Minutes of May Monthly Meeting of Sligo Borough Council held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Sligo on Monday 12th May 2008 at 8.00 p.m.

IN ATTENDANCE:

• Councillor J Mc Goldrick, Mayor of Sligo (in the chair)
• Councillor D. Bree,
• Councillor D. Cawley,
• Councillor V. Cawley,
• Councillor J. Devins,
• Councillor A. Gibbons,
• Councillor J. McGarry,
• Councillor T. McLoughlin,
• Councillor C. MacManus,
• Councillor S. MacManus,
• Councillor R. O’Grady.
  

OFFICIALS PRESENT:

• Mr. D. Breen, Director of Services
• Mr. J. McNabola, Town Clerk
• Ms. M. Leydon, A/Head of Finance
• Mr. G. Cannon, Senior Executive Engineer
• Mr. A. Skeffington, Senior Executive Engineer
• Mr. M. Condren, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent
• Ms. A Jones, Administrative Officer
• Ms M. Blowick, A/Financial Management Accountant
• Ms. B. Conway, Administrative Officer
• Ms. M. Dolan, Staff Officer
  

1. MINUTES

On the proposal of Councillor  Sean MacManus seconded by Councillor David Cawley Minutes of Meetings being:

• April Monthly Meeting of 7th April 2008
• April General Purposes Meeting of 21st April 2008
• Adjourned April General Purposes Meeting of 28th April 2008
• Meeting of Programme 4.5.8 Committee of 24th April 2008
• Meeting of Programme 4.5.8 Committee of 28th April 2008

And circulated with Agenda on 7th May 2008 were unanimously adopted and signed by the Mayor.

2. PROPOSED VARIATION NUMBER 6 OF SLIGO AND ENVIRONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2004-2010 – CORRIDOR OF SLIGO WESTERN BYPASS

A report of the County Manager dated 21st April 2008 had been circulated with Agenda on 7th May 2008.  The Director advised that the route of the proposed Western By Pass is entirely outside the Borough Area and that no decision arises for the Borough Council.

However members welcomed the opportunity to express their views on this issue.  All members pointed out that the proposed route would have a negative impact on house prices in the region, they also expressed concern at the lack of consultation with persons living in the vicinity of the proposed route and the fact that over 600 submissions were received from persons after the public display period.

3. SUPPLEMENTARY DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTION SCHEME – WESTERN DISTRIBUTOR ROAD

A report of the Director of Services dated 6th May 2008 had been circulated with Agenda on 7th May 2008.  Councillor Bree proposed and Councillor Sean MacManus seconded “That we adopt a Supplementary Development Contribution Scheme – Item 4 of May Monthly Agenda”

A Poll was taken which resulted as follows:

For: Councillor D. Bree, Councillor V. Cawley, Councillor J. Devins, Councillor A. Gibbons, Councillor J Mc Goldrick, Councillor T McLoughlin, Councillor C. MacManus, Councillor S. MacManus,   (8)

Against: Councillor D. Cawley, Councillor J. McGarry, Councillor R. O’Grady  (3)

The motion was declared carried.

4. ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF SLIGO BOROUGH COUNCIL FOR YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2007

A copy of the Annual Financial Statement had been circulated with Agenda on 7th May 2008.  Queries raised were answered by the Acting head of Finance and A/ Financial Management Accountant.

On the proposal of Councillor Sean MacManus seconded by Councillor McLoughlin it was unanimously agreed to note the Annual Financial Statement of Sligo Borough Council for 2007 as circulated.

5. AUTHORISATION OF OVER - EXPENDITURE

A report of A/Head of Finance dated 6th May 2008 had been circulated with Agenda on 7th May 2008.

On the proposal of Councillor Devins seconded by Councillor Bree it was unanimously agreed “That over-expenditure of € 1,551,291 for the year ended 31st December 2007, be approved”

6. NEW COSTING VERSION OF PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED 2008 BUDGET

A report of the A/Head of Finance dated 6th May 2008 had been circulated with Agenda on 7th May 2008.  It was unanimously agreed to note this new format.

7. STATUTORY AUDIT REPORT

A report of the A/Head of Finance had been circulated with Agenda on 7th May 2008.  it was unanimously agreed to note this report.  Queries raised by members were responded by the appropriate officers.  Councillor Bree proposed and Councillor Chris MacManus seconded and it was unanimously agreed “That the Council be provided with a comprehensive report indicating the planning files where Development Charges are still outstanding and also indicating the level of charges outstanding is so requested”

8. OVERDRAFT ACCOMMODATION

A report of the A/Financial Management Accountant had been circulated with Agenda on 7th May 2008.  Councillor McGoldrick proposed, Councillor Bree seconded and it was unanimously agreed “That overdraft accommodation in the amount of € 2.35 million for the half year ending 31st December 2008 be approved”

9. DISPOSAL OF NUMBER 4 COLLERY DRIVE

On the proposal of Councillor Chris MacManus seconded by Councillor McLoughlin it was unanimously agreed to dispose of the Interest of Sligo Borough Council in property at No. 4 Collery Drive in accordance with notice circulated to members on 9th April 2008.

10. REQUEST FROM FOROIGE TO MAKE PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL

On the proposal of Councillor McGarry seconded by Councillor O’Grady it was unanimously agreed to receive a presentation from Foroige at the July General Purpose Meeting.

11. SLIGO TOWN CENTRE MASTERPLAN

A report of the Town Clerk dated 2nd April 2008 had been circulated with Agenda on 7th May 2008.  Members noted the report.

12. NATIONAL MAXIMUM TAXI FARE

A copy of correspondence for the Commission for Taxi Regulator concerning National Maximum Taxi Fare revision had been circulated with Agenda on 7th May 2008 for the information of the Council members.

13. DEFERRAL OF MOTIONS

It was unanimously agreed to defer motion No. 14 of Agenda of 7th May 2008.

14. CLUID HOUSING ASSOCIATION - ITEM NUMBER’S 15 AND 29 ON AGENDA OF 7TH MAY 2008

It was unanimously agreed to take motions number’s 15 and 29 together.

Councillor Gibbons proposed and Councillor Veronica Cawley seconded “That Sligo Borough Council cease submitting names from the local authority housing list to Cluid housing association and all negotiations and future contact with Cluid housing association cease until the following is addressed in full. 

• All of the money that has been extorted from all it's tenants since 24 January 2005 under the pretence of the upkeep of their estate and maintenance of their homes is repaid in full,
• That Cluid housing association abide by their own tenancy agreement in full
• That their rent is kept in line with that of this local authority ( Sligo Borough Council High rent €75.00 ) (Cluid housing association €125.00)
• That the Minister of the Environment heritage and local Government carry out a full investigation into disgraceful abuse of tenants rights and the unauthorized demolition of the community centre within the Glendallon housing estate Ballytivnan
• That the Elected Members of this Borough Council are treated with the respect that they are entitled to when making representation on behalf of their constituents to the Cluid housing association”

Councillor A. Gibbons proposed and Councillor V. Cawley seconded “That this Borough Council are provided with a full report and copy’s of all transactions that were received in relation to giving permission to Cluid housing association to demolish the Community centre within Glendallon housing estate Ballytivnan.”

The Director of Services informed members that demolition of the Community Centre was exempted development and the Administrative Officer in Housing informed that as Cluid is an approved Housing Body the Borough Council can nominate 75% of its tenants.  After further discussion the motions were agreed unanimously.

Councillor Gibbons requested that copies of the motions be forwarded to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Chief Executive Officer Cluid Housing Association.

Councillor Devins proposed, Councillor Sean MacManus seconded and it was unanimously agreed “A Special Meeting of Sligo Borough Council be called to discuss issues of concern involving Cluid and Respond Housing Agencies.  Cluid and Respond to be invited to this meeting”.

This concluded the business of the meeting which ended at 10.25 pm