Minutes of June Monthly Meeting of Sligo Borough Council held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Sligo on Monday 11th June 2007 at 8.00 p.m.

IN ATTENDANCE:

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

OFFICIALS PRESENT:

• Mr H. Kearns, County Manager
• Mr. J. McNabola, Town Clerk
• Mr. T. Brennan, Senior Engineer
• Mr. M. Carty, Senior Executive Engineer
• Mr. G. Cannon, Senior Executive Engineer
• Ms. A. Jones, Administrative Officer
• Ms. B. Conway, Administrative Officer
• Ms. F. Redmond, Planner
• Ms M. Dolan, Staff Officer
  

APOLOGY FOR INABILITY TO ATTEND:

• Councillor D. Cawley
• Councillor J. McGoldrick,
  

The Mayor expressed his sympathy to Councillor David Cawley on the death of his mother Mrs Sarah Cawley but informed members that there was one item on the Agenda – Variation in the Sligo and Environs Development Plan 2004 – 2010 to include a Transport Objective (T7.1) for the existing Abbey Street Car Park to promote and support the realization of a multi-storey car park - that has a time constraint and must be dealt with at tonight’s meeting.

Councillor Bree proposed that the meeting be adjourned without transacting any business as a mark of respect to Councillor D. Cawley on the death of his mother.  He also said that to make a decision on the proposed variation without a full complement of councillors present would be in contravention of the Council’s Standing Orders and would be open to challenge

Councillor Devins seconded the Mayors proposal.  The County Manager informed members that this item is on the agenda and legally before the Council and could legally be dealt with by members at tonight’s meeting

Councillor Bree requested that it be put on record that he does not agree with the carrying out of any business at a meeting which is going to be adjourned as a mark of respect on the death of a family member of an elected member.  Cllr Bree left meeting at 8.15pm.

1. PROPOSED VARIATION TO THE SLIGO AND ENVIRONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN ABBEY STREET CAR PARK

The Mayor proposed that Item Number 3 on the Agenda be taken and this was agreed - A report of the County Manager dated 18th May 2007 had already been circulated to members.  Members expressed concerns regarding height of any proposed development, its vicinity to Sligo Abbey and the need for any proposal to be sympathetic to this, access points and the need for consultation with local residents and business people in the area.

The County Manager informed members that Car Parking is a priority in this area due to shift in business away from this area which is in need of rejuvenation and is a conflict area because of its proximity to residential and commercial activities.  He said it is proposed to

• Complete property acquisition – compulsorily
• Carry out a feasibility study
• Consult with local residents / business people to address their concerns

Councillor Devins proposed, Councillor O’Grady seconded and it was agreed “That having considered the report of the County Manager of May 2007, it is hereby resolved to make a variation in the Sligo and Environs Development Plan 2004 – 2010 to include a Transport Objective (T7.1) for the existing Abbey Street Car Park to promote and support the realization of a multi-storey car park”.  Councillor Chris MacManus dissented from the decision.

2. VOTE OF SYMPATHY AND ADJOURNMENT

Councillor McLoughlin proposed and Councillor Sean MacManus seconded a vote of sympathy to Councillor David Cawley on the death of his mother.  All the members joined in the expression of sympathy and agreed to adjourn the meeting as a mark of respect.

The County Manager on behalf of the staff joined in the expression of sympathy.

This concluded the business of the meeting which ended at 8.50 pm sine die.

The business of the meeting was adjourned to the July Monthly Meeting