Minutes 2014

Minutes of April Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council Held on Monday 7th April, 2014 At 11.00 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 Clarke,
  • Councillor Collery,
  • Councillor Cryan,
  • Councillor Devins,
  • Councillor Fleming,
  • Councillor Gormley,
  • Councillor Healy McGowan,
  • 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. Ciarán Hayes, County Manager
  • Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services
  • Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
  • Ms. Marie Leydon, Head of Finance
  • Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer
  • Mr. Donal Tinney, County Librarian,
  • Mr. Fineen O’Driscoll, A/Senior Engineer
  • Mr. John Clancy, Senior Executive Officer
  • Mr. Seamus O’Toole, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr. John Owens, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Ms. Siobhan Ryan, Heritage Officer
  • Mr. Pat Doyle, Project Engineer
  • Mr. Kevin Colreavy, Administrative Officer
  • Ms. Marian McGovern, Clerical Officer

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor P. McGrath presided.

 

LISSADELL:

At the outset the Cathoairleach indicated that, as had been agreed at a previous meeting the members would set a date for a Special Meeting to discuss the Lissadell case.

Councillor McGarry proposed Monday 28th April at 11.00am and this was agreed by the meeting.

The members asked that all information available in bringing the case to court be presented to the members.

 

1.  MINUTES OF CPG MEETING HELD ON 27TH JANUARY 2014:

Proposed by Councillor T. Collery
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the CPG meeting held on 27th January, 2014.”

 

2.  MINUTES OF ORDINARY MARCH MEETING HELD ON 3RD MARCH 2014:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary March Meeting held on the 3rd March, 2014.”

 

3.  MINUTES OF ADJOURNED MARCH MEETING HELD ON 7TH MARCH 2014:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Adjourned Ordinary March Meeting held on the 7th March, 2014.”

 

4.  SECTION 183 – EASKEY COURTHOUSE:

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

AND AGREED

“To approve the granting of a lease of land and building known as Easkey Courthouse to Mayo Sligo and Leitrim (ETB) Education and Training Board (formerly known as County Sligo VEC); in accordance with Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001.”

 

5.  DECLARE PUBLIC ROADS:

Proposed by Councillor S. MacManus
Seconded by Councillor A. McLoughlin

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council being satisfied of their general public utility declare the roads named below to be Public Roads in accordance with Section 11(1) of the Roads Act, 1993.

  1. Road NumberLocation and Terminal Points
    L-71183-0 Road situate in the housing estate of ‘Brookfield’, in the townland of Ballinphull (E.D. Cliffony North)
    L-35041-0 Road situate in the housing estate of ‘Waverly Court’, in the townland of Carrowbunnaun, Strandhill.
    L-58051-0 Road situate in the housing estate of ‘Curlew Close’ at Ballinafad.
  2. That Sligo County Council take in charge the following developments:
    • Housing estate known as ‘Brookfield Close’ in the townland of Ballinphull (E.D. Cliffony North)
    • Housing estate known as ‘Waverly Close’ in the townland of Carrowbunnaun, Strandhill.
    • Housing estate known as ‘Curlew Close’ at Ballinafad.”

 

6.  TAKING IN CHARGE CHURCH VIEW, GURTEEN:

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

AND AGREED

“To commence the process of taking in charge the development known as ‘Church View’, Gurteen, Co. Sligo.”

 

7.  THE MODEL PRESENTATION:

Bernie Butler, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of The Model delivered a presentation to the members.

The Cathaoirleach thanked Ms. Butler for her presentation and invited the members to comment on same.

In response to their queries Ms Butler and Emer McGarry, curator at The Model,

  • Informed the members that visitor numbers for 2014 were up 54% on the 2013 figures for the same period.
  • The Articles of Association had been amended to address the issue of artistic representation on the board of directors.
  • Comments regarding the use of the Niland name would be brought back to the board.

 

8.  BUILT HERITAGE JOBS SCHEME:

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

AND AGREED

“To note provisional allocations under the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme 2014.”

 

9.  HERITAGE PLAN:

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

AND AGREED

“To note the preparation of the new County Sligo Heritage Plan 2015-2019.”

 

10.  MAY MEETING:

“To discuss arrangements for the May monthly meeting.”

Following a brief discussion the members agreed to hold the Ordinary May meeting on Friday 2nd May at 11.00am.

 

11.  PRESENTATION BY COUNTY MANAGER:

The County Manager, Mr Hayes delivered a presentation entitled ‘Sligo County Council – Organisations and Structure Post Elections’ which covered the following:

  • Background and context of changes
  • Enhanced economic development role
  • Replacement of CDBs with LCDC
  • Irish Water Project
  • Executive organisational structure
  • Statutory Council/Committee structures
  • Reserved functions
  • Workforce plan
  • Future use of City Hall
  • Establishment of Economic Development Committee

The members thanked the Manager for the presentation and follwing a discussion Mr Hayes responded to their queries stating that;

  • The establishment of the Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) would not have an impact on the structure of the Sligo Leader Partnership.
  • There will be a role for the municipal districts in the Budget process but the overall decisions would be made at the main County Council meeting.
  • There would be financial sanctions placed on members in cases of inappropriate conduct at Council meetings.
  • The Councillor’s representational role is fully recognised under the new structures, but will need to find a way to best utilise the limited amount of time available in the Council Chamber.
  • There will be a role for the Municipal Districts in the budget process.
  • The new legislation provides for financial sanctions in the event of inappropriate conduct at meetings

Mr. Kilfeather responded to a query on the engineering areas stating that in general terms organisation of areas would remain relatively unchanged.

 

12.  PRESENTATION BY HEAD OF FINANCE:

The Head of Finance, Ms Leydon delivered a presentation entitled ‘Sligo County Council Financial Position 2014/Financial Plan.’

The report provided an analysis of expenditure between 2008-2013, including expenditure categories and trends, and highlighted the impact of the reduction in the local government fund. Other issues addressed in the report included details of payroll savings, the extent of investment in water services, and an overview of the budget process for 2015.

County Manager Ciarán Hayes said that while the financial situation was challenging, Sligo County Council was not the sole author of its difficulties, as decisions made at national level had impacted on the Authority. In these circumstances it was unreasonable to expect that this issue could be resolved exclusively at local level. Mr Hayes noted that the county’s infrastructure had not been upgraded, some of our communities would be experiencing severe difficulties.  He advised that the Local Government Fund had been reduced from €18M in 2008 to a projected €4.3M in 2015.

The members thanked Ms. Leydon for the presentation and had a discussion on the details presented to them.

It was agreed to take Item 61 at this time.

 

61.  FINANCIAL PLAN:

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor M. Clarke

“To ask the County Manager, have the council put in place a long term financial plan which will give a clear indication as to how the council are going to deal with reducing the accumulated deficit with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan and his department officials as was stated in letter dated 18th December needed to be agreed if so that we the members of this council are informed of the implications if any it will have on local services.”

Following further discussion by the members and in response to their queries Ms Leydon stated the following;

  • The rates policy on vacant units was been review and it is a decision the members will decide on.
  • The Land Aggregation Scheme is over with no further details on the continuation of a similar scheme.
  • The €19m to be taken over by Irish Water is not monies that the council will receive but loans that the council will pass on to Irish Water. The issue of water infrastructure assets is a separate one.
  • Local Property Tax (LPT) is a requirement for the council under the 2012 Finance Act. Any adjustment on variation of the LPT has to be passed by September 2014 and passed on to revenue for the 2015 charge.

The County Manager, Mr Hayes responded to other queries stating;

  • The council are in discussions with the department around the ability to make further cuts. He believes that there is a base line level of staff cuts and the council has reached this level. The scope for further cuts is very limited. Increased efficiencies can be introduced but these would not yield major monetary savings.
  • The total cost of Lissadell will not be known until the end of the year at the earliest with several issues over final figure to be resolved.

 

13.  LEOS:

Proposed by Councillor H. Keaney
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

AND AGREED

“To note update on Local Enterprise offices (LEOs).”

 

14.  COMMUNITY WELFARE SYSTEM:

With the agreement of the meeting this Item was deferred.

 

15.  POLL NA DUIBHE PIER:

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

AND AGREED

“Whilst acknowledging the funding provided by the Department towards maintenance work at Poll na Duibhe Pier, I call on the Minister for the Marine to provide funding for the provision of a winch at this pier. This certainly would complete works for some time at this pier.”

Councillor Clarke asked to be recorded as opposing the motion.

 

It was agreed to take Items 16 and 55 together.

 

16.  SUICIDE RATES:

Proposed by Councillor V. Cawley
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

AND AGREED

“In view of the shocking number of people who have died by suicide in Ireland in 2011, where 524 have officially died by suicide, that Sligo County Council question why an All Ireland body has not been set up to tackle this and demands that the Government investigate the setting up of such a body as a matter of urgency.”

 

55.  SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY SUICIDE:

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

AND AGREED

“That this Council expresses it concern with the lack of action and support given to organisations and families living and dealing with suicide, which is now the cause of the loss of more than ten lives a week in Ireland, by this Government.”

Following a discussion by the members it was;

Proposed by Councillor V. Cawley
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council contact the department of Justice and request that legislation be brought forward to ensure that the coroner courts do not take place in the same premises or at the same times as criminal proceedings.”

 

17.  ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION:

Proposed by Councillor V. Cawley
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council, deeply concerned at the threat to ACCESS to higher education and qualifications at Honours Degree, Masters Degree and PhD level because of the downgrading of Institutes of Technology (those that will not become Technological Universities) and the increasing cost of fees due to the move away from the idea that higher education is a PUBLIC GOOD that should be paid for by society as a whole; that Sligo County Council request an update on the impact such a decision would have on the future of education in the North West and in particular future development of Sligo and Environs.”

 

18.  RADON CONTROL:

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

AND AGREED

“Following the launch of the National Radon Control Strategy I propose that Sligo County Council again highlight the need for householders to carry out radon measurements and to propose that the Minister for the Environment develop and incentive scheme to encourage the carrying out of remedial works where necessary.”

 

19.  GOVERNMENT OFFICES, TUBBERCURRY:

With the agreement of the meeting this Item was deferred.

 

20.  KILLSRAGHT POLLING STATION:

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

AND AGREED

“To ask the County registrar, Mr. Kevin Doherty to re-open the Killsraght Polling Station for the forthcoming Local & European Elections.”

 

21.  POST OFFICE NETWORK:

With the agreement of the meeting this Item was deferred.

 

22.  TRAFFIC CALMING AT CLOONLOO CHURCH:

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

“To propose traffic calming measures at Cloonloo Church. Funding for realignment work to be continued on the R294 between Mullaghroe and Gurteen.”

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

While no funding exists for traffic calming measures or realignment works between Mullaghroe and Gurteen along the R294, our Road Design office will examine both issues for consideration.

 

64.  VOTES OF SYMPATHY:

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Owen Davey on the death of his mother, Bridget Davey.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Francie O’Dowd on the death of his mother, Kiyyt O’Dowd.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mary Kerr on the death of her husband, Bernard Kerr.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Eamon O’Dowd on the death of his mother, Kitty O’Dowd.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Breege Shannon on the death of her husband, Jerry.”

 

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey
Seconded by Councillor T. Collery

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mark Stenson on the death of his mother, Christina Stenson.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Ann O’Grady on the death of her brother-in-law, Austin O’Grady.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Kieran Finn on the death of his father, Michael Finn.”

 

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Sadie Duffy on the death of her son, Seamus Duffy.”

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

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Margaret Gilmartin in the death of her sister, Josephine Cullen.”

 

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Margaret Wallace on the death of her son, Robert Wallace.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Alan McGowan on the death of his father, Jim McGowan.”

 

65.  VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS:

None

 

Items 23 – 54, 56 – 60, 62, 63, 66 – 69 were deferred.

 

The meeting ended at 5.00pm

 


Meeting Date 07/04/2014