Minutes of April Monthly Meeting of Sligo Borough Council held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Sligo on Monday 6th April 2009 at 8.00 pm.

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:

• Ms. P. Gallagher, Acting Director of Services
• Ms. M. McConnell, Senior Executive Officer
• Ms Breda Ronayne, Administrative Officer

1. VOTES OF SYMPATHY

The sympathy of the Council was extended to the following:

• The Family of Rosie Brett, Rathedmond, Sligo.
• The Finan Family on the death of Caroline Finan, Strandhill
• The Family of the late Paddy Kennoy, New Street, Sligo.
  

2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of Meeting as listed hereunder were unanimously adopted by the Council and signed by the Mayor.

• March Monthly Meeting held on 2nd March 2009
• March General Purposes Meeting held on 16th March 2009
  

3. SOCIAL HOUSING INVESTMENT PROGRAMME

A report on the Social Housing Investment Programme dated 24th February 2009 from the Senior Executive Officer, Housing Capital had already been circulated.  An updated report dated 1 April 2009 was circulated with April Agenda.

On the proposal of Councillor S. MacManus seconded by Councillor C. Mac Manus it was unanimously resolved “That Sligo Borough Council will not enter into any leasing arrangements under the Social Housing Investment Programme 2009 until such time as the Senior Executive Officer (Housing) and staff fully investigates all aspects of this proposal, in particular value for money to the taxpayer.  This report to be presented to the May monthly meeting.”

4. O’CONNELL STREET ENHANCEMENT PROJECT

On the proposal of Councillor S. MacManus seconded by Councillor C. MacManus it was unanimously resolved “That Sligo Borough Council directs the Co. Manager to act in accordance with the necessary legislation to re-open O’Connell Street to vehicular traffic within the next month.”

The Members also sought a report to include

• Details of the level of Sligo Borough Council’s indebtedness.
• Comprehensive report on status of the O’Connell Street Enhancement Project
• Indication of the powers available to the Members in relation to the re-opening of O’Connell Street.
  

5. DEVELOPMENT LEVIES

On the proposal of Councillor Bree seconded by D. Cawley it was unanimously resolved “ That the Council be provided with a quarterly report updating us on the level of monies collected from development levies and the amount outstanding”

6. CASUAL TRADING STEPHEN STREET CAR PARK

A report dated 27th February 2009 prepared by the Administrative Officer had been circulated and was noted..  

7. SLIGO TOWN CENTRE MASTERPLAN

A report dated 31/03/2009 prepared by Town Clerk had been circulated and was noted. 

8. CONSENT TO SALE OF DWELLING NUMBER 79 DOORLY PARK

On the proposal of Councillor McLoughlin seconded by Councillor O Grady it was unanimously agreed to dispose of the Interest of Sligo Borough Council in Number 79 Doorly Park, Sligo in accordance with notice circulated to members on 2nd March 2009.

9. CONSENT TO SALE OF FREEHOLD INTEREST IN DWELLING NUMBER 11 CLEVERAGH ROAD

On the proposal of Councillor McLoughlin seconded by Councillor C Mac Manus it was unanimously agreed to dispose of the Freehold Interest in Number 11 Cleveragh Road, Sligo in accordance with notice circulated to members on 3rd March 2009.

10. TO DECIDE IF POLLING INFORMATION CARDS SHOULD BE SENT TO LOCAL ELECTORS IN THE FORTHCOMING POLL

On the proposal of Councillor Bree seconded by Councillor O Grady it was unanimously agreed to issue polling information cards to Local Electors in the forthcoming poll.

11. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HERITAGE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT LETTER REGARDING MEASURES TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

The contents of a letter dated 19th March 2009 from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding measures to support economic activity were noted. 

12. CIRCULAR RLR 6/2009 OF 23/02/2009 FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT

The contents of Circular RLR 6/2009 from the Department of  Transport  were noted. 

13. REPORT ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

On the proposal of Councillor C. MacManus seconded by Councillor S. MacManus it was unanimously agreed “That Sligo Borough Council receives a comprehensive and up-to-date report of all actions – both in terms of pro-active preventative measures and direct means to deal with those involved in anti-social behaviour – carried out by this local authority since the adoption of the Anti-Social Behaviour Policy in Autumn 2005.   This report to include figures relating to complaints received by this authority; number of complainants interviewed; written warnings; final warnings and exclusion orders\notice of evictions.  On the proposal of Councillor Chris MacManus seconded by Councillor Sean MacManus the following further motion was unanimously resolved “That Sligo Borough Council would initiate a full review of its current antisocial behaviour policy.  That this would involve a full public consultation process and that a subsequent draft policy would be presented to this council within six months of adoption of this motion”

14. DEFERRAL OF ITEMS TO MAY MONTHLY MEETING AGENDA

The following items were deferred to the May Monthly Meeting Agenda – 14 and 15.

15. BLOCK GRANT WORKS IN THE ROSEWOOD/ASH/HAZEL GROVE/OAK PARK AND WILLOW PARK AREA OF MAUGHERABOY

Councillor D. Cawley welcomed work carried out in these areas to date and asked that an up-to-date report on the cost of moving the earth banks and any other outstanding matters in the area be provided at the May Meeting.

16. ERADICATION OF GRAFFITI WITHIN THE BOROUGH.

Councillor Cawley asked for an up-to-date report on this matter.

This concluded the business of the meeting which ended at 10.15pm

Meeting Date 06/04/2009