Minutes 2020

Minutes of Meeting of The Borough District of Sligo held on Monday 21st September 2020 at 10 am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Declan Bree
  • Councillor Arthur Gibbons
  • Councillor Sinéad Maguire
  • Councillor Gino O’Boyle
  • Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady (Mayor)

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Deputy Chief Executive
  • Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services
  • Mr. Bartley Gavin, A/Director of Services
  • Mr. Frank Moylan, A/Director of Services
  • Mr. Stephen Ward, Senior Executive Planner
  • Ms. Siobhán Ryan, Heritage Officer
  • Ms. Clodagh Quinn, Staff Officer

APOLOGIES / ABSENT:

  • Mr. Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive
  • Councillor Tom MacSharry

MAYOR:

The Mayor, Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady, presided and welcomed all present to the meeting. At the outset, she proposed a vote of sympathy to colleague Councillor Tom MacSharry on the death of his father Gabriel (R.I.P.) which was seconded by Councillor Declan Bree. It was also agreed by Members that the October monthly meeting of the Council would be adjourned for fifteen minutes as a mark of respect to the MacSharry family.

 

1.  MINUTES OF MEETING OF BOROUGH DISTRICT OF SLIGO HELD ON 20TH JULY 2020:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Borough District of Sligo held on 20th July 2020”.

 

2.  MATTERS ARISING:

There were no matters arising.

 

3.  UPDATE ON PREPERATION OF A LOCAL AREA PLAN FOR THE SLIGO AND ENVIRONS AREA:

Mr. Stephen Ward, Senior Executive Planner, advised Members that the process of preparing a Local Area Plan for the Sligo and Environs area has commenced. While work had been done previously on it, it had to be postponed due to the development of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES). Now that the RSES has been completed, the preparation of a Local Area Plan for Sligo & Environs can re-commence. Following the pre-draft consultation stage and the publication of the issues paper, submissions will then be invited from members of the public, prescribed bodies etc. It is envisaged that the Plan will be adopted towards the end of 2021.

 

4.  UPDATE ON THE DELIVERY OF THE HISTORIC TOWNS INITIATIVE IN O’CONNELL STREET, SLIGO:

Ms. Siobhán Ryan, Heritage Officer, informed Members that the Heritage Office of Sligo County Council in partnership with property owners, key stakeholders and the local community were awarded €200,000 by The Heritage Council under the Historic Towns initiative 2020. The award is further being supported by match funding of €50,000 from Sligo County Council as well as private investment from property owners.

The project will see the Council working in partnership with local property owners to conserve the historic built environment, facilitate sustainable heritage-led regeneration and promote the tourism potential of Sligo’s historic core.

Ms. Ryan advised that nine historic buildings in the southern part of O’Connell Street will benefit from the funding with works to include roof and chimney repairs, reinstatement of timber sash windows and doors and repair and reinstatement of historic shop fronts using traditional materials etc.

The works are scheduled to start in September and conclude in November 2020 and will complement the works already undertaken as part of the O’Connell Street Enhancement Programme.

 

5.  UPGRADE AND REPAIRS TO FOOTPATH AT CAIRNS ROAD:

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

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council upgrades and repairs the footpath at Cairns Road beside the bus stop”.

Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, stated that the Area Engineer will inspect the area and any repairs required will be included for consideration in the 2021 Roadworks Programme.

Councillor O’Grady welcomed the reply and asked that disability access would also be considered in the planning of any works.

 

6.  INSTALLATION OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AT UPPER & LOWER HOLBORN STREET:

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

AND AGREED

“That the Roads Department of Sligo County Council install pedestrian crossings at Upper and Lower Holborn Street, Sligo to facilitate wheelchair users, children and the general public”.

Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, informed the meeting that pedestrian crossing facilities in Lower Holborn Street will be considered in the context of the URDF project for Stephen Street/Holborn Street. Pedestrian crossing facilities on Upper Holborn Street will be examined and included for consideration in the 2021 Roads Programme.

 

7.  REVIEW OF FOOTPATHS IN THORNHILL ESTATE:

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

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council review the footpaths in Thornhill Estate”.

Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, confirmed that the Area Engineer will examine the location.

 

8.  MAINTENANCE OF NAVIGATIONAL AIDS IN SLIGO HARBOUR:

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

AND AGREED

“That the meeting be provided with a report regarding the maintenance of navigational aids (local aids to navigation) in Sligo Harbour, the report to include procedures for responding to outages/failures; record of failures and repair time; average performance over the last three years; and further to ask if the Council submits reports on such matters to the Commissioners of Irish Lights; and to ask if the Commissioners of Irish Lights carries out annual inspections of the navigational aids; and to ask if such reports are available for inspection, and to ask the Chief Executive if he will make a statement on the matter”.

Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, reported that Truir Construction Ltd. maintain the navigational aids on behalf of Sligo County Council with local aids being checked every three to four weeks and local fishermen and boat users also reporting any issues. Repair times can vary depending on weather and tide height and whether the light can be repaired or requires replacement.

Mr. Kilfeather advised that when lights are malfunctioning, details are recorded and uploaded to the Commissioner of Irish Lights online reporting system and followed up with a phone call and a notice to mariners via the coastguard.

He further advised that the Commissioner visits at least once a year to inspect the lights and carries out an audit every two years with the last audit undertaken in July 2020. This report is outstanding but when received, can be circulated to Members at their request.

Councillor Declan Bree thanked Mr. Kilfeather for his report and asked that details of the July 2020 report be circulated to Members when available. He also expressed his interest in examining any reports received during the previous twelve-month period as in his opinion, many lights were not functioning properly.

 

9.  PROGRESS REPORT ON PROPOSED T2-T12 ROAD:

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

AND AGREED

“That the meeting be provided with a progress report on the proposed T2-T12 road, linking the junction of Mail Coach Road/Connolly Street with the junction of Burton Street/Pearse Road”.

Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, informed the meeting that the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for this scheme was published earlier this year and received one objection. As a result of this, An Bord Pleanála are obliged to hold an oral hearing, a date of which is awaited.

In reply to a query raised by Councillor Bree, Mr. Kilfeather stated that should An Bord Pleanála approve the CPO, additional Departmental funding would be required for the project which it is hoped would commence construction in 2021.

 

10.  SUPPORT FOR CALL BY UNION OF STUDENTS IN IRELAND FOR INTRODUCTION OF EMERGENCY RENTAL MEASURES FOR STUDENTS:

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

AND AGREED

“That this meeting supports the call by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) for the introduction of six emergency rental measures for students including: (a) waiver on rent for students who cannot access their accommodation when expected due to local lockdowns or in the case of changes to college start or finish dates; (b) students to be enabled to end leases and other rental contracts early in the case of a second wave or lockdown; (c) landlords not allowed to withhold deposits in the case of a second wave or lockdown; (d) no penalties for early termination of leases and other rental contracts for Covid related reasons; (e) no evictions of students during the Covid-19 pandemic; (f) landlords obliged to return prepaid rents in the case of a second wave or lockdown”.

 

11.  CUTTING OF GREEN AREA IN FR. FLANAGAN TERRACE:

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

AND AGREED

“Can Sligo County Council cut the green area in Fr. Flanagan Terrace?”.

A/Director of Services, Mr. Bartley Gavin, confirmed that the Council will arrange to cut the grass as requested however he said that the Council intends to engage with the residents in relation to maintenance in future years being undertaken by residents of the development.

 

12.  ILLEGAL DUMPING AT SEA ROAD VILLAS:

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

AND AGREED

“Can Sligo County Council give a timeframe as to when they are going to clean up the rubbish left outside Sea Road Villas and erect a gate to stop the illegal dumping?”.

Mr. Bartley Gavin, A/Director of Services, informed Members that the Environmental Services Department along with Housing Estate Management have a co-ordinated plan in place to remove the illegally dumped refuse at Sea Road Villas and to erect gates with a lock to deter further such incidences.

Mr. Gavin advised that works will be completed by October 2020 and undertook to revert to Councillor O’Boyle with a start date.

 

13.  POSSIBLE MEASURES FOR TRAFFIC EXITING HOUSING ESTATES ON THE FIRST SEA ROAD FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE WESTERN DISTRIBUTOR ROAD:

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

AND AGREED

“Can Sligo County Council Roads Department bring forward a report on what measures can be taken for the traffic exiting Kevinsfort Heath, Seaview Park and all the other housing estates on the First Sea Road when the new Western Distributor Road is opened?”.

Director of Services, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, advised that the Roads Department is currently examining the locations and the impact of the opening of the Western Distributor Road will be assessed. Any measures deemed appropriate will be implemented subject to appropriate design and funding.

 

14.  FUNDING FOR PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY AND ENHANCEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE FORESHORE AREA AT CARTRON:

Proposed by Councillor A. Gibbons
Seconded by Councillor G. O’Boyle

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council would allocate funding to bring the pedestrian walkway known as ‘Mud-Lane, Cartron Foreshore’ up to a satisfactory standard of safety and accessibility for everyone, also to provide funding for the enhancement and development of the foreshore area”.

Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, reported that while development of the area would provide an attractive amenity for the Cartron area, there would be significant issues to be addressed in order to progress same. Examples of such issues included the fact that the walkway is not a public road, title of which needs to be clarified and its proximity to the Sligo Bay Special Area of Conservation and potential loss of habitats is likely to create its own challenges.

Mr. Kilfeather added that even if a potential scheme could be progressed through the design, planning and environmental stages, a source of funding would also need to be identified. He said that the scheme would be noted but without the additional staff resources and funding sources, it would be challenging to progress.  

 

15.  UPDATE ON NATIONAL SURF CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE:

Proposed by Councillor S. Maguire
Seconded by Councillor G. O’Boyle

AND AGREED

“This motion requests an update be provided on the National Surf Centre of Excellence in Strandhill”.

A/Director of Services, Mr. Bartley Gavin, informed Members that tenders have been received and a draft tender report was submitted to the Council in the last week which is currently being reviewed. Mr. Gavin explained that tender prices are above the estimated cost due to Covid-19 implications and construction inflation. He advised that a meeting is due to take place in the coming week with Fáilte Ireland where it is hoped that funding will be increased to cover the cost of the aforementioned Covid-19 implications.

In reply to a query from Councillor Maguire regarding a timeline for commencement of construction, Mr. Gavin advised that should the aforementioned issues in relation to project costs be resolved, it is hoped to sign contract documents in October 2020 with the construction works to last approximately fourteen months.

Councillor Maguire and Councillor Bree both acknowledged the amount of work undertaken on the project to date.

 

16.  CORRESPONDENCE:

Noted.

  

 

17.  ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

None. 

 

The business of the meeting concluded at 10.50 a.m.

 


Meeting Date 21/09/2020