Minutes 2003

Minutes of the Adjourned Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 30th June 2003 at 11.00am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo.


COUNCILLORS PRESENT: 

  • Barrett,
  • Barry,
  • Branley,
  • Bree,
  • Cawley,
  • Colleary,
  • M. Conlon,
  • Conmy,
  • Devins,
  • Fleming,
  • Fox,
  • Gormley,
  • Higgins,
  • Leonard,
  • MacManus,
  • Mc Garry,
  • Mc Guinn,
  • Mc Loughlin,
  • Murray,
  • Parke,
  • Perry,
  • Queenan,
  • B. Scanlon,
  • E. Scanlon.

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE: 

  • Mr H. Kearns, County Manager
  • Mr T. Caffrey, Director of Services
  • Ms M. Leydon, Acting Head of Finance
  • Mr S. Concannon, Director of Services
  • Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services
  • Mr P. Forkan, Director of Services
  • Mr J. Mc Hugh, Senior Engineer
  • Mr T. Carroll, Senior Engineer
  • Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer
  • Ms M. Mc Connell, Senior Executive Officer
  • Mr P. Flanagan, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Ms F. Meaghar, Senior Executive Planner
  • Ms M. Davidescu, Assistant Planner
  • Mr F. Mc Nabb, Administrative Officer
  • Mr G. Browne, Administrative Officer
  • Ms T. Rooney, Administrative Officer
  • Ms S. Malone, Assistant Staff Officer
  • Ms F. Couch, Clerical Officer

CATHAOIRLEACH: 

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor P. Branley presided.

VOTE OF CONGRATULATIONS:

At the outset of the meeting the members extended their congratulations to Councillor S. MacManus on his recent election as Mayor of Sligo.

CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS: 

Councillor M. Fleming requested that as children’s playgrounds are an essential development in all communities and as insurance is a major obstacle, that Sligo County Council include children’s playgrounds in their public liability cover subject to adopting agreed regulations and safety standards in partnership with interested communities.

In response, Ms M. Leydon, Acting Head of Finance advised members that Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances Ltd who are the insurers for Sligo County Council cannot insure playgrounds run by voluntary groups or community organisations.

The County Manager informed members that he recognised the need for playgrounds but that resources were diminishing all the time. 

PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES IN THE NORTH WEST 

Deputy J. Perry withdrew this motion with the agreement of the members.

NEW NORTHERN ASSEMBLY: 

It was agreed at Councillor S. MacManus’ request that Sligo County Council call on the Taoiseach and his government to exert all possible pressure on the British Government to call elections, in the immediate future, to a new Northern Assembly as required within the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

BOTTLE BANKS SERVICE AND CONTRACTS:  

Councillor B. Scanlon requested that the Council give details of the bottle banks service and contracts.

In response, Mr J. McHugh, Senior Engineer pointed out that there were 33 bring banks in operation, 9 in Sligo Town and 24 outside of Borough Boundary.  He also advised that the glass and aluminium banks are provided and serviced on behalf of the Council by REHAB recycling.  The Council pays a rental and a servicing charge, and the banks are emptied by REHAB on a regular basis which ranges from weekly to ten days in Sligo Town, to one every six weeks in Ballintrillick.

RESURFACING OF ROAD FROM CULFADDA TO MULLAGHROE:

Councillor M. Gormley asked the Manager what progress has been made re:  the resurfacing of the road from Culfadda to Mullaghroe which has been damaged by the transportation of material from site at Culfadda.

In response the Council Manager informed the members that work has commenced on the road.

A number of Councillors supported this motion and thanked the Manager and staff of the Council for their co-operation.

SPEED LIMIT SIGNS ON THE TUBBERCURRY ROAD OUT OF BUNNINADDEN: 

Councillor M. Gormley requested that the speed limit signs on the Tubbercurry road out of Bunninadden be extended.

In response Mr T. Carroll, Senior Engineer, advised that this proposal will be considered when next review of speed limits in county is undertaken.  This review will be undertaken as part of metrication of all speed limits in the country.  This review must be undertaken before June, 2004. 

BENDS AT KINARD AND KILGLASS:

On the request of Councillor P. Conmy this item was withdrawn.

FOOTHPATHS IN EASKEY: 

Councillor P. Conmy requested that the Council provide funds in next years budget to improve footpaths in Easkey due to the bad condition of the footpath one side of the village.

In response Mr T. Carroll, Senior Engineer, stated that, subject to funding being available it was proposed to include this work in the 2004 roadworks programme.

NON RECRUITMENT OF 2000 EXTRA GARDA

It was agreed at Councillor P. Conmy’s request that the Council condemn the government for breaking an election pledge in which they promised to recruit 2000 extra Garda and have failed to do so and should not have told those lies to the public.

DECOUPLED PAYMENT FOR YOUNG FARMERS:

This item was deferred with the agreement of the members.

LISSADELL HOUSE: 

It was agreed at Deputy J. Perry’s request that Sligo County Council ensure that funding is secured for the state to acquire Lissadell House in light of its historical connections, which should remain accessible to the Irish people.

CUL DE SAC MONIES: 

This item was deferred with the agreement of the members.

BUS ÉIREANN TIMETABLE:

This item was deferred with the agreement of the members.

YIELD RIGHT OF WAY SIGN ON ROAD 239:

Councillor S. MacManus withdrew this item with the agreement of the members.

BURIAL GROUND AT MOUNT IRWIN, GURTEEN: 

Councillor M. Gormley requested that the Council provide an extension to the burial ground at Mount Irwin, Gurteen.

In response, Director Clarke advised that if an alternative site was found they would have it investigated.

SEWAGE SCHEMES, ACLARE AND COOLANEY:

This item was deferred with the agreement of the members.

HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS:

This item was deferred with the agreement of the members.

SLIGO TO LIMERICK RAIL LINE:

This item was deferred with the agreement of the members.

REPORT NO. 5 OF JOINT OIREACHTAS COMMITTEE:

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor B. Scanlon

AND AGREED

“That this Council welcomes the recommendations contained in Report No 5 of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, (relating to Local Radio: The Licencing Process) and in particular we welcome recommendations:

2.1. which calls for the establishment of a non-judicial appeals mechanism, independent of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, the Minister and the Department which would adjudicate on complaints against the Broadcasting Commission, or complaints in relation to licencing /re-licencing decisions of the Broadcasting Commission
2.2. which highlights the need for greater transparency in the decisions of the Broadcasting Commission
2.4. which states that the automatic roll over of licences should be considered where holders of local radio licence are in general compliance with their broadcast contract.  And further this Council calls on the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to implement these recommendations as a matter of urgency so as to allow North West Radio and other applicants the right to appeal decisions made by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland”.

CHIPPINGS SUPPLIED BY HARRINGTONS QUARRY: 

Councillor D. Bree requested the County Manager to give the results of polished stone value tests carried out on chippings supplied by Harringtons to Sligo County Council for surface dressing in the period since May 1999.

In reply, Director Concannon advised that he was satisfied with the quality of chippings being used and further stated that these chippings were used on non-national roads only.

PLANNING STATUS OF HARRINGTON QUARRY: 

Councillor D. Bree requested the planning status of the Harrington quarry situated on the Mill Road, Scardan.

In reply Director Forkan advised that this development pre dates the Planning Act, 1963 and does not require planning permission to continue.

SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN BUNNINADDEN: 

Councillor M. Gormley requested that the Council upgrade the sewerage system in Bunninadden.

In response Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer, advised that there are no proposals at present to upgrade the treatment works in Bunninadden.

VOTES OF SYMPATHY: 

Proposed by Councillor P. Barry
Seconded by Councillor R. McGuinn

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended by Mr Joseph McHugh on the death of his brother Liam McHugh”.

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Deputy J. Perry

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs John Walsh on the death of her brother Michael McDonnell”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mr Bert O’Hara on the death of his wife Margaret”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs Mai Brett on the death of her sister Sr. Catherine Gilmore”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs Una Hayes on the death her sister Sr. Catherine Gilmore”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mr Michael Kilcoyne on the death of his mother, Margaret”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mr Bill Carty on the death of his father Pat.”

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs Margaret Carty on the death of her husband Pat.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mr Joe Morahan on the death of his brother Michael.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs Mai Reynolds on the death of her mother Mary.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mr Donal Davey on the death of his father Johnnie.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mr Pat Curley on the death of his uncle Paddy O’Dowd.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs Pauline O’Connor on the death of her husband Tom.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs Breege McLoughlin on the death of her mother Bridget Hughes.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs Martha McDonagh on the death of her father Johnnie Davey.”

VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS: 

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

AND AGREED

“That a vote of congratulations be extended to Mr Gerry Healy on his election as President of the Chamber of Commerce.”

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Deputy J. Perry

AND AGREED

“That a vote of congratulations be extended to Batty Colligan and Ursula Scully upon winning medals at the Special Olympics World Summer Games.”

Proposed by Councillor P. Barry
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan

AND AGREED

“That a vote of congratulations be extended to Willie Farrell on the successful fundraising for the Special Olympics World Games”.

END OF MEETING 

The meeting concluded at 1.50 pm


Meeting Date 30/06/2003