Agendas 2016

Agenda of July Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held on Monday 4th July, 2016


Corporate Services
County Hall
Riverside
Sligo

071 9111216

E-mail:  meetings@sligococo.ie

28th June, 2016

TO:  THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held:

ON:  Monday 4th July, 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 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 13th June, 2016 (Copy attached and posted on Extranet).
  2. To confirm Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 20th June, 2016  (Copy to follow).
  3. To note the Monthly Management Report for May 2016 (Previously circulated and posted on Extranet).
  4. To approve, in accordance with the Local Government (Planning & Development) Acts 2000-2010, Part XI, Section 179, and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2010, Part 8 (Article 81) as amended , the construction of dwelling house and septic tank with percolation area and all associated development works at Caltragh, Culleens, Co. Sligo.(Previously circulated).
  5. 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 Body, as per attached report dated 15thJune 2016:
    • Focus Housing Association Ltd. 
    (Previously circulated).
  6. To nominate one Member to the Joint Homelessness Consultative Forum for the North West Region  (Report attached and posted on Extranet).
  7. Sligo Tourism – to receive a presentation.
  8. Report on Performance Indicators 2014  (previously circulated).
  9. Taxation of payments under Special Resolution Fund (SRF).
  10. Title of Municipal District (Ballymote–Tobercurry)  (Report to follow). 
  11. Taking in charge of Estates.
  12. To establish Committee to discuss Draft County Development Plan (rural housing).
  13. Report on Bathing Water Prohibition Notice  (Report to follow).

 

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “Noting that the Council at its February meeting agreed to consider the motion on Fracking when the draft County Development Plan is presented for consideration.

    This Council now 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) ”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
    “Seeks a report as to the strategic infrastructure and environmental assessment undertaken regarding the development of the Wild Atlantic Way”.
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “Ask the Director of Services what needs to be done to enable Enniscrone beach to regain its blue flag status”.
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “To call on the Minister for Agriculture to address the dairy crisis: 1) To underpin price paid to Farmers and 2) To investigate why the Processors and big Supermarkets have not passed on price reduction to the Consumers”.   
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    “That Sligo County Council would resurface the road at Cloonmull lane, Drumcliffe, Sligo".
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “This Council is opposed to Fracking recognizing the extreme danger posed by this practice and will bar all fracking in any future commercial and / or strategic development plans”.

 

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “That Sligo County Council, as a matter of urgency, secures funding for the upgrading of the L7311 at Cregg, Rosses Point”.
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “That Sligo County Council seek an update from Health Minister, Simon Harris, on the provision of the Cardiac Catherization Unit for Sligo University Hospital”.
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Kilgannon and Councillor J. Lundy:
    “To request Sligo County Council, on a once-off basis, to provide funding in the 2017 Estimates for the Western Drama Festival as they are hosting the all Ireland confined Drama Finals in Tubbercurry next April.”
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
    “In light of the completely inappropriate nature of a mass trial, the length of the delay before his trial and the lack of evidence provided against him, this council calls on Egypt to immediately release Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa and asks An Taoiseach Enda Kenny to write to the Egyptian embassy to convey our views”.
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. MacSharry:
    "That Sligo County Council engineering staff address the serious problems with the road L7311 at Cregg-CreggConnell, lower Rosses Point, Sligo as a matter of urgency in the interests of Health and Safety".
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. MacManus:
    “To ask for a report detailing the steps taken to date by Sligo County Council to provide an extension to the burial capacity of Sligo Cemetery”.
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor K. Henry:
    “To ask Irish Rail to explain their pricing structures for online and ticket machine facilities for journeys to and from Dublin Connolly and why passengers are asked to pay extortionate prices if they wish to purchase tickets on the day of travel or few days leading up to it”.
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “Ask the Director of Services has Sligo County Council applied to N.R.A. for funding to construct overlay on road N59 from Dromore West to Mayo border”.
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “Ask the Elected Members to invite Bobby Kerr to make presentation regarding the future of post offices in Ireland at Council Meeting”.
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. MacManus:
    “That this Council be provided with a report detailing the number of vacant Council owned housing units in the Sligo Municipal Area.

    This report should also contain:
    1. A breakdown of vacant housing unit numbers in each of the areas of choice [as per the Social Housing Application Form] in the Sligo Municipal Area;
    2. A breakdown of how many units in each of these areas has been vacant for more than six months;
    3. An estimated cost per vacant unit to make it habitable;
    4. An estimated timeframe of when these vacant units will be ready for re-allocation.
    5. Details of any applications seeking funding to refurbish these vacant units.”
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Kilgannon:
    “Following the Government’s Summer Economic Statement, this Council calls on the Minister for Finance that the 330 million available for tax measures in 2017 should be targeted to benefit low and middle income earners.”
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “In light of the problems associated with illegal dumping and the rapid increases in private charges, this council demands that we take waste disposal back into public ownership.”
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the Council be provided with a report on proposals to resurface the stretch of road linking the top of Cregg Hill with the Ballyweelin/Lower Rosses junction (L-7311).”
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the Council be provided with a report on proposals to provide a new burial ground/cemetery in Rosses Point.”  
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That draft proposals for the introduction of traffic calming measures on the Glen Road and other roads on the Coolera Peninsula be prepared and costed.”
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Kilgannon:
    “To ask Sligo County Council for a progress report on the extension to Rosses Point Graveyard”.
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to carry out an inspection on the bridge in Ballisadare as a number of railings are missing and a child could slip through them this is a concern to everyone that uses this bridge”.
  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to write to the owners of a disused shed which is opposite the sewerage plant in Collooney as this is a eye sore as well as a dumping ground”.
  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To ask Sligo County Council to call on Irish water to address the on going sewerage problems in Ballisodare one at St John's school and the estate known as Bushy Park”.
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “That Sligo County Council, as a matter of urgency, seek land for an extension to Rosses Point Cemetery”.
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “That this Council calls on Bus Eireann to provide a Bus Shelter at a suitable location at Curry”.
  22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “As a interim measure last year Irish Rail cut back the hedge along the Ballymote/ Bunninadden Road (R296) which improved visibility for motorists exiting from the Railway Station and the Church car park. Following it they carried out a detailed survey of the junction. I ask the Director of Services have the council got the results of the survey and what is proposed?”
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to support Ballymote Community Enterprise to ensure the mini rail train which runs on the mini track in Ballymote Town Park will operate in the months of July and August and at weekends recognising this tourist facility is one of its type in the county.  I acknowledge the great work already done in the town park by the Ballymote Community”.
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “To call on Sligo County Council, Bord Fáilte and the relevant State Bodies like the Department of Regional Development, Rural affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht to work together to explore the possibility of County Sligo attracting such world famous TV shows like “Game of Thrones” as filming may leave Northern Ireland due to Britain’s vote to exit the EU.  Recognising that, at the moment, HBO the American Television network relies on financial aid from the EU’s European Regional Development Fund to assist in the making of this very costly, world famous TV show.  With a smaller budget, and if EU funding is to stop, it would be harder for the show to create its over the top scenes a lot of which are filmed in Northern Ireland for up to six months of the year.  Some film companies have been granted millions of Euros in European grants to film in Northern Ireland.  If the U.K. is no longer part of the EU, this funding has the potential to go elsewhere and why not to Sligo?”
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to paint directional arrows or a safe turning bay on the N4 road at Cloonamahon turning onto L3606 link road to the N17”.
  26. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
    “That Sligo County Council will establish the reason for the substantial decrease received this year by Sligo from the PEACE IV funding”.
  27. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “I call on Sligo County Council to write to the Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, to reduce the registration fees for students, address the student accommodation crisis, and raise the maintenance grant”.
  28. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “What is the up-to-date position on completion of works at Connolly Park, Tubbercurry?”
  29. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor H. Keaney:
    "That this Council calls on Irish Water to approve the replacement of 700 metres of water main on a section of the road from Carney bridge to Drumcliff as this section is to be overlaid with tarmacadam within the next few months".
  30. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. MacManus:
    “That Sligo County Council resume the flying of our National Flag at both County Hall and City Hall during opening hours and on national holidays”.
  31. Votes of Sympathy.
  32. Votes of Congratulations.
  33. Conferences/Training (Copy attached and posted on Extranet).
  34. To note the summary of proceedings of conferences attended in accordance with Section 142(5) (f) of the Local Government Act, 2001.
  35. Correspondence:
    1. Letter dated 7th June, 2016 from Simon Harris, T.D., Minister for Health re. Sligo County Council’s resolution concerning the location of the new children’s Hospital on the St. James’s campus, Dublin (previously circulated).
    2. Letter sent by Dungarvan/Lismore Municipal District to Minister Coveney regarding the Part 5 exclusion to the Tenant Purchase Scheme – copy circulated to all local authorities for support.
    3. Letter dated 15th June, 2016 from the Office of Minister Coveney re. pay by weight charges.
    4. Acknowledgement dated 14th June, 2016 from the Office of Minister Donohoe re. Council’s resolution concerning installation of burglar alarms.
    5. Letter dated 17th June, 2016 from Mr. Marc MacSharry, T.D. enclosing copy of his request to Minister Coveney for meeting with Sligo County Council deputation.
    6. Letter dated 14th June from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council re. green waste charges.
    7. Letter dated 17th June, 2016 from the Office of the Minister for Social Protection re. resolution concerning payments through Post Offices.
    8. Letter dated 20th June, 2016 from Enterprise Ireland and I.D.A. Ireland re. Council’s resolution concerning meeting with Minister Mary Mitchell-O’Connor.
    9. Letter dated 20th June, 2016 from Minister Shane Ross re. rail services resolution.
    10. Letter dated 20th June, 2016 from Department of Social Protection re. payments through Post Office network.
    11. Letters dated 15th June, 2016 from Mr. John Hayes, Chief Officer, H.S.E. concerning Council’s resolution re. cuts to Home Help Hours (a) Ref. DG Ref. 404437 and (b) Ref. REPDR/16/01605.
    12. Acknowledgement dated 21st June from the Office of Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (re. resolution concerning pay equalisation).
    13. Acknowledgement dated 21st June from the Office of the Taoiseach re. resolution agreed by the Council in relation to insurance premiums.
    14. Letter dated 15th June, 2016 from Gearóid Ó Conluain, N.U.I. Galway notifying of Sligo County Council of resignation of Councillor Seamus Kilgannon as a member of Údarás na hOllscoile.
    15. Letter dated 21st June, 2016 from Grant Thornton re. McCormack Group.
    16. Acknowledgement dated 21st June, 2016 from the Office of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality (concerning resolution re. Garda matters).
    17. E-mail from Deputy Eamon Scanlon re. request for meeting with Minister Coveney.  (Copies posted on Extranet).
  36. Matters Arising from Minutes.
  37. Any Other Business.

 


Meeting Date 04/07/2016