Minutes 2013

Minutes of July Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on Monday 1st July, 2013 At 11 am in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


MEMBERS PRESENT:

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

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr. H. Kearns, County Manager
  • Ms. D. Clarke, Director of Services
  • Mr T. Brennan, Acting Director of Services
  • Mr J. O’Toole. Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr J. Murphy, Senior Executive Officer
  • Ms. Emer Concannon, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr. Noel Haran, Acting Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr F. MacNabb, Meetings Administrator
  • Ms M. Boylan, Staff Officer
  • Ms. A. Savage, Staff Officer

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

  • The Cathaoirleach, Councillor P. McGrath presided.

 

1.  MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY JUNE MEETING HELD ON 10TH JUNE, 2013:

Proposed by Councillor A. McLoughlin
Seconded by Councillor M. Lyons

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of the Ordinary June Meeting held on 10th June, 2013.”

 

2.  MINUTES OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL CPG MEETING HELD ON 13TH MAY 2013:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor D. Cawley

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of Sligo County Council Corporate Policy Group Meeting held on 13th May, 2013.”

Councillor Bree raised a query in relation to the overdraft facility being granted to the Council by the Bank.

 

3.  TAKING IN CHARGE OF FAIRGREEN, EASKEY:

Proposed by Councillor Barrett
Seconded by Councillor Clarke

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council commence the process of taking in charge the estate known as “Fairgreen”, Easkey, Co. Sligo by instigating the necessary procedures under Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 to declare public the road serving the estate.”

 

4.  TAKING IN CHARGE OF NEWTOWN ESTATE, GRANGE:

Proposed by Councillor Leonard
Seconded by Councillor Keaney

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council commence the process of taking in charge the estate known as “Newtown Estate”, Grange, Co. Sligo, by instigating the necessary procedures under Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 to declare public the road serving the estate.”

 

5.  TAKING IN CHARGE OF CLUAININ NA MBO, ENNISCRONE:

Proposed by Councillor M. Barrett
Seconded by Councillor M. Clarke

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council commence the process of taking in charge the estate known as “Cluainin Na mBo”, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo, by instigating the necessary procedures under Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 to declare public the road serving the estate.”

 

6.  SEED FUNDING –CYCLE ROUTE:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor H. Keaney

AND AGREED

“To note the allocation to Sligo County Council by the Department of Transport of €50,000 in “seed funding” for the development of a cycle route along the SLNCR – Collooney to Ballintogher”

 

7.  RESTORATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME:

Proposed by Councillor H. Keaney
Seconded by Councillor M. Barrett

AND AGREED

“To note additional funding from Department of Transport of €1,208,408 under the Restoration Improvement Programme, 2013 Regional and Local Road Grant”

 

8.  STOKANE NATIONAL SCHOOL:

With the permission of the meeting this item was deferred.

 

9.  SUSPENSION OF NCT TESTING:

With the permission of the meeting this item was deferred.

 

9A.  R297 AT COLAISTE IASCAIGH:

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

AND AGREED

“That this Council provide appropriate signage and safety measures on the R297 at Colaiste Iascaigh”

Mr. S. O’Toole, Senior Executive Engineer reported to the meeting as follows:-

“The Area Engineer will examine the areas adjacent to Colaiste Iascaigh to assess the need for extra signage and safety measures, against the background of the low funding levels this year”.

 

Proposed by Councillors D. Bree,
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council expresses its abhorrence at Minister Phil Hogan’s decision to slash the Rural Development Programme funding for the Sligo Leader Partnership Company by €1.1 million; and further the Council demands, at a minimum, that the original allocation of €10,888,673 be provided for the Sligo Leader Partnership Company”

 

10.  SLIGO LEADER PARTNERSHIP:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor H. Keaney

AND AGREED

“To call on the Minister to provide additional funding to the Sligo Leader Partnership Company”

Councillor D. Bree gave his apologies to the Chair as he had to leave the meeting.

 

10A: REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE FOR GRAVEYARDS

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor D Mulvey

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to liaise with Sligo Leader Partnership Company and the Department of Heritage to secure permission for the RSS to allow proposed work to proceed of a repair and maintenance nature for graveyards throughout the County”

 

11.  NUI GALWAY AND ST. ANGELA’S COLLEGE:

Following discussion and with the permission of the meeting this item was deferred until the September meeting.

 

12.  UNFINISHED BUILDING SITE IN GURTEEN:

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

AND AGREED

“That we the members of this Council be provided with a report on the unfinished building site in Gurteen opposite the health centre which is a cause of concern to residents”

Mr. Joe Murphy, Senior Executive Officer reported to the meeting as follows:-

“I understand from discussions with Councillor Gormley following receipt of Notice of Motion that the residents concerns relate to;

  1. Fencing
  2. Water on the site

Planning permission for 69 houses was granted on this site on 2nd May, 2007 PL 06/520 refers.  No houses were built and the permission has now expired.  The site is on the Councils Derelict Site Register.

The Council understands that the site has recently been sold.  It proposes to raise both issues with the new owners, when it receives details of the sale”. 

 

13.  AREA OFFICE AND STAFF ENNISCRONE:

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

AND AGREED

“In the light of the new boundary changes we ask that the Engineers and area office remain in Enniscrone”

Mr. Tom Brennan, Acting Director of Services reported to the meeting as follows:-

“A review of the Engineering Areas will be required to be carried out later this year due to the reorganisation of the Electoral areas in Co. Sligo after the 2014 Local Elections.

This review will aim to align the structure of the Engineering areas with the new electoral boundaries and will review the position and status of all area offices and area operational boundaries, staffing, resources etc. It is not possible at this stage to say what the outcome of such a review will be”.

 

14.  NORTH SLIGO WATER SCHEME:

Proposed by Councillor V. Cawley
Seconded by Councillor H. Keaney

AND AGREED

“That following on from the identification of an additional water source for the North Sligo Water Scheme that the Council be given a report on when the additional source will come into operation, the capacity and what improvement it will bring to the supply of water”

Mr. Noel Haran, Acting Senior Executive Engineer reported to the meeting as follows:-

“Monitoring and analysis of the backup ground water source for the North Sligo water supply scheme has been completed. The safe yield of the new production well has been determined at 750 cubic metres per day, approximately 40% of the daily demand on the scheme. The new source will be used to supplement the existing sources which historically have become depleted following prolonged periods of dry weather. This additional raw water source will enhance the security of supply for consumers on the North Sligo water supply scheme”.

 

15.  AHAMLISH CEMETERY:

With the permission of the meeting this item was deferred.

 

16.  SECOND BEACH ROSSES POINT:

With the permission of the meeting this item was deferred.

 

17. ADDITIONAL BINS IN ROSSES POINT

Proposed by Councillor M. Lyons
Seconded by Councillor H. Keaney

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to place additional bins at selected locations in Rosses Point for the summer season”.

Mr. S. O’Toole, Senior Executive Engineer reported to the meeting as follows:-

“Sligo County Councils resources, both financial and human, are such that it is not proposed to erect additional bins at Rosses Point and people are encouraged to take their refuse home for disposal in the normal way”.

 

18.  BOAT IN CARPARK ROSSES POINT:

Proposed by Councillor M. Lyons
Seconded by Councillor J. McGarry

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council requests the owner of a boat in the car park of the harbour at Rosses Point which is in a state of disrepair and an eyesore to remove it”.

Mr. S. O’Toole, Senior Executive Engineer reported to the meeting as follows:-

“We will endeavour to identify the owner of the boat so as to encourage its removal”.

 

19.  DRAFT PROTECTION OF LIFE DURING PREGNANCY BILL:

Proposed by Councillor M. Lyons
Seconded by Councillor M. Clarke

“That Sligo County Council calls on the government to amend the draft Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill and remove suicidal ideation as grounds for abortion. Furthermore that this Council calls on all local Oireachtas representatives to vote against the Bill in its current form”.

A discussion took place on the matter.  As agreement was not reached following the discussion, the Cathaoirleach called a vote

FOR: Baker, Clarke, Devins, Gormley, Lundy, Lyons, McGarry, O’Grady and Queenan.

AGAINST: MacManus.

ABSTENTION: Cawley D., Collery, McGrath and Mulvey.

As the result was 9 for, 1 Against and 4 Abstentions the Cathaoirleach declared the motion carried.

 

20.  TRANSFER OF CERTAIN SERVICES FROM POST OFFICES TO BANKS:

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

AND AGREED

“As Post Offices are providing an excellent service to the general public this council calls on the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton to drop the proposal to transfer pension payments, child benefit payments and other social welfare payments from Post Offices to banks”.

 

21.  REVIEW OF SIGNAGE ON N59:

Proposed by Councillor M. Clarke
Seconded by Councillor M. Baker

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to carry out a review of the locations of the newly erected signs along the N59 and to put a sign on the N59 Indicating Ballinleg NS school”

Mr. S. O’Toole, Senior Executive Engineer reported to the meeting as follows:-

“The contract for the new signage along the National Route N59 is being administered by the NRA through its consultants. The request for a sign for Ballinleg National School will be discussed with them.

Other issues relating to sign location etc are currently being addressed.

As a result of this signage contract a major improvement is evident all along the N59”.

 

It was agreed that this matter would be discussed at the next area meeting.

 

22.  REVIEW OF SPEED LIMIT AT CALRY VILLAGE:

Proposed by Councillor V. Cawley
Seconded by Councillor M. Lyons

AND AGREED

"That the speed limits at Calry village be reduced to 50km as the current 80km limit is to high and dangerous for the level of activities in the general Village area"

Mr. S. O’Toole, Senior Executive Engineer reported to the meeting as follows:-

“The Area Engineer will examine the situation at Calry with a view to assessing the need for speed limit reduction, for consideration”.

 

23.  MEDICAL CARD APPLICATIONS:

Proposed by Councillor J. Lundy
Seconded by Councillor R. O’Grady

AND AGREED

“That this Council calls on the Minister for Health and the HSE to have all Medical Card Applications processed locally, as the centralised plan is not working and causing great distress to many people”.

 

24.  MINISTER RUAIRI QUINN:

Proposed by Councillor M. Clarke
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

AND AGREED

“That this council calls on the Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn to resign as he has failed on the following issues - 1. College Fees   2. SNA’S 3. Career guidance staff 4.  SUSI 5. Newly appointed teachers contracts    6. School transport”.

 

25.  SCHOOLBOOK RENTAL SCHEME:

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

AND AGREED

"In an effort to cut education costs to parents, Sligo County Council calls on the Minister for Education to introduce legislation to provide for a schoolbook rental scheme and the banning of crested school uniforms."

 

26.  VOTES OF SYMPATHY:

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Ruth Davis on the death of her Uncle, James”.

 

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Philip and Anne McGovern on the death of their daughter, Jackie”.

 

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Loretta Leonard on the death of her Uncle, Vincent McDonagh”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mick Burke on the death of his brother, Edward”.

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

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Noel McCann on the death of his wife, Catherine”.

 

Proposed by Councillor T. Collery
Seconded by Councillor M. Lyons

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs. Martha Hamilton on the death of her husband, Hugh”.

 

27.  VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS:

Proposed by Councillor T. Collery
Seconded by Councillor M. Clarke

AND AGREED

“That a vote of congratulations be extended to the London GAA Team on reaching the Connacht Final”.

 

28. CONFERENCES

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor V. Cawley

AND AGREED

“That the list of conferences proposed for July at this meeting are unanimously approved”.

 

29.  CORRESPONDENCE:

Item d) Letter from Tony McLoughlin TD regarding Mammography Services to Sligo Regional Hospital

Proposed by Councillor J. McGarry
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council agree to write to Deputy McLoughlin and ask him to outline to the Council the following:-

  1. How many Radiographers will begin work at the unit in September/October
  2. How many patients will they be able to see on a weekly basis
  3. Will it be necessary for some women to travel to Galway after the date he has given us
  4. Can he outline in detail the efforts which have been made to recruit mammographers”

 

30. MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising.

 

END OF MEETING

The meeting ended at 2.40 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 


Meeting Date 01/07/2013