Agendas 2021

Agenda of December Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held on Monday, 6th December 2021


Sligo County Council
Corporate Services,
County Hall,
Riverside,
Sligo

071 911 1111

30th November 2021

TO:  THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held:

ON:  Monday, 6th December 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 the Minutes of Ballymote/Tubbercurry Municipal District Meeting held on 20th September 2021(Copy attached).
  2. To note minutes of Corporate Policy Group meeting held on 13th October 2021 (to follow)
  3. To note the Minutes of Ballymote/Tubbercurry Municipal District Budget Meeting held on 1st November 2021(Copy attached).
  4. To confirm Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 1st November 2021 (Copy attached).
  5. To confirm Minutes of Statutory Budget Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 22nd November 2021 (Copy attached).
  6. To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of property at 16 Cois na hAbhainn, Gurteen, Co Sligo to Ms Laura Maheady (Report previously circulated.)
  7. To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of property at Ballintemple, Ballinfull, Co Sligo to Ms Lorraine O’Connor Currid (Report previously circulated.)
  8. That Sligo County Council commence the process of taking in charge the development known as “Earl’s Court”, Ballymote, Co Sligo by instigating the necessary procedures under Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 to declare public the road serving the development (Report previously circulated.)
  9. Business Improvement District (BID) Budget 2022 – to determine the rate of the BID Levy and the Council collection charge (Report attached).
  10. To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of property at 41 Parklands, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo to Ms Linda Kelly (Report previously circulated.)
  11. To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of Sligo County Council Lands at Maugheraboy Sligo, Co Sligo to Kingsbridge Healthcare Group (Report previously circulated).
  12. To confirm the nomination of Mr. PJ Cleere, Disability Federation of Ireland to the Disability Consultative Committee, as endorsed by the Housing and Corporate SPC meeting on 28th September 2021.
  13. To approve the recommendations of the Arts Assessment Committee to the reallocation of funds under the Contribution to the Arts Grants Scheme 2021 (Report attached).
  14. To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of property at No 1 Charles Street, Sligo to Mr Mark Barron and Mr Keith Wilson (Report previously circulated)
  15. To Consider Chief Executive’s Report and Recommendation to proceed with the proposed Social Housing Development at Robbers Lane, Maugheraboy, Sligo pursuant to Section 179(3) and 179(4) of Part XI of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) (Report attached).
  16. To approve in accordance with Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992, and Regulations thereunder, provision of assistance to Sligo Social Service Council Company Limited by Guarantee, in the form of Capital Assistance Scheme in the value of €684,673 for Mc Auley House, 5A Charles Street, Sligo (Report previously circulated).
  17. To approve in accordance with Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992, and Regulations thereunder, provision of assistance to Respond in the form of Capital Assistance Scheme in the value of €199,787 for Dwelling at Kilmorgan, Castlebaldwin, Co. Sligo (Report previously circulated).
  18. To approve in accordance with Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992, and Regulations thereunder, provision of assistance to Banada Tourlestrane Housing Association Company Limited by Guarantee, in the form of Capital Assistance Scheme in the value of €35,340 for Dwelling at Tourlestrane, Co. Sligo (Report previously circulated).
  19. To approve in accordance with Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992, and Regulations thereunder, provision of assistance to Newgrove Housing Association, in the form of Capital Assistance Scheme in the value of €655,285 for Dwelling at “Larassa”, Strandhill Road, Sligo (Report previously circulated).
  20. To note the Report and Presentation to update the members on the progress of the proposed 63 dwelling Social Housing PPP Development at Rathellen, Finisklin Sligo in advance of the of the publication of the planning submission to An Bord Pleanála (Report attached).
  21. To set a date for the January 2022 Monthly meeting.
  22. To note the Monthly Management Report for October 2021 (Copy attached).

 

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. 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 accommodation on former IDA lands at Easkey, Co. Sligo can be considered for planning.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
    “This motion asks that Sligo County Council engage with Sligo Leader to conduct a feasibility study to ascertain possible options towards establishing a 50m pool in Sligo and engage with all local stakeholders in this regard including, Sligo IT, Sligo Sports Partnership, Regional Sports Centre and the swimming and triathlon clubs.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “In March 2022 just under €2.6million was announced for Sligo under the Active Travel Programme.

    I ask Sligo County Council to provide update on all schemes, spend to date and projected timeline for completion of all projects.

    Project Code: Sligo 
    • Cycle parking €50,000
    • New Footpath Schemes A - Strandhill, Grange, Carney €195,000
    • New Footpath Schemes B - Ballygawley, Ballintogher, Coolaney , Rockfield, Collooney, Ballinafad, Carraroe €355,000
    • New Footpath Schemes C - Enniscrone, Geevagh, Tubbercurry, Sligo City €245,000
    • Footpath Improvement Schemes - Various locations in the City €400,000
    • Safe to Schools Programme - Support Infrastructure €100,000
    • Low Cost Junction Tightening/Pedestrian Crossing Schemes €300,000
    • Light Segregation Cycle Schemes €100,000
    • Transport Studies/ Urban Mobility Plans/Active Travel Network Plans €275,000
    • Low Cost Permeability Measures €100,000 SO/21/0011 
    • Walking/Cycle Scheme €100,000 SO/21/0012
    • Footbridge Review €100,000 
    • IT Sligo to Hyde Bridge Walking/Cycling scheme €100,000 
    • Covid projects - permanent works €50,000
    • Upgrade Existing Junctions to an Urban Traffic Control system €125,000
    • Total €2,595,000.”
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To ask Sligo County Council, LCDC, Sligo Leader and the Minister to provide a report, why under the programme that is run by Sligo Leader Company, the maximum grant for a community group in Sligo is €200,000, and the same project in Mayo is €300,000.

    Why when the cohesion programme was introduced in Ireland and west Sligo was amalgamated into Sligo from Mayo (Moy Valley Leader Group), the commitment was to ensure it would not be worst off as regards Leader funding?

    What efforts are being made to ensure that community groups in Sligo and in west Sligo in particular are receiving the same level of funding as community projects in Mayo?”
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy and Councillor P. Taylor:
    “That Sligo County Council seek an updated report from National Broadband Ireland on the rollout of high-speed Broadband in County Sligo.  The report to include:
    1. Update on the delivery of the 2,513 underserved premises in the current deployment area that NBI expected to serve by the end of Q4 2021. (Reply to Motion 52 1st February 2021 Motion)
    2. The list of areas that will be next in line and when delivery is expected to be completed in these areas.
    3. Of the 14,800 premises listed as not having access to high-speed broadband how many will see delivery in each of the next three years,
      • 2022
      • 2023
      • 2024.”
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That the following works would be carried out on the R291 in the interest of safety.

    That the 3 wooden ESB poles adjacent to the road close to the entrance of Cartron Heights be reinstalled further back from the roadside kerb and that a yellow box would be installed on the road for traffic exiting Cartron Heights and where the R291 Road narrows at least 150 metres back from the junction of Scotsman’s walk towards Cartron direction, warning reflectors or other form of safety measures would be put in place to warn of road narrowing, also measure be put into place to make motorists aware while travelling from Rosses Point direction via Scotsman’s walk that they a very lightly to meet pedestrian on the corner of the junction as this road has became very popular for people walking.”
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “Following on from my motion that was unanimously agreed March of this year, calling on Roads Department of this County Council to start procedures to have a pedestrian crossing installed on R293 adjacent to the Park in Ballymote, in the interest of health and safety, particularly for young children and the elderly crossing the road to and from the Park. Could we have an updated progress report?”
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That this local authority write to the FG Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD and the FF Minister of State at the Department of Finance with specific responsibility for insurance regulation, Sean Fleming TD, that during the current drafting of insurance legislation the legislation actually leads to a reduction of insurance costs to customers, and this legislation must contain the end of dual pricing and loyalty penalty and not further delay at stopping these practices as this and previous governments have done for far too long.”
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to write to Irish Water for an update report on the Groundwater Investigation Programme to identify alternative sources of water in North Sligo area that will meet with demands of customers during periods of prolonged dry weather and a permanent supply into the future.”
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “To call on the Department of the Marine to make funds available from the Brexit Adjustment Fund available for the renovation repair and dredging of Local Authority Piers and Harbours within the county.

    This fund could bring massive benefits to the Commercial Port of Sligo and to the fishing and Marine Tourism harbours along the coast of Sligo.”

 

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That Sligo County Council carry out a Road Safety Audit in the village of Ballisodare and make infrastructural improvements to address the speed of vehicles coming through the village and the safety of pedestrians crossing the road.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “That Sligo County Council commence the process of re-naming Clarion Road University Road.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council calls on the government for a full excavation of the former mother and baby home site and surrounding areas in Tuam as a matter of urgency and use DNA to identify the remains.” 
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “As highlighted by IT Sligo Students Union that Sligo County Council conduct a review of public lighting in the following areas of Sligo Town: Clarion Road, The Mall, Hazelwood Road and Ballytivnan Road to ensure the safety of students on these busy walking routes.” 
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    "That Sligo County Council would improve the street lighting at the following locations as requested by the Students Union of Sligo IT,
    1. Clarion Road.
    2. Mall Road.
    3. Hazelwood Road.
    4. Ballytivnan Road.”
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “To request that Sligo County Council address the need for enhanced street lighting at Clarion Road, Mall Road, Hazelwood Road and Ballytivnan Road.”
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “I call on Sligo County Council and Sligo LEADER Partnership to put a plan of action in place and to engage with the wider community in Ballymote for the purposes of reviving and establishing a new vibrant community organisation that would be the catalyst for community development projects.  Ballymote always had a good track record in community development for many years but this seems to have waned.  Action is needed now to halt the decline further.  I am calling on Sligo Leader Partnership to become involved using the various programmes that it operates.”
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to explore with their partners the creation of a digital lab for Children and Young People in Sligo Town.

    These digital labs operating throughout the country are engaging young people through a range of digital mediums including Digital Art, Creative Coding/Robotics, Music, 3D Design/Printing, Animation/Gif creation, Game Design, STEAM, VR, Graphic Design and much more.

    That Sligo Council engage with stakeholders such as Foróige, The Local Enterprise Office, MSLETB, Economic Department within LA, Sligo Leader with a view to create such a digital space.” 
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “That Sligo County Council write to the HSE and the Minister for Finance Pascal Donohoe to provide assistance to caregivers who use their own cars to visit the elderly and sick living at home and alone, to offer assistance particularly in light of rising fuel prices they are enduring.  It would be wrong for such an important segment of our health care community to find themselves having to experience an income cut as costs, over which they have no control, continue to rise. They provide an invaluable service that saves the HSE money and perhaps more importantly, their social skills are even more valuable and more important, particularly for the elderly who live alone.”
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “Ask the minister rural and community development to increase the funding under RRDF fund from 75 to 90 per cent for the local authorities in the Northern & Western Regional Assembly area now identified as a Region in Transition so as to ensure that projects can be funded at local level.”
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “That Sligo County Council should write to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan, TD and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, to seek clarification if people are obliged to have smart meters fitted in their homes which are rolling out for installation across the region at present and if householders can decline their installation.”
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “Given that the government has failed in the budget to provide for a review of the income levels for qualification for social housing, that has not been revised since 2011; given that the cost of living has doubled in this time; given that politicians are advising and households are endeavouring to keep their income below €27,500 by not taking up, and indeed reducing their work hours so as to meet the income levels that will keep them qualifying for housing, HAP, Medical Cards and all the supports that they would lose; given that nothing has been done for the squeezed middle, with income levels between €27,500 up to €50,000, unable to secure mortgages and with rising rents, I call on this council to seek a meeting with the Minister for housing Mr O’Brien to have a review of the income thresholds, the tenant purchase scheme and affordable housing.”
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “Given that the planned construction of two major and interconnecting greenways in the region will connect Bellaghy in South Sligo and Sligo City with the Northern Ireland Greenway Network at Enniskillen, it is desirable for sustainable jobs and business opportunities in the county that the greenway network should as far as possible connect with other greenway infrastructure in the North West. I propose that Sligo County Council CE request a meeting with his opposite number in Mayo County Council to examine whether the latter body might explore the possibility of extending the greenway on the closed railway from Bellaghy to Claremorris, to develop the longest such piece of infrastructure in Ireland. If such development were to take place, it could easily be connected from Swinford with the Great Western Greenway via Turough House. There are no plans and there is no possible source of funding to build a railway on the former rail route between Claremorris and Bellaghy, but there is funding available for a greenway, which would furthermore protect the route from loss to public ownership until such future time as a railway might be possible.”
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
    “In light of the ongoing anti social behaviour which occurs regularly on The Mall, this motion requests that this council establish a forum of stakeholders to include An Garda Síochána, IT Sligo, residents and business owners to address these problems and erect signage along the Mall to remind people that this is a residential area and people need to be mindful of this particular after 10pm.”
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
    “Given the government’s intention to increase the number of electrical vehicles on our roads as part of their climate action plan, this motion asks that the department of the environment liaise with the department of finance to reduce the VRT on imported electric vehicles and roll out fast chargers across the country to ensure purchasing an electric vehicle is viable for as many people as possible.”
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to write to the Minister of Agriculture for a commitment to undertake the building of the new regional vet laboratory in Sligo and a time frame when this will happen.” 
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the Council be provided with an update on the implementation of the Vacant Homes Action Plan and that a map showing occupied and unoccupied properties in the Borough area (and other areas if available) be circulated to councillors.”
  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the Council be provided with an update on the proposed new Masterplan for the Wine Street Car park area.”
  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the Council be provided with an update on the seabed survey of Sligo Harbour in addition to a progress report on the development of the port.”
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That this local authority would look at making provisions or extend the existing car park at Cleveragh car park, the area known as the boathouse or landing stage, to accommodate anglers visiting with Boats and Trailers for fishing competitions or pleasure boating.”
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That this local authority would investigate how to secure funding to bring the pedestrian walkway known as Mud-lane Carton Bay foreshore up to a satisfactory standard of safety and accessibility for everyone. Also provide funding for the enhancement and development of the foreshore area.”
  22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’ Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council calls upon Minister Eamon Ryan to refuse to grant a prospecting license to Flintridge Resources (Galantas) for almost 50 townlands in North Leitrim. We stand with communities in Leitrim who have voiced their clear opposition to this carbon heavy, energy intensive gold mining industry. We also stand with our colleagues in Leitrim County Council who unanimously voiced their opposition to the granting of this license. Companies like the one to which the Minister intends to grant a license have no role to play in helping create a sustainable future for this and future generations in the region. The industry is long associated with negative impacts on the landscape, air and water quality, carbon emissions, and the displacement of and/or negative impacts on existing industries like tourism and agriculture. We ask the Minister to listen to the thousands of people who have made objections to this proposal. We also encourage other local authorities around the country to voice their opposition.”
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council put in place as a matter of urgency a system to ensure that each of the three Municipal Districts gets a fair share of expenditure across all departments linked to population numbers. This system to be put in place during 2022 to ensure that all areas are treated equally in the 2023 and subsequent budgets.”
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council invite the Office of The Planning Regulator to meet with members and officials to discuss what members can do both in the short and medium term to alleviate the urgent need for additional housing in County Sligo”.

    This meeting should look at how this can be done prior to approval of the next development plan considering Sligo is falling 300 units per year behind targets so far and what can be done to ensure Sligo does not fall further behind during the term of the new development plan.”
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That the roads department of this local authority carry out the necessary upgrade of the Clarion Road, between Ballinode college of further education and the Ballytivnan Roundabout adjacent to St, Josephs School.”
  26. Votes of Sympathy.
  27. Votes of Congratulations.
  28. Conferences/Training.
  29. To note the summary of proceedings of conferences attended in accordance with Section 142(5) (f) of the Local Government Act, 2001.
  30. Correspondence:
    1. E-mail acknowledgement dated 26th October from the Office of the Minister for Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science, Simon Harris, T.D., regarding student accommodation.
    2. E-mail acknowledgement dated 26th October from the Office of the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien regarding Tenant Purchase Qualification terms.
    3. Acknowledgement letter dated 21st October 2021 from the Office of the CEO of the HSE regarding reinstatement of speech & language therapy and occupational therapy to the Holy Family Preschool.
    4. E-mail dated 27th October 2021 from the Office of Marian Harkin T.D. regarding Rural Regeneration applications.
    5. E-mail dated 28th October 2021 from the Office of the Department of Rural and Community Development in relation to applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund from Sligo County Council.
    6. Letter dated 3rd November 2021 from Iarnród Éireann regarding an early morning Commuter Rail Service from Longford.
    7. Letter from IT Sligo Students’ Union regarding request for review of public lighting in the areas around Sligo IT.
    8. Letter dated 12th November 2021 from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage in relation to income thresholds for social housing support and tenant purchase scheme.
    9. Letter dated 12th November 2021 from the HSE, Head of Service Disability CHO1, regarding Speech & Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy services at the Holy Family Preschool.
    10. Letter dated 16th November 2021 from Dr. Brendan McCormack, President of IT Sligo regarding Vote of Congratulation passed at November Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council.
    11. Letter dated 17th November 2021 from the National Transport Authority (NTA) regarding bus services in Sligo Town.
    12. E-mail dated 19th November 2021 from Ballymote Credit Union regarding installation of 24 hour ATM in the premises.
    13. E-mail dated 19th November 2021 from NTA Oireachtas Liaison regarding Young Adult Travel Card.
    14. Acknowledgement letter dated 19th November 2021 from the Office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding incentive to farmers to convert wetlands into a carbon sequestration.
    15. Acknowledgement email dated 22nd November 2021 regarding Local Improvement Scheme.
    16. E-mail dated 23rd November 2021 from Mr. John Feerick, CEO, Sligo Leader Partnership Company (CLG) regarding Level of LEADER grant aid.
    17. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Waterford City & County Council regarding visual communication boards for non-verbal children.
  31. Matters arising from Minutes.
  32. Any other business.

 


Meeting Date 06/12/2021