Agendas 2016

Agenda of February Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held on Monday 1st February, 2016 at 11am


Sligo County Council
Corporate Services
County Hall
Riverside
Sligo

071 9111216

26th January, 2016

TO: THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held:

ON: Monday 1st February, 2016

AT: 11.00 a.m.

IN: Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo

You are requested to attend.

K. Colreavy
Administrative Officer

 

CLÁR

  1. To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Sligo held on 16th November, 2015 (Copy posted on extranet).
      
  2. To confirm the Minutes of the Special Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 11th January, 2016 (Copy posted on extranet). 
      
  3. To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 11th January, 2016 (Copy posted on extranet).  
      
  4. To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001, the disposal of the freehold interest in property at 77 St. Joseph’s Terrace, Sligo to Mr. Laurence McGarry Previously circulated and posted on extranet).  
      
  5. To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001, the disposal of property at 22 Collery Drive to Ms. Lisa McLoughlin (Previously circulated and posted on extranet).  
      
  6. To consider the Community and Voluntary Grants Scheme (Copy previously circulated and posted on extranet).  
     
  7. To approve in accordance with Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992, and Regulations there under, provision of financial assistance in the form of the Capital Assistance Scheme to the following Approved Housing Bodies, as per attached report:
    1. Oaklee Housing Trust Ltd
    2. Sophia Housing Association Ltd
    3. Focus Housing Association Ltd  (Report previously circulated and posted on extranet).  
        
  8. To seek approval to borrowing a sum not exceeding €13.5m by way of temporary overdraft for the 12 months from 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2017 (Report attached and posted on extranet).  
      
  9. To note the Monthly Management Report for December 2015 (Report to follow). 
      
  10. Progress Report on Business Improvement District (B.I.D) (Report to follow). 
      
  11. To consider the recommendations of the Assessment Panel for Grants under the Contributions to the Arts Scheme, 2016 (Report to follow).  
      
  12. To note requirements in relation to Local Government Act 2001 - Annual Ethics Declaration (Report attached and posted on extranet). 
      
  13. Proposed forthcoming presentations to the Council.

 

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Lundy:
    “To ask Sligo County Council to remove the burden of commercial rates from early childhood care and educational facilities in Co. Sligo, as is the case with all other educational premises, both public and private throughout the country.” 
      
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    "That Sligo County Council write to the Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe requesting funding for the feasibility study of the disused rail route as a greenway from Collooney to Bellaghy in County Sligo.”  
      
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That Sligo County resolves to include the following text and policies in regard to Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction, in the Draft County Development Plan 2017-2023:

    UNCONVENTIONAL GAS EXPLORATION AND EXTRACTION
    It is a strategic goal of the County Development Plan to adopt the ‘precautionary principle’ in respect of development where significant environmental implications are involved, in particular proposals for unconventional oil/gas exploration and extraction projects/operations.

    Further to this, the Council wishes to safeguard and nurture the unspoilt/green image and reputation of Sligo and the health of its present and future communities, centred on the rural characteristics of the County, agricultural activity, the landscape and its environmentally sensitive lands and water bodies – both surface and groundwater.

    This Council is cognisant of the significant ongoing controversy around, and the significant proven levels of risk associated with, unconventional oil/gas exploration and extraction internationally and acknowledges that the high volume of public objections to unconventional oil/gas exploration and extraction internationally, nationally and locally relate to potential and actual adverse impacts on the environment and human health, including impacts on:
    Local Communities;
    Local Infrastructures;
    Local Landscapes and Amenities;
    Water Quality and Water Supplies;
    Air Quality and Safety;
    Land/Soil Integrity;
    Agriculture;
    Tourism;
    Climate Change;
    Local Businesses;
    Property Prices.

    Objections are not solely restricted to the above.

    Applications for onshore exploration licences have been received for the Northwest Carboniferous Basin including parts of Leitrim and several other counties.

    It is acknowledged by this Council that there is significant and growing public concern in respect to the social, public health, economic and environmental impacts that may be associated with unconventional oil/gas exploration and extraction in County Sligo and adjacent counties.  This Council will endeavour to protect the rights of the people of Sligo and adjoining counties to be safe in their own communities and understands that short term national policy can have long term and permanent negative effects.

    In 2012 Sligo County Council adopted the following motion: “Recognising the dangers that hydraulic fracturing/fracking poses to water quality, to human safety and the general environment, this council resolves to work together with other local authorities in the region, to oppose the practice of hydraulic fracturing/fracking and we call on the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Irish Government to ban the practice of hydraulic fracturing/fracking North and South of the border.”

    Having regard to the foregoing, the Council has set out the following policy with regard to hydrocarbon exploration and extraction

    Policy (A) It is the policy of the Council to apply the precautionary principle to Unconventional Oil/Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE) projects/operations  proposed within the county.  Given the scientific evidence, and personal testimonies, of the risks of UGEE projects /operations and with the objective of avoiding the risk of serious danger to human health or the environment, it is therefore the policy of Sligo County Council that UGEE projects/operations shall not be permitted within the County of Sligo.

    Policy (B) It is the policy of the Council to carefully scrutinise any unconventional oil/gas exploration and extraction project/operation proposal outside the County where it may, due to geographical proximity, have a significant impact on the County and where available evaluation does not allow the risks to the environment of the region, the ecology of the region and human and animal health within the region to be determined with certainty.  It is also the policy of this Council in such cases to seek from the relevant authorities a comprehensive full life cycle Health Impact Assessment, together with a full life cycle analysis of all possible cumulative and permanent negative effects for the potential full development.

    Policy (C) It is the policy of the Council, in the eventuality that an outside body or bodies takes steps to overrule Policy (A) above, that a comprehensive full life cycle Health Impact Assessment, together with a full life cycle analysis of all possible cumulative and permanent negative effects for the potential full development, will be required for any proposal for oil/gas exploration and extraction projects located inside the County, as a mandatory component of the evaluation of any such proposals.

    Footnotes
    1. ‘Precautionary Principle’:- (http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001395/139578e.pdf)
    2. Unconventional Gas Exploration and Extraction (UGEE) refers both to the use and full life cycle of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of low permeability sources such as shale gas deposits, coal seams and tight sandstones.  The impacts of UGEE projects/operations to be considered are those arising from UGEE projects/operations in their totality, not just from fracking activities, including all stages of UGEE projects/operations, i.e, drilling, construction, commissioning, operation, decommissioning and aftercare as well as off -site and other developments.
    3. Including but not limited to the Compendium of Scientific, Medical, and Media Findings Demonstrating Risks and Harms of Fracking (Unconventional Gas and Oil Extraction) Concerned Health Professionals of NY, July 2014 (http://concernedhealthny.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/CHPNY-Fracking-Compendium.pdf) ”.

 

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “I ask that Sligo County Council calls on the Irish Government Minister for Heritage Heather Humphreys TD to intervene immediately to halt the current works on the historic Moore Street 1916 terrace which involve the virtual destruction of Number 18, the inappropriate encroachment on the National Monument 14-17 and the potential demolition of the remaining buildings on the terrace (10-25), based on the plan of the previous developer Chartered Land and also ask the Minister to work with the 1916 relatives and all relevant stakeholders to implement a new plan which would conserve and develop the terrace 10-25 and create an historic 1916 quarter, and not allow such shameful destruction in the Centenary of the Easter Rising to continue." 
      
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Kilgannon:
    “Sligo County Council welcomes the setting up of the Regional Jobs task forces. I will request this Council to invite Mr Richard Hanlon the Chairman of the Implementation Committee for the North-East and West to make a short presentation to this Council on what new Jobs will be created in Sligo Town and County in 2016”. 
      
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Kilgannon:
    “Sligo County Council calls on the Department of Education to put in place an ambitious strategy to restore and enhance the quality of our Education system”. 
      
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. Scanlon & Councillor J. Lundy:
    “This Council calls on the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs to formally ask the President of America and the U. S. Ambassador for waivers for the huge number of undocumented Irish citizens living and working in the United States of America. This opportunity will arise when the Taoiseach visits New York and Washington for next month’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations”. 
      
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. MacManus:
    To ask what progress - including all relevant efforts over the past eighteen months - has been made by Sligo County Council to address the dereliction of the building at Doorly Park known as “The Gatehouse”. 
      
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “The crash barrier that is erected at the junction of County Road 702 as part of the works to Temple Manor Estate, Ballinacarrow is blocking the newly constructed footpath. I am calling on the council to have this matter resolved to allow residents use the footpath without an obstruction”. 
      
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to offer support to the 28 farmers whose lands along the Sligo/Dublin rail line at Cluid and Knockadalteen, Ballymote as these are subject to constant flooding, in light of the recent statement by Irish Rail in which they stated that there are willing to cover 50% of the remedial work required to solve the flooding problem. I would appeal to Sligo Co. Co. to make a financial contribution to cover the other 50%. The total estimated cost of the full project would be in the region of €40,000." 
      
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “To call on Sligo County Council and other agencies to work with Coolaney Development Company who are seeking assistance with the upkeep and maintenance of Killoran old Cemetery, Coolaney which requires urgent work to make it accessible for relatives and visitors to the cemetery”. 
     
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. Scanlon:
    “To ask Sligo County Council to erect a barrier at Junction roads 293 and 640 at Deroon Ballymote”. 
      
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. Scanlon:
    “Ask Sligo County Council to apply for funding from the OPW to clear blockage on the contributory to the Unchin river at Carrownagark, Kilmorgan, Ballymote”. 
      
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “That this council supports financially the organisers of the County Fleadh which is taking place in Tubbercurry from the 30th May to 5th June”. 
      
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That Sligo County Council calls on Iarnród Éireann to provide an early morning commuter rail service from Longford serving all the stations - Dromod, Carrick, Boyle, Ballymote, Collooney into Sligo arriving in Sligo’s MacDiarmada Station before 9.00.a.m.” 
      
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the meeting be provided with a report regarding the re-establishment of the Council’s Disability Consultative Committee.” 
      
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Lundy:
    “To recognise the importance of the Rural Economic Development Zone (REDZ) for Tubbercurry and south Sligo and to acknowledge the work of the Chamber of Commerce in Tubbercurry and this Council in promoting this very important initiative for all of south Sligo in the promotion of employment and enterprise”. 
      
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    "That Sligo County Council call on the Government and the Minister for Health in particular to address the serious overcrowding and bed shortage at Sligo General Hospital as a matter of extreme urgency".
      
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “Ask the Director of Services to outline how much funding has been allocated by the Department towards class 1, 2 and 3 roads in the county for 2016”. 
      
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “Ask the County Manager when is Veolia contract completed with Sligo County Council”. 
      
  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “Ask the Director of Services to allocate funding for raising the height of wall along the sea front where new footpath was constructed on Cliff Road, Enniscrone”.  
      
  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “The continued closure of the R294 at Kilcoynes due to flooding is impacting on the lives of people in the general South Sligo area, also its having a negative impact on the businesses in Tubbercurry. Some are down over 30%. I ask the Director of Services for a detailed report on what measures the council propose to take to try and resolve the problem”. 
      
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Lundy:
    “I will ask if any funding is available in 2016 from the Department or the Council to start works on the very dangerous junction of roads 430/N17, known locally as “The Cashel gates” which is the most dangerous road junction on the N17 between Sligo and Galway”. 
      
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    "That Sligo County Council call on the Government to immediately increase the Carers allowance substantially considering carers save the state Billions".
      
  22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    "That Sligo County Council engineering staff review the Traffic flow at the Cleveragh/Pearse road junction as motorists are experiencing significant delays exiting from Cleveragh". 
      
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the Council be provided with a progress report in respect of the proposed taking in charge of the Lar Easa housing estate, Strandhill.”  
      
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. MacManus:
    “To ask the Council for any information it may have in relation to Irish Water’s intentions for the future development of Cairns Road and the Foxes Den Water facilities”. 
      
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor P. Taylor:
    “To ask the Director of services to make the resurfacing of the R293 at Rathmullen a priority over the coming months due to the dangers this stretch of road is causing to motorists”. 
      
  26. Votes of Sympathy 
     
  27. Votes of Congratulations 
      
  28. Conferences 
      
  29. To note the summary of proceedings of conferences attended in accordance with Section 142(5) (f) of the Local Government Act, 2001. 
      
  30. Correspondence:
    1. Letter dated 6th January, 2016 from the Department of Social Protection regarding the payment of a full Christmas Bonus.
    2. Letter dated 19th January from the office of the Taoiseach acknowledging resolution re. Council’s financial debts.
    3. Letter dated 19th January, 2016 from Mr. Aaron Forde, Chief Executive of Aurivo Co-Operative Society Ltd. re. meeting with Sligo County Council Members.
    4. Letter dated 19th January, 2016 from N.U.I.G. acknowledging Sligo County Council’s nomination of Councillor S. Kilgannon as a member of Údarás na hOllscoile.
    5. Letter dated 19th January, 2016 from the Office of Public Works acknowledging letter re. drainage works on the Owenmore River.
    6. Letter dated 19th January from the office of the Taoiseach acknowledging resolution re. Ballymote Court and closure of Garda Stations.
    7. Letter dated 19th January, 2016 from the Office of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources acknowledging resolution re. Corrib gas pipeline.
    8. Letter dated 20th January, 2016 from the Office of the Minister for Health acknowledging resolution re. Medical Cards.
    9. Invitation dated 21st January, 2016 from “The Sligo Association of Chicago” to attend their St. Patrick’s Day Parade on 12th March, 2016.
    10. Acknowledgement dated 21st January, 2016 from the Department of Justice and Equality re. Ballymote Court and re-opening of Garda Stations.
    11. Letter dated 21st January, 2016 from the Embassy of the United States of America acknowledging resolution re. undocumented Irish living in the United States.
    12. Acknowledgement dated 22nd January, 2016 from the Office of Public Works re. Storm Desmond.
    13. Acknowledgement dated 25th January, 2016 from the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade re. U. S. Waivers system.
    14. Letter dated 22nd January, 2016 from the Office of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation re. an Employment Regulation Order for the Childcare Sector. 
        
  31. Matters Arising from Minutes. 
      
  32. Any Other Business.

 

Download Agenda of February Ordinary Meeting - 1st February 2016 (PDF) - 116 kbs

 

 

 


Meeting Date 01/02/2016