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Minutes of March Monthly Meeting of Sligo Borough Council held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Sligo on Monday 3rd March 2008 at 8.00 p.m.


IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Councillor D. Bree, Deputy Mayor of Sligo (in the chair)
  • Councillor D. Cawley,
  • Councillor V. Cawley,
  • Councillor J. Devins,
  • 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
  • Mr. A. Skeffington, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr. G. Cannon, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr. S. Martin, Senior Architect
  • Ms. B. Conway, Administrative Officer
  • Mr. M. Carty, Senior Executive Engineer Community and Development, Sligo County Council

APOLOGY FOR INABILITY TO ATTEND:

  • Councillor J. McGoldrick,
  • Councillor A. Gibbons,
  • Councillor Tom MacSharry

In the absence of the Mayor, Councillor D. Bree, Deputy Mayor took the chair


1.  WELCOME

Councillor Bree proposed and Councillor O’Grady seconded a vote of welcome to Mr Anthony Skeffington who has assumed the role of Senior Executive Engineer in the roads department. All members joining in bidding Mr Skeffington welcome.

2.  SYMPATHY

The sympathy of the Council was extended to the following;

  • The Noonan Family, Cedar Drive on the death of Mrs Peggy Noonan
  • The Haugh Family, Highfield Road on the death of Mr James Haugh
  • The McDonagh Family, Cartron Estate on the death of Mrs Marie McDonagh

All the members joined in the expression of sympathy.

3.  MINUTES

The minutes of meetings held as follows were adopted unanimously and signed by the Deputy Mayor:

  • February Monthly Meeting of 4th February 2008
  • Adjourned February Monthly Meeting of 18th February 2008
  • Special Meeting of 25th February 2008
  • Allocations Programme 4.5.8 Committee of 14th December 2007

4.  NOMINATION OF MEMBER TO THE BOARD OF SLIGO SPORT AND RECREATIONAL PARTNERSHIP

On the proposal of Councillor Bree seconded by Councillor D. Cawley it was unanimously agreed to nominate Councillor T. McLoughlin as Sligo Borough Council’s nominee on the Board of Sligo Sport and Recreational Partnership Ltd.

5.  DISPOSAL OF FREEHOLD INTEREST – 76 ST. JOSEPH’S TERRACE

On the proposal of Councillor S. MacManus seconded by Councillor D. Cawley it was unanimously resolved to dispose of the Freehold Interest in dwelling Number 76 St. Joseph’s Terrace to its owners in accordance with notice circulated.

6.  DISPOSAL OF 10 ST. ASICUS TERRACE

On the proposal of Councillor C. MacManus seconded by Councillor McLoughlin it was unanimously resolved to dispose of dwelling Number 10 St. Asicus Terrace to its tenants in accordance with notice dated 08/02/08.

7.  DISPOSAL OF 21 ST. BRIGID’S PLACE

On the proposal of Councillor C. MacManus seconded by Councillor McLoughlin it was unanimously resolved to dispose of dwelling Number 21 St. Brigid’s Place to its tenants in accordance with notice dated 15th February 2008.

8.  E.S.B. WORKS AT DOORLY PARK

A report dated 27th February 2008 setting out details regarding works incorrectly undertaken by the ESB was circulated to members. Councillor C. MacManus queried the lack of supervision of this work by the Borough Council and referred to flooding caused by the damaging of a watermain and general road and green area damage. He sought details of lengthy negotiations referred to in the report. Councillor McLoughlin referred to proposals in an E.I.S. prepared for the Eastern Bridge project. The Director of Services indicated that it would not be appropriate for individual staff members to be named at a public council meeting. A lengthy discussion ensued at which issues relating to comments made at meetings in relation to staff were discussed. It was generally agreed that this matter would be best discussed between management and the whips of the Council. At the request of Councillor Bree the Director of Services confirmed that minutes of Management Team Meetings would be made available to Members of the Council if they so wished.

Mr Carty indicated that the roads, road design and parks section of the Borough and County Council had been involved in discussions around this matter. A road opening licence was granted and a cash deposit is held for restoration of the area concerned. He said that checking by the Borough Council identified the error of the E.S.B. which immediately set about correcting it and acknowledged its error. He said the road will shortly be fully reinstated but the green areas may require drier weather to enable proper reinstatement.

9.  INTENTION TO TAKE FERNDALE HOUSING ESTATE IN CHARGE

The Senior Executive Engineer Roads recommended to the Council that the procedures to take roads and open spaces in Ferndale Housing Estate be commenced.
On the proposal of Councillor McLoughlin seconded by Councillor C. MacManus it was unanimously agreed to do so.

Councillor Bree proposed, Councillor McLoughlin seconded and it was unanimously agreed “Recognising the fact that the residents of Ferndale housing estate have requested the Borough Council to take the estate in charge, this Council instructs the Executive to take the necessary action, legal and otherwise, to take Ferndale housing estate in charge.”

The Director of Services stated that he would examine this matter and provide a report to the Council.

10.  PROPOSE TAKING IN CHARGE OF KEVINSFORT HEATH HOUSING ESTATE

Councillor O’Grady proposed and Councillor Cawley seconded and it was unanimously agreed “That taking in charge of Kevinsfort Heath Housing Estate be deferred until further consultation takes place with the residents”

11.  REPORT ON LITTER MANAGEMENT

It was decided to defer this item to the April Monthly Meeting.

12.  APPROVAL OF PLANNING UNDER PART XI OF THE PLANNING ACT 2000 – ENHANCEMENT OF O’CONNELL STREET, SLIGo

A report of the Senior Planner of 25th February 2008 and a report of the County Manager of 3rd March 2008 were circulated to the Council. The Planners report set out the scheme in context of the Sligo and Environs Development Plan, set out the submissions received and recommended that the scheme should proceed in accordance with the drawings submitted. The Senior Architect gave an outline of the proposed works. The County Manager recommended the scheme for approval.

On the proposal of Councillor S. MacManus seconded by Councillor McLoughlin the Council approved the scheme as proposed. Councillor V. Cawley and Councillor McGarry abstained.

Councillor D. Cawley proposed and Councillor Bree seconded “That Sligo Borough Council provide a report as soon as possible giving timelines and dates for completion for all works in relation to the completion of the pedestrianisation of O’Connell Street”. The motion was passed unanimously.

13.  ALLOCATION OF 2008 REGIONAL AND LOCAL ROAD GRANTS

An allocation of €605,000 under Block Grant and Special Carriageway / Footpath repairs was advised to Sligo Borough Council by the Department of Transport. A report of 26th February 2008 setting out proposed allocations under the combined grants was circulated to members with the notice of meeting.

Councillor Sean MacManus and Councillor D. Cawley proposed “That the sum of 10% be deducted from all West Ward projects funded under the Block Grant, with the sum so accrued, (approximately €20 k) to be allocated towards improvement works at Hazelgrove area, Maugheraboy – previously agreed works”

This was unanimously agreed.

On the proposal of Councillor Sean MacManus seconded by Councillor McLoughlin it was unanimously agreed that the figures set out in the Senior Executive Engineer’s report of 26th February 2008 as reduced in respect of West Ward proposals be approved for expenditure.

14.  REMOVAL OF MOTIONS FROM COUNCIL’S AGENDA

On the proposal of Councillor Bree seconded by Councillor McLoughlin the following motion relating to the Block Grant 2008 were removed from the Agenda by unanimous agreement. Motions Numbers 19, 20, 25, 27, 31, 32, 33, 35, 42 and 44.

15.  APPROVAL OF OVER-EXPENDITURE

On the proposal of Councillor S. MacManus seconded by Councillor McLoughlin it was unanimously resolved “That over-expenditure in the sum of €25,500.00 to service Joint Policing Committee be and is hereby approved”


This concluded the business of the meeting which ended at 10.28 pm


Meeting Date 03/03/2008