Minutes of Meeting with Mr Finneran TD, Minister for Housing and Local Services held at City Hall on Friday 27th November 2009 at 11.00am.
IN ATTENDANCE:
- Councillor J. McGarry, Mayor of Sligo (in the chair)
- Councillor D. Bree,
- Councillor D. Cawley,
- Councillor V. Cawley,
- Councillor J. Devins,
- Councillor A. Gibbons,
- Councillor C. MacManus,
- Councillor S. MacManus,
- Councillor M. McGarry,
- Councillor T. McLoughlin
- Councillor R. O’Grady.
GUEST SPEAKER:
- Mr Michael Finneran T.D., Minister for Housing and Local Services
OFFICIALS PRESENT:
- Mr. Hubert Kearns, County Manager,
- Ms Pula R. Gallagher, Acting Director of Services
- Mr. Bartley Gavin, Acting Director of Services
- Ms Mary Blowick, Meetings Administrator
Mr Michael Finneran T.D., Minister for Housing and Local Services began his address by thanking Sligo Borough Council for the welcome he received and for the opportunity to address the Council
Minister Finneran said that Sligo’s development as a Gateway City was not just important to Sligo but to all of North Connacht. He continued by saying that the Cranmore Regeneration project was important to Sligo’s development but that the project could not be developed in isolation due to Sligo’s designation as a Gateway City. He added that the Eastern Bridge and the Cranmore Scheme were linked as both projects were funded in a co-ordinated way under the National Spatial Strategy.
He said both projects need to be part of masterplan for the Eastern Quarter and hat if a master plan was put in place he would be able to move quickly in providing funding for the regeneration project.
Councillor Declan Bree said that the Eastern Bridge was not linked to the Cranmore Regeneration Project and that there had never been a connection between the two at any of the public consultation meetings that took place.
Councillor Chris MacManus said that the Borough Council accepted that while a bridge was needed it should not be linked to the Cranmore Regeneration Project. This project, he said, should move along independently.
Councillor Tony McLoughlin said that by expanding the project, issues became more complicated. He said that the Cranmore Project was a great success so far and should be allowed to continue.
Councillor David Cawley said that the two projects should not be coupled now that Gateway Funding was frozen. He said that everyone agreed that there was a need for an Eastern Bridge, however, there was a problem for local communities regarding proposed routes of the approach roads.
Councillor Jude Devins said he appreciated the concerns of the East Ward residents and that it was incumbent on all to consider every alternative. His main concern was that both projects could be lost to Sligo if a way forward could not be found.
Councillor Sean MacManus asked the Minister why the scope of the project was widened? He said it was wrong to divide communities on this issue. He also asked the Minister to seek to progress the Cranmore Scheme as a stand alone project.
Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady said that linking both projects complicated matters for Members, Officials and Residents. She also asked the Minister to let the Cranmore Scheme proceed alone.
Councillor Matt Lyons agreed that it was wrong to link both projects. He said that the Eastern Bridge should be left for another day and that the Cranmore Scheme should be allowed to go ahead.
Councillor Veronica Cawley asked Minister Finneran if the Bridge and the Regeneration project were intrinsically linked and if the bridge did not go ahead was it possible to proceed with the Cranmore Project?
Councillor Marcella McGarry said that a bridge was needed but that the route was an issue. She said the design and the routes need to be revisited. She also said that if the Cranmore project did not proceed that the impact on Sligo would be devastating.
Councillor Jim McGarry said that the project was well on its way and that the Borough Council owed a completed project to the Cranmore Community.
The Minister thanked Members for expressing their views and concerns regarding the impasse with the Cranmore Regeneration Project. He reiterated what he said earlier and asked Members to reflect on the day’s discussions, to contact him in a few weeks so that Members, Officials and his Department, can come together to progress a Masterplan for the area.
This concluded the business of the meeting which ended at 12.14pm
Meeting Date 27/11/2009
