Minutes 2007

Ordinary Meeting of the Council which was held on May 14th 2007 at 11.00am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo.


MEMBERS PRESENT:

  • Baker,
  • Barry,
  • Bree,
  • Cawley,
  • Colleary,
  • Conmy,
  • Devins,
  • Fleming,
  • Gormley,
  • Healy McGowan,
  • Higgins,
  • Kilgannon,
  • Lundy,
  • McGarry,
  • McGrath,
  • Mullaney,
  • Queenan,
  • Murray,
  • Sherlock.

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr H. Kearns, County Manager
  • Mr T. Kilfeather, A/Director of Services
  • Mr S. Concannon, Director of Services
  • Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services
  • Mr. M. Lydon, A/Head of Finance
  • Ms P. R. Gallagher, Senior Executive Officer
  • Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer
  • Mr J. McHugh, Senior Engineer
  • Mr S. O’Toole, Senior Executive Officer
  • Mr G. Salter, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr P. Flanagan, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Ms D. McDonagh, Senior Staff Officer
  • Ms R. McGrath, Assistant Arts Officer
  • Ms R. Keane, Assistant Staff Officer
  • Ms M. Boylan, Staff Officer
  • Ms L. Conlon, Clerical Officer
  • Mr F. Mac Nabb, Meetings Administrator

Apologies:

  • Cllr S. MacManus

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor J. McGarry presided.

VOTES OF SYMPATHY AND ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING;

Proposed by Councillor J. McGarry and seconded by Councillor V. Cawley that a vote of sympathy be extended to the Bree family on the death of Cllr D. Bree’s sister in law, Nancy. It was agreed that the Meeting be adjourned for 15 minutes as a mark of respect to the Bree family.

Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mary Egan on the death of her son, Kevin”.

Proposed by Councillor J. Devins
Seconded by Councillor D. Healy McGowan

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to the McGarry family on the death of Philip”.

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor G. Murray

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Renee Burke on the death of her husband, Peter”.

Proposed by Councillor P. Barry
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Thomas and Mary Gorevan on the death of their mother, Mary”.

Proposed by Councillor J. Sherlock
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Joe Davey on the death of his mother, Mary Teresa Davey”.

The meeting wished Councillor S. MacManus a speedy recovery.

The County Manager asked to be associated with all the votes of sympathy.

Meeting was adjourned for 15 minutes.

Proposed by Councillor A. Higgins
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

“In light of the fact that this council has 3 candidates running in the general election that this meeting finish at 1.30pm”.

As an agreement could not be reached in relation to this item the Cathaoirleach asked that a poll be taken.

For: Baker, Barry, Cawley, Colleary, Devins, Healy McGowan, Higgins, Kilgannon, Lundy, Queenan and Sherlock.
Against: Bree, Conmy, Fleming, McGarry, McGrath, Mullaney and Murray.
Abstained: Gormley

As a result was 11 for votes to 7 against, the resolution was agreed.

Councillor P. Conmy asked that standing orders be suspended to discuss the nurses strike. The meeting agreed that Cllr Conmy’s motion would be taken together with motion 37 before the conclusion of the meeting.

1. MINUTES OF THE SPC4 MEETING HELD ON THE 18TH JANUARY, 2007;

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor V. Cawley

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of SPC4 meeting held on the 18th January, 2007”.

2. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON THE 2ND APRIL, 2007;

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor J. Lundy

AND AGREED

"To confirm the minutes of Ordinary meeting of the Council held on the 2nd April, 2007”.

3. DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY AT BELLA, COLLOONEY, CO. SLIGO;

Proposed by Councillor J. Sherlock
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

AND AGREED

"To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of property at Bella, Collooney, Co. Sligo to Nicolas Newell”.

4. DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY AT FIDDAUN, ENNISCRONE, CO. SLIGO;

Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan

AND AGREED

"To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of property at Fiddaun, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo to Michael Healy and Mary Healy”.

5. DISPOSAL OF LAND AT CLOONAGH, CO. SLIGO;

Proposed by Councillor P. Barry
Seconded by Councillor V. Cawley

AND AGREED

“To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government 2001, the disposal of land at Cloonagh, Co. Sligo to Bernadette Dillon”.

6. DISPOSAL OF LAND AT COLLOONEY, CO. SLIGO;

Proposed by Councillor J. Sherlock
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

AND AGREED

"To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of land at Collooney, Co. Sligo”.

7. CONSTRUCTION OF DWELLING HOUSE, ACCESS ONTO PUBLIC ROAD AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE DEVELOPMENT WORKS AT CROWAGH TD., DROMORE WEST, CO. SLIGO;


Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan

AND AGREED

“To approve in accordance with Part 8 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations 2001 proceed with the construction of dwelling house, access onto public and all associated site development works at Crowagh T., Dromore West, Co. Sligo”.

8. CONSTRUCTION OF POLLACHEENY BRIDGE AND ROAD REALIGNMENT AT POLLACHEENEY, CABRAGHKEEL, EASKEY, CO. SLIGO;

Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan

AND AGREED

“To approve in accordance with of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations 2001 the Council to proceed with the construction of Pollacheeny Bridge and road realignment at Pollacheeney, Cabraghkeel, Easkey, Co. Sligo in accordance with the revised plans drawings of details”.

9. BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SLIGO MUSIC FESTIVAL;

This item was deferred with the agreement of the meeting.

10. SLIGO HARBOUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE;

Proposed by Councillor P. Barry
Seconded by Councillor A. Higgins

AND AGREED


“To nominate two members to the Sligo Harbour Advisory Committee”.

Following a discussion the following resolutions were;

Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor J. Sherlock

AND AGREED

“That the Council nominate Cllr Patsy Barry and Cllr Albert Higgins to the Sligo Harbour Advisory Committee”.
and

Proposed by Councillor V. Cawley
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

AND AGREED

“That the Sub Committee of SPC 1 Re; Sligo Harbour Advisory Group shall include 2 members representing Sligo Borough Council”.

11. CASUAL VACANCY ON SPC3;

The members noted the filling of a casual vacancy on SPC3.

12. COMMUNITY AND VOLUTARY GRANT SCHEME 2007;

Proposed by P. Barry
Seconded by M. Fleming

AND AGREED

“To approve the Grant Awards under the Community Voluntary Grant Scheme 2007”.

13. COMMUNITY ARTS ACT GRANT AND ARTIST BURSARY;

Proposed by Councillor by J. Lundy
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley

AND AGREED

“To approve the Community Arts Act Grant Awards and Artist Bursary”.

Following a discussion it was agreed to amend the resolution to include an extra €250 to be awarded to Seachrain – youth traditional music group.

Proposed by Councillor J. Lundy
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

AND AGREED

“To approve the Community Arts Grant Awards and Artist Bursary to include an extra €250 to be awarded to Seachrain – youth traditional music group”.

14. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING;

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

AND AGREED

“That the Annual General Meeting of Sligo County Council for 2007 be held on 25th June 2007”.

15. PRESENTATION BY MR PAT CANNING, PROJECT MANAGER, WESTERN RIVER BASIN DISTRICT PROJECT;

Mr Pat Canning, Project Manager, Western River Basin District Project gave a presentation to the meeting in relation to the Significant Water Management Issues Report which is to be published in June 2007 under the E.U. Water Framework Directive and National Legislation”.

16. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON BARRACK ROAD IN COLLOONEY;

This item was deferred with the agreement of the meeting.

17. GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT;

Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor A. Higgins

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council congratulate all of the political parties who have signed up the Good Friday Agreement which has resulted in devolved government being restored in Northern Ireland”.

18. UPGRADING OF THE STRANDHILL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT;

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor J. McGarry

“That the Council Management ensure that the necessary resources and personnel are provided to allow for the speedy drafting of contract documents so as tenders can be sought and approved for the upgrading of the Strandhill Wastewater Treatment Plant”.

In Response Mr K. Larkin stated the following;

A Client’s Representative has been appointed to develop the contract Documents for this scheme. It is bundled together with Tubbercurry and Grange WwTW’s. The programme, as it is envisaged at present, is that the contract will go to tender by end of current year. The contract will be awarded and the design/construction phase will begin early in 2008 and project will be operational by late 2008. Water Services Section are confident that all necessary resources are in place for the delivery of this project without undue delay, and progress is continuously monitored to this end.

19. COLLECTION OF KITCHEN WATSE FROM HOUSEHOLDERS;

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor J. McGarry

“To ask the County Manager what proposals the Council have to provide for the separate collection of kitchen waste from householders”.

In Response Mr T. Kilfeather A/DOS stated the following;

Sligo County Council are working with the waste collectors in Sligo on the introduction of a third bin for the separate collection of organic kitchen waste from householders. The provision of a third bin for organic kitchen waste from householders. The provision of a third bin for organic kitchen waste is necessary to meet the 2010 EU Landfill Directive Targets on the division of biodegradable waste from landfill. Sligo County Council shall enforce this initiative through collection permits, which all waste collectors must hold. Sligo County Council’s Waste Presentation By-Laws provide that householders must present a third bin with organic kitchen waste, for collection, when the service becomes available. There are a number of steps in moving towards meeting the targets and the next step is the third bin for organic kitchen waste, for collection, when the service becomes available.

20. PROPERTY RENTED BY SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL;

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor V. Cawley

“That the Council be provided with details, including the identity of each property rented by the County Council, the purpose for which each property is used by the Council, the annual rent paid for each property, and the date on which the rental agreement was entered into in respect of each property, and to ask the County Manager if he will make a statement on the matter”.

In Response Ms D. Clarke DOS stated the following;

PropertyPurposeAnnual
Rent
Date of Lease
Development Centre, Cleveragh Office Accommodation €193450 19th September 2001
Environment Cleveragh Office Accommodation €61648 3rd September 2002
Westward Town Centre Office Accommodation €56186 November 1997
Westward Town Centre Office Accommodation €13200 12th February 2005
Market Yard Office Accommodation €49300 1st February 2006
Market Yard Office Accommodation €6700 1st October 2005
Cleveragh Storage Storage €12700 5th April 2002
Cleveragh (Motor Tax) Office Accommodation €46,992 1st January 2007
 Cleveragh (Motor Tax) Storage €5,768 1st January 2007
Cleveragh (Unit 6) Office Accommodation €136,206 31st March 2007

 

  • The offices at the Development Centre Cleveragh accommodate Community and Enterprise, Leader and County Enterprise Board.
  • The offices in the Market Yard accommodate the Road Design Section and the Arts Office.
  • The offices at the Westward Centre accommodate some of the County Library Staff.
  • The offices at Cleveragh (S.I.P.T.U) accommodate Motor Tax.
  • Rental Amounts Recouped Development Centre - €94800 P.A

It was agreed that Ms Clarke’s report be circulated to the members.

21. BALLINDOON CEMETERY COMMITTEE;

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor G. Murray

“To call on the Director of Services for Community and Enterprise to provide €1500 to match funds raised by Ballindoon Cemetery Committee to improve the access road”.

In Response Ms P. Gallagher SEO stated the following;

Discussions have taken place with the local committee and it is acknowledged that the access road is inadequate. It is proposed to provide this matching funding to the Cemetery Committee.

37. IMMEDIATE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE NURSES ORGANSATIONS;

It was agreed by the meeting that this items 37 and 62 be taken at this time;

Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

“That this Council calls on the Government and the Minister for Health to enter in to immediate negotiations with the Nurses Organisations”.

After a discussion the following amendment to the resolution was agreed;

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley

AND AGREED

“That this Council calls on the Government and the Minister for Health to enter in to immediate negotiations with the Nurses Organisations and concede to the just demands of the Nurses”.

Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

AND AGREED

“That this Council condemn the Minister for Health for her insulting and arrogant behaviour towards the nurses”.

33. INVITATION TO MS BRIDIE SWEENEY OF THE RIVERBROOK PROJECT TO ADDRESS A FUTURE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL;

Proposed by Councillor M. Baker
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

AND AGREED

“To ask the County Council to invite Ms Bridie Sweeney of the Riverbrook Project to address a future meeting of the Council”.

VOTES OF SYMPATHY;

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs Renee Burke on the death of her husband, Peter”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Ms Phil Deehan on the death of her sister, Teresa Roberts”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Michael McDonagh on the death of his father, John Patrick McDonagh”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Paul Sherlock on the death of his uncle, Tom Grady”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Rose Carroll and family on the death of her husband, Sam”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Oliver Flannery on the death of his sister, Agnes”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mary Kennedy on the death of her father, Mick Lang”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Breege O’Dowd on the death of her brother, Joe Golden”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Matt Burke on the death of his brother, Peter”.

Proposed by Councillor P. Barry
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mary and Thomas Gorevan on the death of their mother, Mary”.

Proposed by Councillor G. Murray
Seconded by Councillor P. McGrath

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Fr Roger McDonagh on the death of his sister, Tina”.

Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mary Egan on the death of her son, Kevin”.

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Frank O’Hara on the death of his father, James”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Molly Lang on the death of her husband, Michael”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mary Reilly on the death of her father, John Kennedy”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mary Loftus on the death of her mother, Mary Carbery”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Oliver Flannery on the death of his sister, Agnes Scollian”.

Proposed by Councillor J. Devins
Seconded by Councillor D. Healy McGowan

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mezzalie McGarry on the death of her husband, Philp”.

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Niall McGarry on the death of his brother, Philip”.

CONFERENCES

Proposed by Councillor J. Devins
Seconded by Councillor J. McGarry

AND AGREED

"That Councillors Jude Devins and Jim McGarry be nominated to attend the Effective Communication for Councillors Conference in Castlebellingham on the 8 – 10 June”.

CORRESPONDANCE: ANY OTHER BUSINESS: ADDITIONAL ITEMS CIRCULATED AT MEETING:

  • List of forthcoming Conference
  • Letter dated 8th May 2007 from the Department of Health and Children acknowledging receipt of letter regarding nurses pay and working conditions.
  • Letter dated 8th May 2007 from the Department of Health and Children acknowledging receipt of letter regarding competition in the Health Insurance Market.
  • Letter dated 10th May 2007 from the Department of Marine and Natural Resources regarding Closure of Rural Post Offices.
  • Letter received 10th May 2007 from An Garda Siochana regarding Tubbercurry Garda Station.

The Meeting ended at 1.30pm


Meeting Date 14/05/2007