Minutes 2022

Minutes of Budget Meeting of Sligo - Drumcliff Municipal District held on Monday 24th October 2022 at 10.00am in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo & Via Ms Teams


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

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

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr. Martin Lydon, Chief Executive
  • Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
  • Mr. Jim Molloy, Director of Services
  • Ms. Marie Whelan, Head of Finance
  • Mr. Declan Noone,
  • Ms. Margaret McConnell, Senior Executive Officer
  • Ms. Jane Golden, Staff Officer

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Tom Fox, presided and welcomed all present to the meeting and proposed the meeting be adjourned as a mark of respect on the death of Councillor Thomas Healy’s father, Mr. Michaél Healy, RIP.

Proposed by: Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by: Councillor T. Walsh

The meeting reconvened at 10.25am

 

1.  TO CONSIDER THE DRAFT 2023 BUDGETARY PLAN FOR THE SLIGO - DRUMCLIFF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT:

Ms. M. Whelan informed Members that the draft budgetary plan contained items of discretionary expenditure that apply to all three Municipal Districts.  These figures include the adopted 2022 budget along with similar proposals for the 2023 Budget.

Ms. Whelan went on to advise Members as follows:

  • The amount of Sligo County Councils LPT as notified in Circular Fin 08/2022 (revised) being €4,488,012 determines the value of the additional 15% for the Council to be €673,202 for 2023; a reduction on the 2022 amount of €131,189, due to amount collected by the Revenue Commissioners in Sligo in the lower valuation band under €200,000 now being over 67%
  • In 2023 we are continuing to provide a gross amount of €400,000 for Housing Grants that will be match funded with €80,000 from the additional LPT 15% increase.
  • €100,000 from the LPT towards the ongoing Footpath Improvement Scheme along with funds from the Councils own resources
  • Recreation and Amenity Capital Projects has the balance of LPT €493,202 on a County Wide basis
  • With no other additional income all other lines in this draft budgetary plan are stated at the 2022 budget amounts
  • Concerns for 2023 include inflation, cost of energy, reduced revenue from parking and compensation for pay increases

Councillor T. Fox thanked Ms. M. Whelan for the budget report.  Members put forward queries in relation the Community and Voluntary Grants, Housing, revenue received from car parking, the Foothpath Scheme and the imbalance regarding the distribution of funding between Municipal Districts which were answered by the Executive as follows:

  • It was highlighted that there is an imbalance with regard to funding between the three Municipal Districts, however, it was noted that the Sligo – Drumcliff MD is on a par with the Borough District of Sligo re: Housing Maintenance and an agreed Schedule of Works is in place for 2022 for the MD area
  • It is hoped to maintain the level of funding available for the Community and Voluntary Grant Scheme as per previous years
  • The Foothpath Enhancement Scheme for 2022 is currently being completed with a programme for 2023 to be put in place
  • A shortfall in revenue from car parking has to be incorporated due to less car parking spaces being available going forward
  • Round three of the Local Live Performance Programming Scheme is currently being completed
  • The difficulties in the provision of social/private housing was highlighted. A piece of work looking at the economic viability of affordability of social housing in the county is being carried out. This will provide evidence-based information.  Agreement will then be required from the Department that proposed schemes meet the needs of people in Sligo.  All members agreed that more needs to be done in relation to the provision of housing
  • LPT is accounted for until 2024 and will bring in €22 million into the County

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Tom Fox and all Members thanked the Executive and staff for their responses.  It was then

Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly

AND AGREED

“To adopt the Draft 2023 Budgetary Plan for the Sligo – Drumcliff Municipal District”

The business of the meeting concluded at 11.25am.

 


Meeting Date 24/10/2022