Agendas 2021

Agenda of Adjourned May Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held on Monday, 24th May 2021 at 10 am


Corporate Services,
County Hall,
Riverside,
Sligo

071 911 1111

11th May 2021 

TO:  THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND MEMBERS OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

The Adjourned Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held:

ON:  Monday, 24th May 2021  

AT:  10.00 am

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

You are requested to attend.

Kevin Colreavy
Meetings Administrator

 

CLÁR

  1. To make arrangements for Annual General Meetings of Municipal Districts:
    1. Ballymote-Tubbercurry
    2. Borough District of Sligo
    3. Sligo-Drumcliff
  2. To consider Draft Parking Bye-Laws for Strandhill   
  3.        
    1. To note Minutes of Meeting of the County Sligo Placenames Committee held on 3rd October 2018
    2. To consider report of County Sligo Placenames Committee – Consideration of Placename Proposals (reports previously circulated)
  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 and 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 and 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 Cllr 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 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.”
  24. 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.”
  25. 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.”
  26. 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.
  27. 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.”
  28. 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.”
  29. Votes of Sympathy.
  30. Votes of Congratulations.
  31. Conferences/Training.
  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. 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 previously circulated).
  34. Matters arising from Minutes.
  35. Any other business.

 


Meeting Date 24/05/2021