Minutes 2003
Minutes of the Adjourned Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 10th November 2003 at 11.00am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
- Barrett,
- Barry,
- Branley,
- Bree,
- Cawley,
- Colleary,
- L. Conlon,
- M. Conlon,
- Conmy,
- Fleming,
- Gormley,
- Kilgannon,
- MacManus,
- McGarry,
- McGuinn,
- McLoughlin,
- Murray,
- Perry,
- Queenan,
- Scanlon,
- Shannon.
OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:
- Mr T. Caffrey, Deputy County Manager
- Mr T. Kilfeather, Head of Finance
- Mr S. Concannon, Director of Services
- Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services
- Mr P. Forkan, Director of Services
- Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer
- Mr T. Carroll, Senior Engineer
- Mr J. Mc Hugh, Senior Engineer
- Mr F. Mac Nabb, Acting Senior Executive Officer
- Ms C. Kenny, Staff Officer
- Ms F. Couch, Clerical Officer
CATHAOIRLEACH:
- The Cathaoirleach, Councillor PJ Cawley presided.
APOLOGIES:
- Apologies were received from Councillor I. Fox.
1. GLACKBAWN GROUP WATER SCHEME:
It was agreed at Councillor PJ Cawley’s request that item no. 1 be deferred.
2. PUBLIC LIGHTING ON N16 AT BARROE:
It was agreed at Councillor PJ Cawley’s request that item no. 2 be deferred.
3. PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FROM COLLOONEY TO TEELING COMMUNITY CENTRE AND CEMETERY:
Councillor D. Bree requested that on recognising the significant number of pedestrians from Collooney who travel to and from the Teeling Centre and Cemetery on a daily basis, that this Council recommends a mechanism to be put in place to allow for pedestrians to cross the dual carriageway on or near the existing roundabout, and that the views of the NRA be sought on the matter.
In response Mr T. Carroll, Senior Engineer advised that the matter had been addressed in detail when the dual carriageway was being designed and the view of the NRA sought. It was decided to install the following facilities to assist pedestrians who had to cross the dual carriageway (1) a designated paved crossing point adjacent to the roundabout (2) traffic route lighting to cater for the hours of darkness, and (3) yellow speed bars on the dual carriageway to help slow traffic down. Mr Carroll also noted that in view of development since the construction of the carriageway and proposed future development the matter would be further examined.
Following a discussion on the matter this was agreed.
4. IARNROD EIREANN – SERVICES TO /FROM SLIGO:
Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor PJ Cawley
AND AGREED
“That this Council calls on Iarnrod Eireann to re-examine its train timetables with particular reference to its Friday and Sunday evening services from and to Dublin, and to allow these services to stop at Drumcondra station to facilitate the many students returning from and to St. Patrick’s Training College, and D.C.U. to and from Sligo; and other stations along the Sligo /Dublin route”.
5. RAIL FREIGHT SERVICE TO SLIGO:
Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor PJ Cawley
AND AGREED
“That this Council calls on the Government and the Minster for Transport to intervene directly and save the rail freight service to Sligo, and further the Council requests the Manager Director of Iarnrod Eireann Mr Joe Meagher and the Manager for Freight, Mr Stephen Aherne, to meet with the Council as a matter of urgency.”
6. LEARNING SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS:
Proposed by Councillor M. Barrett
Seconded by Councillor P. Conmy
AND AGREED
“That this Council call on the Minister for Education to make funding available to meet the learning support requirements for the secondary schools in Enniscrone”.
7. NORTH WEST RADIO:
Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree
AND AGREED
“That this Council congratulate North West Radio on being named Local Radio Station of the year and further call on the BCI to withdraw from the legal battle with NWR and reconsider, and admit that it made a mistake and give NWR back its licence”.
8. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REPORT ON THE EXPANSION OF RADIOTHERAPY SERVICES:
Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry
AND AGREED
“That this Council call on the Minister for Health Michael Martin and this Government to provide the funding needed to implement the report on the expansion of the Radiotherapy Services”.
9. GROUP WATER SCHEME FOR GLACKBAUN CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY:
Deputy J. Perry requested that Sligo County Council proceed with the group water scheme for Glackbaun Co-operative Society, which will serve 110 families in one area.
Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer advised that Sligo County Council is currently doing an analysis of all water sources (public & private). He noted that in the next 12-18 months priority would be given to the provision and construction of treatment and related works on the county’s privately sourced schemes. Mr Larkin further advised that the proposed source is Kilsellagh, which is currently being upgraded, and that the Group Scheme cannot be approved to go to construction until the necessary finance is available. He added that staff had met with the Glackbaun Co-op Society and had undertaken to meet with them again before the end of January 2004 with a view to progressing the project to planning stage.
10. FUNDING FOR SLIGO BRANCH OF THE SAMARITANS:
Deputy Perry asked to ensure that the second phase of funding of €10,000 is secured in the estimates for the Sligo branch of the Samaritans.
Following a discussion it was agreed that this matter was one for discussion at the budget meeting.
11. BENCHMARKING:
Deputy Perry requested that the members be provided with details in relation to costs arising from the payment of benchmarking increases, general pay increases, anticipated amounts to be provided by DOEHLG in its allocation to Sligo County Council in 2004. He further requested details on the improvements in public services which would arise directly out of benchmarking and related awards, aggregate value of all service charges from individuals and the aggregate value of rates estimated to be collected in 2003.
Members were circulated with a written report from Mr T. Kilfeather, Head of Finance outlining the details as requested by Deputy J. Perry.
12. IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN ‘HANLY REPORT’ ON ACUTE HOSPITAL SERVICES:
Proposed by Councillor S. MacManus
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley
AND AGREED
“That Sligo County Council call on the Minister for Health and Children to ensure that, in the event of the implementation of the recommendations contained in the ‘Hanly Report’ on acute hospital services, Sligo General Hospital would become the provider of such services to this region. Furthermore all political parties on this Council pledge to work together to attain this objective.”
13. WORKS IN COLLOONEY:
Councillor S. Mac Manus requested a report on the following works in Collooney:
- a) Repairs to footpaths at St. Mary’s Green, particularly adjacent to Rowantree Gardens.
- b) Repairs to footpaths on old Galway road and plans to alleviate flooding at the railway bridge on same road.
In response Mr T. Carroll, Senior Engineer advised that there were no funds available in the current year for repairs at Rowantree Gardens, but that these works would be included in proposals for consideration under the Discretionary Improvement Grant 2004.
With regard to the footpaths on the old Galway Road, Collooney, Mr Carroll advised that there are no funds available at present but that the works would be listed in proposals for consideration under the Discretionary Road Improvement Grant Scheme 2004. Mr Carroll further noted the occasional rise in the level of the Owenmore River and added that this is monitored carefully and that the gullies are cleaned regularly. He also advised that the low level of the railway bridge soffit prevents the rising of level at this location.
14. UPGRADING ROAD 105 FROM CASTLECONNOR COMMUNITY CENTRE TO N59 :
Councillor Joe Queenan asked the Director of Infrastructural Services to allocate funding in the 2004 estimates for upgrading Road 105 from Castleconnor Community Centre to N59, to include road realignment, lighting and footpaths.
In response Mr. Tommy Carroll, Senior Engineer advised that this roadway will be included in proposals for consideration under the Discretionary Road Improvement Grant Scheme 2004 and further that there are no other sources of funding available for these works.
15. BILLING FOR WATER CHARGES OF HOLIDAY HOMES IN CO. SLIGO:
Councillor J. Queenan asked the County Manager to confirm that all holiday homes in County Sligo are billed for water charges.
Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer advised that the majority of holiday homes are billed for water charges. He noted that there were some houses in Enniscrone village where names and addresses were not available and folios in respect of these cottages have been sought from the land registry office. Mr Larkin stated that bills had issued in respect of these homes to the letting agents, but that it is now proposed to send amended bills to the owners. Mr Larkin also advised members that in future it is intended that where an application for a supply of water is received from a developer that the name and address of each property owner be supplied to Sligo County Council as they are sold.
16. HOUSING SCHEMES IN BUNNINADDEN, CONNOLLY PARK AND COOLANEY:
Councillor M. Gormley asked the Director of Services what the position was on the following housing schemes resulting from his meeting with Department officials on Tuesday 14th October:
- Bunninadden
- Connolly Park
- Coolaney.
In response to the request regarding Bunninadden, T. Caffrey, Deputy Manager advised that the DOEHLG had accepted the revised layout for this scheme and that the next stage would be Part 8 planning. He added that a further 8 houses are proposed along the road with 12 houses to the rear and that the next phase will, depending on demand, involve the construction of the 8 houses along the road.
Mr Caffrey advised that the Remedial Works Scheme in Connolly Park was discussed at length and that it was agreed that such a scheme might not be the most cost effective in the long term. A revised submission with cost alternative for demolition and remedial works is to be submitted to the Department.
Mr Caffrey noted that the Coolaney proposal was not discussed with Department officials.
17. APPOINTMENT OF CONSULTANT NEUROLOGIST :
It was agreed that item no. 17 be deferred.
18. REMOVAL OF ROCKS AND STONES FROM THE MOUTH OF LEAFFONEY RIVER:
Councillor S. Mac Manus requested that the County Manager take the necessary steps to remove the build up of rocks and stones from the mouth of the Leaffoney River in line with the recommendations of the Pullacheeney Study.
In response Mr T. Carroll, Senior Engineer advised that the Leaffoney river outlet becomes impeded by a build up of material from time to time and that the cost of removing same on each occasion would be approximately €7000. He advised the members that Sligo County Council does not have the resources to carry out this work on a continuous basis.
19. IMPROVEMENTS TO GREEN AREA, CASTLE HEIGHTS, EASKEY:
Councillor J. Queenan asked the Director of Housing to allocate funding in the 2004 estimates for improvements to the green area in Castle Heights housing estate, Easkey.
In response Mr. T. Caffrey, Deputy County Manager advised that Estates Officer, Mr Willis has been requested to meet local residents regarding the green area. There is, Mr Caffrey advised, no playground equipment and because of insurance issues, Sligo County Council is unlikely to install such equipment. The matter, he concluded, would be considered at budget time when Mr Willis has reported back.
VOTES OF SYMPATHY:
Proposed by Councillor J. Shannon
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Kathleen Mc Loughlin on the death of her husband, Christy”.
Proposed by Councillor R. Mc Guinn
Seconded by Councillor P. Branley
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Councillor Tommy Cummins on the death of his brother, John”.
Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mary Doherty and family on the death of her husband, Michael”.
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Noel Cregg on the death of his uncle, Des Armstrong”.
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Margaret Gallagher and Mai Kerins on the death of their brother, Peter Kerins”.
Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Deputy J. Perry
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Noel Cregg on the death of his uncle, Des Armstrong”.
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs PJ Gannon on the death of her uncle, Matt Connell”.
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mary Doherty on the death of her husband, Michael”.
Proposed by Councillor M. Barrett
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs Paul Sweeney on the death of her brother, Paddy Crowley”.
Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Deputy J. Perry
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Eileen O’ Brien on the death of her mother, Kathleen Kennedy”.
Proposed by Councillor M. Barrett
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Paul Sweeney on the death of his cousin, Mrs Tuffy”.
VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS:
Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Deputy J. Perry
AND AGREED
“That a vote of congratulations be expressed to the students conferred at the graduation held recently in Sligo Institute of Technology and also to their parents and tutors”.
CONFERENCES:
Proposed by Councillor R. Mc Guinn
Seconded by Councillor J. Shannon
AND AGREED
“That Councillor J. Queenan be nominated to attend the IPA, housing policy seminar in Dublin on 29th November 2003”
Proposed by Councillor R. Mc Guinn
Seconded by Councillor J. Shannon
“That Councillor J. Queenan be nominated to attend the ‘Technology in Tourism Development’ conference in Clare on 27th November 2003”.
20. CORRESPONDENCE:
Councillor L. Conlon suggested regarding letter 20(a), that we send a letter to the Minister for Finance to ask him to extend the rural renewal scheme.
Correspondence was noted.
22. ANY OTHER BUSINESS WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE CATHAOIRLEACH:
Councillor L. Conlon queried the amount of time being taken to complete a scheme of 8 houses in Geevagh. In response Mr T. Caffrey, Deputy County Manager advised that housing contracts are being enforced to the best of our ability.
Councillor M. Gormley queried the completion of the houses at Ballintogher. In response Mr T. Caffrey, Deputy County Manager stated that there had been problems with the water supply, and that this is currently being examined.
Councillor B. Scanlon queried whether the Chairperson of the Tidy Towns Committee in Rosses Point had been contacted regarding bring bank facilities. Director Forkan stated that a report on the matter would be available for the next meeting.
Councillor P. Barry suggested that the members enforce standing order no. 54 regarding the use of mobile phones at Council meetings.
ITEM CIRCULATED AT THE MEETING:
Report from T. Kilfeather in response to item 11 on the agenda.
The meeting ended at 1.40pm.
It was agreed to defer items 1, 2 and 17 to the next monthly meeting.
Meeting Date 10/11/2003