Agendas 2018

Agenda of February Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held on Monday, 5th February, 2018 at 10am


Corporate Services,
County Hall,
Riverside,
Sligo

071 911 1111

30th January, 2018

TO:  THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held

ON:  Monday, 5th February, 2018       

AT:  10.00 a.m.

IN:  Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo

You are requested to attend.

K. Colreavy
Administrative Officer 

 

CLÁR

  1. To note Minutes of Meeting of Sligo County Council’s Corporate Policy Group held in the Members’ Room, Riverside, Sligo on 3rd November, 2017 (Copy posted on Extranet).
  2. To confirm Minutes of the Sligo Municipal District meetings held on
    1. 13th November, 2017 to consider the Draft Budgetary Plan,
    2. 20th November, 2017 and
    3. Meeting of 11th December, 2017 to approve allocation of funding under the “Recast” RAPID Capital Grant Scheme 2017 (Copies posted on Extranet).
  3. To note Minutes of Strategic Policy Committee 3 (Planning, Community & Economic Development, Arts and Culture) Meeting held on 29th November 2017 (Copy posted on Extranet).
  4. To confirm Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 15th January, 2018 (Copy posted on Extranet).
  5. To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of the freehold interest in property “Cottage no. 1409” at Carrowhubbock North, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo to Mr. Patrick Byron (Report previously circulated).   
  6. To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of Local Government Act 2001, the leasing of property at Doorly Park, Cleveragh Demesne, Sligo to Sligo Tourist Development Association, Áras Reddan, Temple Street, Sligo (Report previously circulated).   
  7. To approve the County Sligo Tourism Strategy 2018–2023 – Presentation (Copy of Report posted on Extranet).
  8. a) To consider the recommendations of the Assessment Panel for Grants under the Contributions to the Arts Scheme, 2018 (Report to follow).
    b) To note correction to Book of Estimates in relation to Contribution to the Arts Scheme 2017 (Copy posted on Extranet).
  9. To approve borrowing a sum not exceeding €13.5m by way of temporary overdraft for the 12 months from 1st April 2018 to 31st March 2019 (Report posted on Extranet).
  10. To approve the Community and Voluntary Grant Scheme 2018 (Copy posted on Extranet).
  11. Presentation on Sligo County Council’s Housing Capital Schemes.
  12. To consider the draft budget of the Sligo Business Improvement District (BID) Company Limited for its third year of operation and to set the annual BID multiplier (Copy to follow).
  13. To note the Monthly Management Report for December 2017 (Copy previously circulated).
  14. To consider the proposed Draft Development Contribution Scheme 2018 – 2024 (Copies posted on Extranet). 
  15. To consider report in relation to commencing the process of taking in charge the estate known as “Castleburn”, Ballymote, Co. Sligo (Report previously circulated).

 

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor C. MacManus:
    “That Sligo County Council calls for the immediate withdrawal of the proposed changes to the waste permits regarding designated charging structures as proposed by the Government, as the new system for waste charging will lead to higher collection bills for householders. Further, that this Council calls upon the Minister for the Environment to establish a feasibility study of greater public ownership and the possible re-municipalisation of household waste collection.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That a report be provided giving details of all the compensation claims paid by Sligo County Council, or its insurers, since January 2016, the report to include the reason for each claim, the location it related to and the size of the claim awarded; the report to also include a breakdown of legal costs resulting from the claims.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to prepare a report on Sligo's housing situation”.
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Lundy:
    “To ask Sligo County Council if a suitable location has been identified for a new Burial Ground at Court Abbey, Lavagh as the present Cemetery is almost full”.
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Lundy:
    “Due to the very wet weather small Farmers in Sligo and the north west are facing into a fodder shortage this winter.  I will ask this Council to write to the Minister for Agriculture to provide financial supports to these Farmers to help them purchase the necessary feed stuff for their livestock”.
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “To call on the Minister for Education to review the situation in relation to student fees for undergraduate courses as Irish fees are the second highest in Europe only behind the UK. A lot of EU countries have free fees for undergraduate courses and maintenance supports for all undergraduate students. This review should include consideration for tax relief on the €3000 student contribution for hard pressed families who have already paid income tax on this money.”
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    Can Sligo County Council provide a current update on the negotiations between both the local authorities of Sligo and Leitrim on the SLNCR Greenway Project.

    This project has to be shovel ready as soon as possible to achieve funding and would be a perfect vehicle to create tourism and economic benefits to the area as seen in Mulranny and Waterford by their Greenways.

    This fantastic tourism and recreation project will support the creation of many jobs including, tourism, retail and construction related jobs which are significantly lacking in this region.
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “As the Department of Agriculture was running €128.5m behind profile in gross voted expenditure for the first 11 months of 2017, I am now calling on the Department to pay the additional funding left over into the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme, allowing €50m into it instead of €25m promised by the Government, and to reopen the GLAS Scheme to new entrants. I am also calling for an adequate fodder crisis scheme to support farmers in need each year.”
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to write to Irish Water regarding the ongoing problem with burst water mains in the Rathbraughan area. And what do Irish Water intend to do to address the situation”.
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “To receive an update on the taking in charge of ‘Lissadell Park’, Carney”.
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “That Sligo County Council review traffic calming measures for Oakfield Road and the upgrading of road surfaces where necessary”.
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “That Sligo County Council put in place funding for upgrading of road surface at Kevinsfort where necessary”.

 

MOTIONS

  1.  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That Sligo County Council write to the Minister for Education requesting that funding be made available for SNAs in primary and secondary schools to enable them to avail of the free training in 'Lámh' manual sign communications and sensory integration. I warmly welcome this recent initiative at preschool level but for it to be successful and for continuity for the child, their families, friends and teachers this programme needs to continue right through the education system”.
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to repair the road and footpath surface outside Mountain Park housing estate, Ballymote on road L1603 from Ballymote to Templehouse.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    “I call on Sligo County Council to outline what would be needed to provide a recycle centre in Ballymote”.
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “Given the further serious coastal erosion at Rosses Point as a result of Storms in December and January can the Director of Services advise what recommendations were made in the Coastal Study Report commissioned in 2016 to address this issue and advise how these recommendations can be progressed”.
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “Given the fact that the plans for this upgraded national primary road have been drawn up over 15 years ago, can we receive an update from the Director of Services on the N17 project”.
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to examine the possibility of widening access road to Kilturra Cemetery to reduce traffic congestion at the time of burials”.
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “In welcoming the €11 million allocation for the ongoing development of the Western Distributor Road I now call on Sligo Co. Co. to ringfence a portion of this funding for a review and any upgrading necessary of the Western Distributor Rd junction with the R292 (Strandhill Road) in order to enhance its safety.” 
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor C. MacManus:
    “Recognising that the Health Service is under huge strain following cuts made to its budgets during the austerity years and a lack of sustained investment to meet the growing and changing needs of our population;

    That throughout the whole of 2017 there were a record 98,981 patients left to spend one night or more on a trolley in hospitals throughout the state including 2,406 in Sligo University Hospital, representing the worst ever recorded number;

    Sligo County Council calls on the Government to:
    • reopen all hospital beds closed during the austerity years;
    • increase investment for transitional care beds, adequate step-down facilities, home care packages, and home help hours to ensure that all patients who can be moved home or to a more appropriate care setting are;
    • speed up the move towards primary and community care ensuring that all primary care centres are adequately resourced with new staff and funding;
    • broaden the awareness campaign to ensure that the public are aware of what needs should be met in an Emergency Department and what needs should be met in General Practice and Primary Care;
    • agree to the full implementation of all the recommendations in the Sláintecare report.”
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor K. Henry:
    “To ask for a table to be produced showing the amount of roads funding spent in each engineering area for 2017 and 2016 categorising it by road type (regional, class 2, class 3, LIS etc)”.
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor K. Henry:
    “To ask Sligo County Council to consider the merits of a requirement to include ducting or relevant network infrastructure laid from the public road to the access point of the building running across the curtilage of the property to enable rapid deployment of broadband connectivity as soon as the occupants choose to”.
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “Concerned at the flooding of the Woodlands housing estate and parts of the surrounding area on Sunday 21st January 2018 and noting the contents of the CFRAM report published for the Office of Public Works in September 2016 (Unit of Management 35 – Sligo bay and Drowes) this Council requests the Chief Executive Officer to provide a) a report on the extent of the recent flooding (b) a report on the proposals to alleviate/prevent flooding in the area in the future.”
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “Concerned at the damage caused to the North pier of Mullaghmore Harbour by recent storms this Council calls on Government and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide the necessary grant aid to allow the Council to repair and restore the pier to its original condition.”
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “To ask the Director of Services what funding has been applied for regarding coastal erosion projects in west Sligo for 2018”.
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “To ask the Director of Services what funding has been applied for regarding upgrade and maintenance of R297 from Dromore West to Mayo border”.
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “What funding have Sligo County Council available to promote tourism in west Sligo for 2018?”
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “That we be provided with the report on the latest survey carried out on the Owenmore River, and resulting from it what action is going to take place?”
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “That Sligo County Council invites Dr. Fergal Hickey to give a presentation on the current health care service in Sligo and the north west.”
  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to apply for a special allocation of funding for drainage on roads”.
  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to start taking in the applications for the older peoples grant immediately”.
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor C. MacManus:
    “To ask have Sligo County Council received any further information regarding either the recently announced revised Council loan scheme and an affordable home scheme, as the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government has indicated substantive local authority involvement in both schemes.”
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor C. MacManus:
    “Recognising that the primary purpose of Sligo County Libraries is to provide a responsive, accessible and inclusive library service for all our citizens, which fosters reading, stimulates the imagination and contributes to lifelong learning and cultural recreation; that to do so requires increased footfall and patronage; that the recent difficulties caused by short term closures has hindered this; and that the income generated by overdue fines is minuscule;

    That Sligo County Council agrees to eliminate all overdue fines and charges on items so as to encourage greater usage of our Library services.”
  22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Lundy:
    “I will ask the Council to write to the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. T.D. to put the undocumented Irish in the U.S. on the top of the agenda when he visits the White House on St. Patrick’s Day”.
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “In the interests of public health, that Sligo County Council formulates a policy to ensure that all parks and amenity areas in their ownership are smoke free”.
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “Noting that the number of people with dementia will increase significantly in the coming years this Council expresses its deep concern at the proposal to close down the Alzheimer’s Unit in St John’s Hospital, Sligo., and further the Council resolves to call on the Fine Gael and Independent Alliance Government ministers Simon Harris T.D. and Shane Ross T.D. to intervene so as to ensure that the Alzheimer Unit in Sligo remains open.”
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Lundy:
    “Due to the recent funding allocated to improve the N17 junction known locally as ‘Cashel Gates’ in Curry, I will ask what works are planned for this very dangerous junction and when will these works start”.
  26. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Lundy:
    “I will ask for an update on the Government’s new Housing Loan for 1st time buyers being offered at 2.25% fixed for 30 years.  Will this Scheme be administered by the local authorities and when is it expected to be up and running?”
  27. To consider the following motion as submitted by Cllr. P. Taylor & Cllr. M. Baker:
    “Due to the recent announcement of funding for our county roads network & the lack of funding throughout the lifetime of this Council for Local Roads (Class 2 & Class 3), I call on this Council to set a date for a special Meeting to discuss the state of the Local Roads Network within the county
    • Due to the Lack of Funding
    • Limited outdoor staff numbers and
    • Flooding due to weather conditions
  28. I will ask that this Council form a cross party deputation to meet the Minister to deal with this situation that is at crisis point at the present time.”
  29. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor P. Taylor:
    “To ask Sligo County Council to carry out surfacing works to the road to Kilturra Cemetery”.
  30. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Maguire:
    “Seeking Sligo County Council to conduct a survey of all speed bumps within the town of Sligo to establish whether they meet the criteria set down by the department and establish whether companies are following the established guidelines”.
  31. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey: 
    “To call on Sligo County Council to place a traffic counter on the main road through Culfadda village, south Sligo as there is growing concern with residents in the village with regards to excessive speed.  There are a lot of families with young children and elderly people living in Culfadda”. 
  32. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council calls on the Minister of Defence and Minister of State to award 1916 commemoration medals to Sligo Fire Service men and women as well as Fire Service men and women nationwide”.
  33. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor S. Kilgannon:
    “To request Sligo County Council to call on the Minister for Housing to allow persons, in particular pensioners, who do not have an earned annual income of 15,000 thousand euro the opportunity to purchase their Council Home”.
  34. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Gormley:
    “That repairs be carried out immediately in the interest of road safety on the section of road past Templehouse Bridge to the entrance into Templehouse”.
  35. Votes of Sympathy.
  36. Votes of Congratulations.
  37. Conferences/Training (Copy posted on Extranet).
  38. To note the summary of proceedings of conferences attended in accordance with Section 142(5) (f) of the Local Government Act, 2001.
  39. Correspondence:
    1. Letter dated 8th January, 2018 from the Office of the Minister for Finance re. mortgage interest rates and the banking sector,
    2. Copy of resolution adopted by Waterford City and County Council concerning introduction of legislation re. persons entering the sea or river during a red weather warning,
    3. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Wexford County Council in relation to Data Protection Commissioners’ guidance/allocation of houses,
    4. Copy of motion adopted by Waterford City and County Council regarding Commission of Investigation re. Bill Kenneally,
    5. Copy of resolution adopted by Tipperary County Council regarding amendment to collection of waste legislation,
    6. Letter dated 18th January, 2018 from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Shane Ross, T.D. re. climate change,
    7. Acknowledgement dated 19th January, 2018 from the Office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine re. request for meeting with the Minister re. fodder crisis,
    8. Acknowledgement dated 19th January, 2018 from the Office of the Taoiseach referring Sligo County Council’s resolution re. employment legislation to Heather Humphreys, T.D. Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation),
    9. Acknowledgement dated 19th January, 2018 from the Office of the Taoiseach (referring Sligo County Council’s resolution re. PESCO to Minister of State, Paul Kehoe, T.D.),
    10. Acknowledgement dated 19th January, 2018 from the Office of Mr. Paul Kehoe, T.D.,Minister with responsibility for Defence, concerning resolution re. PESCO,
    11. Letter dated 22nd January, 2018 from the Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority re. rural transport programme,
    12. Acknowledgement dated 19th January, 2018 from Simon Harris, T.D., Minister for Health re. Primary Care Centre for Tubbercurry,
    13. Letter dated 19th January, 2018 from the Office of the Minister for Justice and Equality re. Tubbercurry Garda Station,
    14. Letter dated 25th January, 2018 from the Office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the fodder crisis and
    15. Letter of invitation dated 26th January, 2018 from the County Sligo Social and Benevolent Association, New York to Cathaoirleach Séamus Kilgannon,
    16. Letter dated 29th January, 2018 from the Office of the Minister with responsibility for Defence concerning resolution re. PESCO and
    17. Acknowledgement dated 29th January, 2018 from the Office of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (forwarding correspondence re. L.I.S. to Minister Michael Ring).
  40. Matters arising from Minutes.
  41. Any other business.

Meeting Date 05/02/2018