Minutes 2011

Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 10th January, 2011 in County Hall, Riverside, Sligo at 11am


MEMBERS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Baker, 
  • Councillor Barrett, 
  • Councillor Barry, 
  • Councillor Bree, 
  • Councillor Clarke, 
  • Councillor Collery, 
  • Councillor Devins, 
  • Councillor Fleming, 
  • Councillor Gormley, 
  • Councillor Healy McGowan, 
  • Councillor Keaney, 
  • Councillor Leonard, 
  • Councillor Lundy, 
  • Councillor MacManus, 
  • Councillor McGrath, 
  • Councillor McLoughlin, 
  • Councillor Mullaney, 
  • Councillor Mulvey 
  • Councillor Queenan

IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr H. Kearns, County Manager
  • Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services 
  • Mr T. Kilfeather, Director of Services
  • Ms P. R. Gallagher, A/Director of Services
  • Ms M. Leydon, Head of Finance
  • Mr T. Brennan, Senior Engineer
  • Mr D. Harrison, Acting Senior Engineer
  • Mr F. O’Driscoll, Acting Senior Engineer
  • Mr S. O’Toole, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr J. Murphy, Senior Executive Officer
  • Ms F. Loughlin, Staff Officer
  • Mr F. Mac Nabb, Meetings Administrator

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor J. Leonard presided.

1. MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 6TH DECEMBER, 2010:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on the 6th December, 2010.”

2. MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON 29TH NOVEMBER, 2010:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of the Special Meeting held on the 29th November, 2010.”

3. MINUTES OF THE SLIGO DRUMCLIFFE AREA MEETING HELD ON 11TH OCTOBER, 2010:

Proposed by Councillor J. Devins
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of Sligo Drumcliffe Electoral Area meeting held on 11th October, 2010”

4. MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED SLIGO DRUMCLIFFE AREA MEETING HELD ON 18TH OCTOBER, 2010:

Proposed by Councillor J. Devins
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of adjourned Sligo Drumcliffe Electoral Area meeting held on 18th October, 2010”

5. MINUTES OF THE BALLYMOTE AREA MEETING HELD ON 14TH OCTOBER, 2010:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor T. Collery

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of the Ballymote Electoral Area meeting held on 14th October, 2010”

6. MINUTES OF THE BALLYMOTE AREA MEETING HELD ON 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2010:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor T. Collery

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of the Ballymote Electoral Area meeting held on 30th September, 2010”

7. MINUTES OF THE BALLYMOTE AREA MEETING HELD ON 30TH AUGUST, 2010:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor T. Collery

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of the Ballymote Electoral Area meeting held on 30th August, 2010”

8. MINUTES OF THE BALLYMOTE AREA MEETING HELD ON 4TH JUNE, 2010:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor T. Collery

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of the Ballymote Electoral Area meeting held on 4th June, 2010”

9. TO CONSIDER STATUTORY AUDIT REPORT  FOR YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER, 2009:

A general discussion took place on this item and it was then,

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

“That this Council having considered the contents of the Statutory Audit Report to the Members of the Council for the year ending 31st December, 2009, expresses deep concern at its contents, and resolves that it be forwarded to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for investigation as a matter of urgency”

Following further discussion and as agreement could not be reached, the Cathaoirleach called for a vote:

FOR:  Bree, Gormley, MacManus
AGAINST: Collery, Devins, Fleming, Keaney, Leonard, McGrath, Mulvey
ABSTENTIONS: Barry, Clarke, Healy McGowan

As the result was 3 For, 7 Against with 3 Abstentions, the Cathaoirleach declared the motion lost.

It was then,

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor T. Collery

AND AGREED  

“To note the statutory audit report on the accounts of Sligo County Council for the year ended 31st December 2009”

10. NOMINATE 2 NO. MEMBERS TO BORDER COUNTIES RAIL GROUP:

This item was deferred with the agreement of the meeting.

11. REMOVE STANDING CHARGE ON WATER METERS:

This item was withdrawn with the agreement of the meeting.

12. UPDATE ON LIKELY START DATE OF STRANDHILL SEWERAGE SCHEME:

This item was deferred with the agreement of the meeting.

13. UPDATE ON PROVISION OF PLAYGROUND FACILITIES AT STRANDHILL:

This item was deferred with the agreement of the meeting.

14. REQUEST NO CHANGE IN FUNDING FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF COUNTY ROADS OR COUNCILLORS PROPOSALS:

This item was withdrawn with the agreement of the meeting.

15. PROVIDE GRITTING MATERIAL FOR ALL VILLAGES IN BALLYMOTE ELECTORAL AREA:

Proposed by Councillor T. Collery
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

“To ask Sligo County Council to provide salt for all of the Villages in the Ballymote Electoral Area”In response, Mr. S. O’Toole,  Senior Executive Engineer stated the following:

It is not proposed to provide salt for all villages in the Ballymote Electoral Area because of the financial constraints involved. We will continue to provide the best service we can as far as is reasonably practicable.

16. REQUEST REPORT ON BARNA WASTE COLLECTION:

This item was deferred with the agreement of the meeting.

It was agreed that items 17, 21 and 22 be taken together.

17. LOUGH EASKEY WATER TREATMENT PLANT:

Proposed by Councillor M. Clarke
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

“To call on Sligo County Council to reroute into solid ground the trunk main supply to Lough Easkey Treatment Plant, following a major burst on the trunk main supplying the Lough Easkey water treatment plant on Monday morning last 22nd December 2010, there was a complete loss of raw water supply into the treatment plant and consequently the production of treated water into the Lough Easkey water supply scheme resulting in the distribution network to stop, causing major damage in homes throughout West Sligo”

In response, Mr. D. Harrison, Acting  Senior Engineer stated the following:

Sligo County Council is carrying out an assessment of the existing raw water trunk main supplying the Lough Easkey water treatment plant. This assessment will determine the most feasible solution for the repair of the existing pipeline and also the longer term strategy to secure the reliability of raw water supply for the Lough Easkey water supply scheme. We will update the Council in due course on the outcome of this assessment process.

21. REQUEST COSTINGS  REPORT ON DAMAGE CAUSED BY SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS:

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor T. McLoughlin

“That this Council be provided with reports and costings as to the damage caused by the severe weather conditions to;

  1. a) Local and Regional roads; 
  2. b) Water Supply Schemes and further proposes that a submission be made to the Department of the Environment to provide the extra funding that is necessary to carry out the works”
In response, Mr T. Kilfeather Director of Services stated the following:  

  1. a) The Roads Department is currently carrying out a survey of the Regional and Local Road Network to ascertain the severity and extent of damage due to the recent severe cold weather. An estimate of the cost of carrying out the necessary repairs will be prepared. A submission will be made to the Department of the Environment/Department of Transport requesting supplementary grants to cover the costs involved.
  2. b) Leak detection and repair works on public water supply schemes as a result of the recent adverse weather conditions are ongoing at present and will continue for a number of weeks. Following completion of these works the Council will collate the associated costs involved and make a submission to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for the recoupment of this expenditure.

22. REQUEST REPORT ON DAMAGE CAUSED BY SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN COUNCIL’S HOUSING STOCK:

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor P. McGrath

“In a number of the Councils own housing estates a problem exists whereby the main water pipes are not low enough resulting in them freezing every year; I am calling on this Council to carry out a survey on their housing stock and to take measures to resolve the matter and; b) Where mains piping is attached to bridges that the Council ensure its properly lagged to prevent the water from freezing” 

In response to query on housing estates, Ms. D. Clarke Director of Services stated the following:
The Housing Department are aware that water mains froze externally in Kilboglashy Ballisodare, Camross Ballymote, Clonshaonbally, Culfadda and Brucach ns Faoirse, Geevagh in both winter 2009/2010 and winter 2010/2011. There was also a problem with water mains freezing annually at Siverdales Ballinacarow but this was rectified in early 2009. 

Reports will be drafted by the Housing Department on the 4 estates listed above to identify the problem locations. 

In response to query on water mains at Bridges, Mr T. Kilfeather, Director of Services stated the following:

Sligo County Council will review locations where water mains are attached to bridge structures in the context of the recent adverse weather conditions and upgrade insulation standards if required.

It was further 

Proposed by Councillor P. McGrath
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to liaise with Sligo Institute of Technology in identifying plastic materials that will have a positive reaction to frost”

18. REQUEST REPORT ON INTEREST PAYABLE ON TERM LOAN OF €15 M:

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

“That the Council be provided with a report indicating the amount of interest being paid on the term loan of €15million which was authorised in 2010 and further that a full report be provided to the Council indicating where the borrowed money was expended”

Mr H. Kearns, County Manager indicated this would be dealt with when the final accounts for 2010 were being prepared which was likely to be in April/May, 2011.  

This was agreed.

19. REQUEST REPORT ON WATER SUPPLY PROBLEMS TO HOUSEHOLDS BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND SEA ROADS, STRANDHILL:

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

AND AGREED

“Recognising that since road widening took place some years back, households on portion of the Strandhill Road between the 1st and 2nd Sea Roads have experienced significant difficulties with the water supply to their homes during frosty periods, the Council asks that complaints relating to the matter be investigated and a full report on the matter be provided to the Council”

Mr H. Kearns, County Manager indicated that a report would issue in due course.

20. REQUEST REPORT ON PROPERTY RENTED BY THE COUNCIL:

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

AND AGREED

“That the Council be provided with a report, including the identity of each property rented by the Council, the purpose for which each property is used by the Council, the annual rent paid for each property and the rent paid per square ft, the date on which the rental agreement was entered into in respect of each property”

Mr H. Kearns, County Manager indicated that a report would issue in due course.

23. VOTES OF SYMPATHY:

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

AND AGREED

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Tom Brett, on the death of his wife, Mai” 

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to James Brett, on the death of his mother, Mai”

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Denis Gavaghan, on the death of his father, Peadar”

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Nathy Gallagher, on the death of his mother, Bridie”

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to John Joe Gallagher, on the death of his mother, Bridie”

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey
Seconded by Councillor P. McGrath

AND AGREED

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Hazel Clarke, on the death of her mother, Doris”

Proposed by Councillor S. MacManus
Seconded by Councillor M. Baker

AND AGREED

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Bríd Conlon, on the death of her husband, Paddy”

Proposed by Councillor J. Lundy
Seconded by Councillor M. Baker

AND AGREED

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Paddy & Teresa Kennedy and family, on the death of his sister, Annie Kennedy”

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

AND AGREED

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to John Joe Gallagher, on the death of his mother, Bridie” 

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Nonie Marren, on the death of her mother, Nora Coleman”

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor T. Collery

AND AGREED

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Louis Carty, on the death of his mother, May”

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Mary McGoldrick, on the death of her husband, Paddy Joe”

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Patricia McDonagh, on the death of her husband, Fintan”

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Peggy Meehan, on the death of her sister, Sr. Patrick Harte”

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Brian Farrell, on the death of his father, Eddie”

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to James Goldrick, on the death of his mother, Eileen”

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Beatrice Shyrane, on the death of her cousin, Farrell Lettford”

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Paddy Coleman, on the death of his mother, Nora”

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Gerard Coleman, on the death of his mother, Nora”

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Peter Coleman, on the death of his mother, Nora”

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Dennis Coleman, on the death of his mother, Nora”

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to  John Joe Coleman, on the death of his mother, Nora”

24. VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS:

Councillor J. Queenan expressed a vote of congratulations to Sligo County Council on its recent successes with the Lisadell Court case.  And to Sligo Borough Council Members on re-instating the location of the proposed Eastern Bridge.

25. CONFERENCES:

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming 
Seconded by Councillor H. Keaney

AND AGREED

“That the list of Conferences circulated for January at this meeting was unanimously approved”

26. CORRESPONDENCE:

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

AND AGREED

“to note correspondence circulated with the Agenda”

27. MATTERS ARISING:

There were no matters arising.

28. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

Councillor M. Barrett requested that the unfinished verges on the N59 past Collery’s Pub in Beltra would be improved immediately.  This was agreed.

END OF MEETING:

The meeting ended at 12.15 pm.



Meeting Date 10/01/2011