Minutes - SPC 3

Minutes of Strategic Policy Committee 3 Live Invest Visit Meeting held on Thursday 12th March 2026 at 11 a.m.in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside


In Attendance:

  • Councillor Gerard Mullaney (Chair) Local Government Member
  • Councillor Declan Bree Local Government Member
  • Councillor Liam Brennan Local Government Member
  • Councillor Marie Casserly Local Government Member via MS Teams
  • Councillor Arthur Gibbons Local Government Member
  • Councillor Dara Mulvey Local Government Member
  • Ruth Flood Social Inclusion - PPN Nominee (Sligo DPO)

 

Officials                                                 

  • Brían Flynn Director of Services
  • Margaret McConnell Senior Executive Officer
  • Liam Kiely Head of Enterprise SCC
  • Tracy Ferguson Economic Development Officer

 

Guest                                                     

  • Edel Doran Night Time Economy Manager, Sligo BID (Guest Presenter)

 

Apologies                                              

  • Councillor Fergal Nealon Local Government Member
  • Councillor Thomas Walsh Local Government Member
  • Paula Scallon  Business / Commercial National Pillar - (Chambers Ireland)
  • Denise Curran  Trade Union National Pillar - (MANDATE) (ICTU)

 

Quorum for SPC 3: The quorum for meetings of SPC 3 is five members, to include two elected representatives and one sectoral representative when determining the meeting quorum. [1]

 

Cathaoirleach Councillor G. Mullaney ensured meeting was quorate and welcomed all in attendance.

1. Confirmation of Minutes:

Minutes of Q4 Meeting, 12th November 2025.

Adopted: Proposed – Councillor Liam Brennan; Seconded – Councillor. Dara Mulvey

[1] Paragraph 60 of Sligo County Council Standing Orders, 02/11/2020

 

2. Matters arising:

Councillor Declan Bree requested that full names of speakers be used in minutes.

                                   

3. Declaration of Conflict of Interest.

Nothing declared.

 

4. Update in relation to the Disability Consultative Committee (DCC) and implementation of the Disability & Inclusion Access Strategy 2024-2027 and Sligo Unlimited – for information

Margaret McConnell provided an overview of progress to date with the DCC and the Strategy:

  • DCC members all in place and quarterly meetings scheduled
  • Council’s Interdepartmental Team established and clear about responsibility for each of the 29 actions, separately and jointly as applicable.
  • Strategy to be reviewed by DCC for implementation timelines.

Presentation to DCC re Sligo Unlimited proposal. This is to develop a framework for an inclusive social impact model for the Council in collaboration with key partners and identify pilot projects with external agencies. It will involve an internal review of the Council’s functions and external engagement on sample projects in partnership with other agencies. Sligo Unlimited is subject to further consideration and refinement with the Disability Consultative Committee.

Thanks from the Cathaoirleach and Councillor Bree

Social Inclusion Representative, Ruth Flood advised that the establishment of Sligo DCC is to be celebrated as an innovative model of best practice and centring lived experience.

However, Ms. Flood asserted that the Sligo Unlimited project undermines the DCC and this SPC.  Concern was expressed by Ms. Flood that the recent Sligo Unlimited presentation was unclear, generic, and inaccessible. She judged the decision-making process for taking on the project at odds with existing policies and guidelines. She warned against losing long-term trust and reiterated that DPOs are to be prioritised over other bodies as per United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

Ms Flood advised the members that Sligo Unlimited does not have the endorsement of Sligo DPO and suggested that a presentation to this SPC on effective participation rights of Disabled People be requested from PPN or DPO or ILMI.

Cathaoirleach, Gerard Mullaney responded that he understands there is a proposal to form a steering group to monitor the Sligo Unlimited project.

Councillor Bree advised of his attendance at a meeting in follow up to DCC at which issues raised on Sligo Unlimited were discussed and sought clarification on the steering group.

In response, Brían Flynn confirmed there is a proposal to establish a steering group with representation from each of the 4 pillars of DCC, within a terms of reference – yet to be drafted – to examine elements of the Sligo Unlimited Proposal in terms of bringing it forward. Communication to that effect was issued to DPO and IMLI this morning.

Councillors Brennan and Gibbons, expressed hope that continued engagement and discussion will resolve concerns.

Proposal:

That a presentation, as suggested by Ruth Flood, be requested for a future SPC 3 Meeting.

Proposed – Councillor Declan Bree; Seconded – Councillor Arthur Gibbons      

 

5. Update on implementation and of Sligo Night Time Economy Plan and outlook – for information.

Edel Doran, Night Time Economy Officer, Sligo BID,  presented initiatives and events taking place under the Night Time Economy Plan as well as documented outcomes, including:

  • Sligo NTE Action Plan 100% activated
  • Sligo County NTE = €60 Million economic value to including 4300 workers.
  • 96% of people feeling safe in town at all times
  • 100% of Festivals and Events Training participants found sponsorship training helpful.
  • Purple Flag awarded for 2025 and Purple Pulse supported data on incidents and additional Garda resources on the street.

The Chair and Councillors. Bree, Brennan, Casserley, Gibbons, and Mulvey thanked Edel for encouraging presentation and welcomed all aspects of the comprehensive, inclusive, and collaborative plan. Brían Flynn echoed sentiments and clarified that NTE role is pilot also.

Clarifications were sought on:

  • the One@One bus service - is a pilot?
  • What is the Operational Borrowing Framework?
  • Are the Sligo Ambassadors coming back this year?
  • is the GDPR-compliant data from night time hospital admissions from the Accident & Emergency Dept?
  • Is there any collaboration between Sligo Tonight and John the Map websites?

Responses:

  • One@One bus service is a pilot. If data is strong, it will support future requests for a service at an unattractive time for drivers.
  • The Operational Borrowing Framework is a mechanism for Technological Universities to borrow funds for accommodation development. It has yet to come into action.
  • Sligo Welcome Ambassadors programme is run by the Sligo Volunteer Centre. It has a branch based in the ATU who may come out for student events such as Rag Week.
  • Sligo Tonight is a pilot project based on data-driven need. It requires collaboration.

 

6. Any Other Business

Cathaoirleach notified members of resignation of Community/Voluntary representative, Mr. Steven Barker.

Apologies noted:        Councillor Thomas Clarke

 

Cathaoirleach Gerard Mullany thanked all present for their time and contribution to the meeting. The meeting concluded at 12:10 p.m.


Meeting Date 12/03/2026