Sligo Municipal Minutes 2014

Minutes of Meeting of The Municipal District of Sligo held on Monday, 15th December, 2014 at 11am in The Council Chamber, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Declan Bree
  • Councillor Marie Casserly
  • Councillor Thomas Healy
  • Councillor Hubert Keaney
  • Councillor Sean Mac Manus
  • Councillor Tom Mac Sharry
  • Councillor Sinéad Maguire
  • Councillor Seamus O’Boyle
  • Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr. Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive
  • Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
  • Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services
  • Ms. Marie Leydon, Head of Finance
  • Mr. Bartley Gavin, A/Director of Services
  • Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer
  • Mr. Fineen O’Driscoll, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr. Seamus O’Toole, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Ms. Siobhan Gillen, Waste Enforcement Officer
  • Ms. Sinéad Branley, Staff Officer

 

MAYOR:

The Mayor, Councillor T. MacSharry presided.

 

At the outset Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services advised that there would be refreshments after the meeting and invited those present to attend.

 

1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO HELD ON 20TH OCTOBER, 2014:

Proposed by Councillor S. MacManus
Seconded by Councillor S. O’Boyle

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Sligo held on 20th October, 2014.”

 

2. MATTERS ARISING:

Councillor MacManus asked for an amendment to the minutes of the Sligo Municipal District Meeting of 20th October, 2014 under item 12 Abbey Street Car Park, to reflect that Councillor Mac Manus had agreed to defer the process of reviewing the car parking bye-laws until after the budget is adopted.  This was agreed.

 

3. THE MODEL:

The Mayor welcomed Ms. Megan Johnston, Model Director to City Hall who gave a short presentation to the meeting, the salient points of which included:

  • What the Model can do under the headings of strategic/artists and audiences/organisational
  • Connecting with the Model – 4 initiatives proposed under the headings of
    1. Schools,
    2. Community festivals,
    3. Creative Industries,
    4. Tourism
  • Collective Assets
  • Urban/Rural Regeneration Models
  • Economic driver, for every €1 invested, a further €6 will be attracted into to the local community

The Mayor thanked Ms. Johnston for her presentation and invited questions from members. 

In response to members queries Ms. Johnston stated:

  • The Model is a place which harnesses creativity, houses important collections and is a place where people gather
  • The Model will work in partnership with the urban and rural communities and build relationships into the future
  • Funding: A healthy organisation has a diverse matrix.  Approximately 60-70% is publicly funded with the balance coming from income, sponsorship, corporate gifts, rentals etc.
  • Support from the Council is critical to its success.

Mr. Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive added that the Model is of national and international significance and is an important asset in terms of attracting tourists to the County.  Mr. Hayes also took the opportunity to acknowledge publicly the work done by the Hawks Well Theatre.

 

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NETWORK (PPN):

Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services delivered a report on Public Participation Network (PPN), the main points being:

  • Overview of PPN Structure
  • Role of the PPN and challenges facing it
  • First plenary meeting was held on 26/11/14 with 104 of the 280 member organisations represented
  • The total number of groups registered can be broken down into 3 headings:
    1. Community and Voluntary College,
    2. Social Inclusion College,
    3. Environmental College
  • 184 Groups registered in the Sligo Municipal District
  • 96 Groups registered in the Ballymote-Tobercurry Municipal District
  • The PPN will elect members to:
    1. LCDC,
    2. Joint Policing Committee,
    3. SPC’s,
    4. Sports and Recreation Partnership,
    5. Sligo PEACE and Reconciliation Partnership,
    6. Heritage Forum,
    7. Drug and Alcohol Taskforce

The Mayor thanked Ms. Clarke for her report and invited questions from members.

In response to members queries, Ms. Clarke stated:

  • Sligo County Council received €12,000 in funding from the Department for 2014 to fund the public sessions.  A further €12,000 funding is earmarked for 2015.  The Council has not received any details with regards to future funding but the PPN structure needs national government support.
  • Local Authorities are to resource the PPN’s.  Sligo County Council currently does not have a full time worker dedicated to this area at present but this will need to be reviewed over the lifetime of the PPN.
  • The date for the elections will be set by the secretariat in due course.
  • The PPN is linked to the Council but is seen as being separate from the elected body as it is a mechanism for ordinary community groups to feed into policy.

Councillor Bree put forward a motion on this item as follows:

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor S. O’Boyle

AND AGREED

“That a list of the registered groups, including registered name and address and contact details of the group be circulated to Council members”

The Chief Executive, Mr Hayes agreed, subject to data protection rules not being breached, to have a list circulated to members as requested.

  

5. NATIONAL BROWN BIN PILOT PROGRAMME:

Ms. Siobhan Gillen delivered a presentation on the National Brown Bin Pilot Programme, the main points being:

  • Overview of the Project Plan for the National Brown Bin Pilot Programme including the relevant legislation governing the waste enforcement area
  • Outline of the 3 geographical areas covered by the Pilot Project
  • Details of the launch event held on 19/07/2014
  • Details of the waste characterisation studies
  • Details of waste presentation surveys
  • Door-to-door awareness campaign
  • Scheduled completion date May 015
  • Proposed “pay by weight” coming into national legislation from 1st July, 2015

The Chief Executive thanked Ms. Gillen for her presentation and acknowledged the work carried out by Ms. Gillen and staff in the Waste Enforcement Area.  He appealed to members to raise debate in the area of waste enforcement and encourage stakeholders to engage with the process in order to reduce the quantities of waste going to landfill.

The Mayor also thanked Ms. Gillen for the presentation.  He also praised the Green Flag Progamme in schools.  He then invited questions/comments from members.  The members commended the Waste Enforcement Team for the excellent way in which the pilot project was conducted.

In response to members queries Ms. Gillen stated:

  • Sligo County Council is in contact with the waste collectors to encourage further distribution of brown bins to households who have not yet received them.  They are trying to work with them rather than impose sanctions at this stage.
  • Hazardous Waste Facility: Currently only one facility in Tubbercurry which accepts this type of waste.  Sligo County Council to look at options for the Sligo urban area.
  • Farm Waste: A number of collection days are organised on a yearly basis.
  • Monitoring Programme:  The Council is looking at a monitoring programme following the conclusion of the pilot programme.  This however will be dependant on available resources.

Mr. Fineen O’Driscoll, Senior Executive Engineers added that the Council will be meeting with the waste collectors again in the New Year and all issues raised at the meeting will be addressed.

 

6. ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING POINTS IN SLIGO:

Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services advised that a meeting had been arranged with ESB Networks for 17th December, 2014 to progress the issue and deal with matters such as the proposed location for charging points, provision of services etc.  There was no objection in principle from the Council and it was envisaged that the matter could be advanced with ESB Networks.

Councillor MacManus thanked Mr. Kilfeather for the update and asked if the Municipal District Committee could be updated with progress.  The Chief Executive, Mr. Hayes added that there is no difficulty in providing an update at the next Municipal District meeting.

 

7. SIGNS ON DISABLED PARKING BAYS:

The Mayor advised that the matter had been dealt with in the interim since the last meeting in October and with the agreement of the meeting there was no need to address it further.  He added his thanks to Ms. Caroline Conmy for her assistance in the matter.

 

8. PROVISION OF CCTV CAMERAS/SECURITY SIGNAGE AND THE EXTINGUISHMENT OF A PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY:

At the outset the Mayor stated that Councillor Healy had raised a similar motion at the ordinary meeting of the Council in December.  However as there was a slight difference in the motion it was left on this agenda.  It was then:

Proposed by Councillor T. MacSharry
Seconded by Councillor T. Healy

AND AGREED

"That Sligo County Council in consultation with the residents of Cairns Drive and Cemetery Road explore the feasibility of the following,

  1. Provision of CCTV cameras or security signage in the area to counteract anti-social behaviour, and
  2. The closing off or extinguishing of the public right of way or the restriction of the public right of way on security grounds of the alleyway behind the houses of Fatima Avenue where the alleyway connects with the alleyway leading on to Pearse Road”

In response, Mr. T. Brennan, Senior Engineer advised that:

  1. Sligo County Council Roads Department has no role or authority in the installation of CCTV cameras in public areas to monitor anti-social behaviour and this is a matter for the Gardai. In any event there is no budget for such work and there would not be staff available to monitor the output from said cameras.
  2. This could only be considered with the agreement with all affected residents in the surrounding estates, and would need to follow the statutory process as laid down in the Roads Act.  Consideration would also need to be given to the consequences of creating two dead-ends by closing off the existing alleyway.  This action may increase the prevalence of anti-social behaviour at this location.

In response to queries from members, Mr. Brennan stated that the Council can meet with relevant groups to discuss the aforementioned matters further.  Councillor Casserly outlined details of a CCTV project in Grange which is run by the community.

 

9. SPEED LIMITS ON THE STRANDHILL ROAD:

Proposed by Councillor R. O’Grady
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

AND AGREED

“That Sligo Municipal Authority review the present speed limits on the Strandhill Road, commencing at Rathanoragh.”

In response, Mr. T. Brennan, Senior Engineer advised that the Roads Department periodically review speed limits in the county, and during the next review this section will be examined.  Mr. Brennan added that a review is going through at the moment and it will come before the full Council in the new year. 

In response to queries from members, Mr. Brennan stated that this stretch of road was not included in the current review and due to legal constraints with the review process it could only be included in future reviews.

It was agreed to take items 10 and 11 together.

 

10. FUNDING FOR FOOTPATHS AT CLARIONS ROAD:

Proposed by Councillor R. O’Grady
Seconded by Councillor T. MacSharry 

AND AGREED

“That Sligo Municipal Authority seek funding for the upgrading of footpaths at Clarion Road”

In response, Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer advised that the Roads Department has very limited funds for upgrading of footpaths.  However, the need for upgrading of this footpath can be examined in the context of the annual road works programme for 2015.

 

11. SAFETY AUDIT OF FOOTPATHS AT CLARION ROAD

Proposed by Councillor T. MacSharry
Seconded by Councillor R. O’Grady

AND AGREED

"That Sligo County Council Engineering Department carry out a safety audit on the footpaths on Clarion Road Sligo, specifically in relation to persons with mobility issues and wheelchair users"

In response, Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer advised that the Roads Department will examine the need for alterations to the footpath to accommodate those with impaired mobility.

In response to a further query, Mr. Brennan advised that it was possible to assign the “Cul-de-sac” money to such works.

 

It was agreed to take items 12 and 14 together.

 

12. PETITION FROM ST. ANGELA’S STUDENTS AND SAFETY SIGNS ON THE R286 AND LOUGH GILL LOOP ROAD:

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor T. Healy

AND AGREED

“To ask if the Council Executive received a petition and submission from students of St. Angela’s College, seeking the installation of safety signs on the R286 and Lough Gill Loop Road; and to ask what steps the Council intends to take in the new year to provide such signage.”

In response, Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer advised that a letter was recently received from students in St. Angela’s College and has been referred to the Road Design and Area Engineering staff for consideration especially in the context of the Smarter Travel Programme.

 

14. SAFETY SIGNS ON THE R286 AND LOUGH GILL LOOP ROAD

Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council for the installation of safety signs on the R286 and Lough Gill Loop road. Several students in St. Angela’s College, Sligo cycle to and from the college. It has been their experience that the road is unsafe for cyclists.”

In response, Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer advised that the matter has being referred to the Road Design and Area Engineering staff for consideration especially in the context of the Smarter Travel Programme.

Councillor Keaney also wished to support the motion.

 

13. RIGHT OF WAY ON HUDSON’S LANE:

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

AND AGREED

“That the meeting be provided with a report outlining the steps which have been taken by the Council Executive to maintain the right of way on Hudson’s Lane (linking Conlon Street and Grattan Street).”

In response, Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer advised that since the matter was last before Sligo Borough Council (September 3rd 2012), Council Executives have met with and exchanged communications with the legal representatives of the property adjoining Hudson Lane.  A draft agreement has been prepared, which among other things deals with the proposed opening and closing times for the laneway.  The draft agreement contains a proposal to close the laneway during hours of darkness in order to mitigate against anti-social behaviour on the laneway.  No agreement has been finalised as yet.  However the lane has remained open to the public during daylight hours in the interim.

In response to a further query, the meeting was advised that the area would be inspected and that we would revert to the Municipal District Committee in the matter.

Councillor Healy left the room at this point.

 

Due to Councillor Healy having left the Chamber, the Mayor with the agreement of the meeting moved to item 17 on the agenda.

 

17. PUBLIC LIGHTING AT ENTRANCE TO SLIGO AIRPORT BUSINESS PARK:

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

AND AGREED

“Recognising the positive role of the Sligo County Enterprise Fund Company, which provides workspaces and offices for new start up enterprises in the Sligo Airport Business Park; and further noting the requirement for additional public lighting on the public road at the entrance to the business park; this Municipal District committee requests that an additional public light be erected near the entrance to the business park.” 

In response, Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer advised that Sligo County Council Roads Department will examine this location with respect to public lighting but stated that funds for the provision of public lighting are very limited.

Councillor Maguire also wished to support the motion.

At this point Councillor Healy rejoined the meeting.

 

The Mayor moved to item 15 on the agenda as Councillor Healy had rejoined the meeting.

 

15. COSTINGS FOR REALIGNMENT OF OLD RAILWAY CROSSING ON THE COLLOONEY TO COOLANEY ROAD:

Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to carry out a costing for the realignment of the old railway crossing on the Collooney to Coolaney road.”

In response, Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer advised that the location will be examined by the Road Design department to see what improvements are feasible. Full road realignment may not be an option but improvements relating to sight distances etc will be examined for consideration having regard to the availability of funding.

 

16. SAFETY MEASURES ON MOUNTAIN FOOT ROAD ONTO R284 BALLYGAWLEY:

Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to carry out safety measures on the junction from the road known as the mountain foot road onto the R284 in Ballygawley as sight visibility is poor.”

In response, Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer advised that the junction will be examined to see what may be feasible in the context of limited funding availability.

 

18. IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN CLIFFONEY VILLAGE:

Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor T. Healy

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council prioritise funding for an improvement of lighting, footpaths, derelict and dangerous buildings and traffic calming in Cliffoney village. Work was carried out some years ago in the village but never finished to the required standard and with the increase in population in Cliffoney over the last few years the village is in need of attention to improve pedestrian, driver and residents safety.”

In response, Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer advised that Cliffoney Village will be examined by the Area Engineer to identify outstanding works so as to include them for consideration in the Draft Schedule of Works 2015 and having regard to the likelihood of a low level of funding.  Mr. Brennan added that the issues can be addressed specifically with Councillor Casserly.

 

19. CLOCH ÓIR HOUSING ESTATE, CARNEY:

Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor S. O’Boyle

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council give an update on the lighting situation and deal with issues promptly in Cloch Óir housing estate, Carney, Sligo”

In response Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services advised that it is a private estate. The Council has decided however,  

  1. to institute the necessary procedures under Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993 to declare public the road serving this estate and
  2. to commence the process of taking the estate in charge (to include the public lighting)”.

Councillor O’Grady sought clarification as to when the Council had contacted the developer.  Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services clarified the position by saying engagement has taken place with the developer for a number of years.  Following further discussion Councillor McManus proposed that an information memo be circulated to members outlining the “Taking in charge process”.  This was seconded by Councillor O’Grady and agreed.

 

20. SAFETY ISSUES AT JUNCTION IN GRANGE VILLAGE:

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

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council contact and receive advice from the NRA to address safety issues at the junction of local road L72123 and the N15 southbound from Grange Village. The residents of the road have had a number of near misses with traffic coming out of the village accelerating into the outside lane, from which they are turning right.”

In response Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer advised that contact will be made with the NRA in the matter.

 

21. FLOOD DRAINS ON CHAPEL STREET:

With the agreement of the meeting this item was deferred.

 

22. BUS EIREANN BUS ROUTES:

Proposed by Councillor S. Maguire
Seconded by Councillor R. O’Grady

AND AGREED

“This board will write to Bus Eireann to review the route to Strandhill to incorporate Magheraboy or Larkhill Road on some of the services.”

In response Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer advised that such a letter can be written. Councillors Keaney, MacManus, O’Boyle, Maguire and MacSharry were recorded to be in support of the motion.

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

Councillor Bree raised a query with regards to a housing tenant who has difficulty with a leaking roof.  The Chief Executive advised that individual cases should not be discussed at the meeting and the matter should instead be directed to Mr. Bartley Gavin as Director of Services with responsibility for housing.

Councillor Keaney asked that as we were only 8 days away from Christmas that we do as much as possible to encourage people into the city.

Councillor MacManus queried how a programme of works can be scheduled now that the budget has been adopted.  The Chief Executive stated the SPC’s would liaise with the Municipal Districts and it was hoped to have this included as an agenda item for the February meeting.  This of course is dependent on the announcement of funding allocations for the Council.

Councillor O’Boyle raised a query with regards to a family who were issued with a Notice to Quit.  In response the Chief Executive stated that individual cases cannot be dealt with at a municipal district meeting and sought clarification from Councillor O’Boyle if it was additional funding that he was requesting from the Minister for the area of homelessness.  The Chief Executive stated that this funding had already been requested and he would ask Mr. Bartley Gavin, A/Director of Services to write to Councillor O’Boyle with the details.  Councillor Healy asked if this information could be circulated to all members.  This was agreed.

Councillor Healy queried if the Access Committee had met yet.  The Chief Executive gave an undertaking to Councillor Healy to have the matter checked and revert to him.

Councillor R. O’Grady outlined details of the Purple Flag adjudication event held on Saturday 13th December.  She also wished to acknowledge the work done by Gail McGibbon and her team in working with the business community.  The results of the adjudication process would be due February 2015.

Councillor O’Boyle on behalf of the board of Sligo Live wished to thank Sligo County Council for their assistance with the 2014 event.

The Mayor thanked his colleagues and members of the executive for the positive start to the municipal district meetings and thanked the media for their accurate coverage of the meetings. He wished all a Happy Christmas.

Councillor O’Grady on behalf of the members expressed good wishes to the Mayor on his forthcoming marriage.

 

22. VOTES OF SYMPATHY:

Proposed by Councillor R. O’Grady
Seconded by Councillor T. Healy

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Breda Slattery on the death of her husband Martin Slattery”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to O’Dowd family on the death of Celia O’Dowd”

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Rory Foley on the death of his wife Patrice Fox Foley”

 

 

The business of the meeting ended at 1.40 pm.

 

 

 

 


Meeting Date 15/12/2014