Health dated the 19th April acknowledging correspondence re Covid guidelines for businesses.
    10. Email from Minister for Health dated the 19th April acknowledging correspondence re abortion services in Sligo.
    11. Email from Minister for Finance, Mr. Paschal Donohue TD dated the 19th April acknowledging correspondence re tax increases post-Covid.
    12. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Limerick City and County Council re Land Development Agency Bill 2021.
    13. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Limerick City and County Council re one-off rural housing.
    14. Acknowledgement letter dated 21st April from CEO of HSE Paul Reid re abortion services in County Sligo.
    15. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Clare County Council re carer’s allowance means testing.
    16. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Clare County Council re pilot Community Psychiatric Car Service.
    17. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Clare County Council re psychological support for all victims of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence.
    18. Email acknowledgement from Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, Mr. Joe O’Brien TD dated 29th April re Community and Voluntary Sector funding needs
      (Copies attached).
  35. Matters arising from Minutes.
  36. Any other business.

 


Meeting Date 10/05/2021