Minutes 2023

Minutes of The Annual General Meeting of Sligo County Council Held on Monday 19th June 2023 at 10.00 am in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Baker
  • Councillor Bree
  • Councillor Casserly
  • Councillor Clarke
  • Councillor Connolly
  • Councillor Fox
  • Councillor Gibbons
  • Councillor Gilroy
  • Councillor MacSharry
  • Councillor Maguire
  • Councillor Mullaney
  • Councillor Mulvey
  • Councillor O’Boyle
  • Councillor O’Grady
  • Councillor Queenan
  • Councillor Taylor
  • Councillor Walsh

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr. Martin Lydon, Chief Executive
  • Mr. Jim Molloy, Director of Services
  • Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
  • Ms. Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services
  • Ms. Marie Whelan, Head of Finance
  • Mr. John Moran, A/Director of Services
  • Ms. Sinéad Branley, Administrative Officer
  • Ms. Pauline Lavelle, Staff Officer
  • Ms. Karen McMahon, IS Technical Support Officer

 

APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received from Councillor Healy.

 

CATHAOIRLEACH COUNCILLOR MICHAEL CLARKE:

The Cathaoirleach welcomed all in attendance, both in the Chamber and those attending virtually.

Before the official business of the meeting commenced, Councillor Clarke offered a brief reflection on his term as Cathaoirleach.

Serving as Cathaoirleach has been a privilege he will always cherish, and he thanked his fellow councillor Joe Queenan for nominating him for the position. He thanked his colleagues for their support and co-operation in the chamber over the past year.

He thanked the Chief Executive, Martin Lydon and members of the Executive for all their help and support.

Councillor Clarke expressed his thanks to staff at all levels in the organisation particularly the staff in Corporate Services for their help to him as Cathaoirleach.

Councillor Clarke expressed his thanks to all the electorate who voted for him, adding that it is a great honour to be here serving the people of his constituency and the county. 

He recalled the many highlights and special moments during his term, including the centenary of An Garda Síochána, Chamber of Commerce dinner, the Civil War and also the opening of the Great War Memorial Garden in Cleveragh. Other highlights included the opening of the Yeats Trail, the TIDE project on the Spanish Armada, the St. Patrick’s Day parade and walking down Fifth Avenue and speaking at the Noble Six Centenary Event.

With the many facilities in place such as the ATU and St. Angela’s College, Sligo is fast becoming the best location to live, invest and visit and is resonating with people all over the world. 

Councillor Clarke also expressed his sincere gratitude and thanks to his partner Kate and his family for their patience and support and to God.

Finally, Councillor Clarke wished the incoming Cathaoirleach every success and assured them of his full support for their term of office.

 

TRIBUTES TO  OUTGOING CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Members paid tribute to Councillor Clarke for a successful year as

Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council and stated that he had acted professionally and had been very fair to all parties, had carried out the business of conducting the meetings efficiently and fairly and to a very high standard.

Members thanked Councillor Clarke for a job well done and said he had been an exemplary Cathaoirleach. He had shown integrity, patience, and extraordinary ability in the carrying out of his duties in a balanced and fair manner. Under his leadership, this Council had completed its business in a timely and effective manner each month.

The Chief Executive, Mr. Lydon, on his own behalf and on behalf of the Executive and staff, acknowledged the hard work of the Cathaoirleach during the past year, adding that the role of the First Citizen is a tough one with many commitments. Councillor Clarke has been a great ambassador for his constituents, the county, and this Council, and it has been a pleasure to work alongside him.

In reply, the Cathaoirleach thanked all his colleagues and Chief Executive for their comments and for all their support during his term as Cathaoirleach. He gave special thanks to the Leas Cathaoirleach, Councillor Casserly and the three MD Chairs for all their help and support over the past year.

 

1. ELECTION OF CATHAOIRLEACH:

Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor M. Baker

“To elect Councillor Gerard Mullaney as Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council.”

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor A. Gibbons

“To elect Councillor Gino O’Boyle as Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council.”

As two nominees had been proposed for the position of Cathaoirleach, the outgoing Cathaoirleach Councillor Clarke called for a vote, the results of which were as follows;

 

FOR COUNCILLOR MULLANEY:  Councillors Baker, Casserly, Clarke, Connolly, Fox, Gilroy, MacSharry, Maguire, Mullaney, Mulvey, O’Grady, Queenan, Taylor and Walsh. (14)

 

FOR COUNCILLOR O’BOYLE:  Councillors Bree, Gibbons and O’Boyle. (3)

 

The Cathaoirleach Councillor Clarke deemed Councillor Mullaney to be elected as the new Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council.

 

CATHAOIRLEACH COUNCILLOR GERARD MULLANEY:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Mullaney, assumed the position of chair.  He commenced his role by thanking his colleagues for their support on his nomination and thanked his proposer and seconder, Councillors. Walsh and Baker. 

The Cathaoirleach welcomed his family to the Chamber including his wife Róisín, sons Peter and Aidan and his daughter Michelle. He also welcomed his son Stephen and his wife Vina in Indonesia, his son Mark in Sydney and his cousin John Devin in Boston, who were joining the meeting virtually. 

The Cathaoirleach acknowledged the presence of Deputy Frank Feighan, along with his friends and supporters who were present in the chamber.

He thanked his many supporters and political mentors for their support over the years, and for electing him to Sligo County Council and promised to be a strong advocate for the county in the year ahead.

Councillor Mullaney paid tribute to the outgoing Cathaoirleach Councillor Clarke for the diligent and professional way he had carried out his duties.

He stated his intention to work with his Council colleagues over the coming year to serve the people of County Sligo and address any challenges that may arise together. The Cathaoirleach remembered past Cathaoirligh and former councillors who had served in this Chamber over the years.

The Cathaoirleach looked forward to working closely with the Chief Executive, Mr. Lydon and his team in the coming year to progress policies and initiatives that meet the needs of the people of Sligo.  He paid tribute to all staff that show dedication and commitment to the citizens of this county.

The Cathaoirleach stated that he shares similar ambitions to the outgoing Cathaoirleach for the growth of the county both urban and rural and looks forward to the progression of the County Development Plan and the ongoing development of county Sligo, a county well positioned to capitalise on opportunities in the areas of tourism, inward investment, and job creation.

He expressed his gratitude to his wife Róisín, their sons Peter, Aidan, Mark and Stephen, their daughter Michelle and extended family for being a constant source of support and encouragement throughout his political journey.

In conclusion, the Cathaoirleach stated he is honoured to serve as Cathaoirleach for the next year, and to have the opportunity to embark on a journey of progress, unity, and prosperity to shape a brighter future for our communities and our county.

The Cathaoirleach, together with the Members, acknowledged the nomination of Councillor G. O’Boyle for the position of Cathaoirleach. They thanked Councillor O’Boyle for all his work in this Chamber as a dedicated advocate for everyone in Sligo and further afield.

Members congratulated the Cathaoirleach on his election and  welcomed Councillor Mullaney’s family to the meeting. They also acknowledged the presence of Deputy Frank Feighan and former Cathaoirleach, Pat McGrath at the meeting. Councillor Mullaney is,  the Members added, an honest, hardworking person who, no doubt will bring these attributes to the role of Cathaoirleach in the coming year.

The Members wished the Cathaoirleach every success in the year ahead and agreed that, despite the tough year ahead in the lead up to the Local Elections, Councillor Mullaney will perform his duties in the best interests of the county and they assured him of their full support during the coming year.

The Chief Executive, Mr. Lydon, on behalf of the Executive and staff, joined with the Members in congratulating Councillor Mullaney on his election as the First Citizen of the county, which is a proud day for Councillor Mullaney and his family.  The Chief Executive added that Councillor Mullaney can be assured of the help and support of the Executive and staff during the coming year.

 

2. ELECTION OF LEAS-CATHAOIRLEACH:  

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan

And Agreed

“To elect Councillor Tom Fox as Leas-Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council.”

As there were no other nominations for the post of Leas-Cathaoirleach, the Cathaoirleach Councillor Mullaney deemed Councillor Fox elected.

The Leas-Cathaoirleach, Councillor Fox, thanked his proposer and seconder, Councillors. Mulvey and Queenan for the nomination. Councillor Fox pledged his support to the incoming Cathaoirleach, Councillor Mullaney, during the year ahead.

The Members congratulated Councillor Fox on his election as Leas-Cathaoirleach and wished him well in his role and assured him of their support over the coming year.

 

END OF MEETING:

The meeting concluded at 11.20 a.m.

 


Meeting Date 19/06/2023