Minutes 2012

Minutes of July Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on Monday 2nd July, 2012 at 11 am in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


MEMBERS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Baker,
  • Councillor Barrett,
  • Councillor Barry,
  • Councillor Bree,
  • Councillor D. Cawley,
  • Councillor V. Cawley,
  • Councillor Collery,
  • Councillor Devins,
  • Councillor Fleming,
  • Councillor Healy McGowan,
  • Councillor Keaney,
  • Councillor Leonard,
  • Councillor Lundy,
  • Councillor Lyons,
  • Councillor MacManus,
  • Councillor McGarry,
  • Councillor McGrath,
  • Councillor McLoughlin,
  • Councillor Mullaney,
  • Councillor Mulvey,
  • Councillor Murray,
  • Councillor O’Grady,
  • Councillor Queenan.

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr H. Kearns, County Manager
  • Mr T. Kilfeather, Director of Services
  • Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services
  • Ms M. Leydon, Head of Finance
  • Ms P. R. Gallagher, Acting Director of Services
  • Mr T. Brennan, Senior Engineer
  • Ms D. Finnerty, Senior Executive Officer
  • Mr J. Murphy, Senior Executive Officer
  • Mr S. O’Toole. Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr J. O’Flaherty, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Ms. M. Davidescu, Acting Senior Executive Planner
  • Ms S. Ryan, Heritage Officer
  • Ms D. McDonagh, Administrative Officer
  • Mr F. MacNabb, Meetings Administrator
  • Ms M. McGovern, Clerical Officer

 

APOLOGIES:

  • Councillor M. Gormley
  • Councillor M. Clarke

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor V. Cawley presided.

 

1.  MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 11TH JUNE, 2012:

Proposed by Councillor H. Keaney

Seconded by Councillor P. McGrath

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary June Meeting held on 11th June, 2012.”

 

2.  MINUTES OF CPG MEETING HELD ON14TH MAY, 2012:

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming

Seconded by Councillor P. McGrath

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Sligo County Council Corporate Policy Group Meeting held on 14th May, 2012.”

 

3.  COMMUNITY HERITAGE GRANT SCHEME 2012:

Proposed by Councillor H. Keaney

Seconded by Councillor G. Murray

AND AGREED

“To approve the Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2012.”
 

It was agreed to take Item 4 & 21 together.

 

4.  COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY GRANT SCHEME 2012:

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming

Seconded by Councillor T. Collery

AND AGREED

“To approve the Grant Awards under the Community and Voluntary Grant Scheme 2012 – General Grants, Burial Ground Grants and Tidy Towns Grants.”

 

21.  CLOSING DATE  FOR COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY GRANT SCHEME:

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree

Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

“That the closing date for the receipt of applications for the Community and Voluntary Grants Scheme be extended to the 17th July, and that in keeping with custom and practice the scheme be publicly advertised in the local print media.”

Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services gave a brief overview of report which had been circulated with the agenda.

Following a discussion by the members and as agreement could not be reached the Cathaoirleach called for a vote.

For: Bree, Devins, Healy McGowan, Lundy, MacManus, O’Grady.

Against: Barrett, Barry, D. Cawley, V. Cawley, Collery, Fleming, Keaney, Leonard, Lyons, McGrath, McLoughlin, Mullaney, Mulvey, Murray, Queenan.

As the result was 6 for and 15 against the Cathaoirleach declared the motion failed.

 

5.  PART 8 – PEARSE ROAD TRAFFIC CALMING:

Proposed by Councillor D. Cawley

Seconded by Councillor H. Keaney

AND AGREED

“To arove in accordance with Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (as amended by the Planning and Development Regulations, 2006) the “Pearse Road Traffic Calming Scheme.”

 

6.  TAKE IN CHARGE ARDAUN ESTATE, MONASTERADEN:

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming

Seconded by Councillor G. Murray

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council take in charge the development known as Ardaun Estate, Monasteraden, Co Sligo.”

In response to a query from Councillor MacManus Mr J. Murphy, Senior Executive Officer stated that there was only one issue to be resolve in the Ocean Links Estate in Strandhill and the ‘Taking in charge’ process could begin.

Therefore it was;

Proposed by Councillor S. MacManus

Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

“That Sligo County Council begins the process of Taking in Charge Ocean Links Estate, Strandhill.”

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor V. Cawley ruled this motion to be out of order and instructed that this be placed on the Agenda for the September Ordinary meeting.

The County Manager, Mr Kearns added that since 2006 the council had taken over 60 estates. Averaging at 10 public lights an estate this incurs a cost of approximately of €100,000 annually for Sligo County Council. In light of the current financial situation a discussion needs to take place regarding this process.

The Manager agreed that a report will be prepared for the October meeting outlining potential number of estates to be Taken in Charge and the potential cost.

 

7.  CHARLESTOWN-BELLAGHY LOCAL AREA PLAN:

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming

Seconded by Councillor G. Murray

AND AGREED

“Having considered the Proposed Amendment to the Charlestown-Bellaghy Local Area Plan, SEA Screening Report, Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and the Manager’s Report dated the 15th June, 2012, the Members agreed to adopt the Amendment, taking account of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, the statutory obligations of the local authority and any relevant policies or objectives for the time being of the Government or of any Minister of the Government.

It is hereby resolved in accordance with the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) that the Charlestown-Bellaghy Local Area Plan be amended.”

 

8.  GRANT FOR ENNISCRONE PIER:

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan

Seconded by Councillor M. Barrett

AND AGREED

“To consider offer of Grant (€48,750 maximum) from Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine towards repair works at Enniscrone Pier and requirement for matched Council Funding.”

 

9.  AUDIT COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT:

Proposed by Councillor J. Leonard

Seconded by Councillor H. Keaney

AND AGREED

“To note the Audit Committee Annual Report 2011.”

It was also;

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree

Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

AND AGREED

“That a copy of the letter sent to the County Manager by the Chairman of the Audit Committee following its meeting on the 20th December, 2011 (as referred to in the Audit Committee’s Draft Annual Report) be circulated to the Council members.”

 

10.  APPOINT ONE (1) MEMBER TO THE BORDER REGIONAL AUTHORITY FOLLOWING RESIGNATION OF COUNCILLOR DEVINS:

Proposed by Councillor J. Devins

Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan

AND AGREED

“Councillor Martin Baker be nominated to the position on the Border Regional Authority.”

 

11.  PRESENTATION BY TERRI SCOTT, PRESIDENT IT SLIGO:

Terri Scott, President of IT Sligo made a presentation to the members about ambitions for Technological University for the Connacht-Ulster region.

The members thanked Ms Scott for her presentation and recognised the impact IT Sligo has on the region. Following further discussion by the members two resolutions were read out to the members.

Proposed by Councillor H. Keaney

Seconded by Councillor J. Leonard

“This Council supports the ambition of IT Sligo to achieve Technological University status for this region.”

And

Proposed by Councillor J. Devins

Seconded by Councillor P. Barry

  1. “Sligo County Council issue a press release advocating IT Sligo’s objective to achieve Technological University status.
  2. Sligo County Council write to the Minister for Education requesting the above.
  3. Sligo County Council write to all Oireachtas members asking them to lobby the Minister for Education re above.”

The members agreed the two resolution in principle and they would formally adopt later in the meeting.

Meeting Adjourned for lunch at 1.30pm

 

Items 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24 and 25 were deferred at this time.

 

26.  FINANCIAL REVIEW:

Proposed by Councillor P. Barry

Seconded by Councillor D. Cawley

“To ask the director of Services for a review of our financial position at the half way stage of the year, as agreed at the Budget Meeting this year, and to include

  1. Report on reaction of Minister Hogan or his department to the €1m cuts to budget spend.
  2. Report on update of the appraisal team, as of today.”

In response to the second part of the motion Mr Kearns, the County Manager, stated that the report being prepared by the appraisal team is near completion and they would hope to have a meeting sometime later in July to discuss same.

The meeting agreed to allow the Cathaoirleach to set the date for this meeting.

Ms Leydon, Head of Finance added that finance are currently working on updating 6 monthly figures for this meeting and this would take another 3 weeks.

With the agreement of the meeting Items 27 & 28 were deferred at this time.

 

29.  CLASS 3 ROADS:

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming

Seconded by Councillor P. Barry

AND AGREED

“To request the Minister for Transport to allocate additional funds to Sligo County Council  for improvement works on Class 3 Roads this year and 2013 to 2015 Roads Programme.”

Mr S. O’Toole, Senior Executive Engineer stated the following;

The Minister for Transport was written to on 19th June 2012 asking for €100,000 per Engineering area to make some inroads into improving some Class 2 and 3 roads in the County.

At this time the Cathaoirleach asked the members to formally adopt the two earlier resolutions regarding IT Sligo. Both resolutions were agreed by the members.

 

30.  GRID WEST PROJECT:

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming

Seconded by Councillor D. Cawley

AND AGREED

“To propose that this Council welcomes the launch of Grid West project to provide essential connection to the National Grid for the increasing development of renewable energy projects on the Western Seaboard  and to inform the Minister for Communications and Energy of the urgent need that exists for development in this area.”  

 

31.  TEAM SLIGO:

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming

Seconded by Councillor H. Keaney

AND AGREED

“To propose that Sligo County Council acknowledge the work of members of 'Team Sligo’ in the promotion of tourism projects in the County.”

 

32.  CONTRACT FOR BRING BANK SITES:

Proposed by Councillor P. Barry

Seconded by Councillor J. Devins

“To ask the Manager for a report on the awarding of the contract to a national charity over a local one for the Bring Bank Sites in the County.”

In response Mr T. Kilfeather, Director of Services stated the following;

No contract was awarded to a national charity over any local charity in respect of textile recycling at Bring Bank sites in Sligo County and Borough.

Sligo County Council, as the Waste Management Authority for the Borough and County of Sligo, went to tender for Textile Recycling Companies to place and operate textile clothing banks only at our public and private bring banks sites in the Borough and County areas of Sligo.  The Council were anxious to see an improvement in the management and regulation of textile recycling banks at these sites as a result of numerous complaints received by the Environment Section over the years.  The complaints related to Textile Banks being left on sites without prior permission from the landowner and banks not being emptied on a regular basis or properly maintained.

The following is a summary of the tender/contract process:

  • Tender was advertised in March 2012 and closed on 5th April 2012
  • 3 Tenders were received
  • 1 tender was Valid, 2 were Invalid as there was insufficient documentation which was clearly required as part of the tender documentation.
  • All Tenderers were notified on 25th April 2012
  • Textile Recycling Limited, who are an Irish Company and are in the textile recycling business for 19 years, won the tender and the tender document was signed and sealed on 6th June 2012.   The contract period is for 3 years
  • Textile Recycling Limited now have their clothes banks, which are pink in colour representing their chosen charity, Breast Cancer Awareness, placed on all 13 of our public Bring Bank sites and on 18 private Bring Bank sites.  The Operators of the 18 private Bring Bank sites requested their inclusion in the Tender arrangement.
  • The following payments are being made by Textile Recycling under the Contract:
    1. €751 to Sligo County Council per tonne of clothes recycled at public sites
    2. €601 to community/landowner of private sites – Under this contract, Sligo County Council are ensuring that communities/landowners do gain financially from profits being made by Textile Companies for textile recycling.  €150 will be paid to Sligo County Council per tonne of clothes recycled at private sites.    The Local Authority is being paid this rate for the continuous upkeep and maintenance of our bring bank facilities on private property and for all work involved under the new contract agreement with Textile Recycling.  
      The sums accruing to the Council and those operating the private sites are significantly increased on the arrangements prior to this Tender. We would be hopeful that many community groups such as Tidy towns Groups who are operating a significant number of these sites, will see a significant increase in funds accruing to them over the period of this tender agreement.
    3. Textile Recycling Limited are also making a charitable donation to their principle registered charity Breast Cancer Ireland, a charity set up to raise money for breast cancer research administered by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. 

The above mentioned tender arrangement does not prevent any other textile recycling organisation from availing from the use of the significant number of private bring bank sites throughout the county including those that have availed of the Tender Agreement. This would simply be a matter of agreement between those Sites and those other Recycling Organisations.

The members welcomed the report and asked that it be circulated to all the members.

 

33.  VOTES OF SYMPATHY:

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming

Seconded by Councillor G. Murray

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Tereasa Walsh on the death of her husband, John Walsh.”

 

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming

Seconded by Councillor G. Murray

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Kate Murphy on the death of her mother, Kate Madden.”

 

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey

Seconded by Councillor T. Collery

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Jerry Powell on the death of his mother, Mary Powell.”

 

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey

Seconded by Councillor T. Collery

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Martin and Margaret Savage on the death of their son, Luke savage.”

 

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey

Seconded by Councillor T. Collery

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Ann Henry on the death of her husband, Gary Henry.”

 

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey

Seconded by Councillor T. Collery

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Grace Potter on the death of her husband, David Potter.”

 

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey

Seconded by Councillor T. Collery

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to The Walsh Family on the death of Brigid Walsh.”

 

35.  CONFERENCES

Proposed by Councillor D. Cawley

Seconded by Councillor H. Keaney

AND AGREED

“That the list of Conferences, circulated for July, at this meeting, are unanimously approved.”

 

36.  CORRESPONDENCE:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor V. Cawley, drew attention to the correspondence relating to DBO contracts and noted that the Foxes Den contract was up in October 2013.She asked the executive for a comment on the renewal of this contract.

In response Mr. Kilfeather, Director of Services stated that the Council would not have the staff qualified to carry out the operation of the plant and due to the moratorium on staff no new staff can be employed by local authorities

 

Proposed by Councillor D. Cawley

Seconded by Councillor H. Keaney

AND AGREED

“To note the correspondence circulated with the Agenda.”

The Cathaoirleach agreed to take motions deferred earlier in the meeting.

 

20.  OWENMORE PADDOCK, BALLINACARROW:

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey

Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

“To ask Sligo County Council for an update on the unfinished estate Owenmore Paddock, Ballinacarrow.”

In response, Mr J. Murphy, Senior Executive Officer, stated the following;

An Enforcement Notice issued to the developer on 25th October 2011 in relation to

  1. Compliance with planning conditions and
  2. The carrying out of works on the “built” section of the development.

A meeting recently took place with the developer on the site to try and progress issues.  He has been requested to submit his proposals and a time schedule for complying with the Enforcement Notice by 15th July 2012.  The file in the matter will be referred to the Council’s Solicitor for legal action if a satisfactory response is not received by said date.

At this point the Cathaoirleach had further consultation with the members regarding a date for the Special Meeting.

The meeting agreed to hold the Special Meeting on Wednesday 8th August at 9.30am, if this was suitable to the consultants, Grant Thornton.

 

24.  ANTI-LITTER GRANTS:

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree

Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

“That the County Manager provide the Council with a report indicating the level of funding provided by the Department of the Environment under the (a) Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti Awareness Grants Scheme and (b) the Tourist Season Anti-Litter Grants Scheme in 2011 and in the current year; and further that the Council be advised as to the projects funded by the grants in 2011 and the plans for the expenditure of the grants in the current year.” 

It was agreed that a report would be circulated to the members with regard to this Item.

 

25.  COUNTY COUNCIL DEBT:

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree

Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

“That the County Manager provide the Council with up to date details or estimates of the amount of money owed to the Council broken down by headings under which such debt arises, and details of the steps in each case being taken to collect same.”

It was agreed that a report would be circulated to the members with regard to this Item.

 

27.  ENGINEER POSITIONS:

Proposed by Councillor S. MacManus

Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

“To ask the County Manager to confirm the creation by Sligo County Council of two new Senior Resident Engineer positions and to inform the Council of the names of those appointed, duration of contract, details of advertising and interview process  and how such positions will be funded.”

In response, Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services, stated the following;

Three temporary Acting Senior Resident Engineer posts have been approved for the following Capital Projects:

  1. Acting Senior Resident Engineer – Sligo Water Conservation Project
    • No one appointed to position to date.
    • Contract of 18 months duration.
    • Department sanction issued on 24 November 2011.
    • Advertised as a confined competition via memo to all staff on 12 December 2011.
    • Interviews held on Thursday, 1 March 2012.
    • Post is 90% funded from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government through the Sligo Water Conservation Project Stage 3.  There will be no backfilling of any subsequent vacancy.
  2. Acting Senior Resident Engineer – Roads Construction Project – N59 Farranyharpy to Ballygreighan Scheme
    • No one appointed to position to date.
    • Contract of 15 months duration.
    • Department sanction issued on 2 April 2012.
    • Advertised as a confined competition via memo to all staff on 21 March 2012.
    • Interviews have not been held to date.
    • Post is 100% funded via National Roads Authority grants.  There will be no backfilling of any subsequent vacancy.
  3. Acting Senior Resident Engineer – Roads Construction Project – N4 Ardloy Realignment
    • No one appointed to position to date.
    • Contract of 15 months duration.
    • Department sanction issued on 2 April 2012.
    • Advertised as a confined competition via memo to all staff on 21 March 2012.
    • Interviews have not been held to date.
    • Post is 100% funded via National Roads Authority grants.  There will be no back filling of any subsequent vacancy.

It was agreed to circulate this report to the members. 

Councillor D. Cawley requested that the members be supplied with a report of the cost savings arising from these positions being funded by the NRA.

 

28.  ACTING POSITIONS:

Proposed by Councillor S. MacManus

Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

“To ask the County Manager to provide a report clarifying the situation in relation to staff of Sligo County Council who are in “acting” positions. Such report would include details of number of “acting” positions currently held on this council and the number of such positions in each grade, i.e. Grade 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Director of Services etc. I also ask the County Manager to inform the Council if it is true that he intends to review and possibly terminate such “acting” positions.”

In response, Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services, stated the following;

 
GradeNumber Acting 
DIRECTOR OF SERVICES 2
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER 3
ASSISTANT CHIEF FIRE OFFICER 1
ASSISTANT PLANNER 1
ASSISTANT SCIENTIST 1
ASSISTANT STAFF OFFICER 5
CHIEF FIRE OFFICER 1
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN GRADE I 1
EXECUTIVE ENGINEER 2
EXECUTIVE SCIENTIST 1
EXECUTIVE TECHNICIAN 2
GENERAL SERVICES SUPERVISOR 3
HANDYMAN 1
LITTER WARDEN 1
MOBILE LIBRARY DRIVER/ASSISTANT 1
SENIOR ASSISTANT CHIEF FIRE OFFICER 1
SENIOR ENGINEER 3
SENIOR EXECUTIVE ENGINEER 4
SENIOR EXECUTIVE PLANNER 2
SENIOR EXECUTIVE SCIENTIST 1
SENIOR PLANNER 1
SENIOR STAFF OFFICER 3
SENIOR STOREMAN 1
STAFF OFFICER 6
STOREKEEPER 1
TECHNICAL SERVICES SUPERVISOR 1
WASTE MANAGEMENT ENFORCEMENT OFFICER 1
WATERWORKS CARETAKER (GRADE V) 3

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has written to the Council referring to the high number of acting positions, and stating that acting up should only arise in exceptional circumstances. The Department has requested that the Council undertake a review of acting arrangements and report to them regarding the ongoing requirement for these arrangements. This review is underway, and consultations are taking place with Trade Unions in this regard.

It was agreed to circulate this report to the members.

In response to queries from the members, Ms Clarke stated that it was hoped to have this review completed by the end of the year.

 

34.  VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS:

The members extended their congratulations to the Sligo Leader Partnership on the successful event hosted in the Sligo Park Hotel on Friday 29th June.

 

37.  MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:

There were no matters arising.

 

38.  ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

Councillor MacManus referred to a previous item he had raised at a meeting regarding a report from the NRA about 2 bridges at Owenmore. He asked could this issue be followed up.

The Cathaoirleach informed the members that Alan Gallagher, Business Development Manager with ‘Connect Ireland’ and Comhairle na nÓg had requested to address the members at a council meeting. It was agreed to invite both in for the September Ordinary meeting and they would have 15 minutes each to address the members.

 

END OF MEETING:

The meeting ended at 3.55pm

 

 

 

 

 


Meeting Date 02/07/2012