Minutes 2018

Minutes of May Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on Monday, 14th May, 2018 at 10 am in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo

COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

Councillor Baker,
Councillor Bree,
Councillor Casserly,
Councillor Clarke,
Councillor Gormley,
Councillor Healy,
Councillor Keaney,
Councillor Kilgannon,
Councillor Lundy,
Councillor MacManus,
Councillor MacSharry,
Councillor Maguire,
Councillor Mulvey,
Councillor O’Boyle,
Councillor O’Grady,
Councillor Queenan,
Councillor Taylor.

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr. Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive
Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services
Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
Ms. Marie Whelan, Head of Finance
Mr. John Reilly, Head of Enterprise
Mr. Frank Moylan, Senior Planner
Mr. Donal Tinney, County Librarian
Mr. Joe Murphy, Senior Executive Officer
Mr. John Moran, Senior Executive Officer
Ms. Siobhán Ryan, Heritage Officer
Mr. Jimmy O’Brien, Administrative Officer
Mr. Kevin Colreavy, Meetings Administrator
Ms. Karen McMahon, I.S. Technical Support Officer
Ms. Jo-Anne McGonigle, Assistant Staff Officer

CATHAOIRLEACH:

Cathaoirleach, Councillor S. Kilgannon, presided.

APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received from Councillor K. Henry.

ADJOURNMENT AS A MARK OF RESPECT TO THE LATE MARY KEANEY, R.I.P.:

The Cathaoirleach proposed that the Meeting would stand adjourned for a short time as a mark of respect to the late Mary Keaney, mother of Councillor Hubert Keaney, who had died recently.

This was unanimously agreed by the Members present.

VOTE OF SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF THE LATE ANGELA SAVAGE, FORMER EMPLOYEE OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL:

The Cathaoirleach further proposed a vote of sympathy to the family of the late Angela Savage of Ballisodare who had also died recently in Malta.

Members also agreed unanimously on this vote of sympathy. Many Members had worked with Angela, particularly in her most recent role as Secretary to the former County Manager and they outlined their memories of her and her outstanding characteristics.

The Chief Executive, on his own behalf and on behalf of the staff of the County Council, wished to be associated with both votes of sympathy.

RESUMPTION OF MEETING:

The Meeting resumed at 10.15 a.m.

It was proposed by Councillor H. Keaney
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

AND AGREED

“That the Members continue to deal with the business of the Meeting until 11.30 a.m. and then adjourn all remaining items to the June Ordinary Meeting Agenda. Urgent matters on the Agenda to be dealt with up until that time”.

This was proposal was agreed unanimously by the Members.

1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF COUNTY SLIGO PLACENAMES COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 19^TH SEPTEMBER, 2017:

Proposed by Councillor Queenan
Seconded by Councillor Kilgannon

AND AGREED

“To note Minutes of meeting of County Sligo Placenames Committee meeting held on 19^th September 2017”

2. MINUTES OF CORPORATE POLICY GROUP MEETING HELD ON 12^TH JANUARY, 2018:

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor Keaney

AND AGREED

“To note Minutes of Corporate Policy Group held on 12^th January, 2018”.

3. MINUTES OF S.P.C. 3 (PLANNING, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ARTS & CULTURE) MEETING HELD ON 24TH JANUARY, 2018:

Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor H. Keaney

AND AGREED

To confirm Minutes of S.P.C. 3 (Planning, Community and Economic Development, Arts and Culture) Meeting held on 24^th January, 2018

4. MINUTES OF BALLYMOTE-TOBERCURRY M.D. MEETING HELD ON 19^TH FEBRUARY, 2018:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm Minutes of Ballymote-Tobercurry Municipal District Meeting held on 19^th February 2018”.

5. MINUTES OF ORDINARY MEETING OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL HELD ON 9^TH APRIL, 2018:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 9^th April, 2018”.

PROCESSES FOR ‘DECLARATION OF ROADS AS PUBLIC ROADS’ AND ‘TAKING IN CHARGE’ OF ESTATES:

Councillor Bree sought clarification on the variation in wording of the ‘Taking in Charge’ motions (agenda items 6-8)

Mr. T. Kilfeather, Director of Services and Mr. F. Moylan, Senior Planner confirmed that it was a two-part process. The Roads element followed on from the ‘Taking in Charge’ issue, e.g. if approved under item 7, the ‘Salmon Court’ development would be brought back before the Members at a later Meeting regarding the declaration of roads as public roads.

6. DECLARATION OF ROADS AS PUBLIC ROADS – “FLOWERHILL”, BUNNINADDEN AND “BROOKGROVE”, FARMHILL, SLIGO:

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

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.

Road Numbers	Location and Terminal Points
L-43027-0 and L-43027-1	The roads serving development known as “Flowerhill”, Bunninadden, Co. Sligo.
L-94093	The roads serving development known as “Brookgrove”, Farmhill, Sligo”.

7. TAKING IN CHARGE – SALMON COURT, BALLISODARE:

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

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council commence the process of taking in charge the development known as ‘Salmon Court’, Ballisodare, Co. Sligo by instigating the necessary procedures under Section 11 of the Roads Act, 1993 to declare public the road serving the development”.

8. TAKING IN CHARGE – COLLINS’ DEVELOPMENT, DRUM ROAD, RATHCORMAC:

Proposed by Councillor H. Keaney
Seconded by Councillor

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council commence the process of taking in charge the development known as “Collins Development”, Drum Road, Rathcormac, Co. Sligo by instigating the necessary procedures under Section 11 of the Roads Act, 1993 to declare public the road serving the development”.

9. SECTION 183 OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 2001 – DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY AT RAUGHLEY, BALLINFULL:

Proposed by Councillor C. MacManus
Seconded by Councillor H. Keaney

AND AGREED

“To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of property at Raughley, Ballinfull, Co. Sligo to Ann and John Watters”.

10. SECTION 183 OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 2001 – DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY AT TOBERTELLY, TUBBERCURRY:

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

AND AGREED

“To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of property at Tobertelly, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo to Robertas Naucas and Ramune Nauciene”.

11. SECTION 183 OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 2001 – LEASING OF PROPERTY AT BUNOWNA, EASKEY:

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

AND AGREED

To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the lease of property Bunowna, Easky, Co. Sligo to Easky Community Council C. L. G., Co. Sligo.

12. UPDATE ON DEVELOPING SLIGO:

With the agreement of the Members, at the suggestion of the Cathaoirleach, this item was deferred to the June (Ordinary Meeting) Agenda.

13. REPORT ON PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 2016:

The Cathaoirleach proposed, and it was unanimously agreed by the Members, that this item would be dealt with at the Ordinary Meeting in June.

14. DRAFT CULTURE AND CREATIVITY STRATEGY FOR SLIGO 2018-2022:

Ms. D. Clarke, Director of Services, advised the meeting that Creative Ireland was established by the Government following the successful implementation by Local Authorities in implementing a programme of commemorations for the 1916 Centenary. Cultural and creative development of Ireland as a nation is considered a national priority, and Local Authorities have been asked to play a significant role in this and are required to plan and prepare a draft five year Culture and Creativity Strategy.

County Librarian Donal Tinney, project Coordinator, advised the meeting that the vision outlined in the Creative Ireland national policy is to provide each person in Ireland with the opportunity to realise their full creative potential.

In welcoming the funding received, Councillor Maguire expressed the hope that it might be received earlier in 2019.

15. MONTHLY MANAGEMENT REPORT – MARCH 2018:

Councillor Bree and Councillor MacManus indicated to the Cathaoirleach that they had a number of issues they wished to raise under this heading:

Councillor Bree requested that an update would be furnished to the members in relation to the Pilot Project National Anti-Dumping Initiative 2018 referred on page 13 of the Report.

Mr. Kilfeather DOS confirmed that the intention was to report on the Pilot project in the Ballymote-Tobercurry area, initially to the Strategic Policy Committee and then to a Council Meeting.
Councillor Bree queried the delay in carrying out agreed works at a home in St John’s Terrace.

Mr. Murphy SEO advised the meeting that his understanding in relation to the home referred to was that there was a sizeable cost involved in relation to an extension, a totally revised suite of works had been agreed, and the works are due to commence in the following weeks. It was agreed that a report on the matter would be furnished to the members.
The Traveller Accommodation Programme had been referred to in the Report and Councillor Bree enquired if the six bay and three group housing units at Glenview Park had been approved by the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (L.T.A.C.C.).

In referring to the proposal as a positive development, the Chief Executive indicated that the matter had not been approved to date by the Committee but neither had it been rejected. Committee Chair Councillor Baker advised the Meeting that some of the Traveller Representatives on the Committee were unable to attend the most recently convened meeting and, as a result, there was not a quorum to proceed with the business of the meeting.
Councillor MacManus enquired if contact had been made with Sligo County Council from Minister Eoghan Murphy’s Department in relation to amendment of figures in relation to Homelessness.

Mr. Murphy advised that the issue did not arise in Sligo as far as he was aware.

16. DATES FOR COUNTY COUNCIL AND MUNICIPAL DISTRICTS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS:

It was agreed that, in line with Meetings held in 2017, the Annual General Meetings would take place on 18^th June, 2018 at the following times:

Ballymote-Tobercurry Municipal District at 11.00 a.m.
Sligo Municipal District at 1.00 p.m. and
A.G.M. of Sligo County Council at 3.00 p.m.

17. REGIONAL FESTIVAL AND PARTICIPATIVE EVENTS SCHEME, 2018:

Ms. Clarke DOS outlined the background to the scheme and provided details of the proposed events and timeframe

Councillor Bree, in pointing out that he did not have any issue with the recommendations contained in the report, sought clarification as to the wording of the item being “To note the decision of the Assessment Committee” and why the Council Members’ approval was not being sought.

The Chief Executive said he acknowledged the issues raised and advised the meeting that the County Council had been requested to facilitate a process previously overseen by Fáilte Ireland. There was no issue in relation to the Members’ approval being sought, and the scheme would be presented in this format when brought before the Council in 2019.

It was then proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor C. MacManus

AND AGREED

“To note the decision of the Assessment Committee set up to oversee and assess the distribution of funds under the Regional Festival and Participative Events Scheme 2018”.

18. COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY SECTOR GRANTS SCHEME, 2018:

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

AND AGREED

“To approve allocation of Grant Awards under the Community and Voluntary Sector Grants Scheme 2018”.

19. DRAFT DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTION SCHEME 2018-2024:

The Director of Services outlined that the draft Scheme had been brought before the Members at their February Meeting. It had been agreed, at that time, that the Scheme would then go on public display. The Scheme had been on public display since the 13^th February and was being presented to the Members for their approval.

The Senior Planner advised the Meeting that no submissions had been received from the public and one submission from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. The Department had noted the contents of the draft scheme which took account of the Development Contribution Guidelines issued in 2013. In particular, the proposed inclusion of an exemption from the requirement to pay development contributions for broadband infrastructure (masts and antennae) under the draft Scheme, in accordance with the requirements of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force Report of 2016, was welcomed.

The Department also noted and welcomed that the draft Scheme incorporated measures to support revitalisation and redevelopment within town and village centres, including reduced rates of development contributions to incentivise the development of brown field sites, sites included on the vacant site register, derelict sites and redevelopment projects incorporated into the draft Scheme.

Members raised concerns and sought further information in relation to a number of items:

increased contributions relating to houses of less than 150 square metres,
charges for access to new forestry works,
criteria for inclusion on derelict sites and vacant sites register,
advertising signage proposed for inclusion in scheme and
exemption for masts facilitating broadband infrastructure.

The Chief Executive and Senior Planner provided further information in relation to these issues. The Meeting was advised that this was a matter for the Members to amend or agree with the draft Scheme brought before them.

Further discussions followed and it was then

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

AND AGREED

“To defer consideration of this matter until the June Ordinary Meeting”.

20. COUNTY SLIGO PLACENAMES COMMITTEE REPORT:

The Director of Services, Ms. D. Clarke and Heritage Officer Ms S Ryan outlined proposals contained in the report of the Place-names committee which had been circulated to the Members.

Ms Ryan summarised the legislation, process and estimated timescale in relation to the proposal to change the name of Inishcrone to Enniscrone.

It was then proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor P. Taylor

AND AGREED

“In accordance with the provisions of Section 77 of the Local Government Act 1946, as amended by Section 53 of the Local Government Act 1955 and Section 67 of the Local Government Act 1994 and the Local Government (Change of Placenames) Regulations 1956, that Sligo County Council would consult with the relevant prescribed bodies in advance of initiating a plebiscite of the qualified electors in respect of changing the official name of the non-municipal town of Inishcrone from, (i) ‘Inishcrone’ to ‘Enniscrone’ in English and from (2) ‘Inis Crabhann’ to ‘Inis Eiscir Abhainn’ in Irish”.

It was noted that a further report would be brought before the June Ordinary Meeting.

The Director of Services indicated that consultation with the Prescribed Bodies was required for both the English and Irish versions, with some of those listed having been replaced by a different body.

NOTICES OF MOTION LISTED ON THE AGENDA:

Councillor O’Boyle expressed his disappointment that it was not possible to deal with a notice of motion he had listed on the Agenda.

The Cathaoirleach advised the Meeting that, due to time constraints and the amount of time required for a full discussion on the content of the motion, it was regretted that this had not been possible.

THANKS FOR VOTE OF SYMPATHY FROM KEANEY FAMILY:

Councillor Keaney thanked the Executive and Members for their vote of sympathy. Thanks were also extended on behalf of the Keaney family for all those who had attended his mother’s Funeral and sympathised with them.