Minutes of May General Purpose Meeting of Sligo Borough Council held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Sligo on Monday 31st May, 2010 at 8.00 pm

In Attendance:

• Councillor J. McGarry, Mayor of Sligo (in the chair)
• Councillor D. Bree,
• Councillor D. Cawley,
• Councillor V. Cawley,
• Councillor C. MacManus,
• Councillor T. Mc Loughlin,
• Councillor S. MacManus,
• Councillor M. McGarry,
• Councillor R. O’Grady,
• Councillor A Gibbons,
• Councillor Matt Lyons

Absent:

• Councillor J. Devins

Officials Present:

• Ms. Paula R Gallagher, Acting Director of Services
• Ms Leonora McConville, Executive Planner
• Ms Mary Blowick, Meetings Administrator

1.  SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

On the proposal of Councillor Bree, seconded by Councillor Chris MacManus, it was unanimously agreed to suspend Standing Order to allow members consider the following emergency motion.

Israeli attack on the humanitarian aid flotilla to Gaza

On the proposal of Councillor Bree seconded by Councillor Chris Mac Manus it was unanimously agreed  “That  this Council extends its sympathy and sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the humanitarian aid workers slaughtered by the Israeli military, and further we request our Government  to immediately sever all diplomatic links with the Israeli regime”

2.  PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED

A list of Planning Applications received which was circulated with agenda was read and noted.

3.  PLANNING DECISIONS MADE

A list of planning decisions made which was circulated with Agenda was noted.

4.  GAS PIPELINE TO SLIGO

The Mayor, Councillor Jim McGarry circulated members with a report on the need to secure the extension of the Corrib Gas line to Sligo. 

He said “the extension of the Corrib gas line is a priority as we seek to market the area for investment and increase our competitiveness for indigenous industry”

On the proposal of .Councillor Jim McGarry, seconded by Councillor Tony McLoughlin and unanimously agreed “that Sligo Borough Council ask the Co. Manager to make a submission under the Government’s capital programme 2010 for to seek funding of €39 million (matching funding) towards the provision of a gas line to Sligo”

5.  SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

Members unanimously agreed to suspend standing orders to allow for a discussion on the revised tenant handbook and to consider motion from Councillor Sean MacManus, item no 13 on May monthly agenda.

6.  TENANT HANDBOOK

Members discussed at length the revised tenant handbook recently circulated to Sligo Borough Council .tenants.

On the proposal of Councillor Chris Mac Manus, seconded by Councillor Gibbons it was unanimously agreed “that the recently issued tenants handbook is withdrawn and the previous housing maintenance system be re-implemented.  That any new tenant’s handbook is amended to reflect the concerns of the members and that a draft tenancy handbook will be an item for discussion at a future council meeting”

On the proposal of Councillor Jim McGarry, seconded by Councillor Matt Lyons and agreed
“that Sligo Borough Council agree to include the following in the new tenancy handbook, The Housing Standards for Rented Houses Regulations 2008, sub-article 4 and the Housing Regulations Amendments 2009, and include the listed services under these regulations and as outlined by the enclosed statements”

NOTICE OF MOTION OWNIE VERDONS LANE

On the proposal of Councillor Sean Mac Manus, seconded by Councillor Chris MacManus, it was unanimously agreed to That Sligo Borough Council take in charge the road known as ‘Ownie Verdons Lane’ in Newtownhomes/Caltragh”

This concluded the business of the meeting which ended at 10.30pm

Meeting Date 31/05/2010