Minutes 2023
Minutes of the Meeting of the Borough District of Sligo Held on Monday 23rd January 2023 at 10.00 A.M. in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo.
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
- Councillor Tom Mac Sharry (Mayor)
- Councillor Declan Bree
- Councillor Arthur Gibbons
- Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady
- Councillor Gino O’Boyle
- Councillor Sinead Maguire (Remotely via MS Teams)
OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:
- Dorothy Clarke Director of Services
- Thomas Kerins Executive Engineer
- Jude Mannion, Staff Officer (Meetings Administrator)
- Mark Cummins, Senior Executive Engineer
MAYOR:
Mayor Tom Mac Sharry presided and welcomed all present to the meeting.
1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF BOROUGH DISTRICT OF SLIGO HELD ON 28th NOVEMBER 2022:
Proposed by Councillor R O’Grady
Seconded by Councillor A Gibbons
AND AGREED
“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Borough District of Sligo held on 28th November 2022”.
2. MATTERS ARISING:
There were no matters arising.
3. TO CONSIDER THE DRAFT LOCAL ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY PLAN FOR SLIGO (SLIGO 2030 – ONE VOICE ONE VISION) INCORPORATING DETAILED OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES AND DRAFT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (REPORTS ATTACHED)
Proposed by Councillor D Bree
Seconded by Councillor A Gibbons
Councillor Bree in proposing advised the Mayor that the difficulties that the members had with some elements of the text in the draft previously presented had now been addressed with this revised draft
4. TO NOMINATE 2/3 MEMBERS TO ATTEND A MEETING TO BE ARRANGED WITH LOCAL LINK DONEGAL SLIGO LEITRIM
The Mayor advised that this was on foot of a motion that he had put down at the Plenary. Accordingly, 3 members (Councillors Bree, O’Grady & Gibbons were nominated. The Mayor then suggested it should be open to all of the 6 members. Councillor Maguire asked that a mailing list be set up and that all 6 members be notified of the time and date of the proposed meeting.
5.TRAFFIC SURVEY ALONG R292
Proposed by Councillor S Maguire
Seconded by Councillor A Gibbons
That Sligo County Council would conduct a traffic survey along the R292 between Cummeen and St. Anne’s Church, in conjunction with TII to establish if dedicated turning lanes are required or some form of speed calming measures to facilitate those drivers turning onto or exiting from the minor road off the R292.
Councillor Maguire in tabling this motion advised that the issue of speeding along this road is getting worse and enquired as to progress with the results of a speed survey that the members had been told was to be carried out over 12 months ago. Councillor Maguire said she had been contacted by persons concerned with the difficulty and dangers of both walking on this road and also turning off into their homes.
Mr. Thomas Kerins, Executive Engineer in response advised that Interventions such as dedicated right turning lanes and/or ghost islands are generally only considered where there is a history of collisions involving right turn vehicles. The Roads Department are not aware that any such problems exist along this section of the R292. But that they will consult with An Garda Síochána in this regard. Councillor Maguire thanked Mr. Kerins for his report and advised that with the recent bad weather that this notice was timely and that accidents have occurred. She acknowledged however, that the Local Authorities remit might be limited, but asked that it be bought to the attention of TII.
6. PUBLIC LIGHTING AT MITCHELL CURLEY PARK
Proposed by Councillor S Maguire
Seconded by Councillor A Gibbons
This motion seeks an update with regard to the Public Lighting application for Mitchell Curley Park
Mr. Thomas Kerins Executive Engineer advised that the estimated cost of the provision of Walkway Flood-Lighting for Mitchell Curley Park is €140,000. SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL received €30,078 grant funding from the 2020 Sports Capital and Equipment Programme towards this project. SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL intend to progress the civil works – ducting, lamppost pots and ESB supply boxes in 2023 with this funding. There is currently no funding available for the purchase and installation of lampposts and lanterns - 44 No. in total. SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL intend to apply for funding for these elements of the project in the next round of the Sports Capital Programme.
Councillor Maguire thanked Mr. Kerins for this report and enquired as to whether there are other schemes separate to the Sports Capital Programme that could be a source of funding to progress this. Councillor Gibbons in seconding the motion, advised that this is a matter that all members have been approached about due to safety issues of lack of lighting. Councillor O’Grady wanted to compliment the staff on the overall maintenance of the park, as a nearby resident she uses it quite regularly, but would ask that some of the park equipment receive some painting attention.
7.MONITORING OF DOUBLE YELLOW LINES AT SUMMERHILL
Proposed by Councillor T Mac Sharry
Seconded by Councillor A Gibbons
That Sligo MD would write to the Roads Policing Unit of An Garda Siochana Sligo asking that the new double yellow lines area at Summerhill College's new and old buildings would be monitored for illegal parking at the request of the Residents Association of Summerhill Village in the interest of Health & Safety and also that Sligo MD's Traffic Wardens would also monitor this area".
Councillor Mac Sharry in putting down the motion advised that he had received representations from Summerhill Village Residents Association about incidents of vehicles parking for long periods along the new lining and that this is occurring as the area is not monitored by either An Garda Siochana or the Traffic Wardens.
Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services confirmed that the Council would follow up on this with both a letter to AGS and that it would be bought to the relevant section concerning the Traffic Wardens
8. RESURFACING TO DOORLY PARK AND CALTRAGH ROAD
Proposed by Councillor T Mac Sharry
Seconded by Councillor R O’Grady
AND AGREED
That urgent road resurfacing works would take place at Doorly Park and Caltragh Road in the interest of Health & Safety".
Mr. Thomas Kerins, Executive Engineer advised that Localised resurfacing works will be carried out on Newtownholmes Road at its junction with Caltragh Heights over the coming weeks. The roads in the Doorly Park area will be assessed and will be considered for inclusion in the 2023 Roadworks Programme.
Councillor Mac Sharry thanked Mr. Kerins for his report and in particular welcomed the news concerning the junction on Newtownholmes Road. Mr. Kerins clarified that this is an emergency Short Term measure and that the road in its entirety is being looked at by the Active Travel Team
9. CCTV & LIGHTING AT SLIGO CEMETARY
Proposed by Councillor T Mac Sharry
Seconded by Councillor R O’Grady
AND AGREED
That Sligo MD members be provided with an update on the installation of CCTV cameras and extra lighting at Sligo Cemetery".
Mr. Thomas Kerins in his report advised that the use of community CCTV is not currently permitted but this is under review on a national level. It is only after that consultation process has been completed and the Minister has approved the final version of the CoPs that the various sections of the Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 which will permit for the lawful use of CCTV and Mobile Recording Devices for waste offences will be commenced. There are no plans to provide additional lighting at Sligo Cemetery.
Councillor Mac Sharry advised that he had raised this issue previously in October 2021 and that he doesn’t accept the arguments surrounding GDPR, as other Local Authorities have community cctv in place, he gave Dun Laoghaire Rathdown as one example and asked that someone in Sligo County Council liaise with someone there. Other members expressed concern on CCTV in the actual cemetery itself as it is a private area where persons visit the graves of their departed loved ones. Councillor Mac Sharry clarified that it is only at the gates and exits he seeks to have these installed.
Councillor Gibbons asked that the members receive a report covering a 2-3 year span on reported damage and vandalism in the cemetery
10. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING CLEVERAGH ROAD
Proposed by Councillor A Gibbons
Seconded by Councillor G O’Boyle
AND AGREED
That the roads department of this local authority install a pedestrian crossing at Cleveragh road in the vicinity of the Londis Shop and the entrance to Devin’s Drive’.
Councillor O’ Boyle asked that his motion, No. 14 be taken jointly with this.
Councillor Gibbons in putting down this motion drew attention to a national advertising campaign ongoing currently highlighting the need for motorists to slow down and be conscious of pedestrian crossing and perhaps elderly persons attempting to cross. In this specific case under the motion, he advised that this community is a long-established community with many elderly residents now, but that this road is seeing increasing volumes of out of town traffic using it to access LIDL, ALDI etc.
Mr. Thomas Kerins Executive Engineer in response advised that Sligo County Council Roads Department will investigate the suitability of the location for a pedestrian crossing and pending that review, it can be considered for inclusion under future Roads Programmes.
All members present expressed support for the motion.
11. ACCESS TO NEOLITHIC MONUMENT AT CAIRNS HILL
Proposed by Councillor D Bree
Seconded by Councillor G O’Boyle
AND AGREED
“That the Council Executive seek a meeting with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Office of Public Works with a view to investigating the possibility of developing public access to the Neolithic monument located above the Fox’s Den on Cairns (Carns) Hill.”
Councillor Bree in putting down the motion acknowledged that the attempts by the state to purchase the 23 acres of land on which this monument sits was unsuccessful in 2021. However, given its significance, he asked that interest be maintained and that the possibility of developing public access be investigated, and mentioned CADRA (Carraroe & District Regeneration Association) who have campaigned on this for a number of years. With Sligo’s passage tombs now on the tentative list of UNESCO Heritage Sites, it is all the more important.
All members present were supportive of the motion.
12. COUNCILS STRATEGY FOR ‘OVER THE SHOP’ VACANT PROPERTIES
Proposed by Councillor D Bree
Seconded by Councillor G O’Boyle
That a report be provided indicating the Council’s strategy to encourage property owners to develop ‘over the shop’ vacant property for residential use and to encourage property owners to refurbish derelict and vacant houses in Sligo town centre.”
In putting down this motion, Councillor Bree explained that despite objectives on Urban Renewal contained in the Development Plan, it is now obvious that the Town Centre is not developing in the way that the public expect. He acknowledged that recent initiatives such as the Long-Term Vacant Property Incentive Scheme as well as various Public Realm Projects will assist in renewing the town centre for business and commercial purposes, He expressed disappointment that the Authority did not receive any additional resources under the ‘Town Centres First’ initiative launched by the Government in February 2022. However, Councillor Bree did acknowledge that repair and renovation of old town centre properties can carry additional costs relative to purchasing ‘out of town’ equivalents, along with issues such as parking etc and so to encourage increased residential use a strategy is required.
Mr. Mark Cummins, Senior Executive Engineer in response outlined a number of schemes and initiatives that are in place to encourage and assist in bringing vacant properties back into residential use. These include exemptions under Planning regulations introduced in 2018 along with grant schemes such as the ‘Croi Conaithe Fund’, to which Sligo County Council has received 28 applications. Increased Resources are also provided for under the ‘Housing for All’ Strategy and Sligo County Council will be funded to appoint a Vacant Homes Officer.
Councillor Bree thanked Mr. Cummins for the extensive report and acknowledge that many of the schemes and initiatives outlined are relatively new and so need time to have a positive impact. However, he expressed concern on the impact that the existing Building Regulations were having specifically in this regard and he believed, these required updating to take into account improved technologies and modern methods.
The Mayor, in supporting the motion also spoke of many other factors negatively impacting this issue, such as building costs inflation, but that ‘City Living’ is the norm across Europe and needs to be encouraged
13. FOOTPATH / CYCLE WAY FROM WESTERN DISTRIBUTOR ROUTE TO CARROWMORE
Proposed by Councillor D Bree
Seconded by Councillor G O’Boyle
To ask if consideration has been given to developing a footpath/cycle way from the junction of the Western Distributor Road to the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery?”
Councillor Bree in putting down this motion advised that Carrowmore is the oldest and densest concentration of Megalithic tombs in Ireland and is generally acknowledged as being the top visitor attraction in the County, located just 4KM from the urban area and how the County Tourism Strategy sets out that Heritage Sites need to be more accessible.
Mr. Thomas Kerins in response outlined Consideration has not been given to such a scheme to date, and it is not included in any current Active Travel Plans or Roads Programmes.
Councillor Bree acknowledged that such a project may not prove possible due to costs involved with land acquisition as the existing road is narrow, but asked that it be investigated.
14. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING CLEVERAGH ROAD
Proposed by Councillor G O’Boyle
AND AGREED
That Sligo County Council check the possibility of putting a pedestrian crossing on the Cleveragh Road opposite Londis.
Proposed by Councillor G O’Boyle
Taken with Item No. 10
15.CONGESTION AT CRANMORE ROAD ROUNDABOUT
Proposed by Councillor G O’Boyle
Seconded by Councillor D Bree
AND AGREED
‘That Sligo County Council review the traffic congestion on Cranmore Road at the roundabout.
In putting down this motion, Councillor O’Boyle said the problem was particularly bad at Christmas as the Car Park filled with shoppers.
Mr Thomas Kerins in response advised that SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL Roads Department is not aware of any routine traffic congestion on Cranmore Road. At peak times there can be a build-up of traffic at the Dunnes Stores roundabout, but this occurrence is very infrequent.
16.INCREASE IN HOUSING GRANTS
Proposed by Councillor A Gibbons
DEFERRED
Due to the fact that building materials are at an all-time high, I am asking this local authority to call on the Fianna Fail, Fine Gael the Greens and the soft Independents in Government to increase the Housing Adaptation Grants for older people and people with a Disability this increase needs to come into line with inflation’.
17.CONDEMNATION OF DISCRIMINATION
Proposed by Councillor A Gibbons
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree
AND AGREED
To call on this council: to affirm that there is no place in Sligo / Ireland for any form of discrimination against people who have come to Ireland to make it their home and to work and live their lives. This is even more relevant now because of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and that we remain vigilant form any attempt by far-right groups to vilify either Russian or Ukrainian people who have come to our country.
Councillor Gibbons in putting down this motion said it was unfortunate that he had to do so again, after tabling a similar one earlier in his term. It was important he said that we respond to those who try to divide society and who try to lay the blame for lack of services at the doors of those fleeing conflict. To do anything other than show human decency would be a betrayal of our own experience as Irish People.
Councillor Bree in supporting the motion expressed disappointment that the small minority of those who would complain about emigrants, have themselves family members living all over the world and that there are over 1 million Irish Citizens living elsewhere around the world.
Councillor O’Boyle expressed concern at the amount of misinformation being used by the Far Right in recent months.
Councillor Maguire spoke of her disappointment of having received critical anonymous calls after she spoke recently on local radio in support of refugees.
CORRESPONDENCE
No Correspondence
AOB
Suggested Meetings dates for the remainder of 2023 were advised and members agreed to same
The Arts Office gave notice that due to a review of its current Arts Plan, that the International Chamber Music Festival would not take place in 2023.
Councillor Bree proposed that Votes of Sympathy be extended to the families of the late John C Mc Tiernan & Dr Michael Mac Greal respectively.
Mr. Mc Tiernan a native of Conways Cross was County Librarian from 1979 until his retirement in 1995. Councillor Bree described him as an Historian of note. His work, ‘Historic Sligo’, Councillor Bree felt, earned him his place a major chronicler alongside Wood Martin and O’Rourke.
Dr Michael Mac Greal, a former lecturer in St Patricks College Maynooth was a founding member of the Western Inter County Rail Committee in 1979 which has campaigned for over 40 years to reopen the Western Rail Corridor. Dr Mac Greal was also a campaigner for example with Travellers Rights, preservation of the Irish language & Prison Reform
Councillor O’Boyle seconded both votes of sympathy.
The Mayor thanked Members for their co-operation during the meeting.
The business of the meeting concluded at 11.10 a.m.
Meeting Date 23/01/2023