Minutes 2021

Minutes of Budget Meeting of The Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District held on Monday 1st November 2021 at 09.45am in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Marie Casserly (Cathaoirleach)
  • Councillor Thomas Healy
  • Councillor Donal Gilroy
  • Councillor Tom Fox
  • Councillor Thomas Walsh (virtually)

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr. Martin Lydon, Chief Executive
  • Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
  • Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services
  • Ms. Marie Whelan, Head of Finance
  • Ms. Jane Golden, Staff Officer

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Marie Casserly, presided and welcomed all present to the meeting before handing proceedings over to Ms. Marie Whelan, Head of Finance.

 

1.  TO CONSIDER THE DRAFT 2022 BUDGETARY PLAN FOR THE SLIGO - DRUMCLIFF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT:

Ms. Whelan informed Members that the draft budgetary plan contained items of discretionary expenditure that apply to all three Municipal Districts.

Ms. Whelan went on to advise Members as follows:

  • The additional 15% LPT increase agreed by members equated to €804,391
  • There will be a gross amount of €400,000 for Housing Grants that will be match funded with €80,000 from the additional LPT 15% increase
  • There will be €100,000 from LPT allocated towards the ongoing Footpath Improvement Scheme along with funds from the Councils own resources
  • The balance of LPT equating to €624,391 will be allocated to Recreation and Amenity Capital Projects on a countywide basis

Members put forward queries in relation the Community and Voluntary Grants, LPT, the Foothpath Scheme and the imbalance regarding the distribution of funding between Municipal Districts which were answered by the Executive as follows:

  • It is hoped to maintain the level of funding available for the Community and Voluntary Grant Scheme as per previous years
  • Sligo County Council will keep 80% of LPT for local use with 20% going back into the Equalisation Fund for redistribution across all Local Authorities. Sligo will then be allocated an amount from the Equalisation Fund (20%)
  • The Foothpath Enhancement Scheme was delivered over recent years. The Active Travel Programme has a fund of €2.6 million which will see significant works carried out in 2022, to include foothpath works
  • It was emphasised that members make the final decisions about which roads are included in the various funding schemes
  • It was noted that there is an imbalance with regard to funding between the three Municipal Districts

The Budget was noted by all members.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Marie Casserly thanked the Executive.

The business of the meeting concluded at 10.05am.

 


Meeting Date 01/11/2021