Minutes 2020

Minutes of meeting of The Borough District of Sligo held on Monday 20th January 2020 at 10.00 a.m. in Apartment No. 14, Harbour View Housing Development, Rosses Point Road, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Declan Bree
  • Councillor Chris MacManus
  • Councillor Tom MacSharry
  • Councillor Sinéad Maguire
  • Councillor Gino O’Boyle (Mayor)
  • Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive
  • Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
  • Bartley Gavin, A/Director of Services
  • Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services
  • Joe Murphy, Senior Executive Officer
  • Seán Martin, A/Senior Architect
  • Terence Cosgrove, Executive Architect
  • Declan Noone, A/Senior Executive Engineer
  • Kevin Colreavy, Administrative Officer
  • Clodagh Quinn, Staff Officer

 

MAYOR:

The Mayor, Councillor Gino O’Boyle, welcomed all present to the meeting.

 

1.  MINUTES OF MEETING OF BOROUGH DISTRICT OF SLIGO HELD ON 18TH NOVEMBER 2019:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Borough District of Sligo held on 18th November 2019”.

 

2.  MATTERS ARISING:

Councillor Chris MacManus queried whether there was any update on the possible introduction by Sligo County Council of a Business Incentive Scheme.  In reply, the Chief Executive, Mr. Ciarán Hayes, advised that due to accounts for 2019 being finalised, it had not been possible to advance the issue and that an update will follow at a later meeting.

 

3.  PRESENTATION ON HARBOUR VIEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENT:

The Chief Executive welcomed all present to the new housing development before handing proceedings over to Mr. Terence Cosgrove, Executive Architect, to update Members on details of its construction.

Mr. Cosgrove began by outlining the project which consists of the construction of 14 no. apartments ( 6 no. 1-bedroom apartments and 8 no. 2-bedroom apartments) on a previous brownfield site at the junction of the N4, N15 and N16. The development is adjacent to a public transport route and is within walking distance of Sligo city centre.  Mr. Cosgrove explained that all apartments have a Building Energy Rating (BER) of A3 standard as a result of the high levels of insulation used, installation of solar panels and demand control ventilation.  Air source heat pumps are used to heat the dwellings and provide hot water resulting in an average weekly heating cost of €7/€8 which also ties in with the promotion of a low carbon approach as detailed in the Council’s Climate Adaptation Strategy.

In conclusion, Mr. Cosgrove explained that while the road junction realignment project being undertaken at present at the front of the development is a separate project, a number of meetings were held with the Road Design Office to agree on how the movement of pedestrians and cyclists could be best managed in the area.  The result will be the creation of a landscaped green area to the south of the development with a segregated pedestrian walkway and cycleway.

In reply to a query from Councillor MacManus regarding management of the occupied development, A/Director of Services, Mr. Bartley Gavin, advised that maintenance contracts would be established and in the long-term, a management company may need to be employed.

Members congratulated the Architects Team on the high standards achieved in the development, welcomed the addition to the housing stock and wished the new occupants well in their new homes.

 

4.  REPLACEMENT OF GATES AT SLIGO CEMETERY:

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

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council engineering staff would replace the rusted gates at Sligo Cemetery”.

On behalf of Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, Mr. Declan Noone, A/Senior Executive Engineer, advised that the Council are in the process of procuring new gates for the Cemetery which will be installed in the coming months.

 

5.  ENERGY EFFICIENCY RETROFITTING PROGRAMME FOR SOCIAL HOUSES:

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

AND AGREED

“To ask how many houses (and their street/estate locations) within the existing Council housing stock in the Sligo/Strandhill Borough District area are being upgraded as part of the Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme for Social Houses announced by the Department of Housing in July 2019.

Further, to ask if former Borough Council housing that were earmarked for the Remedial Works Scheme but were never sanctioned, such as in areas e.g. Treacy Avenue are being considered for inclusion”.

On behalf of Mr. Bartley Gavin, A/Director of Services, Mr. Joe Murphy, Senior Executive Officer, informed Members that in total, in County Sligo, there are 58 no. social houses where works can be carried out under the Retrofitting Programme, 34 no. of which are in the Sligo Borough District area.  Mr. Murphy outlined details of the particular units and advised that it is envisaged that the works would be carried out over a 3-5 year period subject to funding from the Department and the Council.  Mr. Murphy highlighted to Members the potential difficulty for the Council to fund the works from existing resources as the estimated cost is in the region of €750,000.

 

6:  POSSIBLE WORKS FOR INCLUSION AS PART OF THE WESTERN DISTRIBUTOR ROAD PROJECT:

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

AND AGREED

“Further to the ongoing works at the junction linking the Western Distributor Route to the existing Ballydoogan and Roger Eames Road and adjacent to Mitchell Curley Park, to ask:

  • Can consideration be given to removing the ineffective speed cushions at the top of the Ballydoogan Road and incorporate into an upgraded pedestrian crossing at the entrance of St. Mary’s GFC and Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré that will act as a traffic calming feature;
  • And recognising the lack of lighting on the western side of Mitchell Curley Park, rendering parts of the park unusable during evening/night-time hours, to ask whether increased and/or enhanced public lighting will be available as part of the WDR works or whether the Council will apply again under the next round of the Sports Capital Grant to ensure the safety of users of the facility”.

On behalf of Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, A/Senior Executive Engineer, Mr. Declan Noone, advised as follows:

  • There are issues with the existing speed cushions, however any revised proposals will need to be considered in the context of the newly constructed junction with the Western Distributor Road.

(b)    Sligo County Council will re-apply this year under the Sport Capital Grant to improve the public lighting facilities at Mitchell Curley Park.

As part of the Western Distributor Road Scheme, electrical ducting has been extended to the boundary of Mitchell Curley Park to facilitate walkway lighting at some point in the future.

 

7.  UPDATE ON CONSERVATION PLAN FOR QUEEN MAEVE’S CAIRN ON KNOCKNAREA:

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

AND AGREED

“To ask for an update on the commitment given by the Office of Public Works to prepare a Conservation Plan for Queen Maeve’s Cairn atop of Knocknarea”.

Director of Services, Ms. Dorothy Clarke, explained that the commitment given in respect of the preparation of a Conservation Plan for Queen Maeve’s Cairn was provided by the National Monuments Service and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.  Sligo County Council has a supportive role regarding any emerging actions to protect and manage the monument, particularly in relation to the management of increased visitor access arising from the popularity of the walking trail.

Ms. Clarke advised that a recent update from the National Monuments Service detailed its intention to carry out a detailed recording of the site with a view to identifying the critical areas of visitor impact and how best to address them.  In the meantime, it was suggested that the Council “could provide assistance by exploring measures designed to change visitor behaviour and encourage greater respect for the monument” and “also consider examining the feasibility of steering some visitors away from the monument itself, for example, by providing discreet viewing and photo opportunity areas at one or two locations at a remove from the monument”.

In light of the above, Ms. Clarke stated that a meeting has been arranged with relevant Council staff to consider the matters raised by the National Monuments Service with a view to continuing to support them in the protection and management of the monument.

 

8.  PROGRESS REPORT ON REFURBISHMENT OF GATE LODGE AT DOORLY PARK:

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

AND AGREED

“That a progress report be provided in regard to the refurbishment of the Gate Lodge at Doorly Park for tourism and community purposes”.

Mr. Bartley Gavin, A/Director of Services, informed the meeting that works are continuing on the refurbishment of the Lodge, together with the provision of an extension to provide new toilet facilities for the building.  The envisaged completion date for the works is Quarter 2 2020.

Mr. Gavin advised that the refurbishment plans were the subject of community consultation in October 2019, during which there was agreement from the attendees that the preservation of the building for future generations was a priority.  Views were expressed that the building would offer a potential for tourism and enterprise opportunities to include a community meeting space, coffee dock etc.

Opportunities for funding for the fit-out of the Lodge are currently being pursued.

 

9.  LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT GRANT AID ALLOCATED FOR T2-T12 ROAD LINK PROJECT:

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

AND AGREED

“Noting that €250,000 is required in 2020 and a further €300,000 in 2021 to allow for the completion of the construction of the proposed T2-T12 road linking the junction of Mail Coach Road/Connolly Street with the junction of Burton Street/Pearse Road; this meeting requests a report on the level of Government grant aid allocated for the project in the current year”.

On behalf of Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, Mr. Declan Noone, A/Senior Executive Engineer, stated that an application has been submitted to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for 2020 funding for the Scheme and details of the Department’s non-national road funding are awaited.

 

10.  REPORT ON PIER PROTECTION WORKS AND DUNE FENCING ON CONEY ISLAND:

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

AND AGREED

“That a report be provided on the proposed wall and pier protection works and dune fencing on Coney Island including details of the grant aid required for the works”.

Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, advised that the Structures and Marine Section will investigate the proposed protection works in order to determine if grant aid is available for any works deemed appropriate.

 

11.  UPDATE ON DERELICT PROPERTIES AT HOLBORN HILL:

Proposed by Councillor R. O’Grady
Seconded by Councillor G. O’Boyle

AND AGREED

“I request an update on the derelict properties at Holborn Hill”.

Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services, informed Members that the owner of the properties in question has been contacted and works have recently commenced to address their derelict appearance. The owner has also confirmed that he has entered into pre-planning discussions with the Planning Department regarding re-developing the site.  

 

12.  UPGRADING OF ROAD AND FOOTPATH SURFACES AT PEARSE CRESCENT:

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

AND AGREED

“I am seeking an upgrading of road and footpath surfaces at Pearse Crescent”.

On behalf of Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, Mr. Declan Noone, A/Senior Executive Engineer, reported that Pearse Crescent is not included in the 2019-2021 Multi-Annual Roadworks Programme however if additional funds become available, it will be included for consideration.

In the interim, Councillor O’Grady requested that potholes in the area be filled.

 

13.  UPDATE ON STEPHEN STREET CULTURAL PLAZA:

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

AND AGREED

“I am seeking an update on the Stephen Street car-park plan”.

Director of Services, Ms. Dorothy Clarke, explained that the procurement of detailed design works associated with the next phase of the Cultural Plaza commenced prior to Christmas 2019 with tenders being advertised with a closing date of 20th December.

The assessment of tenders received took place mid-January 2020 and it is anticipated that the award to the preferred bidder will take place within the next three weeks.

Ms. Clarke advised that it is envisaged that works will commence on site circa Q3 2020.

 

14.  CORRESPONDENCE:

Councillor Declan Bree expressed his disappointment with the reply from the HSE dated 28th November 2019 regarding funding of home help services.

 

15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

 

The business of the meeting concluded at 11.00 a.m.


Meeting Date 20/01/2020