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Minutes of Strategic Policy Committee 1 (Economic Development & Planning Policy) of Sligo County Council held at 11.00 a.m. on Thursday 28th November, 2003 in the Conference Room, Development Centre, Sligo


MEMBERS PRESENT:
  • Councillor P. Barry,
  • Councillor S. Kilgannon,
  • Councillor S. MacManus,
  • Councillor J. McGarry

OTHERS:

  • F. Brannigan, Irish Congress of Trade Unions
  • M. Keenan, Construction Industry Federation

OFFICIALS PRESENT:

  • P. Forkan, Director of Services
  • D. Clarke, Director of Services
  • B. Carolan, Senior Planner
  • D. Breen, Senior Executive Officer
  • P. Flanagan, Senior Executive Engineer.
  • F. O’Driscoll, Senior Executive Engineer
  • D. McDonagh, Community & Enterprise Office
  • B. Keaveney, Community & Enterprise Office

CHAIRPERSON:

  • The Chairperson, Cllr. P. Barry, presided

1) TO CONFIRM MINUTES OF SPC 1 MEETING ON 1st SEPTEMBER 2003

Proposed:  F. Brannigan
Seconded:  S. Kilgannon

AND AGREED:

“That the Minutes of the Strategic Policy Committee No.1 Meeting held on 1st September 2003 be confirmed.”

2) MATTERS ARISING

Frankie Brannigan stated that he did not receive a copy of the first Manager’s Report on the review of the County Development Plan. Michael Keenan also did not receive copy. Director of Services confirmed that copies would be forwarded to whoever did not receive one.

3) DEVELOPMENT PLANS UPDATE 


a) Sligo & Environs Plan

B. Carolan informed those present that the 3rd Manager’s report is on agenda of Borough Council and County Council meetings on 8th December 2003.

b) Enniscrone Development Plan

B. Carolan said that there were certain amendments to the plan which is on the Agenda for the Council meeting of 1st December 2003.

c) County Development Plan

B. Carolan stated that Sligo County Council is in detailed discussion with the National Building Agency (NBA). Second tier towns and settlements are being targeted for schematic zoning. The demographic survey and the land use survey are finished and 2003 was a successful year for getting plans out.

S. McManus welcomed B. Carolan’s report and requested details of the split in staff between Sligo County Council and the NBA. A discussion ensued with regard to the County Development Plan and its necessity to ensure progress in Co. Sligo.

4)  PORT REGENERATION STRATEGY

B. Carolan told the meeting of the difficulties around the project e.g. absence of plan, difficulty with leases together with lack of finance being major problems. He suggested that the Council may need to compulsorily acquire some of the lands. He paid tribute to the hard work that Seamus Monaghan, Chairman of the Harbour Board has done in relation to this.
 
S. McManus concurred with B. Carolan and suggested that Sligo County Council has not accepted responsibility for the Harbour Board. Following a discussion as to whether the issue should be brought before a full meeting of Sligo County Council it was agreed that there should be more research carried out. P. Forkan and B. Carolan are to report on progress at the next SPC meeting. . F. Brannigan suggested that the port area should be considered for a mixed commercial and residential development because of its proximity to Sligo town
P. Forkan said that the port is one of the biggest challenges facing the Council and a good plan could be delivered in 12-18 months.

5) POLICY ON TAKING IN CHARGE OF HOUSING ESTATES

D. Breen referred meeting to report which was circulated. A discussion took place regarding the maintenance of open spaces. It was agreed that this should be the responsibility of the residents. S. Kilgannon stated that there was a grant available for this. P. Barry thanked D. Breen for his work.

6) TELECOMMUNICATIONS

1) ICBAN Broadband Proposals

P. Flanagan reported on the Cross Border Broadband Proposals put forward by ICBAN involving all the ICBAN counties. Funding for the proposal will come from INTERREG 111 Programme, Telecommunication Measure.

2) Broadband Proposals in CLÁR areas.

Tubbercurry has been designated from County Sligo as one of the 15 towns earmarked for wireless broadband. D. Clarke outlined her report on the call for Broadband Proposals in CLÁR areas.15 applications were made to the CLAR office of which 5 will receive funding. A decision is expected in the New Year. The ICBAN proposal addresses Broadband needs in rural towns or areas which have fallen through the gap so far, in terms of broadband provision. It was proposed that Tubbercurry be prioritised for ICBAN Broadband application and then Ballymote to benefit in the event of Tubbercurry being successful in the Clar application. 
And Agreed


Dorothy Clarke also informed the meeting that her office was in discussions with Department of Communications in relation to funding for the design and provision of a Metropolitian Area Network (MAN) or fibre ring around Sligo town. She indicated she should have more details of funding available early in 2004.

Proposed: P. Barry
Seconded: S. Kilgannon


7) MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE URBAN AND VILLAGE RENEWAL SCHEME 2000-2006

P. Flanagan outlined his report on the Scheme, highlighting progress of scheme to date. D. Clarke stated that the programme was targeted at eliminating black spots, identified in the Tidy Towns Competition. The aim is to improve their marking

P. Flanagan paid tribute to Community Groups for their input into this programme.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Chairman, P. Barry, received a letter from S. Kilgannon stating that he is now representing Sligo County Council on the S.P.C. and that Gregg Mullen has been appointed to represented the Credit Union.


(There was no discussion about the date for the next meeting)


Meeting Date 28/11/2003