Minutes 2005

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council Held on 4 July 2005 at 11.00am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo.

MEMBERS PRESENT:

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

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr H. Kearns, County Manager
Mr T. Caffrey, Director of Services
Mr P. Forkan, Director of Services
Mr S. Concannon, Director of Services
Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services
Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer
Mr S. O’ Toole, Acting Senior Engineer
Ms M. Leydon, Accountant
Mr P. Flanagan, Senior Executive Engineer
Ms E. Concannon, Senior Executive Engineer
Mr F. Mac Nabb, Acting Senior Executive Officer
Mr J. Moran, Administrative Officer
Ms B. Ronayne, Administrative Officer
Ms P. Brennan, Acting Staff Officer
Ms F. Couch, Clerical Officer

CATHAOIRLEACH

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor P. Barry presided.

1. MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 13 JUNE 2005:

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

AND AGREED

“That the minutes of the ordinary council meeting held on 13 June 2005 be and are hereby confirmed”.

2. MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON 20 JUNE 2005:

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

AND AGREED

“That the minutes of the special council meeting held on 20 June 2005 be and are hereby confirmed”.

3. MINUTES OF DROMORE WEST AREA MEETING HELD ON 14 FEBRUARY 2005:

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

AND AGREED

“That the minutes of the Dromore West area meeting held on 14 February 2005 be and are hereby confirmed”.

4. MINUTES OF DROMORE WEST SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON 9 MARCH 2005:

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

AND AGREED

“That the minutes of the Dromore West special meeting held on 9 March 2005 be and are hereby confirmed”.

5. MINUTES OF BALLYMOTE AREA MEETING HELD ON 7 APRIL 2005:

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

AND AGREED

“That the minutes of the Ballymote area meeting held on 7 April 2005 be and are hereby confirmed”.

6. MINUTES OF SLIGO /STRANDHILL AREA MEETING HELD ON 18 APRIL 2005:

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

AND AGREED

“That the minutes of the Sligo /Strandhill area meeting held on 18 April 2005 be and are hereby confirmed”.

7. MINUTES OF SLIGO /DRUMCLIFFE AREA MEETING HELD ON 25 APRIL 2005:

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

AND AGREED

“That the minutes of the Sligo /Drumcliffe area meeting held on 25 April 2005 be and are hereby confirmed”.

8. DISPOSAL OF HOUSE AT MANNIONSTOWN, STRANDHILL, CO. SLIGO:

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

AND AGREED

“To approve the disposal of house at Mannionstown, Strandhill, Co. Sligo to Colette McGrath (McGovern) in accordance with Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001”.

9. PART 8 REGS 2001; DRUM EAST GROUP WATER SCHEME:

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

AND AGREED

Drum East Group Water Scheme

“To approve in accordance with Part 8 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 2001 the proposed construction of a water treatment plant, water storage reservoir and associated siteworks at Rahaberna Td., Rathcormack, Co. Sligo”.

10. DRAFT SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL PRESENTATION OF WASTE FOR COLLECTION BYE-LAWS:

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor J. Lundy

“To approve the Draft Sligo County Council Presentation of Waste for Collection Bye Laws 2005”.

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: Barry, Conmy, Fleming, Fox, Gormley, Healy McGowan, Henry, Higgins, Kilgannon, Lundy, McGrath, Mullaney, Murray, Queenan, Sherlock.

Against the motion: Bree, Cawley, MacManus.

As the result was 15 for the motion and 3 against the motion the Cathaoirleach declared the motion carried.

11. HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS SCHEME 2005 /2006:

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

AND AGREED

“To adopt the Higher Education Grant Scheme for 2005”.

12. SLIGO MUSIC FESTIVAL COMMITTEE:

This item was deferred with the permission of the Cathaoirleach.

13. REVISED ALLOCATIONS FOR PAVEMENTS AND OTHER ROAD WORKS:

The members noted the revised allocations from the NRA for pavements and other road works.

14. 2005 GRANT ALLOCATION FOR LOCAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES:

The members noted the allocation of €483,219 in respect of the operation of Local Improvement Schemes in 2005.

15. HOUSING STRATEGY 2005-2011:

The members noted the intention to commence the procedure to make a variation of the Sligo and Environs Development Plan 2004-2010 to incorporate the Housing Strategy 2005-2011 for Sligo Local Authorities.

16. ROUTE SELECTION PROCESS RE. LINK ROAD FROM N4 TO BALLYMOTE TOWN:

Councillor G. Murray asked that Sligo County Council undertake a route selection process regarding a new link road from the N4 to Ballymote town and that funding be sought immediately for this new link road from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

In response Mr S. O’ Toole, Acting Senior Engineer stated that it is intended to have this examined with a view to putting forward a proposal to the DoEHLG for a route selection process.

17 AND 23. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING IN BALLISODARE:

Councillor S. Mac Manus and Councillor G. Mullaney asked that Sligo County Council provide a pedestrian crossing at a strategic location in the centre of Ballisodare. Funding for this crossing to be provided from development contributions, if required”.

In response Mr S. O’ Toole stated that there are no funds at present to carry out this work but the location which is on the national secondary route N59 will be considered for inclusion in the 2006 road works programme and will be discussed with the NRA inspectorate.

Councillor J. Sherlock stated that there is a need for a traffic management plan in Ballisodare and that discussions are underway between residents and traders with a view to finding a solution.
Mr S. O’ Toole agreed to discuss the issue with the interested groups.

18. IMPROVEMENTS TO JUNCTIONS ON N17:

Councillor M. Fleming asked for improvement works to be carried out on dangerous junctions on primary road N17, at Carrowilkin (road no. 430), Carrowtavey (road no. 656) and Achonry (road no. 454).

In response Mr S. O’ Toole, Acting Senior Engineer stated that the junctions at Carrowilkin, Cashel, Carrowtavey, Ropefield and Achonry are being improved by verge trimming to improve sight distance and safety and that it is intended to carry out substantial improvements to the Rhue junction in the current year. He stated that the remaining junctions are being examined with a view to agreeing proposals for improvements with the NRA.

19. SEWERAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES AT ROCKFIELD MANOR, COOLANEY:

Councillor M. Fleming sought clarification on the present position regarding the provision of sewerage treatment facilities for houses erected at Rockfield Manor, Coolaney.

In response Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer stated that the councils solicitor suggested that final detailed design be submitted by the developer for inclusion in the final agreement and notified the developer on 21 March. Three submissions were received from the developer and all agreed details were forwarded to the councils solicitor on 24 May. They were then forwarded to the developers solicitor to be incorporated into the final agreement and we are awaiting a response in order to sign off on the agreement”.

20. IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT MOUNTAIN VIEW:

Councillor M. Fleming asked when improvement works would be carried out on houses at Mountain View to complete the refurbishment of the estate.

In response Director Caffrey stated that tenders have been received for the refurbishment of four houses, these are currently being examined and subject to a satisfactory tender being accepted it is hoped to have a contractor on site in the next two months to commence work.

21. WEBSITE FOR BALLYMOTE:

Councillor G. Mullaney asked that Sligo County Council develop a website for Ballymote town and have it linked to the Looking West website being developed by the Western Development Commission.

In response Director Caffrey stated that websites have been developed for Sligo and Tubbercurry and linked to the Looking West website, it is intended that this will continue for other towns in the county with Ballymote being the next to be dealt with.

22. SPEED LIMIT SIGNS ON THE N59 AT BALLISODARE:

Councillor G. Mullaney asked that the speed limit signs on the N59 at Ballisodare be moved out 200 metres to reflect the growth of the village.

In response Mr S. O’ Toole, Acting Senior Engineer stated that an extension of the existing speed limits in Ballisodare along the N59 is being considered in the speed limit review which is currently underway.

24. TARMACADAM SURFACING OF THE CALRY ROAD 267:

Councillor I. Fox asked that funding be sought as a matter of urgency from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to continue the tarmacadam surfacing of the Calry road 267.

In response Mr S. O’ Toole, Acting Senior Engineer stated that one kilometre of bitmac surfacing has been completed on the Calry road and that more funding will be sought from the DoEHLG to continue with this work in 2006.

25. TURNING RIGHT FOR KILSELLAGH ON THE N16 AT DOONALLY:

Councillor I. Fox asked that in the interests of road safety the necessary action be taken to provide road signage and markings for motorists taking right turns for Kilsellagh on the N16 at Doonally.

In response Mr S. O’ Toole, Acting Senior Engineer stated that this junction will be examined as a possible low cost accident scheme for inclusion in next years road works allocation. In the current year all statutory road signs and road markings will be renewed and enhanced to assist drivers turning right for Kilsellagh.

26. CONSULTANT NEUROLOGIST AT SLIGO GENERAL HOSPITAL:

Proposed by Councillor I. Fox
Seconded by Councillor S. Mac Manus

AND AGREED

“That this council call on the Minister for Health, Mary Harney to provide funding as a matter of urgency for the appointment of a consultant neurologist at Sligo General Hospital”.

27. TUBBERCURRY RECYCLING FACILITY:

Councillor D. Bree asked what charges, if any, would apply to citizens who wish to avail of the new Tubbercurry recycling facility.

In response Ms E. Concannon, Senior Executive Engineer stated that a charge of €3 per vehicle will apply to users of the new Tubbercurry recycling facility and that a supplementary charge will apply to certain household hazardous materials for example fluorescent tubes and car batteries which are costly to recycle.

28. DISABLED PERSONS GRANTS:

Councillor D. Bree asked if the total disabled persons grant allocation for 2004 had been used, if there was a waiting list of applicants for the end of 2004 and what the current position is regarding the payment of disabled persons grants.

In response Director Caffrey stated that in 2004 €241,500 of the €270,000 available for disabled persons grants was expended. There was no waiting list of applicants at the end of 2004, all claims received were processed without undue delay. €390,000 is available to fund disabled persons grants in 2005, to date 64 grants have been approved and it is anticipated that there will be sufficient funding available to cover the cost of claims arising in the current year.

29. HELPERS ON SCHOOL BUSES:

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

AND AGREED

“That this council call on the Minister for Education to appoint helpers on school buses”.

30. CARNYARA ROAD, LAVAGH:

Councillor M. Gormley asked that work be completed on the sides of the Carnyara road in Lavagh where works were carried out in 2003.

In response Mr S. O’ Toole, Acting Senior Engineer stated that vertical alignment of the road was improved in 2003 and there are no funds for further improvement this year. The edges of the road would be looked at with a view to tidying up and general maintenance.

31. LIGHTS AT DROMARD RC CHURCH:

Councillor P. Conmy asked when lights will be erected at Dromard RC Church.

In response Mr S. O’ Toole, Acting Senior Engineer stated that it is proposed to proceed with work in the current year and that funds would come from councillors proposals and the road works scheme 2005.

32. VOTES OF SYMPATHY:

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Ann and Peter Mc Intyre on the death of their son, Enda”.

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Colm Gallagher on the death of his mother, Anne”.

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Bill Henry on the death of his brother, Joe”.

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Michael Gorman on the death of his father, Micky”.

Proposed by Councillor J. Sherlock
Seconded by Councillor P. Mc Grath

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Peter Davey and family on the death of Michael Davey”.

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to the Clarke family on the death of Joseph Clarke”.

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Michael Mc Gowan on the death of his sister, Maureen, Morris”.

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Ted Mc Gowan on the death of his sister, Maureen Morris”.

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Tom Devine on the death of his brother, Fr. Ricky Devine”.

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to the Harte family on the death of Mrs Pat Harte”.

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to the Dineen family on the death of Alfie Joe Dineen”.

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Christy Conlon on the death of his mother, Mary Kate”.

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Dr. Domhnall Heraughty on the death of his father, Paddy”.

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Robbie Mahon on the death of his mother, Bridie”.

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Bridie Gallagher on the death of Val Connolly”.

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Breege Mc Donagh on the death of her father, Mickey Gorman”.

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Ted Mc Gowan on the death of his sister, Maureen Morris”.

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Christy Gallagher on the death of his mother, Ann”.

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

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Dr. Heraghty on the death of his father”.

Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Dympna O’ Carroll on the death of her father, Patsy Gillen”.

33. VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS:

Proposed by Councillor M. Barrett
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan

AND AGREED

“That a vote of congratulations be expressed to Peter Brehony on his retirement from Sligo County Council after many years of dedicated service”.

34. CONFERENCES:

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

AND AGREED

“That Councillors Kilgannon, Queenan and Colleary be nominated to attend the AMAI annual conference in Shannon, Co. Clare on 15-17 September 2005”.

Proposed by Councillor J. Mc Garry
Seconded by Councillor S. Mac Manus

AND AGREED

“That Councillor V. Cawley be nominated to attend the Benedict Kiely Legacy Seminar in Omagh on 16-18 September 2005”.

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

AND AGREED

“That Councillors Baker, Colleary, Kilgannon and Queenan be nominated to attend the Water Services Strategic Plans conference in Kilkenny on 8 September 2005”.

35. CORRESPONDENCE:

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor I. Fox

AND AGREED

“To propose that representatives from the ESB are invited to the September council meeting to address issues of concern to the councillors”.

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor M. Barrett

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council call a special meeting to meet the Health Service Executive on the 1st Monday in October at 11.00am”.

36. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:

The members expressed their disappointment that the Hospice was not yet open and appealed to all parties to try to reach a solution.

37. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

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

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council calls on the government, and in particular on the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey to intervene immediately to secure the release from prison of the five Mayo landowners currently imprisoned for trying to protect the health and welfare of their families and local community”.

Councillor J. Sherlock raised the matter of a derelict structure at the entrance to Cloondara, Ballisodare which he wished to have removed.

Councillor G. Mullaney and Councillor M. Baker expressed congratulations to Director Caffrey and the housing department with regard to the completion of a housing scheme in Geevagh.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS CIRCULATED AT THE MEETING:

Letter dated 29 June from the Health Service Executive re. meeting between HSE and Sligo County Council.
Resolution circulated 24 June by Macroom Town Council.
Resolution circulated 21 June by Donegal County Council.
Resolution circulated 16 June by Fingal County Council.
Resolution circulated 13 April by Leitrim County Council.
Resolution circulated 11 February by Leitrim County Council.
Resolution circulated 2 March by Donegal County Council.
Resolution circulated 19 Jan by Leitrim County Council.
Resolution circulated 22 March by Balbriggan Town Council.
Resolutions circulated 18 April by Kerry County Council
Resolution circulated 22 March by Kerry County Council.
Resolution circulated 22 March by Leitrim County Council.
Resolution circulated 20 December by Leitrim County Council.
Resolution circulated 3 March by Donegal County Council.
Resolutions circulated 15 June by Kerry County Council.
List of forthcoming conferences.

END OF MEETING:

The meeting ended at 12.50pm

Meeting Date 04/07/2005