Minutes of November Monthly Meeting of Sligo Borough Council held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Sligo on Monday 5th November 2007 at 8.00 p.m.
IN ATTENDANCE:
- Councillor J. McGoldrick, 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 R. O’Grady
OFFICIALS PRESENT:
- Mr H. Kearns, County Manager
- Mr. D. Breen, Director of Services
- Mr. J. McNabola, Town Clerk
- Ms. M. Leydon, Financial Management Accountant
- Mr. M. Carty, Senior Executive Engineer
- Mr. S. Martin, Senior Architect
- Ms. M. McConnell, Senior Executive Officer
- Ms B. Conway, Administrative Officer
- Ms. F. Redmond, Executive Planner
- Ms. M. Dolan, Staff Officer
APOLOGY FOR INABILITY TO ATTEND:
- Councillor T. McLoughlin,
- Councillor C. MacManus,
- Councillor S. MacManus,
- Councillor T. MacSharry
1. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
Councillor McGoldrick proposed Councillor Bree seconded and it was unanimously agreed to suspend Standing Orders at 9.30 pm to discuss the suspension of cancer services at Sligo General Hospital.
2. SYMPATHY
The sympathy of the Council was extended to the following:
- Frankie McLoughlin, 18 Beechlawn on the death of his wife Rosaleen and
- The Roberts Family, 33 Cairns Drive on the death of their father Sean Roberts.
3. MINUTES
On the proposal of Councillor Bree seconded by Councillor D. Cawley Minutes of Meetings being:
- October Monthly Meeting of 1st October 2007
- October General Purposes Meeting of 15th October 2007
and circulated with agenda on 31st October 2007 were unanimously adopted and signed by the Mayor.
4. DISPOSAL OF 1A ST. ANNE’S PLACE
On the proposal of Councillor Bree seconded by Councillor McGarry it was unanimously agreed to the disposal by Lease of dwelling at 1A St. Anne’s Place in accordance with notice already circulated to members.
5. DISPOSAL OF LAND AT EMMET PLACE
On the proposal of Councillor Devins seconded by Councillor McGoldrick it was unanimously agreed to dispose of land at Emmet Place in accordance with notice circulated to members on 25th October 2007.
6. STATUTORY REVIEW OF SLIGO AND ENVIRONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN
A report of the Director of Services dated 26th October 2007 had been circulated with Agenda on 31st October 2007. This report pointed out that Under Section 11 of the Planning & Development Act, 2000 the Planning Authority is required, not later than 4 years after the making of a Development Plan, to give Notice of its intention to review its existing Development Plan and to prepare a new Development Plan for its area. The Director of Services outlined the steps included in the review of the Sligo & Environs Development Plan and advised that the statutory process would take approximately two years to complete. He indicated that it was proposed to make a single development plan for the Borough and the Environs of Sligo in line with the existing Sligo & Environs Development Plan.
The Sligo Planning Authorities propose to commence the statutory review of the Sligo & Environs Development Plan 2004 – 2010 by 7th December, 2007, which is four years from the date of the making of the Plan.
Members noted this report and welcomed the fact that the public will have an opportunity to have an input into the Development Plan.
7. SELECTION OF DELEGATION TO MEET WITH SLIGO COUNTY COUNCIL REGARDING BOROUGH BOUNDARY EXTENSION
Councillor Devins proposed Councillor McGoldrick seconded and it was unanimously agreed that the existing delegation would meet with Sligo County Council regarding Borough Boundary Extension
8. NAMING OF WALKWAY BETWEEN HYDE BRIDGE / MARKIEVICZ BRIDGE
On the proposal of Councillor D. Cawley seconded by Councillor McGoldrick it was unanimously agreed to defer this item to the next meeting.
9. FIXING OF DATE FOR BUDGET MEETING
It was unanimously agreed to hold the Budget Meeting on Monday night January 14th at 8.00 pm
10. OVERDRAFT ACCOMMODATION
On the proposal of Councillor McGarry seconded by Councillor Devins it was unanimously agreed “That overdraft accommodation in the amount of € 2.35 million for the half year ending 30th June 2008, be and is hereby approved”
11. SLIGO TOWN CENTRE MASTERPLAN
A report of the Town Clerk dated 25/10/07 and circulated with Agenda on 31/10/07 was noted.
12. DEFERRAL OF MOTIONS
On the proposal of Councillor A. Gibbons seconded by Councillor McGoldrick it was unanimously to defer motions no.’s 11, 13, 14, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 43, 44, 45 and 47
13. ENERGY EFFICIENT HOUSES (ITEM NO. 14 ON AGENDA OF 31 DECEMBER 2007)
Councillor McGarry proposed, Councillor McGoldrick seconded and it was unanimously agreed
“That Sligo Borough Council ensure that all future housing developments be built in an energy efficient manner and be fitted with a heating system run on a renewable energy source”.
14. ELECTORAL REGISTER (ITEM NUMBER 15 ON AGENDA OF 31 DECEMBER 2007)
Councillor Gibbons proposed, Councillor D. Cawley seconded and it was unanimously agreed
“That this Borough Council calls on the County Manager to provide this council with a full report on the measures that were taken to rectify the electoral register which was and still is an inaccurate register of electors with in excess of 4299 names that no longer exist”
The Director of Services stated that he would have a report for the next meeting of the Council on the measures taken by the Council in updating the Register of Electors.
15. UPGRADING OF PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON THE INNER RELIEF ROAD – (ITEM NO. 16 ON AGENDA OF 31 DECEMBER 2007)
Councillor McGarry proposed and Councillor Gibbons seconded and it was unanimously agreed
“That in the interests of Safety the Pedestrian Traffic Lights on the main pedestrian crossing points on the Inner Relief Road be upgraded to display digital counts-down to the “Green Man”.
The Senior Executive Engineer informed the members that he would lobby the NRA for funding for upgrading of lights on Inner Relief Road. It is proposed to try this facility on traffic lights near the G.P.O. in conjunction with pedestrianisation.
16. PEDESTRIANISATION OF O’CONNELL STREET
Councillor V. Cawley proposed, Councillor McGarry seconded “That while supporting the pedestrianisation of O'Connell Street in principal, Sligo Borough Council consider the reopening of one lane in O'Connell Street from Monday morning to Friday evening until such time as the supporting distributor route roads in Sligo are constructed”
A lengthy discussion took place and members expressed disappointment that the upgrading of the street had not commenced. The County Manager informed members that consultation was ongoing with Traders in O’Connell Street. He also pointed out that this was a very complex project as there were numerous utilities eg. ESB, water, sewers, telephone cables etc. under O’Connell Street. Many of these need upgrading, contract documents have to be prepared and the Government have introduced a new style “Fixed Public Contracts” Regime. The Manager also indicated that the Government will pay a large portion of money for upgrading under the Gateway Innovation Fund and for replacement of an old built sewer in O’Connell Street.
The Senior Architect informed members that work was ongoing and services, culverts broadband etc. were being looked at, as is also an archaeological survey and a presentation will be made to members in the near future. Members thanked the County Manager and Architect for their explanation. Councillor O’Grady stated that there was no point in voting on this motion as it related to an Executive Function.
Councillor’s Devins and D. Cawley dissented from the motion which was then carried.
17. SUSPENSION OF CANCER SERVICES AT SLIGO GENERAL HOSPITAL
Councillor McGoldrick proposed, Councillor Devins seconded and it was unanimously agreed “That Sligo Borough Council request the H.S.E. to reverse the recent withdrawal of Cancer Surgery Services at Sligo General Hospital”
Councillor Devins proposed, Councillor O’Grady seconded and it was unanimously agreed “That the H.S.E. carry out an audit of existing cancer services at Sligo General Hospital”
The Town Clerk read a letter from the H.S.E. which was in response to a letter arising from October Monthly Meeting Item No. 2 which requested an urgent meeting with the C.E.O. of the H.S.E. Mr Brendan Drumm. The Health Board Letter stated that the H.S.E. would be happy to arrange a meeting between Borough Council members delegated to the Regional Health Forum and the Manager of Sligo General Hospital. Councillor Bree proposed, Councillor McGoldrick seconded and it was unanimously agreed that as the Borough Council have no delegation to the Health Forum it would welcome and very much appreciate an opportunity to have delegates appointed to the Regional Health Forum.
The concluded the business of the meeting which ended at 10.30 pm
Meeting Date 05/11/2007
