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1 - Economic Development and Planning Policy

Minutes of Strategic Policy Committee 1 (Economic Development and Planning Policy) held on Monday, 18th February 2002 at 2.30 pm in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


MEMBERS PRESENT:

  • P. Barry,
  • D. Bree,
  • J. Devins,
  • J.McGarry,
  • T. McLoughlin

OTHERS:

  • T. Horan (Construction Industry Federation)

APOLOGIES:

  • M. McSharry (Chamber of Commerce)
  • Seamus Kilgannon (Irish League of Credit Unions)
  • S. McManus

OFFICIALS PRESENT

  • Ms. D. Clarke, Director of Services
  • Mr. P. Forkan, Director of Services
  • Mr. D. Breen, Senior Executive Officer
  • Mr. J. Walsh, Administrative Officer
  • Mr. B. Carolan, Senior Planner
  • Ms. L. McNicholas, Research Co-ordinator
  • Ms. S. Ryan, Heritage Officer

CATHAOIRLEACH:

  • The Cathaoirleach, Councillor P. Barry presided.

CONFIRM MINUTES OF S.P.C.1 MEETING:

Proposed by J. Devins
Seconded by T. Horan

And Agreed

“That the minutes of the Strategic Policy Committee No. 1 meeting held on 14th November 2001 be confirmed”.

MATTERS ARISING:

Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services, gave an update of the situation regarding the extension of the natural gas pipeline to Sligo.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PLAN WORK PROGRAMME 2002-2005:

B. Carolan set out the basis of the plan and what stage the Council are at in relation to forward planning. It is not possible at this stage to predict when in 2003 the plan will be put before the members for adoption.

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 AND PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2001:

B. Carolan presented an overview of the Act and Regulations. He pointed out that the people who were familiar with this legislation were experiencing difficulties, so it was understandable that it would be problematic for the public. The Council have to adopt a strict policy in relation to the validity of applications as it is not possible to deal with invalid applications.

A number of queries in relation to the introduction of fees were responded to by B. Carolan.

In response to a query from D. Bree, D. Breen, SEO explained that the enforcement section would concentrate on priority cases.

In response to queries from J. McGarry, B. Carolan explained that the definition of a development contribution has been expanded, that there would be a transparent system of accounting for the contributions raised and that the 20% social housing issue only arose after land had been zoned.

T. Horan urged the Council to be careful in levying additional contributions as the construction industry is already slowing down.

DRAFT COUNTY DEVELOPMENT BOARD STRATEGY BOARD STRATEGY ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT LOCAL AUTHORITY CONSERVATION GRANTS SCHEME

D. Clarke gave a presentation on the background, role of the C.D.B.and the approach adopted in the preparation of the Strategy.

Some of the key areas to be addressed are

  • Development of a University
  • Flagship Tourism Project
  • Development of an Urban Centre for the North West Region
  • Reduction in crime levels
  • A cleaner and greener Sligo
  • An Equality Charter
  • Improved Public Service Delivery

Declan Bree expressed disappointment that achieving City status or the commercial development of the port area are not included.

D. Clarke responded that all issues raised would be taken into consideration.

S. Ryan set out the background to this scheme and requested that it be recommended for adoption by the Council.

This was proposed by P. Barry
Seconded by T. Horan

And Agreed


Meeting Date 18/02/2002