Minutes 2020

Minutes of Meeting of Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District held on Monday 19th October 2020 at 1.00pm in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Thomas Walsh (Cathaoirleach)
  • Councillor Tom Fox
  • Councillor Dónal Gilroy
  • Councillor Marie Casserly

 

APOLOGIES/ABSENT:

  • Councillor Thomas Healy

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr. Ciarán Hayes, C.E.
  • Mr. John Moran, A/Director of Services
  • Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
  • Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services
  • Ms. Marie Whelan, Head of Finance
  • Ms. Pauline Lavelle, Staff Officer

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Walsh, presided and welcomed those present to the meeting.

 

1.  TO CONSIDER THE DRAFT 2021 BUDGETARY PLAN:

Ms. Marie Whelan, Head of Finance, outlined the statutory nature of the meeting. She stated that consultation has taken place with Managers and budget holders and that this meeting, in conjunction with last week’s CPG meeting and party group meetings later this week, form part of the general process involved in finalising the Council’s 2021 budget.

She explained that the budgetary plan follows the same basis as in previous years.  The Plan contains items of discretionary expenditure that are shown in the ‘County-wide’ column and apply to all Districts along with items that are specific to each District.  These items of discretionary expenditure are now considered ‘essential' items of expenditure.

Ms. Whelan informed Members that the amount of Sligo’s LPT as notified is €5.3m and 15%, €802,346 represents a slight increase in the 2020 amount.  In 2021 €400,000 will again be provided for service area A09 Housing Grants which includes a Council contribution of €80,000 from additional LPT from 15% increase (as agreed by the Members at the September Council meeting).  Works in service area B07 under a Footpath Improvement Scheme to be developed for 2021 will benefit from additional LPT funds in the amount of €100,000.  The balance of the additional revenue generated from the increase in LPT has gone into Service Area F0404 Recreational Development for Capital Projects. She advised that work is under way on a number of projects as discussed at the September ordinary meeting.  However, these and other projects will require significant match funding to be project managed by the Council in the next five year period.

 

Division B – Roads Transport & Safety

Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, informed the Members that regarding the Drumcliff car park, a draft conservation plan is being developed for the whole area which will go to tender in November 2020 and start in early 2021.  This plan will take all aspects of the whole site into account and services for the car park will form part of the conservation plan.

Mr. Kilfeather advised that a lot of repair works needs to be carried out at Rosses Point beach next year if it is to be considered for Blue Flag status.  County Sligo Golf Club also has planning permission to carry out works to combat coastal erosion in this area this year. He also advised that works at the toilets at Mullaghmore beach will be carried out shortly.

Mr. Kilfeather informed the Members that hopefully the 2021 Roads Programme funding allocation can be retained at the same level as for 2020, taking into account public sector funding to be given to kick start the economy post Covid. There is a significant Footpath Enhancement Programme for 2021 and the budget will be retained at the same level as for 2020. 

 

Division D – Development Management

Director of Services, Ms. Dorothy Clarke, advised Members that the budget for tourism development and promotion remains the same as 2020 which includes contributions to Sligo Tourism, Sligo Airport, Ireland West Airport Knock, Diaspora funding etc.

 

Division F – Recreation and Amenity

Ms. Clarke briefed the Members on the current position for a number of projects that are in the pipeline for 2021, as listed in the report circulated to Members.  These projects require match funding and there will be a significant requirement for match funding until at least 2024.

Mr. Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive, stated that there are a number of issues that the Members of this M.D. would like to see progress on such as the toilets at Drumcliff.  He advised that this is a sensitive matter and needs to be looked at holistically and progressed in the correct way and a plan worked out accordingly.

Mr. Hayes stated that due to the current escalating Covid situation, there is some uncertainty around budgets, but as Government has committed  provide funding to all regions, hopefully projects which are in the pipeline and ready to go will benefit from such funding.

The Members wished to acknowledge the excellent work of all staff and commend them for the works carried out in the Sligo/Drumcliff area.

In reply to specific queries, Members were advised as follows:

  • Works will be progressed on the Armada Centre but there is no timeline provided for this project yet.
  • Members of the Sligo/Drumcliff M.D. will be kept informed of any presentations/updates in relation to the Market Yard development.
  • Roads funding allocation for 2021, similar to 2020 funding, is not sufficient to allow funding for Class 3 roads.
  • €450,000 has been spent on upgrading the Sligo Regional Sports Centre over the last number of years. Application was made for a government approved funding stream for swimming pools but was unsuccessful.  At that time only one project could be prioritised so available funds were spent on Waterpoint in Enniscrone.
  • A contribution of €20,000 was made towards Sligo Airport for 2020. It is anticipated that this will remain the same for 2021.
  • Electric Ireland has responsibility for provision of fast chargers for Electric Vehicles in Sligo. Sligo County Council is looking at providing a number of ‘normal’ chargers for Electric Vehicles, for which it has responsibility.
  • Funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme will continue and will be distributed throughout the County and all areas will be considered for funding.
  • Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services updated Members on the current situation regarding the Sligo Greenway and the Sligo Leitrim Northern Counties Railway (SLNCR) Greenway.

The two Greenway Projects will hugely benefit Collooney and present possibilities for more big projects in this area.

  • Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive stated that the Sally Gardens area needs to be developed on an international scale and this, combined with the two Greenway Projects, will present huge potential to revitalise the area.
  • Sligo County Council has applied for a rates waiver for Sligo Airport for nine months and hopefully this will be successful. Sligo Airport has also benefited from the Business Restart Grant.
  • There is huge demand for C.I.S. and L.I.S. funding and specific criteria applies in order to qualify for same. These works cannot be carried out from our own resources.
  • Councillor D. Gilroy asked that guidance be provided to the Members regarding application for CLAR funding.
  • The Volunteer Centre is given budget funding of €5,000 each year. They have also applied for Covid funding.

 

It was then:

Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh

AND AGREED

“To note the Draft 2021 Budgetary Plan for the Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District”.

 

The business of the meeting concluded at 2.15 p.m.

 


Meeting Date 19/10/2020