Sligo Municipal Minutes 2015
Minutes of Meeting of The Municipal District of Sligo held on Monday 29th June, 2015 at 11am in The Council Chamber, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
- Councillor Declan Bree
- Councillor Thomas Healy (Mayor)
- Councillor Hubert Keaney
- Councillor Seamus Kilgannon
- Councillor Sean MacManus
- Councillor Tom Mac Sharry
- Councillor Sinéad Maguire
- Councillor Seamus O’Boyle
- Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady
OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:
- Mr. Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive
- Mr. Bartley Gavin, A/Director of Services
- Mr. Tom Brennan, A/Director of Services
- Mr. Joe Murphy, A/Director of Services
- Ms. Margaret McConnell, Senior Executive Officer
- Ms. Patricia Guckian, Financial Accountant
- Mr. John O’Hara, Assistant Architect
- Ms. Caroline Conmy, Administrative Officer
- Ms. Sinéad Branley, Staff Officer
APOLOGIES:
- Councillor Marie Casserly
MAYOR:
The Mayor, Councillor T. Healy presided.
1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO HELD ON 27TH APRIL, 2015
Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor S. O’Boyle
AND AGREED
“To confirm the minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Sligo held on 27th April, 2015.”
2. MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO HELD ON 22ND JUNE, 2015
Proposed by Councillor S. O’Boyle
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus
AND AGREED
“To confirm the minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Sligo held on 22nd June, 2015.”
3. MATTERS ARISING
No matters arising
At this point with the agreement of the members the Mayor Councillor Healy moved to take item 5 on the agenda.
5. SISTER CITIES PROJECT
Mr. Bartley Gavin, A/Director of Services advised the meeting that Dublin City Council in conjunction with San José is promoting an initiative as part of the 2016 Year of Commemorations. The initiative involves cities and towns in Ireland and in the US that are linked through sister cities or twinning arrangements. An outline of the proposal which is only at concept stage and is subject to change is as follows:
- Delegations from twinned US cities/towns and Irish cities/towns attend a two day “summit” type event in Dublin. The summit would include business, education and youth leaders from each participating sister or twinned town/city. The working title for the summit is “Independence and Interdependence”. US Vice President Biden has been invited to speak and to lead the US delegations.
- Each individual Irish town or city to host a delegation from its sister or twinned town/city in its own locality, prior to or following the Dublin “summit”. This will entail preparing and executing a programme of events.
- The Lord Mayor of Dublin recently hosted an information event to explain and promote the idea. It is planned to have participation from across the island, north and south. Dates are provisionally set for April 2015. Sligo is twinned with Tallahassee and it is recommended that Sligo would participate. This will entail making appropriate budgetary provision in the budget for 2016 and extending an early invitation to the Mayor of Tallahassee. Subject to the consideration of the Municipal District, the matter will be placed on the agenda for the July ordinary meeting of Sligo County Council.
Following a discussion by the members on sister cities and town twinning it was agreed that in addition to the report on sister cities for the July meeting that a further report on town twinning would come before the members at the September ordinary meeting of Sligo County Council.
At this point Councillor Kilgannon advised the meeting that he had to leave early and asked if his motions could be taken at this point. The Mayor Councillor Healy asked the members if the members were happy to move to take Councillor Kilgannon’s motions now. This was agreed by the members.
19. PONTOON FACILITY AT MULLAGHMORE
Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus
AND AGREED
“To ask Sligo County Council to extend the pontoon at Mullaghmore or provide an additional pontoon, this is needed immediately in light of a significant increase in numbers visiting the area due to its profile as signature point along the Wild Atlantic Way, its recent media attention and hosting the World Sea Angling Championships. It will also be a base for operations for the continued work at the Spanish Armada Site”.
In response Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer advised the meeting that Sligo County Council has an existing pontoon in place in the most sheltered part of the breakwater area which requires regular maintenance despite its robust design and has suffered storm damage several times. Two heavy steel piles hold the concrete pontoon unit in place and additional ones would be very expensive to install. For the vast bulk of the year the facility functions at well under capacity levels, within tidal constraints, (the pontoon grounds at low spring tides).
The Council do not have plans to add further pontoons in this challenging environment and harbour users are aware of the situation relating to this two hundred year old tidal harbour, its operating limitations and the sediment issue. The Councils maintenance budget is very limited. From mid tide and higher the main harbour can be used by almost all vessels that normally use the harbour, in addition to the pontoon, for embarkation and disembarkation. Angling competitions are a matter for the organisers. Should large crowds etc be expected at the forthcoming fishing event, SCC North Sligo Office should be notified in advance by the organisers.
Following further discussion on the matter by the members Mr. Brennan advised the meeting that funding for piers and harbours comes from the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine. There is a need to exercise caution with any new installation but the Council can proceed to investigate sources of funding if this is what the members require.
12. BUS SHELTERS
Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus
AND AGREED
“Following on from a motion passed at our February meeting re bus shelters and the report from Bus Eireann on the 13th of April last, what action will Sligo County Council take to insure that bus shelters are provided in John Street and also on the left side of the N15 going north at Rathcormack for health and safety reasons”.
Mr. Tom Brennan, A/Director of Services referred to a previous motion at the February meeting regarding bus shelters and the report from Bus Eireann dated 13th April last. He stated that existing bus shelters are provided as part of a contractual agreement between Bus Eireann and a commercial company who erect and maintain the shelters in return for a concession to sell advertising in the shelter panels.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) provides funding for new bus shelters at locations served by the Public Service Obligation routes. It is understood that there is no funding available for new shelters however Bus Eireann has stated that they will continue to work with the NTA to identify suitable sites for new shelters. The provision of a bus shelter in John Street would in all likelihood require the moving of the bus stop further down John Street. Bus Eireann has expressed misgivings in moving this bus stop further away from O’Connell Street. It should also be noted that a large number of private bus operators are receiving licences from the NTA to provide services in County Sligo (including to and from Sligo City) and are receiving approval for the associated pick-up and drop-off points throughout the County. It is likely that this will create a demand for more identified bus-stop locations throughout Sligo City and County. It is proposed that Sligo County Council contact the National Transport Authority directly regarding this overall issue with a view to addressing, as far as possible, the issues raised.
6. LEASE OF COLLOONEY COURTHOUSE TO THE COLLOONEY VILLAGE REDEVELOPMENT LTD
Mr. Joe Murphy, A/Director of Service advised the meeting that the Collooney Village Redevelopment Ltd. has made a request for Sligo County Council to transfer the Court House to them for community use. Sligo County Council sees by the recent short time licence agreement of the Court House Building to this Community Group, the enthusiastic and energetic approach they have had to the redevelopment and enhancement of the facilities in Collooney.
Collooney Village Redevelopment Ltd. aim is to develop a centre that can be used and enjoyed by people of all ages, young and old. Transforming the unused Court House by incorporating a multimedia room, meeting room and canteen facilities is the Community Groups main agenda while reinstating the building into the local landmark it once was.
Sligo County Council’s proposal is to lease the property namely ‘Collooney Court House’ for a period of five years for a nominal sum to The Collooney Village Redevelopment Ltd. A Section 183 proposal for the lease of the Court House and a report from Land Asset Management is scheduled for the September Ordinary County Council Meeting. Terms and conditions will follow similar successful leases of Court Houses within the County. It was proposed by Councillor MacManus and seconded by Councillor Bree and agreed by the members to put this item before the full Council at the September Ordinary Meeting.
7. DRAFT CAR PARK BYE LAWS 2015 AND DRAFT PARKING PLACES BYE LAWS 2015
Ms. Patricia Guckian, A/Head of Finance delivered an updated report on Sligo County Council’s 2015 Draft Parking Places and Car Park Bye-laws, the main points of which were:
- A notice of Intention to make Bye Laws in relation to Car Parks and Parking Places was published on 30th April 2015.
- The required period of public display ended on 2nd June 2015 and the latest date for receipt of submissions in relation to the proposed Parking Bye Laws was 16th June 2015. During this period no submissions were received from any member of the public.
- A copy of the Draft Car Park and Parking Places Bye Laws were forwarded to the Chief Superintendent, An Garda Síochána . A reply was received from the Chief Superintendent stating that An Garda Síochána have no submissions to make in respect of the Draft Parking Bye Laws.
Ms. Guckian then proceeded to advise the meeting that the next stage was the adoption of the bye-laws. Following a discussion by the members it was then:
Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor S. O’Boyle
AND AGREED
“That Sligo County Council Car Park Bye-Laws 2015 and Parking Places Bye Laws 2015 be adopted”.
8. GAELSCOIL CHNOC NA RÉ
Mr. Bartley Gavin, A/Director of Services advised the meeting that Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré is currently based in temporary premises at the St Mary’s GAA club at Ballydoogan. The school commenced in 1996 and was initially located at the Presbyterian Hall. It later moved to St Marys but has, long since, out grown the appropriateness and suitability of that site - given the continuous growth in demand for primary tuition at the school. Based on current enrolments, next year will see pupil numbers of 250.
In correspondence dated 18th July 2014 the Department of Education and Skills requested the assistance of Sligo County Council in regard to identifying and acquiring a suitable site for a new school building. The Council examined 14 sites on the western side of the city; 4 no of which were considered to have potential as a location for the new school building. Further discussion with the department has focused on a site on the Oakfield Road as a suitable location for the new school.
The Department have now requested that Sligo County Council make contact with the land owner of the Oakfield Road site towards establishing a possible purchase price. There is no commitment on the Department’s part to purchase the site. However, advancing the process to the current position is taken as evidence of an acceptance by the Department of the need for a new school building.
Following a query by the members Mr. Gavin clarified that there was no proposal on the table at this stage. It was just a report for the members to note. Following a further discussion on the matter it was:
Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus
AND AGREED
“That Sligo County Council write to the Department of Education requesting that a new school for Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré is included on the list of capital development works to be published by the Department with the Gaelscoil being prioritised”
With the agreement of the meeting the Mayor Councillor Healy moved to take item 4 on the agenda next.
4. FAOIN AER – SLIGO PARKING DAY 2015 PRESENTATION
The Mayor Councillor Healy welcomed Ms. Gillian Ní Chaiside of Faoin Aer Landscape Architects to the meeting and invited her to give a presentation to the meeting on the concept of Sligo Parking Day 2015.
Ms. Ní Chaiside gave a PowerPoint presentation to the meeting the main points of which were:
- Park(ing) Day is an annual public worldwide event which happens in towns and cities across the globe on the 3rd Friday in September. This year Park(ing) Day will happen on 18th September, 2015.
- It is an afternoon event where members of the public transform individual on-street car parking spaces into imaginative public spaces for a few hours.
- Park(ing) day will take place on the same day as Culture Night in Sligo
- Sligo Park(ing) day are requesting that 15 parking spaces be allocated for the event and the public office waive the parking fees for the selected spaces during the event
The Mayor Councillor Healy thanked Ms. Ní Chaiside for her presentation and invited comments from members. In response the members agreed that it was a good idea but suggested that Ms. Ní Chaiside contact all of the businesses that would be potentially affected by the park(ing) day outside their premises. The Chief Executive also added that he was supportive of the event and that he looks forward to the manner of creativity at each of the selected sites. He also asked that Ms. Ní Chaiside liaise with the Roads Department on the matter over the coming months.
9. FOOTPATHS AT THORNHILL/STRANDHILL ROAD
Proposed by Councillor R. O’Grady
Seconded by Councillor S. O’Boyle
AND AGREED
“That funding be put in place for upgrading of the footpath at the entrance to Thornhill/Strandhill Road on the western side and to upgrade footpath access on the eastern side”.
In response Mr. T. Brennan, A/Director of Services advised the meeting that this area will be investigated by the Area Engineer and works scheduled as appropriate subject to funding.
10. BROOKLAWNS, FIRST SEA ROAD
Proposed by Councillor R. O’Grady
Seconded by Councillor S. Maguire
AND AGREED
“That the Council provide an update on the taking in charge of Brooklawns, First Sea Road”
In response Mr. Joe Murphy, A/Director of Services advised the meeting that no application in accordance with Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended has been lodged with the Council to date.
An application to have the Bond released however has been lodged with the Council. The Council has been advised that certain works which it required have now been carried out. Confirmation in this regard is awaited from the Councils Water Services and Infrastructure Departments. In addition it is noted that the public lighting is now working again. Both the Receiver and the Management Company were written to in this regard following representations from Councillor O’Grady.
13. SCOIL MHUIRE AGUS IOSAF SENIOR PRIMARY SCHOOL IN COLLOONEY
Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus
AND AGREED
“To call on Sligo County Council to address the concerns of parents whose children attend Scoil Mhuire agus Iosaf Senior Primary School in Collooney. The road in front of the school is the main access route and there is Health and Safety issues around it”.
In addition Councillor Healy expressed concern over the ramp outside the school and the fact that there was no public light near it. In response Mr. Tom Brennan, A/Director of Services advised the meeting that the Area Engineer will inspect this location and will investigate Health and Safety issues.
14. TULLYNAGRACKEN HILL, CARRAROE
Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor R. O’Grady
AND AGREED
“To Call on Sligo County Council to investigate the ongoing problem of water lodging and lack of lighting on Tullynmacken Hill in Carraroe”.
In response Mr. Tom Brennan, A/Director of Services advised the meeting that the flooding problem at this location was investigated and rectified. However, it appears that the natural flow of the surface water from this road is being interfered with. The Area Office will endeavour to find out how and why this is happening, and produce a long term solution.
Due to funding constraints it is no longer the practice of Sligo County Council to provide public lighting in rural or even semi-rural locations. Therefore, it is not intended to provide any improvements to current public lighting in this area.
15. R290 IN THE TOWNLAND OF DOONAMURRAY AND ENTRANCE TO CASTLE DARGAN HOTEL, BALLYGAWLEY
Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus
AND AGREED
“To Call on Sligo County Council to erect concealed entrance signs in the interest of safety on the R290 at the townland of Doonamurray and the entrance to Castle Dargan Hotel, Ballygawley”
Mr. Tom Brennan, A/Director of Services advised the meeting that the Area Engineer will inspect the locations and will erect signage if deemed appropriate.
16. INNISFREE COURT HOUSING ESTATE, TONAPHUBBLE
Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor S. O’Boyle
AND AGREED
“That the Municipal District committee be provided with an up to date report on the proposal to take in charge the Innisfree Court housing estate, Tonaphubble.”
In response Mr. Joe Murphy, A/Director of Services advised the meeting that the members were previously advised on 20th April 2015 that a tender package in relation to outstanding works had been agreed on behalf of the developer with the Council and that the next stage was the tender process.
The members were also advised that said process was subject to funding being made available by the bank. The Council can now advise that the works have been tendered. It is the Councils understanding that a preferred contractor has been identified. A decision by the Bank on how it now proposes to proceed is awaited. In tandem with the above, the Council on 15th June 2015 formally lodged a costed claim against the Surety which provided the bond. Their response is awaited.
17. HOUSING GRANTS FOR OLDER PEOPLE
Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor S. O’Boyle
AND AGREED
“That the Sligo Municipal District committee deplores the decision of the Government to impose savage cuts in the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Schemes; and further we call on the Minister for the Environment and the Government to reverse the cutbacks and to provide adequate finances to fund the Housing Grants Schemes in county Sligo for the current year.”
Ms. Margaret McConnell, Senior Executive Officer advised the meeting of the recent amounts which had been allocated to Sligo County Council:
2013 Initial Allocation €276,983.80
2013 Second Allocation €91,983.20
2013 Third Allocation €60,132.50
2013 Total €429,099.50 (SCC/SBC Combined)
2014 Initial Allocation €469,188.00
2014 Second Allocation €190,501.00
2014 Total €659,689.00 (SCC/SBC Combined)
2015 Initial Allocation €531,063.00
2015 Total €531,063.00
The figure for 2015 is larger than previous year’s first allocation. However Sligo County Council cannot at this point state that additional funding will be made available as with previous years. Ms. McConnell proceeded to state that the Council’s grants schemes were still open and accepting application.
18. LAR EASA HOUSING ESTATE, STRANDHILL
Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus
AND AGREED
“That the Municipal District committee be provided with a progress report in respect of the proposed taking in charge of the Lar Easa housing estate, Strandhill, including a report on the most recent Court action taken by the Council in regard to enforcement.”
In response, Mr. Joe Murphy, A/Director of Services advised the meeting that a warning letter issued to the developer on 11/04/12. An Enforcement Notice was then sent to the developer on 24/07/12 in relation to the submission of certification and the carrying out of certain works in order to complete the development to a standard suitable for taking in charge. In subsequent discussions with the Council, the developer indicated that he had sought quotations for the carrying out of the works. He also indicated that progress would depend on funding being received from his Bank. Legal proceedings were initiated in September 2014 when it became evident to the Council that the works were not going to be carried out. The case was heard in the District Court on 5th May 2015. The Justice struck out the case citing that the enforcement action should have been taken earlier by the Council. With regard to delays, this can be attributed to a number of factors including:
- A development approval for 17 houses on adjacent lands (Pl 05/348) which would have to be accessed via Lar Easa Cove. The Council would not have wished to take the roadways in Lar Easa Cove in charge when there was likely to be construction traffic on said roads in the future,
- The transfer of ownership of the green area from the Developer to the Residents Association-this took a considerable period of time
- Not on Council radar and
- Outstanding issues in the development not raised by the Residents between 2007 and 2011.
There is also a dispute with the Surety which provided the Bond. Legal advice is to be sought in this regard. The Council will also be examining ways to progress this matter. It does not however have the funds to carry out any works in this or any other similar estates. Finally no application in accordance with Section 180 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 as amended has been lodged with the Council to date.
20. CORRESPONDENCE
- Letter dated 6th May, 2015 from the Department of Social Protection regarding the Respite Care Grant (RCG)
- Invitation from Mayor of Kempten regarding Allgäuer Festival
Both letters were noted by the meeting. In relation to item 20b) the Chief Executive outlined that the dates of the Kempten invitation clashed with the opening of the All Ireland Fleadh. He also stated that there was limited funding available for a delegation to travel. However it was suggested that with the agreement of the members that a Council member and official go, subject to agreeing dates and budget. It was then proposed by Councillor MacManus and seconded by Councillor O’Grady and agreed that a delegation travel to Kempten on foot of their invitation.
25. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Councillor H. Keaney wished to acknowledge the announcement made by ABBVIE to increase their workforce by 50 in Sligo. This was supported by Councillor O’Grady.
Councillor Bree raised the matter of presentations at Municipal District meetings. It was agreed that this item would be looked at by the Procedures Committee at their next meeting. This was supported by Councillor O’Boyle.
26. VOTE OF SYMPATHY
Proposed by Councillor S. MacManus
Seconded by Councillor S. O’Boyle
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Margaret Wallace on the death of her brother Martin Wallace, 26 St. John’s Tce, Sligo”.
Proposed by Councillor R. O’Grady
Seconded by Councillor H. Keaney
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Carmel Carr on the death of her son Ken Carr, Rathonoragh, Strandhill Road, Sligo”.
The business of the meeting ended at 1.30pm
Meeting Date 29/06/2015