Minutes 2021

Minutes of Adjourned March Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on Monday, 8th March, 2021 at 4.00 p.m. in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Bree,
  • Councillor Casserly(R),
  • Councillor Clarke(R),
  • Councillor Fox(R),
  • Councillor Gibbons,
  • Councillor Gilroy,
  • Councillor Healy,
  • Councillor Maguire(R),
  • Councillor Mullaney,
  • Councillor Mulvey,
  • Councillor O’Boyle,
  • Councillor Queenan,
  • Councillor Taylorand
  • Councillor Walsh(R)

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Tom Kilfeather, A/Chief Executive
  • Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services (R)
  • Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services(C)
  • Joe Murphy, A/Director of Services(C)
  • Jimmy O’Brien, I.S. Project Leader
  • Seán Martin, A/Senior Architect(C)
  • Emer Connolly, A/S.E.O.(C)
  • Kevin Colreavy, Meetings Administrator
  • Clodagh Quinn, Staff Officer

(R) = participated in the meeting remotely

(C) = participated via County Hall Video Link

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Dara Mulvey, presided.

 

APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received from Councillor Baker,  Councillor Connolly, Councillor MacSharry and Councillor O’Grady.

 

ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEETING:

The Cathaoirleach welcomed all present and asked Mr. Kilfeather, Acting Chief Executive and Compliance Officer for the meeting (as required under Health and Safety protocols) to set out the procedures that were in place.

Members participating remotely were Councillors Casserly, Clarke, Fox, Maguire and Walsh. 

 

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY:

Councillor Thomas Healy congratulated all female elected representatives and staff on International Women’s Day (8th March).

 

1.  HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN WEST SLIGO:

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to advertise for proposed Turnkey housing developments in west Sligo.”

In a report circulated in advance of the meeting, Members were informed that the Council has published two advertisements calling for expressions of interest in the provision of turnkey developments in 2020 which concentrated on Sligo Town and its immediate environs on the basis that Sligo generates the greatest measure of housing demand in the County.  The Council will follow up with another call within the County at specific strategic settlements where there is the capacity in terms of appropriate zoned land and an identified corresponding high level of demand as determined by the Assessment of Need prepared by the Council’s Housing Department.

In reply to specific queries from Councillor Queenan, A/Director of Services, Mr. John Moran, advised that it is intended that the aforementioned second call for expressions of interest will issue before the end of the month and in terms of the provision of social housing in Sligo, it is the view of the Department that the emphasis be on construction as the preferred method of provision.

A/Chief Executive, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, advised the meeting that Mr. Darragh O’Brien T.D. may be visiting Sligo on Friday 12th March and further details in this regard are awaited.

 

2.  PROPOSED KILLALA TO ENNISCRONE GREENWAY:

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

AND AGREED

“To ask the Director of Services to give an update on the proposed Killala to Enniscrone Greenway.”

Members were advised that Sligo County Council on behalf of Sligo Local Action Group (LAG) in collaboration with Mayo County Council (Mayo LAG) has submitted an application for funding under the RDP/LEADER Co-operation Programme.  This joint application is for a feasibility study and related studies to pursue the potential for an on/off road recreational route to link Enniscrone and Ballina.

The application was approved by the Sligo LAG in December 2020 and will be going to the Mayo LAG in early 2021 for consideration.

The proposed funding sought is circa €27,000.

Should the application prove successful, Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services advised that it would be the end of the current year at the earliest before the Feasibility Study would be finalised.

 

3.  MILLING OF PEAT AND CUTTING OF TURF ON IRISH BOGS:

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor T. Healy

AND AGREED

“To call on Minister Ryan to allow milling of peat on Irish bogs for horticulture use and turf cutting to continue to be harvested for domestic use until there is alternative available to rural people in west of Ireland.”

Councillor Healy informed the meeting that a public consultation on the development of new Solid Fuel Regulations for Ireland is ongoing and encouraged Members to make representations on the issue as well as asking for their co-operation in making the general public aware that the consultation process is underway.

 

4.  AUDIT OF CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE IN COUNTY SLIGO:

As Councillor Casserly was not present at this point, the Cathaoirleach agreed to proceed with the other items on the agenda and re-visit the item at a later stage.

 

5.  PROVISION OF CHARGING POINTS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN BALLYMOTE CAR PARK:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to provide charging points in Ballymote new car park for electric cars in light of the Programme for Government’s plan to ban new registrations of petrol and diesel cars from 2030.”

A report told the meeting that facilities are in place in the car park to install an EV charging point. However, there is an installation fee and ongoing monitoring fees for all charging points installed. Sligo County Council are currently looking at available grant schemes for EV charging points in County Sligo including Ballymote Town.

 

6.  RIGHT OF WAY ON LOCAL ROAD L1403-0 IN CASTLEBALDWIN:

With the consent of the Cathaoirleach, this item, as listed by Councillor Mullaney, was deferred:

“To call on Sligo County Council to outline what plans are to extinguish the right of way on local road L1403-0 in Castlebaldwin now that it’s no longer in use and the lay-by on the north western side.”

 

7.  COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDERS TO ACQUIRE LONG TERM VACANT HOUSES:

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor G. O’Boyle

AND AGREED

“That in view of the ever intensifying housing crisis this Council resolves that in areas of high demand the Council will use Compulsory Purchase Orders to acquire long term vacant houses and make them available for applicants on the Council’s Housing waiting list.”

A detailed report outlined to Members reasons why the Council do not use Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) to acquire long term vacant houses, namely due to financial costs and the fact that the process is very time consuming.

An additional consideration is the commitment under the Programme for Government for the retrofitting of 500,000 homes to a B2/cost optimal standard by 2030 of which approximately 36,500 are expected to be Local Authority owned homes.

The report went on to state that it would appear to be appropriate that the Council should now only acquire houses which have a very low BER rating in order to avoid substantial costs being incurred by it into the future.  Long term vacant houses would generally be older units with a high BER, or more likely to have no BER rating and therefore likely to cost the Council more to retrofit down the line.

However, in conclusion the report assured Members that the Council will seek to acquire by agreement long term vacant houses which come to notice, which have a low BER, are in good structural condition and are in areas where there is a demand for social housing.

Councillor Bree expressed his disappointment with the report noting the number of vacant houses in Sligo.  In agreeing, Councillor Clarke said that using the CPO process would serve a “dual purpose” both in tidying up housing estates and housing those on the Council’s housing list.

 

As Councillor Casserly had joined the meeting by this point, the Cathaoirleach proceeded to deal with Item No. 4.

4.  AUDIT OF CYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE IN COUNTY SLIGO:

Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy

AND AGREED

“Given the unprecedented Government funding available for walking and cycling projects and the increasing understanding of the role physical activity can play in improving physical and mental health, reducing noise and air pollution, meeting climate action targets and creating pleasant communities that Sligo County Council carry out an audit of existing cycling infrastructure in Sligo, Rosses Point and Strandhill under the headings of segregation, protection, connectivity  maintenance and potential users. Can this audit also categorise the results under "Quick Wins" and" Longer Term Projects" needing Government funding and utilises the audit results to draw up a comprehensive plan to ensure that within 5 years Sligo can be designated a cycle-friendly town.”

It was reported that the Council is currently in discussions with the National Transport Authority regarding the funding and the delivery of an Active Travel Programme for Sligo. The carrying out of an overall Transportation Plan which will include a review of the existing cycling and walking infrastructure is included in the proposals being presented.

In reply, Councillor Casserly asked that the following questions be answered by the Executive in due course:

  • When does the Council expect discussions with the NTA regarding the funding and delivery of the Active Travel Programme for Sligo to conclude?
  • How long does the Council envisage that the review of existing cycling and walking infrastructure will take?
  • Is there a plan for the format the review will take and will it involve consultation with current and potential user groups?
  • What criteria will the Council use to prioritise the Active Travel measures to be taken as part of the Transportation Plan?

In supporting the motion, Councillor Maguire asked if the replies to the above questions could be circulated to Members for their information.

 

8.  REQUEST FOR PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON ROAD R293 IN BALLYMOTE:

Proposed by Councillor A. Gibbons
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

AND AGREED

“That the Roads Department of this County Council start procedures to have a pedestrian crossing installed on R293 adjacent to the Park in Ballymote, in the interest of health and safety, particularly for young children and the elderly crossing the road to and from the Park.”

A previously circulated report informed Members that the entrance to the park is located on a bend on the R293 and close to the junction with the Camross road, therefore it will be extremely difficult to achieve the required sightlines to install a pedestrian crossing close to this point. A detailed survey of the location would be required to identify if a crossing could be installed. It could then be considered under a Low Cost Accident Scheme in 2022.

 

9.  TENDERS AND TIMEFRAME FOR WORKS ON T2-T12 ROAD – LINKING JUNCTION OF BURTON STREET/PEARSE ROAD:

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor G. O’Boyle

AND AGREED

“To ask when it is expected that the Council will invite tenders for the necessary works to complete the T2-T12 road, linking the junction of Mail Coach Road/Connolly Street with the junction of Burton Street/Pearse Road, and further to ask what is the estimated length of time for the works to be completed.”

Members were advised that the Council are finalising the CPO of the lands required for the Mail Coach Road to Burton Street link road and intend to appoint consultant engineers to prepare the detailed design and tender documents for the construction of the road.

It is anticipated that tender documents will be ready before the end of the year and construction will be subject to ongoing funding from the Department of Transport.

 

10.  ONLINE GAELTACHT FEES:

Proposed by Councillor G. O’Boyle
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

AND AGREED

“Sligo County Council calls on Minister Norma Foley and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris to conduct a review of online Gaeltacht fees.”

 

11.  GOVERNMENT ALLOCATIONS TO HORSE RACING AND GREYHOUND RACING INDUSTRIES:

Proposed by Councillor G. O’Boyle
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

“Sligo County Council condemns this Government for allocating €100 million between horse racing and greyhound racing.” 

A discussion on the issue took place, during which Cllrs. Bree and Gibbons supported Councillor O’Boyle’s motion (3)

while the following Cllrs. asked to be recorded as dissenting:

Cllrs. Casserly, Clarke, Gilroy, Maguire, Mullaney, Mulvey, Queenan, Taylor and Walsh (9).

 

12.  SUPPORTS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN:

Proposed by Councillor A. Gibbons
Seconded by Councillor T. Healy

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council calls on the coalition Government of FF, FG & the Greens for additional educational support for national and secondary school children and those supporting them.

There are already great disparities in education centered around access, facilities,  educational supports and location and if we fail to act now there is a serious and developing risk that children will be left behind in there education and will not reach their full potential academic achievements.”

Members paid tribute to parents and all involved in the teaching profession for their hard work and dedication throughout the pandemic.

 

13.  CONFERENCES AND TRAINING:

The Members noted the details as furnished to them in advance of the meeting.

 

14.  SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS OF CONFERENCES ATTENDED:

There were no items under this heading due to Covid-19 restrictions and non attendance by Members at Conferences/Training.

 

15.  CORRESPONDENCE:

Items of Correspondence were noted.

 

MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:

No matter was raised under this heading.

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

  • Councillor Healy asked that a meeting be requested with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) regarding potential roads projects within the county and also to answer queries which Councillors may have regarding funding for different elements of the roads network.
  • Councillor Gilroy complimented the Roads Department for recent works undertaken at the road in the vicinity of Luke’s Bridge in North Sligo.
  • The Cathaoirleach asked for Members’ co-operation in trying to complete the business of future meetings in one sitting and that items of local interest be included on Municipal District meeting agendas.

 

18.  VOTE OF CONGRATULATIONS:

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan

AND AGREED

“That a vote of Congratulations be extended to Dara Keenan of Ardnaglass, Ballymote on securing a professional jockey licence after notching up 95 race wins”.

 

19.  VOTES OF SYMPATHY:

Votes of sympathy were recorded.

 

END OF MEETING:

The Cathaoirleach thanked the Members for their co-operation. The business of the meeting concluded at 5.15 p.m.

 


Meeting Date 08/03/2021