Minutes 2022

Minutes of Annual General Meeting of Municipal District of Sligo-Drumcliff held on Monday 20th June 2022 at 12.00pm in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo & Via Ms Teams


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

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

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Jim Molloy, Director of Services
  • Kevin Colreavy, Administrative Officer
  • Jane Golden, Staff Officer

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Marie Casserly, welcomed everyone to the AGM.

Councillor Casserly thanked the staff of Sligo County Council for their assistance during the year.

Councillor Casserly stated that although there had been limited budgets and resources over the years, Sligo continues to progress.  Now with increased funding coming into the County and additional staff, this was the time for Sligo to make its mark both regionally and nationally.

Councillor Casserly was pleased to be able to contribute to the work of the Council as an elected member.

Councillor Casserly highlighted a number of initiatives and projects as follows:

  • Road Works – particularly the resurfacing of roads
  • The Active Travel Programme
  • eBike BOLT Scheme – Sligo being the first County to avail of this Scheme. The importance of using these ebikes was highlighted in order to ensure the Scheme is sustainable.  The Executive and Staff, Ms E. Concannon & Mr. B. Flynn were complimented on their work on bringing this Scheme to Sligo
  • War of Independence & Peace Garden Memorial, Banada – acknowledgement of the work of Mr. Donal Tinney

Councillor Casserly acknowledged the respect afforded to elected members by staff and the support of her fellow Councillors throughout the year.  Councillor Casserly assured the incoming Chairperson of her support for the coming year.

Councillor Walsh thanked the outgoing Cathaoirleach for her fair chairing of the Municipal District Meeting in what was a busy year as services and events began opening up after Covid 19.

Councillor Fox congratulated and thanked Councillor Casserly for her leadership, teamwork and assistance over the year and highlighted the importance of members working together.

Councillor Gilroy thanked Councillor Casserly for her service during the year and referred to a situation regarding a quorum at the Budget Meeting.

Councillor Healy thanked Councillor Casserly for chairing the meetings and for her service.

On behalf of the executive and staff, Mr. Molloy thanked the members for their kind words and stated that it was an honour to work with the members throughout the year.  Mr. Molloy thanked Councillor Casserly for leading and chairing the meetings, while looking forward to working with all of the members in the years ahead.

It was then:

 

1.  ELECTION OF CATHAOIRLEACH:

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

“To elect Councillor Tom Fox as Cathaoirleach of the Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District”.

As there were no other nominations, Councillor Tom Fox was elected Cathaoirleach of the Sligo – Municipal District.

Councillor Fox then assumed the Chair and expressed his honour and privilege at being elected to the position as a rural Councillor.  He thanked everyone for attending, particularly, his wife Mary, his Mother Ita and family friend, Carmel.

Councillor Fox thanked his proposer and seconder and stated that he looked forward to working with the elected members, the Chief Executive Martin Lydon, Director of Services, Jim Molloy, council officials and staff members in the year ahead.

Councillor Fox stated that politics is local and that local issues matter, especially with Climate Change and the recent rise in the cost of living.

Councillor Fox emphasised the importance of working together as elected members in the Municipal District in order to address the many issues and challenges that lie ahead.

The new Cathaoirleach stated that his focus would be on the realignment of the N16 to coincide with the construction of the Eastern Bridge which will link communities on both sides of the Garavogue River.  The realignment of the N15 at Ballisodare was also a priority area, along with the further development of community hubs, recreational sites, the agricultural sector and facilities for marine tourism.

Councillor Walsh congratulated Councillor Fox on being re-elected as Chairperson of the Sligo – Drumcliff MD area.  Councillor Walsh also welcomed Councillor Fox’s mother, Ita Fox, to the Chamber. Mrs Fox served as an elected member from 1982 – 2022.  Councillor Walsh also welcomed Councillor Fox’s wife Mary and family friend Carmel.  It was acknowledged that the Fox Family were steeped in Sligo politics and community life as far back as 1979.

Councillor Walsh acknowledged Councillor Fox’s involvement in a number of projects recently, including Calry Hall, the resurfacing of the car park at Hazelwood and the Walkway from Hazelwood. 

The importance of acknowledging the unpreceded amounts of government funding which continues to come into the County across all sectors was emphasised by Councillor Walsh.

Councillor Casserly welcomed Councillor Fox’s family to the Chamber and congratulated him on his second term as Cathaoirleach.

Councillor Gilroy wished Councillor Fox the best of luck and welcomed his family to the meeting.  Reference was made to the D’Hondt system and Councillor Gilroy’s disappointment that it was not being adhered to.

Councillor Gilroy also expressed a view that more needed to be done within the Municipal District in order to bring it to a par with the other Municipal Districts.

Mr. Molloy joined Members in congratulating Councillor Fox on his election as Cathaoirleach and assured him of the Executive and staff’s support in the year ahead.

 

It was then:

 

2.  ELECTION OF LEAS-CHATHAOIRLEACH:

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

“That Councillor Donal Gilroy be elected as Leas-Cathaoirleach of the Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District”.

Councillor Gilroy declined this nomination.

It was then:

Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor T. Fox

“That Councillor Marie Casserly be elected as Leas-Cathaoirleach of the Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District”.

Members congratulated Councillor Casserly on being elected Leas- Cathaoirleach of the Sligo – Drumcliff MD area.

 

The business of the meeting concluded at 12.25pm.

 


Meeting Date 20/06/2022