Minutes 2003

Minutes of the Adjourned Council Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 14th April 2003 at 11.00am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo.


COUNCILLORS PRESENT: 

  • Barrett,
  • Barry,
  • Branley,
  • Bree,
  • Cawley,
  • Colleary,
  • L. Conlon,
  • M. Conlon,
  • Devins,
  • Fleming,
  • Fox,
  • Gormley,
  • Higgins,
  • MacManus,
  • McGarry,
  • McGuinn,
  • McLoughlin,
  • Murray,
  • Parke,
  • E. Scanlon.

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE: 

  • Mr T. Caffrey, Deputy County Manager
  • Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services
  • Mr P. Forkan, Director of Services
  • Ms M. Mc Connell, Acting Director of Services
  • Mr T. Carroll, Senior Engineer
  • Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer
  • Mr F. Mc Nabb, Acting Senior Executive Officer
  • Mr P. Flanagan, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr T. Rooney, Administrative Officer
  • Mr J. Walsh, Administrative Officer
  • Ms C. Kenny, Staff Officer
  • Ms F. Couch, Clerical Officer

CATHAOIRLEACH: 

  • The Cathaoirleach, Councillor P. Branley presided.

APOLOGIES: 

  • Apologies were received from Councillor B. Scanlon

CALL FOR RESIGNATION OF THE CHAIRMAN OF AN TAISCE:

It was agreed at Councillor S. Mac Manus’s request that this item be deferred.

MEETING WITH SLIGO BOROUGH COUNCIL RE EXTENSION OF BOROUGH BOUNDARIES: 

Councillor S. Mac Manus asked that in view of the designation of Sligo City as a ‘Gateway’ in the National Spatial Strategy, Sligo County Council agrees to meet with Sligo Borough Council, early in 2003, to discuss an extension of the Borough Boundaries.

Following a discussion on the matter an amended motion was put forward.

Proposed by Deputy J. Devins
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry

AND AGREED

“That in view of the designation of Sligo City as a ‘Gateway’ in the National Spatial Strategy, Sligo County Council agrees to meet with Sligo Borough Council, early in 2003, to discuss an extension of the Borough Boundaries and all other issues that will help drive the future development of Sligo, both county and town.  A report from the executive of both Local Authorities to be presented to all Councillors prior to the meeting”.

CUL DE SAC MONIES: 

It was agreed at Councillor R. Mc Guinn’s request that item no. 3 be deferred.

REQUEST EIRCOM TO FACILITATE LANDOWNERS: 

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley

AND AGREED

“To request Eircom Ltd. to facilitate landowners who propose to move fences along public roads, by relocating poles or laying cables underground, free of charge”.

COMHALTAS CEOLTOIRI EIREANN: 

Councillor M. Fleming asked that Sligo County Council request the Arts Council and the Minister to make adequate funds available to Comhaltas Ceolteori Eireann for the promotion of traditional music, song and dance.

Following a discussion by the members on the matter, an amended motion was submitted.

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor A. Parke

AND AGREED

“To request the Arts Council and the Minister to make adequate funds available to Comhaltas Ceolteori Eireann for the promotion of traditional music, song and dance, and that community based music and cultural centres i.e. Gurteen heritage Centre, Gurteen who promotes the musical heritage at local, national and international level be funded by the Arts Council”.

SEEKING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM DOELG FOR DPG’S AND ERG’S: 

Councillor M. Fleming asked that in this the European Year of People with Disabilities, that Sligo County Council seek extra funding from DOELG to finance disabled persons grants and essential repairs grants.

Following a discussion on the matter by the members, Director Caffrey confirmed that letters had issued to the North Western Health Board and the Department of Health in this regard and that a national review is currently taking place on these schemes.

KILVARNET BURIAL GROUND: 

Councillor M. Fleming requested that the Council provide an extension to Kilvarnet burial ground or negotiate an alternative site convenient to the existing graveyard.

In response, Mr J. Walsh, Administrative Officer advised that a survey carried out in 1999 showed that there were in excess of 70 plots available in the cemetery and that since then one plot has been sold.  Accordingly he advised that as sufficient capacity exists Sligo County Council does not have any proposals to provide an extension at this location.

THIRD LEVEL COLLEGE FEES: 

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor I. Fox

AND AGREED

“That any proposals to introduce third level college fees by the Minister for Education /Finance will be opposed by members of Sligo County Council.”

ABANDON PLANS FOR THE REINTRODUCTION OF THIRD LEVEL FEES: 

Proposed by Councillor S. MacManus
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

AND AGREED

“That this council request that the Minister for Education Noel Dempsey abandon plans for the reintroduction of tuition fees for third level students and ask the minister to request that funding allocated for the purchase and repair of governments jets be redirected to his department to safeguard the futures of Irish children and the economy”.

CARROWREAGH KNOX WATER SUPPLY: 

Councillor M. Gormley asked that due to the ongoing problems experienced by the consumers on the Carrowreagh Knox Water Scheme, that the Council commence the process of replacing the defective pipes on the scheme on a phased basis.

In response, Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer advised that there are no funds available at present to undertake the mains replacement referred to and that there is a two year programme of small schemes already in place which does not include this scheme. 

It was agreed by the members that an application for funding for the phased replacement of pipes on the Carrowreagh Knox Water Scheme be prepared and submitted to the Department of Environment and Local Government and once submitted that Sligo County Councils Dail Deputy’s and Senator would endeavour to further the application.

TEAGASC OFFICES IN LEITRIM: 

Proposed by Councillor A. Parke
Seconded by Councillor PJ Cawley

AND AGREED

“That this Council calls on the Minister for Agriculture, and the Minister for Finance to make available to Teagasc the necessary funds to keep their offices open in Leitrim.  These services are vital for agriculture in Sligo and Leitrim”.

COMHALTAS CEOLTOIRI EIREANN:

It was agreed at Councillor P. Branley’s request that item no. 12 be deferred.

US /BRITISH LED INVASION OF IRAQ: 

It was agreed at Councillor S. MacManus request that this item be withdrawn.

PLANNING APPLICATION FOR KNACKERY AT ACHONRY:

It was agreed at Councillor P. Branley’s request that item no. 14 be deferred.

Members were advised that the planning application remains invalid.

UPGRADING THE CALRY ROAD TO A REGIONAL ROAD:

It was agreed at Councillor I. Fox’s request to defer item no. 15.

TEAGASC OFFICES IN COUNTY LEITRIM: 

It was agreed at Councillor P. Branley’s request to defer item no. 16.

TAILING PONDS AT THE HARRINGTON QUARRY IN BALLISODARE: 

Councillor D. Bree asked that the Council be advised on the condition of the tailing ponds at the Harrington quarry in Ballisodare and the likelihood of heavy metel contamination of the foreshore at Ballisodare, and if the developer will be permitted to pump untreated water from the quarry into Ballisodare Bay while awaiting a Waste Water Discharge Licence.  Councillor D. Bree further asked how closely the Council is working with the Environmental Protection Agency and if the Council intends taking legal action regarding unauthorised development on the site.

Ms E. Concannon, Senior Executive Engineer outlined a report on the matter a copy of which was circulated to the members.  Ms Concannon advised that an area where tailings may have been deposited in the past was recently disturbed by excavation work, that a Section 12 notice was issued under the Water Pollution Act, 1977, she further advised that the Council’s environmental staff are satisfied that there is no environmental risk from this excavation at present.  Ms. Concannon further advised that samples are being examined for contamination by the Environmental Protection Agency.

In respect of the Discharge Licence, members were advised that an application under the Water Pollution Act, 1977 has been lodged which is currently under consideration.

INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE PROVISION OF ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE: 

Councillor D. Bree asked for a report on the efforts that the Council made in response to the invitation from the Department of Public Enterprise in 2001 to submit a tender for the provision of advanced communications infrastructure, and what steps have been taken to access grant aid under the E-Commerce and Communications Measure of the National Development Plan to fund the provision of broadband, advanced communications and e-commerce for the area.

Director Clarke advised on the efforts undertaken by Sligo County Council in this matter concluding that Sligo had not received funding under the phase one roll out but that Sligo town has been included in phase two of the Advanced Broadband Roll Out Programme.

UNION QUARRY, BALLISODARE: 

Councillor D. Bree requested that the Council be advised on proposals for the use of Union Quarry, Ballygawley.

In response Director Forkan advised that Sligo County Council is proposing to develop a construction /demolition waste facility at Union Quarry.  He further advised that the provision of such a facility is a requirement of the Connaught Waste Management Plan and that a Part 8 (Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 2001) is being prepared and will be circulated for members consideration at the May meeting.

IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT CONNOLLY PARK AND DEVELOPMENTS AT BUNNINADDEN AND COOLANEY: 

Councillor M. Gormley asked when work was due to commence on the improvement works at Connolly Park, Tubbercurry and also the position regarding the planned developments for Bunninadden and Coolaney.

In response Ms M. Mc Connell, Acting Director of Services advised that the Department of Environment and Local Government Inspector has been in contact with Respond and has sought modifications to the proposal for remedial works at Connolly Park, Tubbercurry.  Departmental approval is awaited by Sligo County Council.

T. Caffrey, Deputy County Manager, confirmed that he proposed to have an early meeting with department officials to discuss this and other housing funding matters.

CUTBACKS IN RECENT GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES AND BUDGET: 

Proposed by Councillor S. Mac Manus
Seconded by Councillor A. Parke

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council repudiates the steps taken by the Coalition Government in it’s recent Estimates and in it’s Budget. This Council expresses its opposition to the cutbacks outlined therein, as they will in many cases impinge on the least wealthy sections of our society.
 
Furthermore, this council calls on the government to re-instate the grant for first time buyers and to reverse its decision to cut the number of people working on Community Employment Schemes”.

STATES HISTORIC POSITION OF NON-ALIGNMENT IN INTERNATIONAL WARS:

It was agreed at Councillor S. Mac Manus’s request to defer this item.

VOTES OF SYMPATHY: 

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor T. Mc Loughlin

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Brenda and Jimmy Cullen on the death of their daughter, Shannen”.

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Jimmy Henry on the death his brother, Tommy”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Maura Mc Cormack on the death of her mother, Sarah”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Bea Henry and family on the death of her brother, Tommy”.

CONFERENCES: 

Proposed by Councillor E. Scanlon
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan

AND AGREED

“That Councillor M. Conlon and Councillor P. Branley be nominated to attend the conference ‘Monastic, Cathedral and Ecclesiastic Libraries, old and new’, in Roscrea, Tipperary”.


Proposed by Councillor E. Scanlon
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan

AND AGREED

“That Councillor M. Conlon be nominated to attend the conference ‘Peace Building, Beyond Us and Them’, in Letterkenny”.


Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor I. Fox

AND AGREED

“That Councillor L. Conlon be nominated to attend the conference ‘Tackling pollution of Ireland and coastal waters’ in Carrigaline, Co. Cork”.

Proposed by Councillor L. Conlon
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

AND AGREED

“That Councillor M. Conlon, Councillor A. Parke and Councillor P. Branley be nominated to attend the LAMA conference in Letterkenny.

CORRESPONDENCE: 

This was noted.

At Councillor M. Gormley’s request it was agreed that the proposed meeting with Mr. Pat Harvey, CEO of the North Western Health Board be arranged as soon as possible.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS CIRCULATED AT THE MEETING: 

  • LAMA newsletter
  • Environmental Services report re. Harringtons Quarry.
  • Details of LAMA Annual Conference
  • Details of LAMA /Confederation of European Councillors Joint Conference in Prague.

END OF MEETING 

The meeting concluded at 2.18pm.


Meeting Date 14/04/2003