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Minutes of Budget Meeting of Sligo Borough Council held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Sligo on Monday 12th January 2009 at 8.00 p.m.


IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Councillor V. Cawley, 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 McGoldrick
  • Councillor T. McLoughlin
  • Councillor C. MacManus
  • Councillor S. MacManus
  • Councillor Tom MacSharry

OFFICIALS PRESENT:

  • Mr Hubert Kearns, County Manager
  • Mr. D. Breen, Director of Service
  • Mr. M. Leydon, Head of Finance
  • Mr. J. McNabola, Town Clerk
  • Mr. G. Cannon, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr. A. Skeffington, Senior Executive Engineer


1. VOTES OF SYMPATHY AND ADJOURNMENT

On the proposal of Councillor D. Cawley seconded by Councillor McGoldrick the sympathy of the Council was extended to Councillor Tony McLoughlin on the death of his aunt Mrs Annie Kelly, Cartrontaylor, Ballintogher and it was unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting for fifteen minutes as a mark of respect.

The sympathy of the Council was also extended to the following:

  • The family of the late Mrs Annie Cawley late of John Street, Sligo.
  • The family of the late Mr Cyril McLynn, late of Adelaide Street and Summerhill Village.
  • The family of Ms Margaret Kivlihan, Colmcille Court, Rosses Point and formerly of Old Market Street.

The meeting adjourned.


2. CONGRATULATIONS

On the proposal of Councillor C. MacManus seconded by Councillor D. Cawley it was unanimously agreed to extend congratulations to the Ursuline College students on achieving runner up status in the Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences sector of the 2009 Young Scientist.

3. BUDGET 2009

The Director of Services introduced the Budget.  He referred to the Local Government Fund reduction, a significant increase in the County Demand and said there is no increase proposed in the rate to be levied for 2009.  Councillor Bree proposed and Councillor D. Cawley it was unanimously resolved “That concerned at the cut-back in the General Purpose Grant, and recognising the financial difficulties arising from the recession, this Council calls on the Government and the Minister for the Environment to provide the additional funding necessary to cover the Councils costs in terms of implementing the wage agreements which were negotiated at a national level”

Members expressed concerns at position regarding security of jobs in the Borough Council and sought details.  Several members attributed blame to the Government for the difficult position now pertaining.  The County Manager said there is a difficult position nationally.  More cuts are being flagged.  Sligo Borough is one of the lesser dependants on central funds but rates will be difficult to collect in 2009.  The position regarding employment is likely to result in more persons on temporary contracts being let go and vacancies not being filled.  Improved water and waste water services come at a cost.  The Council then moved to consider Division A of the Budget.  Members raised queries regarding Housing Repairs, Estate Management, Joint Policing Committee, Sub Standard Housing Accommodation, Part V, Grants for the Elderly and Disabled, Cranmore Centre Block Demolition, Security and Community Facilities, Derelict Sites activity, numbers on Housing List and under developed land holdings around the Borough.  Councillor Bree proposed and Councillor V. Cawley seconded “That Sligo Borough Council calls on the Government and the Minister for the Environment to provide sufficient resources to the Council so as to ensure that there will be adequate funding in the current year inline with the submission from Sligo Borough Council to cover the costs of the ‘Housing Adoption Grants Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability’, the ‘Mobility Aids Housing Grant Scheme’ and the ‘Scheme of Housing Aid for Older People’.”  The motion was unanimously resolved.

The various queries were answered by the relevant officials present.  Councillor S. MacManus proposed and Councillor Gibbons seconded and it was unanimously agreed “That Sligo Borough Council commence the process of applying to the DOELG to develop a scheme of social housing at Ballinode.  This scheme of approx 60 – 80 houses would be separate to any proposed PPP Scheme on our lands at Ballinode”.

Councillor S. MacManus suggested that small housing stand alone schemes be put forward by the Borough Council especially for lands at Ballinode.  The Director agreed to examine this matter.  The Council also urged that pressure be put on the Department regarding the Maugheraboy proposed Housing Scheme and it was agreed that correspondence with the Department in this matter be circulated to the Council members.

4. DEFERRAL OF JANUARY MONTHLY MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT

On the proposal of the Mayor seconded by Councillor Bree it was unanimously agreed to defer the January Monthly meeting and to adjourn this meeting to 7.00 pm on Monday 19th inst.


This concluded the business of the meeting which ended at 10.17 pm.


Meeting Date 12/01/2009