Minutes 2005

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council Held at 11.00am on 5th December 2005 in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo.


MEMBERS PRESENT:

  • Baker,
  • Barrett,
  • Barry,
  • Bree,
  • Cawley,
  • Colleary,
  • Conmy,
  • Devins,
  • Fleming,
  • Fox,
  • Gormley,
  • Henry,
  • Higgins,
  • Kilgannon,
  • Lundy,
  • MacManus,
  • McGrath,
  • McLoughlin,
  • Mullaney,
  • Murray,
  • Queenan,
  • Sherlock.

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr H. Kearns, County Manager
  • Mr T. Caffrey, Director of Services
  • Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services
  • Mr P. Forkan, Director of Services
  • Mr S. Concannon, Director of Services
  • Mr T. Kilfeather, Head of Finance
  • Mr T. Carroll, Senior Engineer
  • Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer
  • Mr B. Carolan, Senior Planner
  • Mr P. Flanagan, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Ms M. Hegarty, Administrative Officer
  • Mr C. McNamara, Staff Officer
  • Ms F. Couch, Clerical Officer
  • Mr F. Mac Nabb, Meetings Administrator

CATHAOIRLEACH:

  • The Cathaoirleach, Councillor P. Barry presided.

1. MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 7 NOVEMBER 2005:

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

AND AGREED

“That the minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 7 November 2005 be and are hereby confirmed”.

2. MINUTES OF THE SLIGO/DRUMCLIFFE AREA MEETING HELD ON 20 JUNE 05:

Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor I. Fox

AND AGREED

“That the minutes of the Sligo/Drumcliffe area meeting held on 20 June 2005 be and are hereby confirmed”.

3. MINUTES OF SLIGO/STRANDHILL AREA MEETING HELD ON 20 JUNE 2005:

Proposed by Councillor I. Henry
Seconded by Councillor A. Higgins

AND AGREED

“That the minutes of the Sligo /Strandhill area meeting held on 20 June 2005 be and are hereby confirmed”.

4. MINUTES OF SLIGO/STRANDHILL AREA MEETING HELD ON 19 JULY 2005:

Proposed by Councillor T. Mc Loughlin
Seconded by Councillor A. Higgins

AND AGREED

“That the minutes of the Sligo /Strandhill area meeting held on 19 July 2005 be and are hereby confirmed”.

5. MINUTES OF BALLYMOTE AREA MEETING HELD ON 27 JULY 2005;

Proposed by Councillor P. Mc Grath
Seconded by Councillor M. Baker

AND AGREED

“That the minutes of the Ballymote area meeting held on 27 July 2005 be and are hereby confirmed”.

6. MINUTES OF SPC3 MEETING HELD ON 12 JULY 2005:

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor I. Fox

AND AGREED

“That the minutes of the SPC3 meeting held on 12 July 2005 be and are hereby confirmed”.

7. MINUTES OF SPC4 MEETING HELD ON 22 SEPTEMBER 2005:

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

AND AGREED

“That the minutes of the SPC4 meeting held on 22 September 2005 be and are hereby confirmed”.

8. DISPOSAL OF RIGHT OF WAY OVER ROADWAY IN ROWANTREE GARDENS, COLLOONEY:

Proposed by Councillor J. Sherlock
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

AND AGREED

“To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001, the disposal of right of way over roadway in Rowantree Gardens, Collooney to Mr. Thomas Mullen, Ballygawley, Co. Sligo”.

Proposed by Councillor S. Mac Manus
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

AND AGREED

“That any agreement in relation to disposal of a right of way over roadway at Rowantree Gardens, Collooney be subject to the residents of Rowan Tree Gardens receiving in writing the full terms of the agreement concluded by the Residents and Developers as per letter of November 8th 2005 attached”.

9. TEMPORARY OVERDRAFT FOR THE HALF-YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2006:

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor J. Devins

AND AGREED

“That pursuant to Section 106 of the Local Government Act, 2001 and subject to the sanction of the Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Sligo County Council hereby authorises the borrowing of a sum not exceeding €5.0M by way of temporary overdraft for the period to 30th June 2006”.

10. TO ESTABLISH A PROTOCOL COMMITTEE:

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor T. Mc Loughlin

AND AGREED

“That Councillor G. Murray be nominated to the protocol committee”.

Proposed by Councillor S. Mac Manus
Seconded by Councillor T. Mc Loughlin

AND AGREED

“That Councillor M. Gormley be nominated to the protocol committee”.

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor J. Devins

AND AGREED

“That Councillor A. Higgins be nominated to the protocol committee”.

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor S. Mac Manus

AND AGREED

“That Councillor V. Cawley be nominated to the protocol committee”.

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor T. Mc Loughlin

AND AGREED

“That Councillor S. Mac Manus be nominated to the protocol committee”.

11. FIX A DATE FOR JANUARY MEETING:

It was agreed that the January Ordinary Council meeting would be held on 16 January 2006 at 2pm.

12. COUNTY SLIGO DRAFT BURIAL GROUND POLICY:

Proposed by Councillor M. Barrett
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

AND AGREED

“That the Draft Burial Ground Policy for County Sligo be

  1. deferred to the area meetings for discussion and
  2. for approval at the main meeting of the council”.

13. DRAFT POLLING SCHEME FOR COUNTY SLIGO:

Mr F McNabb, Meetings Administrator, informed the meeting that the Draft Polling Scheme had been circulated to Councillors and would now be made available for public inspection for a period of five weeks. Any submissions received would be considered by the Members. It was hoped that a new Polling Scheme for the County would be adopted by the Members at their January meeting. Members expressed preferences for polling stations to be kept open in Ballintrillick, Killavil, Killoran, Breencorragh, Aughmore Far and Highwood.

14. BALLYMOTE DRAFT LOCAL AREA PLAN:

Proposed by Councillor M. Baker
Seconded by Councillor J. Sherlock

With reference to submission no. 17 and amendment no. 12 (Baker /McGrath) to the Ballymote Draft Local Area Plan:

“To include additional land located South East of previous proposal (Corhober townland) all as per coloured map attached. This will allow access to County Road (reference L 56044) towards Emalaghfad, in the interests of safety. Likewise to extend the Development Plan limit to include the above. Lands from agriculture to commercial use.

Mr B. Carolan, Senior Planner stated that this amendment could not be considered as it referred to lands which had not previously been referred to in the Draft Plan an on which there had been no public consultation. The members can only consider the Managers recommendation in relation to the motion previously put on public display. Councillor Baker withdrew the motion.

Proposed by Councillor J. Devins
Seconded by Councillor A. Higgins

AND AGREED

“Sligo County Council adopt the managers recommendation in relation to 6b”.

Proposed by Councillor S. Mac Manus
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

AND AGREED

“Sligo County Council adopts the Managers recommendations (3.2.2) in relation to proposed amendment no. 12 (site no. 9)”.

Proposed by Councillor P. Mc Grath
Seconded by Councillor G. Murray

“That no. 3 on the Second Manager’s Report of the Ballymote Area Plan be zoned for residential use”.

As agreement could not be reached in relation to this matter the Cathaoirleach, Councillor P. Barry asked that a poll be taken.

For the motion: Barrett, Conmy, Fleming, Fox, McGrath, McLoughlin, Mullaney, Murray

Against the motion: Baker, Barry, Bree, Cawley, Colleary, Devins, Gormley, Higgins, Kilgannon, Lundy, MacManus, Queenan, Sherlock

As the result was 8 for the motion and 13 against the motion the Cathaoirleach declared the motion lost.

Proposed by Councillor A. Higgins
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

AND AGREED

“Sligo County Council adopt the managers recommendation in relation to issue no. 3”.

Proposed by Councillor P. Mc Grath
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

“Letter attached dated 1st December from Elande Ltd. Ballymote Draft Plan 2005 be accepted”.

As agreement could not be reached in relation to this matter the Cathaoirleach asked that a poll be taken.

For the motion: Barrett, Conmy, Fleming, Fox, McGrath, McLoughlin, Mullaney, Murray.

Against the motion: Baker, Barry, Bree, Cawley, Colleary, Devins, Higgins, Kilgannon, Lundy, MacManus, Queenan, Sherlock.

As the result was 8 for the motion and 12 against the motion the Cathaoirleach declared the motion lost.

Proposed by Councillor S. Mac Manus
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

AND AGREED

“That the (Ballymote Local Area) Plan be made, subject to the Second Manager’s Report, dated November 2005, and any resolutions passed at this meeting”.

15. VARIATION OF SLIGO AND ENVIRONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO INCORPORATE THE HOUSING STRATEGY:

Proposed by Councillor A. Higgins
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan

AND AGREED

“That the Sligo and Environs Development Plan be varied to incorporate the Housing Strategy 2005 - 2011 subject to the Second Manager’s Report, dated November, 2005 and any amendments agreed by resolution at this meeting”.

16. VARIATION OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN:

This item was deferred with the permission of the Cathaoirleach.

17. THIRD LEVEL GRANTS:

This item was deferred with the permission of the Cathaoirleach.

18. BOARD OF HAWKS WELL THEATRE:

Councillor T. Mc Loughlin asked for a report on the establishment of a new board for the Hawks Well Theatre.

In response Mr H. Kearns, County Manager stated that the council has no role in the establishment of a board for the Hawk’s Well Theatre.

19. PROMENADE IN STRANDHILL:

Councillor T. Mc Loughlin requested Sligo County Council to upgrade the promenade in Strandhill from the end of the car park to Shelly Valley, including new surface and provision of seating.

In response Mr T. Carroll stated that the path from the end of the promenade toward Shelley Valley is quite rough, it is proposed to cover the surface with finer material. There are no proposals to extend the promenade at this time.

20. WATER CHARGES FOR SCHOOLS:

Proposed by Councillor T. Mc Loughlin
Seconded by Councillor P. Conmy

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council requests the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to review the water services pricing policy in order to exempt schools from the payment of payment of water charges”.

Mr H. Kearns, County Manager stated that government policy provides for water metering for all non-domestic use thus rewarding conservation. No sector can be exempted. He quoted the Minister who stated that this policy does not provide for any exemption from charging of any non-domestic usage including provision of educational services.

21. TRANSPORT 21 INITIATIVE:

Proposed by Councillor S. Mac Manus
Seconded by Councillor D Bree

AND AGREED

“That this County Council welcomes the broad concept of a ‘Transport 21’ initiative in framing a comprehensive state-wide strategy for public and private transports needs. However, this County Council expresses grave disappointment with the recent announcement from Martin Cullen TD, Minister for the Environment in regards to such a plan and the omission of any costed and time framed infrastructural projects in the Northwest. Specifically;

  1. That the proposed opening of the Western Rail Corridor omits any specific provision of a Collooney - Claremorris rail link;
  2. That the proposed ‘Atlantic Route Corridor’ does not include any upgrading to motorway standard of any part of the N-17\N-15 within County Sligo;
  3. That the ‘Transport 21’ concept contains no proposals to upgrade the N16 Sligo-Belfast Route travelling via Manorhamilton;
  4. That there are no proposals to create an East-West Link from Sligo to Dundalk.

Further, that this County Council invites Minister Cullen to Sligo to discuss with the elected representatives of the people of the County, these infrastructural deficiencies and what proposals he and the Department of the Environment have to ensure their inclusion in an amended ‘Transport 21’ Framework”.

22. BUS SHELTER IN STRANDHILL:

Proposed by Councillor S. Mac Manus
Seconded by Councillor T. Mc Loughlin

AND AGREED

“Sligo County Council agrees to the provision of a bus shelter at the car park in Strandhill and will contact Bus Eireann with a view to obtaining such a facility”.

23. DROMORE WEST WATER SCHEME:

Councillor J. Queenan asked for an update on the Dromore West water scheme in relation to monthly volume of water usage, running costs, number of people employed on the scheme, people in the Castleconnor East area and the maximum volume of water that can be produced each month from the scheme.

In response Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer stated that Dromore West was previously a group water scheme with its own source, the source was decommissioned this year and was connected to the public mains, it is now supplied from Lough Easkey and will be officially taken in charge by Sligo County Council early in 2006. There is no unique cost for operation and maintenance, it will be under the general umbrella of Lough Easkey scheme. There is at present one caretaker employed on the Lough Easkey scheme. The estimated consumption of the Dromore West scheme is 50M3 per day, the production figure for the Lough Easkey scheme is 4,400M3 per day.

24. BATH HOUSE IN ENNISCRONE:

This item was deferred to the Enniscrone area meeting with the permission of the Cathaoirleach.

With the agreement of the meeting Items 31 and 39 were taken at this stage.

31. BRIDGE AT CARRELUSTIA, CALRY:

Councillor I. Fox asked that funding be provided in the 2006 estimates to immediately repair the damaged bridge at Carrelustia, Calry.

In response Mr T. Carroll, Senior Engineer stated that the bridge in question will be inspected and repaired as part of the 2006 road works programme.

39. IMPROVEMENT WORKS ON MASSHILL ROAD 445:

Councillor M. Gormley asked that funding be provided in the 2006 road works programme to carry out improvement works on the Masshill road 445 to alleviate flooding.

In response Mr T. Carroll, Senior Engineer stated that the Tubbercurry Area Engineer will investigate this and carry out works to eliminate potential for flooding as part of the 2006 road works scheme.

43. VOTES OF SYMPATHY:

Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Kitty Clifford and her family on the death of her husband, Paddy”.

Proposed by Councillor I. Fox
Seconded by Councillor T. Mc Loughlin

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Kitty Clifford and her family on the death of her husband, Paddy”.

Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor A. Higgins

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Eamon Mc Elroy and family on the death of Cathy.
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Margaret Forde and Nuala Gallagher on the death of their mother, Nora Mc Gority”.
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Dean Mc Gee on the death of his son, Sam”.
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Noel Donagher on the death of his wife”.

Proposed by Councillor T. Mc Loughlin
Seconded by Councillor I. Fox

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Gaye Devaney on the death of her father Joe Gallagher”.
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Kathleen Harte on the death of Michael”.

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor M. Baker

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Dolores Taffe on the death of her brother, Brian Mc Donagh”.
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Ray Lavin on the death of his father, Vincent”.

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Noel Gilligan on the death of his sister, Angela Beirne”.
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Seamus Cahill on the death of his sister, Kay”.
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Michael Gormonly on the death of his sister, Catherine Mc Elroy”.
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Mary Kilcoyne on the death of her father, Paddy Clifford”.

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Mary Kilcoyne on the death of her father, Paddy Clifford”.
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Pat Brennan on the death of Kathy Mc Elroy”.
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Jean Brennan on the death of Kathy Mc Elroy”.

44. VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS:

Proposed by Councillor T. Mc Loughlin
Seconded by Councillor I. Fox

AND AGREED

“That a vote of congratulations be extended to David Kelly on his inclusion on the Irish cross country team to represent Ireland in Europe in 2006”.

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor P. Conmy

AND AGREED

“That a vote of congratulations be extended to Bridie O’Reilly on her selection as President of the Sligo Peoples Benevolent Society in New York”.

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor T. Mc Loughlin

AND AGREED

“That a vote of congratulations be extended to South Sligo Macra na Feirme on their success on being selected as AIB club of the year 2005”.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS CIRCULATED AT THE MEETING:

  • Details of personal accident scheme for elected members.
  • Report on Knocknagore Bridge.
  • Copy of ESB presentation which took place on 7 Nov 2005
  • Consultation paper 3 on taximeter areas and taxi fares
  • List of forthcoming conferences
  • Letter dated 9 Nov re. motions adopted by Passage West Town Council
  • Letter dated 9 Nov re. motion adopted by Bantry Town Council
  • Email recd. 18 Nov re. motion adopted by Leitrim County Council
  • Letter dated 15 Nov re. motion adopted by Killarney Town Council
  • Letter dated 17 Nov re. motion adopted by Ennis Town Council
  • Letter dated 24 Nov re. motion adopted by Longford County Council
  • Letter dated 25 Nov re. motions adopted by Macroom Town Council

END OF MEETING:

It was agreed that items 25-30, 32-38 and 40-42 be deferred to the next meeting. The meeting ended at 2.17pm

 


Meeting Date 05/12/2005