Minutes 2024

Minutes of Special Meeting of the Borough District of Sligo Held on Monday 9th December 2024 at 10.00 A.M. in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo.


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor T. MacSharry
  • Councillor Declan Bree
  • Councillor Arthur Gibbons
  • Councillor Nessa Cosgrove
  • Councillor Fergal Nealon
  • Councillor Gino O'Boyle

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services.
  • Mr. Frank Moylan, Senior Planner
  • Ms. Leonora McConville, Executive Planner
  • Mr. Michael Carty, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr. Tony Parkinson, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr. John O'Hara, Assistant Architect
  • Ms. Orla Murrin, Staff Officer

 

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr. Jamie Murphy.

 

MAYOR:

Councillor T. MacSharry presided.

 

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MEETING:

The Mayor Councillor MacSharry welcomed all present.

 

1. UPDATE ON PROPOSALS FOR SLIGO GAOL DEVELOPMENT, TO INFORM FUTURE THRIVE FUNDING APPLICATION.

Mr. Carty presented the report that was circulated to the members prior to the meeting. This report is an update to Members of the Borough of Sligo Municipal District regarding the proposed Local Authority led development at Sligo Gaol, Abbeyquarter North, involving the development of the Sligo Gaol Complex. Preparation of Chief Executive’s Report including Planner’s Report for the January plenary Ordinary Council Meeting for consideration. The next step for this project, if the Part 8 is approved by the members of

Sligo County Council is to apply to the THRIVE- STRAND 2 for funding of up to €7.0m, opening in January 2025, to proceed to the next stage of the process.  Following a questions and answers discussion, the Mayor on behalf of all the members, thanked Mr. Carty and the staff involved for the considerable work that they have already undertaken to get the project to this stage.

AND NOTED.

 

2. PRESENTATION BY MR. JAMIE MURPHY SLIGO ROVERS FOOTBALL & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OFFICER.

Mr Murphy thanked the Mayor and Elected Members for the invite to present at the Municipal District Meeting. The presentation was circulated to members prior to the meeting. Mr Murphy outlined the approach taken to the role has been a bottom-up approach, working with stakeholders and organisations that can offer support and identifying groups that would benefit from the programmes on offer, such as disability groups, IPAS Centres, to encourage as many people as possible. Some of the programmes already delivered are Health and Wellbeing initiatives to promote physical and mental health within vulnerable groups. At the heart of the work undertaken is the ethos of football for all, anti-racism through intercultural and integration events, and sustainability. All the members were in support of the work being undertaken and wish Mr Murphy continued success in the role.  

 

3. THE PUBLIC REALM ENHANCEMENT PROJECT FOR SHORE FRONT AND SHORE ROAD, STRANDHILL.

The Mayor asked for the requested drawings, circulated to members prior to the meeting, to be displayed on the screen for those in attendance.

Ms Leonora McConville then outlined the proposed design for Strandhill Public Realm.

Councillor Gibbons and Councillor MacSharry both voiced concerns that the removal of any car parking spaces along the shorefront would impact on the publics use of the area and may have a negative effect on businesses.

Other Councillors asked for clarification on the design, particularly in the overall number and type of designated parking proposed. A discussion followed on the possibility of a parallel access to the shorefront, the results of the previous public consultation undertaken, the possibility of short-stay car parking spaces, the timing of the works and the possibility of rate abatement for businesses in the area.

Ms McConville then answered questions on the previously carried out public consultation, and the possibility of consideration of short-stay car parking.

Mr Moylan confirmed that the next stage for the project to go through a formal public consultation Part 8 process. The drawings will go on public display and submissions are invited from the public.

Mr Moylan stated that after the public consultation is completed, a Chief Executive’s Report is prepared which summarises all the submissions received, then and gives the Chief Executive’s Recommendation in relation to the development. This report is then given to the Council for their consideration. The elected members can decide to accept the proposal as proposed or with modifications.

If the Part 8 is successful it allows the executive to go to the next stage, in relation to RRDF funding, which is expected to be announced early next year.

The Mayor highlighted the importance for all stakeholders to have an input during the Part 8 process and expressed concern that the redesign may have a negative economic impact.

DoS Ms Clarke stated that statistically where public realm enhancement projects have been undertaken, they have been of great benefit to the locality and have a positive impact on business activity.

The Mayor stated that all the members are in favour of funding for public realm developments in the Municipal District, particularly where the works carried out would improve road safety and the publics use of outdoor spaces.

AND NOTED.

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The Mayor on behalf of the members present, thanked the DoS, Ms Clarke and wished her every success on her upcoming retirement. The Mayor thanked Ms Clarke for her professionalism, dedication, and support to the Councillors, staff and people of Sligo throughout her career.

AND NOTED:

 

The business of the meeting concluded at 12:36 am.


Meeting Date 09/12/2024