Minutes of Budget Meeting of Sligo Borough Council held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Sligo on Monday 14th January 2008 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 T. McLoughlin,
- Councillor C. MacManus,
- Councillor S. MacManus,
- Councillor Tom MacSharry
OFFICIALS PRESENT:
- Mr. D. Breen, Director of Service
- Mr. J. McNabola, Town Clerk
- Ms. M. Connell, Senior Executive Officer
- Mr. M. Carty, Senior Executive Engineer
- Mr. G. Cannon, Senior Executive Engineer
- Mr. S. Martin, Senior Architect
- Mr. M. Leyden, Financial Management Accountant
- Ms. M. Blowick, Administrative Officer
- Ms. A. Jones, Administrative Officer
- Ms. B. Conway, Administrative Officer
- Ms. S. Kilcullen, Project Leader Cranmore Regeneration
- Mr. M. Condren, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent
- Mr. M. Dolan, Staff Officer
APOLOGY FOR INABILITY TO ATTEND:
- Councillor R. O’Grady
1. VOTES OF SYMPATHY AND ADJOURNMENT FOR 15 MINUTES
The sympathy of the Council was extended to Councillor Ita Fox, Calry on the death of her daughter Carmelita. All the members joined in the expression of sympathy and agreed unanimously to adjourn the meeting for 15 minutes as a mark of respect.
The sympathy of the council was also extended to the O’Connor Family, Rathanna, Pearse Road on the death of Mrs Mai O’Connor. The meeting then adjourned and resumed at 8.25pm
2. VOTE OF CONGRATULATIONS
The Congratulations of the Council was extended to Mr Michael Carty, Senior Executive Engineer who is transferring to County and Enterprise Department, Sligo County Council. Members paid tribute to Mr Carty and said he was always approachable, professional and hard working. They wished him every success in his new appointment.
3. BUDGET 2008
The Director of Services introduced the Draft Budget for 2008 and set out the principal items of expenditure and income contained in it. He outlined areas of increases and the reasons therefore.
Councillor D. Bree proposed, Councillor V. Cawley seconded and it was unanimously agreed “That recognising that the grant of € 3,488,704 from the Department of the Environment is inadequate, particularly in terms of the increase in costs associated with the centrally negotiated pay agreements, this Council calls on the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to review the grant allocation to Sligo Borough Council with a view to increasing funding by a minimum of € 550,000”
Councillor J. McGarry proposed, Councillor D. Bree seconded and it was unanimously agreed “That Sligo Borough Council seek a deputation with the Minister for Environment Mr Gormley for the purpose of securing funding on a permanent basis towards the Borough Councils running costs on the new waste water treatment plant for the City and Environs”
The Council then moved to consider Programme Number 1 Housing
4. PROGRAMME NUMBER 1 HOUSING
The Council discussed Programme Number 1 at length and raised issues regarding Social Housing starts, Cranmore Regeneration, RAS Scheme, Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, Remedial Works Scheme and new Housing Adaptation Transfer Schemes.
The following motions were put forward
Councillor S. MacManus proposed, Councillor C. MacManus seconded
“That the sum of €300,000 be allocated to allow commencement in 2008 of provision of leisure and community amenities at The Fairgreen. This funding to be obtained from the € 5,044,171 balance in development contributions fund”
Councillor S. MacManus proposed, Councillor C. MacManus seconded
“That a sum of € 45,000 be allocated for resurfacing and ancillary works to Lyndale Estate in 2008”
Councillor S. MacManus proposed, Councillor A. Gibbons seconded
“That the sum of € 20,000 be allocated for works to improve the sightlines at exit from the Park Estate onto the Strandhill Road. This work to be undertaken in 2008”
Councillor C. MacManus proposed, Councillor S. MacManus seconded
“That Sligo Borough Council increase expenditure item 1.1.3 Cranmore Regeneration by € 3,000 and item 1.1.3 Estate Management by € 2,000 (to be used for estate clean-up assistance). This is to be offset by a decrease in Expendiuture under Programme 8.7.1”
Councillor C. MacManus proposed, Councillor S. MacManus seconded
“That this Borough Council requests the County Manager and his relevant staff to ensure that any household rent increase in 2008 – where a household is reliant on similar income(s) as last year – is at most equivalent to the average rate of inflation since the last Differential Rent Scheme was implemented”
Councillor C. MacManus proposed, Councillor S. MacManus seconded
“That this Borough Council seeks an indication from the Cluid Housing Scheme regards to any intended housing works in Racecourse View, especially in relation to the issue of heating provision”
Councillor A. Gibbons proposed, Councillor C. MacManus seconded
“That this Borough Council increase expenditure by € 20,000 under Planned Housing Maintenance. This is to be funded by an decreasing programme no 4 heading 4.5.8 Christmas Lights by the same amount”
This concluded the business of the meeting which ended at 10.30 pm.
Meeting Date 14/01/2008
