Minutes 2014

Minutes of May Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on Friday 2nd May, 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 Cryan,
  • Councillor Collery,
  • Councillor Cryan,
  • Councillor Devins,
  • Councillor Fleming,
  • Councillor Gormley,
  • Councillor Healy McGowan,
  • Councillor Keaney,
  • Councillor Lundy,
  • Councillor Lyons,
  • Councillor MacManus,
  • Councillor McGarry,
  • Councillor McGrath,
  • 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. Bartley Gavin, Acting/Director of Services
  • Mr. Seamus O’Toole, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr. Kevin Colreavy, Administrative Officer
  • Ms. Marian McGovern, Clerical Officer

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

  • The Cathaoirleach, Councillor P. McGrath presided.

The members had a brief discussion regarding what time the meeting would finish. The Cathaoirleach advised that the agenda was quite large and it was not expected to complete it today. The members agreed to adjourn the meeting at 5.00pm and any motions not dealt with would lapse with the meeting.

 

1.  MINUTES OF SPC 3 MEETING HELD ON 5TH JUNE 2012:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of SPC 3 Transportation and Infrastructure held on 5th June, 2012.”

 

2.  MINUTES OF SLIGO/DRUMCLIFF MEETING 11TH NOVEMBER 2013:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Sligo Drumcliffe Area Meeting held on the 11th November, 2013.”

 

3.  MINUTES OF SLIGO/ STRANDHILL MEETING 13TH JANUARY 2013:

Proposed by Councillor D. Cawley
Seconded by Councillor R. O’Grady

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Sligo Strandhill Electoral Area Meeting held on 13th January, 2014.”

 

4.  MINUTES OF DROMORE WEST MEETING 20TH FEBRUARY 2014:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Dromore West Electoral Area Meeting held on 20th February, 2014.”

 

5.  MINUTES OF SLIGO/ STRANDHILL MEETING ON 21ST FEBRUARY2014:

Proposed by Councillor D. Cawley
Seconded by Councillor R. O’Grady

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of Sligo Strandhill Electoral Area Meeting held on 21st February, 2014.”

 

6.  MINUTES OF SPC 1 MEETING HELD ON 27TH FEBRUARY 2014:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of SPC 1 – Economic Development and Planning Policy Meeting held on 27th February, 2014.”

 

7.  MINUTES OF CPG MEETING HELD ON 3RD MARCH 2014:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the CPG meeting held on 3rd March, 2014.”

 

8.  MINUTES ORDINARY APRIL MEETING HELD ON 7TH APRIL 2014:

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

AND AGREED

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

 

9.  BURIAL GROUND GRANTS:

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor M. Lyons

AND AGREED

“To approve the Grant Awards under the Burial Ground Grants Scheme 2014 and the Tidy Towns Grants Scheme 2014.”

 

10.  POLLING CARDS:

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

AND AGREED

“To approve the issuing of Polling Information Cards for Local Election 2014.”

 

11.  SECTION 183 – TOOMOUR, KEASH:

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

AND AGREED

“To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the LocalGovernment Act 2001, the disposal of a dwelling at Toomour, Keash, Ballymote, Co. Sligo to Paul O’Grady and Karen Gaughan.”

 

12.  ANNUAL REPORT:

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

AND AGREED

“To approve the Draft Annual Report 2013.”

 

13.  FLEADH 2014:

Mr. B. Gavin, A/Director of Services delivered a presentation on the Fleadh Events Licence Application and other arrangements in preparation for the large crowds expected over the course of the Fleadh week.

Following a discussion by the members Mr Gavin thanked them for their positive comments.

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor McGrath commended Mr Gavin and his staff for the huge amount of work already carried out to date.

 

14.  PRESENTATION ON ‘AGE FRIENDLY COUNTIES’:

Mr. Hugh O’Conner delivered a presentation on behalf of the Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme. The main points of the presentation on the response to demographic aging were  that all people, as they age;

  • Are enabled by the built and social environment
  • Can get where they need to go when they need to
  • Feel safe at home and out in the community
  • Can stay living in their own homes/communities
  • Can lead healthier lives for longer
  • Feel valued and respected
  • Are supported to learn, develop and work
  • Have opportunities to fully participate in society

The members thanked Mr. O’Connor for his presentation and commended him and the Age Friendly programme in their efforts to improve and enhance the lives of the aging in our communities.

 

15.  WELFARE SERVICE IN WEST SLIGO:

With the agreement of the meeting Item 15 was not taken at this time.

 

16.  GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN TUBBERCURRY:

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

“Following on from my motion of September 2013 calling on the Minister for Small Business John Perry and Deputy Tony McLoughlin to ensure that the government offices in Tubbercurry are retained as was promised by Minister Perry before the last general election I ask have this council received any response in this regard.”

Councillor Gormley was advised that an acknowledgement letter had been received from Minister Perry’s office indicating that he had forwarded our correspondence to Minister Hogan’s department.

 

17.  POST OFFICE NETWORK:

Proposed by Councillor J. Lundy
Seconded by Councillor M. Clarke 

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council calls on the Government and the Minister for Communications to ensure that the rural Post Office network and its employees are not downgraded in any way, and that all Post Offices will be kept open into the future.”

 

RETIRING MEMBERS:

Before the meeting adjourned for lunch the Cathaoirleach, Councillor McGrath indicated that he would not be in attendance for the afternoon and as this was the last meeting of the sitting Council he wanted to take this opportunity to thank the members, staff and media for their co-operation and support in his term as Cathaoirleach.

Councillor McGrath wished those members not going forward for election, Councillors Patsy Barry, Mary Barrett, Jude Devins, Deirdre Healy McGowan and David Cryan health and success into future. He also extended his best wishes to those members going forward for the upcoming local elections.

The members wished to be associated with the sentiments of the Cathaoirleach especially in wishing the outgoing Councillors best wishes for the future.

Councillor Barrett, would not be in attendance for the afternoon and thanked the current members and previous members for their support and friendship through the years. She also wanted to thank staff, past and present for the help and co-operation during her years as a councillor.

 

The meeting adjourned for lunch at 1.15pm

 

The Leas-Cathaoirleach, Councillor M. Lyons took the chair for the afternoon.

 

The meeting agreed to take Item 46 at this time.

 

46.  SLIGO LEADER:

Proposed by Councillors G. Mullaney & H. Keaney
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

“To call on the Director of Services for Community & Enterprise to ensure that the programmes already delivered by Sligo Leader Partnership Company that are proposed to come under the control of the LCDC, when it is formed, be devolved from the LCDC to Sligo Leader Partnership to deliver in the future.”

Following a discussion by the members and in response to their queries the County Manager, Mr. Hayes stated the following;

  • A meeting had been held yesterday between Council & Leader staff and none of these issues had been raised.
  • There is currently no proposal at local or national level to take away from the general thrust of the Leader programme.
  • Mr. Hayes advised the members that if this motion is passed he is not in a position to implement it as the council has to adhere to national policy.
  • On the issue of procurement this process had to go to tender or there will be legal implications for the Council.

Following further discussion Councillor Bree proposes an amendment to the original motion, to read as follows;

Proposed by Councillors D. Bree
Seconded by Councillors S. MacManus, M. Gormley & J. McGarry

AND AGREED

“Delete the words ‘Director of Services for Community and Enterprise’ and insert the words ‘Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.”

 

18.  MOBILE PHONE PRICING POLICY:

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

AND AGREED

“To bring to the notice of the Minister for Communication to clarify the pricing policy of mobile phone companies.”

 

19.  COLLOONEY ROUNDABOUT:

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

“To propose that directional arrows be painted on the Collooney roundabout.”

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

The National Roads Authority will be asked to assess the need for such road markings at Collooney roundabout and to report back to us on the matter.

 

With the agreement of the meeting Items 20, 21 and 22 were not taken at this time.

 

23.  WATER CHARGES:

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

AND AGREED

“In the interest of openness and transparency Sligo County Council calls on the government in advance of the local and European elections, to indicate the cost of the Water Charges it intends to impose on households from the 1st of October 2014.”

 

24.  ROAD NO. 511.C:

Proposed by Councillor J. Lundy
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

“Public Road No.511.c in Leitrim South, Chaffpool, Tubbercurry has been closed to traffic for the past 4 weeks due to severe flooding. I will ask this Council what funding can be put in place to get this road opened again to traffic on grounds of health and safety.”

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

This County Road will have to be examined in detail as soon as flood levels recede completely to see if a solution can be devised and the Area Engineer is persuing this as best he can.

 

With the agreement of the meeting Item 25 was not taken at this time.

 

26.  FIRST ACTIVE BUILDING, SLIGO:

Proposed by Councillor J. McGarry
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

“That Sligo County Council be provided with a report as to whether or not the First Active Building at the O’Connell Street/ Grattan Street Corner is fire compliant. Also, to ask the Chief Fire Officer when the last fire cert was issued for these premises.”

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

The motion appears to enquire as to the compliance of the First Active Building at the corner of O’Connell Street/ Grattan Street with Part B (Fire Safety) of the Second Schedule of the Building Regulations 1997 – 2014.  These regulations came about as a result of the coming into force on 1st June 1992 of the Building Control Regulations 1991, which were superseded by the Building Control Regulations 1997 - 2014. They apply to new buildings, extensions, material alterations and changes of use of buildings (post 1st June 1992).

The building in question like most of the buildings in Sligo town centre was built pre 1992, and therefore the Building Regulations do not apply to these premises.

As to the second part of the motion, because the premises were built pre 1992, and there have been no extensions, material alterations or change of use, a Fire Safety Certificate has never been applied for in relation to these premises.

 

27.  MATERNITY SERVICES IN SLIGO:

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

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council contacts the Department of Health and the HSE requesting clarification regarding the future provision of maternity services at Sligo Regional Hospital.

We are particularly concerned at recent remarks made in the Dail by Minister James Reilly who stated; ‘Maternity services in all parts of the country will be subject to review and evaluation this year as part of the development by my Department of a new national maternity strategy.’”

 

28.  O’CONNELL STREET WORKS:

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

“To ask for a comprehensive report on street enhancement/upgrade and associated works to be undertaken in O’Connell St, Sligo. This report to contain such information as scope and range of such works, update on tendering process, commencement date, estimated duration of works, costs and method of funding etc.”

In response, Mr. T. Kilfeather, Director of Services gave an overview of an extensive report.

  • The range of works is two-fold; the water conservation works & the widening and realignment of footpaths, provision of new concrete paving setts, kerbing, new road surfacing & street furniture.
  • The scale of works has significantly reduced from original plans submitted to the Gateway Innovation Fund in 2007.
  • The Part 8 planning submission for same has been approved by the Borough Council.
  • A tender report had been issued to Irish Water in February for the water mains element but in early April Irish Water confirmed that they would not be undertaking the Water Conservation Stage 3 Works in the short to medium term at this stage.
  • Mr Kilfeather indicated the Council’s disappointment at this decision and advised the members that this would have a significant impact on the scope of the project. There would have to be a new tendering process for the enhancement works only.
  • It is the Council’s intention to amend the tender documents to exclude the water element and re tender. The tender period would be 40 days but it is not expected to proceed with works until after the Fleadh 2014. It is hoped that these works would be complete by January 2015.
  • An extensive report had been prepared in response to the motion and Mr Kilfeather confirmed that this would be circulated to the members.

Following a discussion by the members it was;

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

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council makes a full submission to both Irish Water and the Department of the Environment outlining both our frustration at the failure of Irish Water to carry out the required improvements at O’Connell St and urging that both bodies address this issue as a matter of urgency.”

 

29.  AUGHRIS PIER:

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

“To ask Sligo County Council to improve the width along the road down to Aughris Pier Skreen.”

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

The roadway down to the pier at Aughris is very narrow adjacent to the pier itself and apart from side cleaning it would be difficult to improve it due to high embankments on each side.

 

30.  ROAD 8, FINLOUGH:

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey

Seconded by Councillor M. Clarke

 

“To ask Sligo county Council to improve the visibility for traffic along Road 8 at Finlough, Coolaney.”

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

The road will be considered by the Area Engineer for verge cutting later in the year.

 

31.  EMPLOYMENT APPEALS TRIBUNAL:

Proposed by Councillor D. Cryan
Seconded by Councillor D. Cawley

AND AGREED

“In light of the recent judgment of the Employment Appeals Tribunal where it was ruled that a Sligo man was unfairly dismissed and an award was given, could I put forward the motion asking the Minister for Justice and Equality, Alan Shatter to review and change the current policy so that the person who takes and wins a case against an employer should not be responsible for their own legal costs.”

 

32.  FOOT PATHS IN ROSSES POINT:

With the agreement of the meeting this Item was not taken at the time.

 

33.  SELF-EMPLOYED BENEFITS:

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

AND AGREED

“To propose that this Council supports a request to the Minister for Social Protection to review benefits and protection of self-employed people resulting from payment of PRSI contributions.”

 

34.  HOUSING GRANTS:

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor M. Clarke

AND AGREED

“To request the Director of Services to allocate additional staff  to the processing of applications for Housing Grants for Older People and People with Disability and Mobility Aids.”

 

35.  PUBLIC AREA ENHANCEMENT SCHEME:

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

“To propose that funds from Public Area Enhancement Scheme be allocated to fund enhancement of public areas attached to housing estates in the County.”

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

The DECLG Public Area Enhancement Scheme is intended to support community efforts by providing grant funding to local authorities for the purpose of enhancing public areas before and during the summer tourist season.

An allocation of €70,000 was made available to Sligo under this once-off scheme. Proposals for distribution of funds under the scheme must be submitted to the Department for approval by 11th April, 2014.

It is proposed that expressions of interest from community groups will be sought following approval of the scheme by the Department.

 

The meeting agreed to take Item 56 as the last motion.

 

56.  CAIRDE ARTS FESTIVAL:

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

“That Sligo County Council would provide the sum of €2,500 in arts support to help finance the 2014 Cairde Arts Festival.”

Councillor Bree understood that part of an amount of €50,000 allocated to the Arts budget and agreed at the final Borough meeting would go towards the Cairde Festival.

Ms. Clarke responded that these monies were for the full arts programme which include salaries. No specific amounts had been set aside for particular events.

There is a new ‘Diaspora Fund’ which the festival can apply to for funding and an application would be sent out to the committee for same.

The Manager, Mr. Hayes stated that the Council would examine the arts budget to see if a provision can be made.

 

62.  CONFERENCES:

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

AND AGREED

“That the list of conferences circulated for March, April and May at this meeting, are unanimously approved.”

 

63.  CORRESPONDENCE:

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

AND AGREED

“To note the correspondence circulated with the agenda.”

 

64.  VOTES OF SYMPATHY:

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Margaret Duffy on the death of her brother, John Meehan.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Francie and Mary Clarke on the death of their son, Sean Clarke.”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Breege Burke on the death of her son, Noel Burke.”

 

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Marie Clancy on the death of her mother, Sheila Hamilton.”

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

 

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Noel Cregg on the death of his father, James Cregg.”

 

65.  VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS:

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

AND AGREED

“To congratulate Conor and Alan Walsh, Rhue, Tubbercurry on winning 1st and 4th place at the World Dancing Championships recently.”

 

The Leas-Cathaoirleach, Councillor M. Lyons thanked the members and staff for their co-operation and work and wished retiring members all the best and success in the future. He also wished his colleagues success in the upcoming election.

 

The Manager, Mr. Hayes thanked the members for their comments concerning the staff, expressed his gratitude to the retiring Members for the service to the Council. In relation to members who were going forward for the local elections, Mr Hayes wished them well in their respective campaigns.

 

END OF MEETING:

The meeting ended at 5.30pm

 

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Meeting Date 02/05/2014