Minutes 2021

Minutes of July Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on Monday, 5th July, 2021 at 10.00 am in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Baker(R),
  • Councillor Bree(R),
  • Councillor Casserly(R),
  • Councillor Clarke,
  • Councillor Connolly(R),
  • Councillor Fox(R),
  • Councillor Gibbons,
  • Councillor Gilroy,
  • Councillor MacSharry(R),
  • Councillor Maguire,
  • Councillor Mulvey(R),
  • Councillor O’Boyle,
  • Councillor Taylor.

 (R) = participated in the meeting remotely

(C) = participated via County Hall Video Link

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Tom Kilfeather, A/Chief Executive
  • John Reilly, Head of Enterprise(C)
  • Marie Whelan, Head of Finance(R)
  • Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services(C)
  • John Moran, A/Director of Services(C)
  • Jimmy O’Brien, A/H.I.S. 
  • Seán Martin, A/Senior Architect(C)
  • Frank Moylan, A/Director of Services (C)
  • Siobhán Ryan, Heritage Officer(C)
  • Kevin Colreavy, Meetings Administrator
  • Pauline Lavelle, Staff Officer

(R) = participated in the meeting remotely

(C) = participated via County Hall Video Link

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Paul Taylor, presided.

 

APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received from Councillor Healy, Councillor Mullaney, Councillor O’Grady, Councillor Queenan and Councillor Walsh.

 

ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEETING:

The Cathaoirleach welcomed all present and asked Mr. Kilfeather, Acting Chief Executive and Compliance Officer for the meeting (as required under Health and Safety protocols) to set out the procedures that were in place.

Members participating remotely were Councillor Baker, Councillor Bree, Councillor Connolly, Councillor Fox, Councillor MacSharry and Councillor Mulvey.

 

APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE:

At the suggestion of the Cathaoirleach, Councillor P. Taylor, item No. 6 was taken at this point in the meeting.  It was

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

AND AGREED

 

“That the recommendation of the Corporate Policy Group be accepted and that Martin Lydon be appointed Chief Executive of Sligo County Council’

 

ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING AS A MARK OF RESPECT TO FORMER COUNCILLOR PADRAIG BRANLEY:

Proposed by Councillor P. Taylor
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy

AND AGREED

“That the Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council on 5th July 2021 be adjourned as a mark of respect to the late former Councillor Padraig Branley.”

At the outset, the Cathaoirleach, Councillor Taylor paid tribute to Mr. Branley, and extended his sympathy to Mr. Branley’s family, his children, grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Mr. Branley, a native of Glencar, had a long and distinguished career in local politics, serving on Sligo County Council and Sligo Borough Council, and had the honour of being elected Mayor in 1998 and Cathaoirleach in 2002. His contribution to public life was recognised at a special function in his honour hosted by Fianna Fáil in 2012. Mr. Branley will, the Cathaoirleach stated, be fondly remembered as a generous, kind and caring gentleman who took great pride in serving the people of Sligo and was a friend to everyone.

The affection in which Mr. Branley was held was very much in evidence on the day of his funeral with the number of people who paid silent tribute to him as his cortege passed through the streets of Sligo.

Councillor Maguire wished to be associated with the vote of sympathy and added that while she did not know Mr. Branley, his record shows him to be well respected in Sligo and wider circles and Councillor Maguire wished to remember his late wife Eileen at this time also, and extended her sympathies to Mr. Branley’s children and extended family.

Councillor Bree wished to support the proposal to adjourn the meeting as a mark of respect to his former colleague, Padraig Branley.  Councillor Bree stated that Mr. Branley had made a significant contribution to local politics during his term as a public representative in Sligo, and described him as decent, generous and gracious and one of nature’s gentlemen, who lived life to the full.  Mr. Branley, Councillor Bree added, used his fine sense of humour to great effect when dealing with difficult situations in the Chamber, and Councillor Bree extended his sympathies to Mr. Branley’s family, friends and Fianna Fáil colleagues. 

Councillor MacSharry concurred with the Cathaoirleach’s tribute to Mr. Branley and described him as a character in politics and an impeccable diplomat who worked well with everyone and served with distinction in Sligo Borough Council and Sligo County Council.

Councillor Gibbons, on behalf of himself and his Sinn Féin colleagues, wished to be associated with the vote of sympathy to Mr. Branley’s family and and pass on his condolences to the Branley family.  Councillor Gibbons added that he had known him all his life, and described him as one of the nicest characters he had ever met.

Councillor O’Boyle wished to be associated with the vote of sympathy and pass on his sympathies to Mr. Branley’s family.  Councillor O’Boyle described Mr. Branley as an honest, straight talking, genuine character who will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Councillor Fox also wished to be associated with the tributes being paid to Mr. Branley, stating that he had known him as a neighbour since his childhood days and added that Mr. Branley was an honest and popular man with a great sense of humour. 

Councillor Mulvey remembered Padraig as a gentleman, a decent business person and politician who was loyal to the people in the community he served.

Councillor Baker said Padraig as a brilliant character and a true friend to all, who would do without himself to ensure others were provided for.  Councillor Baker added that he was a great man to get things settled and it was a privilege to have known him, and he will be missed by all who knew him.

Councillor Connolly wished to be associated with the vote of sympathy and extended his condolences to Mr. Branley’s family.

Councillor Casserly, who also wished to be associated with the vote of sympathy, added that while she did not know Mr. Branley, from the tributes being paid to him, he was a fine public representative and a good friend to all who knew him.

Councillor Clarke wished to associated with the Cathaoirleach’s remarks about Mr. Branley, and described him as an extraordinary character who will be greatly missed. Councillor Clarke paid tribute to Mr. Branley’s dedication to Fianna Fail, and added that while Mr. Branley took his role in local politics very seriously, he handled everything with a light hand.

Councillor Gilroy recalled Mr. Branley’s honour and delight at the function hosted by Fianna Fáil in his honour in 2012, and added that the Branley family, who hailed from Glencar, had added to the quality of life in the area, including the Markets in Branley’s Yard in Drumcliff.

Acting Chief Executive, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, on behalf of the staff and on his own behalf, wished to join with the Cathaoirleach and the Members in extending sympathy to Mr. Branley’s family.  Mr. Kilfeather added that Mr. Branley was a true gentleman and the tributes paid to him today by his colleagues show the high regard in which he was held.

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Taylor, thanked all present for the heartfelt tributes paid to their departed colleague.

 

It was proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor S. Maguire

AND AGREED

“That the meeting stand adjourned until Monday 12th July, 2021 at 10.00 a.m.”

 

END OF MEETING:

The business of the meeting concluded at 10.20am.

 


Meeting Date 05/07/2021