Minutes 2024
Minutes of the Meeting of the Borough District of Sligo Held on Monday 29th January 2024 at 10.00 A.M. in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo.
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
- Councillor Declan Bree (Mayor)
- Councillor Sinead Maguire
- Councillor Tom Mac Sharry
- Councillor Arthur Gibbons
APOLOGIES:
- Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady
OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:
- Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services.
- Thomas Kerins, Acting Senior Executive Engineer.
- Adrian Grandison, Vacant Homes Officer.
- Declan Noone, Senior Executive Engineer.
- Tony Parkinson, Senior Executive Engineer.
- Paul O’Rourke, Senior Executive Engineer.
- Jude Mannion Staff Officer.
MAYOR:
Mayor, Declan Bree presided and welcomed all present to the meeting.
1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF BOROUGH DISTRICT OF SLIGO HELD ON 20th NOVEMBER 2023:
Proposed by Councillor A. Gibbons
Seconded by Councillor G O’Boyle
AND AGREED
“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Borough District of Sligo held on 20th November 2023”
2. MATTERS ARISING
No Matters Arising
3. UPDATE ON THE CROI CONAITHE TOWNS FUND (VACANT PROPERTY REFURBISHMENT GRANT)
Mr. A. Grandison gave a summary of applications received to date, within each MD. In the Borough District of Sligo 68 applications have been received, of which 47 have been inspected and a further 2 applications rejected. At the suggestion of the Mayor, the members agreed to consider Items Numbers 17 & 20 in tandem with the delivery of the report. With respect to Item No 17, proposed by Councillor O’Boyle and seconded by Councillor Gibbons, both expressed concern over the length of time it is taking to get derelict sites to planning stage with the developers in question. In response the Director of Services did advise that a specific staff team is now in place with over 150 files open and being investigated currently and regular Team meetings take place. However, with issues such as title, this is a complex body of work and will take time to work through. Compulsory Acquisition in the first instance is not always the most appropriate course according to Mr. Declan Noone, Senior Executive Engineer. The Mayor in support of the motion felt the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders has not been as favoured by the Executive in Sligo as it has been in other Local Authorities and that as a result Sligo now has a significant body of work on its hands. Councillor Maguire was pleased to hear of the creation of a new derelict sites team.
4.TO CONSIDER THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SERVICES REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION ON THE DRAFT PARKING PLACES BYE LAWS 2024 AND DRAFT CAR PARK BYE LAWS 2024
Mr. Paul O’Rourke, Senior Executive Engineer, introduced the report (circulated previously) and invited questions from the members. The Mayor sought clarity on the continuing status of the Taxi Rank on Harmony Hill. Mr Thomas Kerins, Acting Senior Executive Engineer advised that this will be considered at the next Appointed Stands Review, scheduled for Qtr 2 2024. Mr Kerins also informed the members that going forward, bye-laws may need to be reviewed and updated annually to keep abreast of changes. In response to Councillor O’Boyle, there is to be no increase in parking charges. Councillor Mac Sharry asked the members to be thinking about the reintroduction of Free Parking for Christmas 2024. All members wished to be associated with Councillor Gibbons comments on complimenting the Traffic Wardens for their prompt actions in dealing with misuse of disabled parking bays. Mr. Kerins will check the precise wording in the report in response to a query from Councillor Bree as to why a clampdown on the abuse of disabled parking bays is apparently to be just done during “Business Hours”. Councillor Gibbons proposed approving the report and this was seconded by Councillor Mac Sharry
5. ACTIVE TRAVEL / SLIGO RUGBY CLUB TO ST PATRICKS CHURCH
Proposed by Councillor S Maguire
Seconded by Councillor T Mac Sharry
AND AGREED
“To seek a report from the engineering department as to the proposals to address the dangerous situation for pedestrians in Strandhill travelling from the rugby club towards the church under the active travel plan. What are the plans to create a safe walking route to prevent a possible collision on this very busy stretch of road which is used by both cyclists and pedestrians”.
The Mayor asked that his motion, Item No. 11 be taken in tandem with this. Councillor Maguire welcomed the report that the Active Travel Team are progressing preliminary design and that public consultation is scheduled for Quarter 2 2024 and that all statutory and detailed design processes will be completed by Quarter 4 2024. She advised that Strandhill with the Queen Maeve Loop is now synominous with walking, but that this stretch is very unsafe. Councillor Bree reminded the members that reports prepared 3-4 years had outlined a conservative estimate of €225,000 for a 950 metre stretch and that this would be significantly higher now, but he too welcomed progress on this long running issue. Councillor Mac Sharry who seconded both motions was also pleased with the report and outlined how he frequently walks this loop.
6. PEDESTRIAN PATH AT STRANDHILL BEACH
Proposed by Councillor S Maguire
Seconded by Councillor A. Gibbons
AND AGREED
“Following the Winter storms this motion seeks that the Council repair the pedestrian path to the beach in Strandhill and the slipway to ensure safe access for all”.
Councillor Maguire welcomed the report and accepted that it wouldn’t be prudent to carry out any works prior to the end of the storm season, but she wished to highlight an immediate risk in that some metal bars are now protruding on the slipway.
7. BEACH WHEELCHAIR AT STRANDHILL
Proposed by Councillor S Maguire
Seconded by Councillor A Gibbons
AND AGREED
Given there are 7 wheelchair accessible parking places at the seafront in Strandhill this motion seeks an update as to the provision of a beach wheel chair in Strandhill and confirmation of where it will be housed to ensure that it is easily accessible to anyone wishing to access the beach”.
Councillor Maguire had hoped that with the opening of the National Surf Centre in Strandhill, that this matter would have been progressed further by now, given that other beach areas in the County have such a wheelchair. Councillor Bree in his capacity as chairperson of the Disability Consultative Committee welcomed the commitment by the executive to investigate the viability of the proposal and noted the success of a similar initiative in Mullaghmore. Both Councillors Bree & Gibbons expressed the view that access to the beach is a right for all.
8. TRAFFIC CALMING INNISFREE COURT
Proposed by Councillor T. McSharry
Seconded by Councillor A Gibbons
AND AGREED
“That Sligo MD engineering staff implement traffic calming measures at Innisfree Court Estate at the request of residents, in the interest of Health & Safety”
Councillor Mac Sharry welcomed the commitment to undertake a speed survey in the area as outlined in the report delivered by Mr. Thomas Kerins, Acting Senior Executive Engineer
9. COMMUNICATION WITH THE NTA REGARDING THE PROPOSED S3 BUS ROUTE
Proposed by Councillor T. McSharry
Seconded by Councillor A Gibbons
AND AGREED
“That Sligo MD make immediate contact with the NTA requesting an update on the provision of the S3 town bus service”.
Councillor Mac Sharry expressed disappointment that the NTA have failed for respond to the request issued previously by the members for a meeting. All members were in agreement and noted that previous engagements with the NTA on other matters had been successful. Councillor Bree commented on the quality of the data and research that the NTA had conducted for those engagements. In response, Mr. Thomas Kerins Acting Senior Executive Engineer advised that in his exchanges with the NTA, they have repeated their commitment to roll out the S3 in 2024, but cannot give a definitive date. Councillor Mac Sharry asked that further correspondence now be issued from the Chief Executive’s Office to express disappointment on the failure to agree to a meeting.
10. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ON ASYLUM SEEKERS
Proposed by Councillor T Mac Sharry
Seconded by Councillor D Bree.
AND AGREED
“That Sligo Municipal District Council call for a co-ordinated approach from government, including detailed communications between central government and local government in Sligo, to include providing all local public representatives with detailed information on all persons seeking asylum to be accommodated in our local community, together with all proposals to adequately provide supports and services relating to Health, Education and Housing”.
Councillor Bree in seconding this motion proposed the following addendum to same …” and further we welcome and endorse the recommendations contained in the recent report on Refugees and Integration produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth”….. This proposed addendum was seconded by Councillor O’Boyle.
The members first discussed the motion as presented by Councillor Mac Sharry.
The members debated the Governments record in housing and accommodating asylum seekers and refugees. Councillor Maguire asked that members be conscious of the unprecedented numbers presenting, in 2022 it was a 748% increase on previous years.
All members were in agreement that good communication is of paramount importance and integral and that the far right thrives where there is a lack of accurate information.
The matter of Councillor Brees addendum was then taken up. 3 members voted in favour of its insertion, Councillors Bree, Gibbons & O’Boyle. 2 members, Councillors Mac Sharry & Maguire abstained on the basis that they had not read the report to which the addendum refers too.
Councillor Mac Sharry then proposed that the motion be deferred to allow him time consider this addendum, however, this was defeated 3 votes to 2, Councillors Bree, Gibbons & O’Boyle voting against deferral, Councillors Mac Sharry & Maguire voting for deferral.
Councillor Maguire had also earlier in the discussions expressed concern at the inclusion of the word ‘detailed’ in Councillor Mac Sharrys
Motion as tabled. Councillor Bree therefore proposed that this wording be deleted, this was seconded by Councillor O’Boyle.
Accordingly, the substantive motion to be put before the members was revised as follows;
“That Sligo Municipal District Council call for a co-ordinated approach from government, including communications between central government and local government in Sligo, to include providing all local public representatives with information on all persons seeking asylum to be accommodated in our local community, together with all proposals to adequately provide supports and services relating to Health, Education and Housing, and further we welcome and endorse the recommendations contained in the recent report on Refugees and Integration produced by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth”….. .
11. FOOTPATHS STRANDHILL
The substantive motion as revised was carried by 3 votes in favour (Councillors Bree, Gibbons & O’Boyle) with 2 abstentions (Councillors Maguire & Mac Sharry)
Proposed by Councillor D Bree
Seconded by Councillor T Mac Sharry
AND AGREED
“To ask what progress has been made to identify possible grant aid/funding sources to allow the Council to construct a pedestrian footpath or footpaths on the R292 linking Strandhill village with the Dorrins Strand estate and the Queen Meave Trail.”
Refer to Item No. 5 above
12. INCOME REDUCTION SLIGO CEMETARY
Proposed by Councillor D Bree
Seconded by Councillor G O’Boyle
AND AGREED
“Aware that there has been no reduction in staffing levels at Sligo Municipal Cemetery, and further aware that the Council has been losing grave opening income of approximately €5,000 a month since August 2023, can the meeting be advised as to how this ongoing shortfall in income will impact on Council services including the operation and maintenance of our public parks, pitches and open spaces.”
Councillor Bree tabled this motion on foot of the contents of a response on a similar item tabled by Councillor O’Boyle previously. The response to the current motion was not considered satisfactory by the members to allay their concerns. All members expressed concern at the speculation of a possible privatisation of the service. It was agreed to refer this back to the executive and seek a comprehensive report on the matter to be presented at the next meeting
13. TIDAL POOL GIBRALTAR
Proposed by Councillor D Bree
Seconded by Councillor G O’Boyle
AND AGREED
“To ask the Engineering staff to examine the possibility of restoring a tidal swimming pool at Gibraltar as part of Phase 2 of the redevelopment of the area.”
Councillor Bree welcomed the report delivered by Mr. Thomas Kerins, Acting Senior Executive Engineer that the scope of work involved would be examined. All members were in agreement of how Gibraltar was historically an important amenity to the town, especially so since the closing and non-replacement of the Municipal Pool.
14. TRAFFIC CALMING STRANDHILL
Proposed by Councillor A Gibbons
Seconded by Councillor S Maguire
AND AGREED
“Noting that the NTA directed that the first project to be funded within Strandhill Village under the active travel program shall be from the rugby club to Saint Patrick’s Church, along the Burma Road, and the Top Rd, works are put on the long finger regardless of speeding traffic and lack of footpaths and pedestrian crossings to facilitate the children of all the estates accessing School, shops and friends, I am now calling on the roads department of this local authority in the Interest of health and safety to provide Traffic calming measures that include island in the middle of the roads, pedestrian crossing’s and to install footpaths where there are none”
Councillor Gibbons thanks Mr Thomas Kerins, Acting Senior Executive Engineer for informing the members that the Council will investigate the possibility of installing traffic calming measures in 2024. Councillor Gibbons reminded the members that this issue was first raised by Councillor Sean Mac Manus 15 – 20 years ago. Councillor Maguire agreed and commented on the dangers that the lack of a continuous footpath poses.
15. CARTRON FORESHORE
Proposed by Councillor A. Gibbons
Seconded by Councillor G O’Boyle
AND AGREED
““That this Borough District council of Sligo would be provided with a full up to date report on when the works to upgrade mud lane Cartron foreshore. Has this project gone out to tender yet and if so when will work start and how long do you expect this work to take”
Councillor Gibbons welcomed the report which advised that the preferred contractor has been identified and that works are expected to commence before the end of Qtr 1 with a works period of 5-6 weeks. This issue was first raised by him in 1999, but with the area in question under the remit of the then separate Harbour Authority, works didn’t proceed at that time. He thanked all including the Chief Executive for assisting with this now
16. SANDING OF PITCHES
Proposed by Councillor G O’Boyle
Seconded by Councillor S Maguire
AND AGREED
That Sligo County Council review the timing of sanding pitches”
Councillor O’Boyle asked that the timing of pitch sanding and verti draining be reviewed. In 2023, this work took place at the end of August / beginning of September, when season itself commences and as a result pitches were unplayable, which placed a financial burden on clubs who had to hire other pitches to train and fulfil fixtures on. Mr. Thomas Kerins agreed to notify the parks department of this issue
17. CPOs AND DERELICT SITES
Proposed by Councillor G O’Boyle
Seconded by Councillor Gibbons
““That the Chief Executive immediately initiate Compulsory Purchase Orders on all properties in Sligo on the Derelict Sites Register”
Taken in tandem with Item No. 3 above
18. PROTECTIVE BARRIERS HYDE BRIDGE
Proposed by Councillor G O’Boyle
Seconded by Councillor Tom Mac Sharry
AND AGREED
“That Sligo County Council put in protective barriers under Hyde Bridge
Councillor O’Boyle in tabling the motion did so on foot of enquiries from fishermen who felt it could improve salmon numbers. However, he accepted the response from Mr. Thomas Kerins, Acting Senior Executive Engineer that such a measure would not be appropriate given that the area is in the Lough Gill SAC and the effect it could have on aquatic life. Councillor O’Boyle did add that such barriers could be of assistance and cited with the recent drowning tragedy and in the recovery of victims and he felt this was something to consider.
19. ROAD MARKING KEVINSFORT
Proposed by Councillor R. O’Grady
Seconded by Councillor
DEFERRED
“That the Road Markings be upgraded at Kevinsfort Strandhill Rd”.
20. DERELICT PROPERTIES HOLBORN HILE
Proposed by Councillor R. O’Grady
Seconded by Councillor
DEFERRED
“That an update be provided on the derelict properties on Holborn Hill”.
21. ROADS & FOOTPATHS PEARSE CRESCENT
Proposed by Councillor R. O’Grady
Seconded by Councillor
DEFERRED
“ That a review of Road and Footpath surfaces at Pearse Crescent be carried out”
22. CORRESPONDENCE
There were no items of correspondence.
23. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Mayor wished to extend sympathies on his behalf and of the members to Meetings Administrator Jude Mannion and family on the recent untimely death of his brother Declan.
Dates for the remaining 2 No. meetings of this Council term were suggested and agreed as March 25th & May 29th.
The Director of Services also raised the matter of repeat notices of motion as defined by Standing Orders and for members to be mindful of this. The Mayor concurred and it was agreed that the meetings administrator would consult with the Mayor in future in advance of issuing the agenda, where such an repeat motion issue may have arisen
The business of the meeting concluded at 12.05pm.
Meeting Date 29/01/2024