Council Meetings
  • Minutes
Home > Council Meetings > Minutes

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


IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Councillor V. Cawley, Mayor of Sligo (in the chair)
  • Councillor D. Bree,
  • Councillor D. Cawley,
  • Councillor J. Devins,
  • Councillor A. Gibbons,
  • Councillor J. McGarry,
  • Councillor J McGoldrick,
  • 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. S. Martin, Senior Architect
  • Mr. G. Cannon, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr. A. Skeffington, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr B. Gavin, Acting Director of Services
  • Mr. F. Moylan,
  • Ms. A. Jones, Administrative Officer
  • Ms S. Kilcullen, Cranmore Regeneration
  • Mr. M. Condren, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent
  • Ms. M. Dolan, Staff Officer

1. PRESENTATION BY THE MODEL AND NILAND GALLERY

The Mayor welcomed Ms Bernadette O’Shea and Mr Seamus Kealy Director / Curator of the Model and Niland Gallery.  Mr Kealy gave a presentation on the future plans for the gallery.  The Mayor thanked Mr Kealy for his presentation.


2. VOTE OF SYMPATHY AND ADJOURNMENT FOR 15 MINUTES

Councillor McLoughlin proposed and Councillor Gibbons seconded a vote of sympathy to Pat Harrington, Roads foreman on the death of his wife Yvonne.

It was unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting for 15 minutes as a mark of respect
 
The sympathy of the Council was extended to the following:

  • Mr William McGloin and Family on the death of his brother Joe McGloin, 40 St. Edward’s Terrace, Sligo.
  • Eugene and Eddie McHale, on the death of their mother.

The meeting then adjourned and resumed at 8.30 pm.


3. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

Councillor S. MacManus proposed and it was unanimously agreed to suspend standing orders to discuss the recent Budget cutbacks.  The Mayor said she would allow 20 minutes for discussion of this matter.

4. CUTBACKS IN THE RECENT BUDGET

A lengthy discussion took place during which members expressed their annoyance and dissatisfaction at the proposed increase in primary school class sizes and the cut backs in the recent budget.

Councillor S. MacManus, Councillor McLoughlin, Councillor Bree, Councillor V. Cawley and Councillor O’Grady proposed and it was unanimously agreed “That Sligo Borough calls on the Government to rescind its recent Budget proposals to increase primary class sizes”

5. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

On the proposal of Councillor Bree seconded by Councillor Sean MacManus Minutes of October Monthly meeting held on 6th October 2008 were unanimously adopted and signed by the Mayor.

On the proposal of Councillor Devins, seconded by Councillor David Cawley minutes of October General Purposes meeting of 20th October 208 were unanimously adopted and signed by the Mayor.

6. FOOTBRIDGE OVER GARAVOGUE RIVER BETWEEN MARTIN’S QUAY AND MARKIEVICZ ROAD

Councillor Bree raised this matter and referred to the recommendation of the Director of Service to borrow €1.3 m and give it to a private development company Travec to build a footbridge.

He went on to state that the Director had indicated to the Council that he had legal advice which was not in writing.  He said it appears we were misled as he had come across a document which he was now circulating – it was not a case of the Solicitor advising but a matter of the Director telling the Solicitor that it was his view that the developer was not required to carry out this work.

The Director of Services said this was outrageous.

Councillor Bree continued that there is significant pubic concern about the fact that certain officials want to hand €1.3 m of public funds to a private development company to enrich its shareholders.  This is considered daylight robbery and the public wont stand for it.  The Director again protested at these remarks and suggested the meeting should be adjourned.  The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9.22 pm.

The meeting resumed at 9.30 pm.  The Director said that he was quite entitled to give his opinion when asking a Solicitor for advice.  He again said Councillor Bree’s remarks were outrageous and unacceptable and asked that they be withdrawn.  Councillor Bree repeated his comments about significant public concern that certain officials etc. as stated above  The Director said he couldn’t accept this and Councillor Bree in a raised voice repeatedly said you will accept them.  The Director then stated he was withdrawing from the meeting and was followed out of the Chamber by all staff present at 9.35 pm.


Meeting Date 03/11/2008