Agendas 2023

Agenda of February Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held on Monday, 13th February 2023 at 10am


Sligo County Council
Corporate Services,
County Hall,
Riverside,
Sligo

071 911 1111

7th February 2023

TO:  THE CATHAOIRLEACH AND EACH MEMBER OF SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL

The Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council will be held:

ON:  Monday, 13th February 2023

AT:  10.00 a.m.

IN:  Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo.

You are requested to attend.

Jennifer Burns
A/Meetings Administrator

 

CLÁR

  1. To note the minutes of Meeting of SPC 1 Housing & Corporate Group held on 6th September 2022 (Copy attached).
  2. To note the minutes of Meeting of the Corporate Policy Group held on 4th November 2022 (Copy attached).
  3. To note the Minutes of Meeting of Ballymote-Tubberurry Municipal District held on 14th November 2022 (Copy attached).
  4. To note the Minutes of Meeting of Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District held on 28th November 2022 (Copy attached).
  5. To confirm minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 16th January 2023 (Copy attached).
  6. Report on timetable of the County Development Plan process and associated Local Area Plans (Report to follow).
  7. To approve the recommended funding of the Contributions to the Arts Assessment Panel (Report attached).
  8. To note report of Ethics Registrar under Section 174(b) of the Local Government Act, 2001 (Report attached).
  9. Update on SLNCR Greenway.
  10. To approve in accordance with Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of dwellinghouse and lands at Powellsborough, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo to Cian Flannery (Report previously circulated).
  11. To approve in accordance with Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, and Regulations thereunder, provision of assistance in the form of the Capital Assistance Scheme Loan in the amount of €123,136 to Focus Housing Association Company Limited by Guarantee in respect of No. 6 Abbeykiln, Abbey Street, Sligo (Report previously circulated).
  12. To approve in accordance with Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, and Regulations thereunder, provision of assistance in the form of the Capital Assistance Scheme Loan in the amount of €136,426 to Focus Housing Association Company Limited by Guarantee in respect of No. 66 Cornmill Park, Ballymote, Co Sligo (Report previously circulated).
  13. To approve the attendance of a delegation from Sligo County Council to attend the St. Patrick’s Day engagements in New York (Report attached).
  14. To note the Monthly Management Report for January 2023 (Report to follow).

 

DEFERRED MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That this Council write to the Minister for Health, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste to ask for an explanation as to why Sligo and the North-West has not been included as a surgical hub and for Sligo University Hospital to be added to the list as the 6th surgical hub catering for the people of Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, North Mayo and North Roscommon. Can this motion be shared with all TDs and local authorities in all of the aforementioned counties.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
    “That this local Authority Calls on the Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, The Greens & soft Independents Government (Dept. of Finance) to bring about much needed reforms to the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to prepare a report on the Council’s first-time housing schemes.

    How many applications were received in 2022? How many applications were approved?

    To call on the Minister for Housing to give a breakdown county by county on approved applications.”
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “To ask for a progress report on upgrading the landing facility on Inishmurray Island.”
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the Council be provided with a report on Derelict Sites in the county including the list of the properties in each Municipal District that are currently on the Derelict Sites Register, the number removed in the past 12 month and the number added in the past 12 months.” 

 

MOTIONS

  1. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That Sligo County Council write to the departments of Justice and Social Protection to acknowledge the supports given to the Abhaile Scheme until the end of 2023 and to ask for this service to now be made permanent given the invaluable work that this service does on behalf of so many families and individuals.”
  2. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “Given that an issue has arisen over the last 18 months in relation to the number of applicants who applied under the older and disability grants scheme, retired old age pensioners who have decided to put their affairs in order by transferring their homes to their next of kin while retaining their right to live in their homes for the rest of their lives, now find themselves unable to avail of those grants. They live on their own. Their next of kin does not live in the house with them. The next of kin have their own house with mortgages and families expenses. The household income of the applicant is not being accepted. The household income of the next of kin is also taken into account, so the two household incomes exclude the applicant from the grant. I propose that Sligo County Council writes to the Minister and the department to address this anomaly and to amend the terms and conditions of the schemes.”
  3. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “Sligo County Council calls on the government to extend the eviction ban for 2 years.”
  4. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to prepare a report on Local authority home loan. How many was applied for? How many was granted in 2022?  To be eligible for a Local Authority Home Loan you must: be a first-time buyer and be aged between 18 and 70 years, and to call on the Minister for Housing to give a breakdown county by county.”
  5. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “How many ghost estates in Sligo county”
  6. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
    “Ask the Director of Services to outline what role or control the planning section have if a large scale forestry development takes place in the county.”
  7. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
    “Given the attacks on local and national politicians, I call on Sligo County Council to invite the crime prevention officer to give a presentation on up-to-date advice on security.”
  8. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
    “To add this to the new county development plan:

    The use of the following chemicals as a processing agent shall not be permitted as part of any proposed processing operation located above or adjacent to surface or ground waters, or which could potentially impact such waters regardless of their location - mercury, cyanide or cyanide compounds, breakdown products of cyanide, or sulfuric acid. These present an unreasonable risk of environmental harm due to the toxicity of such chemicals and their demonstrated potential to cause damage to the environment.”
  9. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That this Council write to the Minister for Transport to ask that a new line of approximately 6km from east of Maynooth to west of Adamstown be built to facilitate faster train journeys to and from Sligo and Dublin and/or to develop a transport hub at Cabra, where the LUAS ends, close to the Sligo line.”
  10. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
    “That this council write to the Ministers for Communication and Justice seeking the introduction of legislation at an EU level so that social media accounts are traceable to people operating them. This would immediately stop anonymous abuse, online bullying and trolling.”
  11. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council for a update report on the pyrite in the County and also gave the Council members a report on what properties belonging to Sligo County Council have pyrite in them and when will we be accepted onto the government pyrite scheme.”
  12. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to make a submission to the Government, as to why some Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) should be removed along parts of the Owenmore River and also the Unshin River to address the flooding and health and safety concerns.”
  13. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
    “To call on Sligo County Council to write to the Minister of Transport Eamon Ryan to introduce a scheme, to make funding available to our regional roads to address realignment and other safety issues.”
  14. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
    I ask Sligo County Council has there been any information received on the recently launched national Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles and cans.

    It is estimated that about 1.9 billion drinks bottles and cans are consumed each year in Ireland, in-house and 'on the go'. The Deposit Return Scheme aims to boost the recycling rate for these drinks containers by charging a small, refundable deposit for each plastic bottle or can. The Scheme will include PET plastic bottles and aluminium and steel cans between 150ml and 3 litres. This incentive is operating in other countries and would encourage people to recycle these products and thus avoid unwanted litter in our communities. 
  15. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “Recognising the vital importance of parking spaces for people with a disability this Council confirms that it will take all necessary action against motorists who park illegally in disabled parking spaces, including the imposition of parking fines and, if necessary, the impounding of vehicles.”
  16. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “That Sligo County Council launch an awareness week/programme for the proper disposal of chewing gum.”
  17. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “That Sligo County Council write to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly requesting an immediate resolution to the ongoing issue of Medical Cards for people with a Cancer diagnosis.”
  18. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor R. O’Grady:
    “I am requesting an update on the property known as Kazelin.”
  19. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “That the meeting be provided with a progress report regarding the provision of a Boardwalk to allow 24-hour safe access to the second beach at Rosses Point.”
  20. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council report on progress at finding a mechanism to carry out a feasibility study (as per reply to Cllr Maguire Motion October 2021) to ascertain possible options towards establishing a 50m pool in Sligo and what engagement has been had with all the local stakeholders in this regard including, ATU Sligo, the board of Sligo Sports & Recreation Partnership, the Board of Sligo Regional Sports Centre and the swimming and triathlon clubs.”
  21. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council report on what the purpose of the Yellow Cycling signs along the National, Regional and Local roads that do not have the 1.5m safe passing sign attached and if an audit of all such signs in the county can be carried out to ensure they have the 1.5m safe passing sign attached.”
  22. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
    “That Sligo County Council report on what actions are being taken to ensure that following the decision by Bord Pleanála to concede a High Court Case against the N6 Galway Ring Road that the N17 and Eastern Bridge projects take full consideration of the 2021 Climate Action Plan and any other legislation that might derail these vital projects.”
  23. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
    “Noting that the Government, in the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Act 2022, has further reduced the powers of elected representatives and increased the powers of unelected Council officials, this Council expresses its deep dismay at this further undermining of local democracy and calls on the Government to rescind the legislation.”
  24. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor P. Taylor:
    “I ask this Council to write to the Minister for Transport to do a recruitment campaign for mechanics/skilled workers for NCT centres to clear the backlog for car testing and to avoid lengthy waiting times from happening again.”
  25. To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor P. Taylor:
    “To call on this Council to provide assistance to the Volunteer Groups who support our community with Mental Health issues in Sligo.  This could include help and guidance with administration with grant applications and information on what is available to voluntary groups who strive to help others.”
  26. Votes of Sympathy.
  27. Votes of Congratulations.
  28. Conferences/Training.
  29. To note the summary of proceedings of conferences attended in accordance with Section 142(5) (f) of the Local Government Act, 2001.
  30. Correspondence:
    1. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Cork County Council regarding operation of Uber in this country.
    2. Acknowledgement letter dated 12th January 2023 from the Office of An Taoiseach regarding provision of necessary resources in terms of Gardai and appropriate vehicles to the Sligo Roads Policing Unit.
    3. Acknowledgement letter dated 12th January 2023 from the Office of An Taoiseach regarding provision of sufficient equipment, staff and resources to end the chronic overcrowding at Sligo University Hospital.
    4. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Leitrim County Council regarding referendum on voting rights for Irish citizens abroad.
    5. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Tipperary County Council regarding review and reform of the Dangerous Dogs Act and Dogs Act Legislation in Ireland.
    6. Copy of resolution passed by the Members of Cavan County Council regarding retention and expansion of long covid clinics in place.
    7. Letter dated 27th January 2023 from Chief Executive, Iarnród Éireann regarding provision of an early morning Commuter Rail Service from Connolly to Sligo.
    8. Email dated 30th January 2023 from the Office of the Minister for Justice in relation to provision of the necessary resources in terms of Gardaí and appropriate vehicles to the Sligo Roads Policing Unit.
    9. Acknowledgement letter dated 1st February 2023 from the Office of the CEO, HSE regarding step down facilities for Sligo University Hospital.
    10. Acknowledgement letter dated 1st February 2023 from the Office of the CEO, HSE regarding Cloonamahon Native Woodland Park.
    11. Acknowledgement letter dated 1st February 2023 from the Office of the CEO, HSE regarding Home Birth services.
    12. Acknowledgement email dated 2nd February 2023 from the Office of the Minister for Housing, Local Government in relation to the Housing Commission.
    13. Email dated 3rd February 2023 from Cllr. Des Guckian, Co Leitrim in response to vote of sympathy letter which issued following the January Ordinary meeting.
    14. Acknowledgement email dated 2nd February 2023 from the Office of the Minister for Rural and Community Development regarding Sligo County Council’s request to add four dog breeds to the list of Restricted Dogs.
  31. Matters arising from Minutes.
  32. Any other business. 

 


Meeting Date 13/02/2023