Sligo Local Authorities 2009 Preview
Housing
In 2008 Sligo Local Authorities administered over €11.6 million under its Housing Capital programme, providing 112 housing units in the county. In 2009 housing schemes will progress in Tubbercurry, Enniscrone and Easkey.
A significant portion of the Housing rental income is designated to maintaining, improving and managing Sligo Borough Council dwellings. In excess of six hundred and fifty homes had repair work carried out this year. Sligo Borough Council will continue with a cyclical planned approach to the upgrading of the standard and the appearance of its dwellings as required. The extent of works carried out during 2009 will depend on the budget allocation.
The Rathbraughan scheme comprising 24 no units a mix of 2, 3 and 4 bed units is currently progressing well and will be completed by end of February 2009. The scheme of 12 no 2 bed units at Sea Rd is also progressing well on site also and will also be ready for occupation in February 2009.
During 2008 two Community Wardens commenced work as part of the regeneration team. The wardens work with the community in a variety of areas including Environmental Management, Community Safety, Community Awareness and Promoting Social Regeneration. They also report instances of vandalism and are a good communication channel for residents and the regeneration project. Day and evening patrols are undertaken in the estate.
Estate management initiatives will continue in 2009. They are generally organized with the involvement of other groups and agencies including the Cranmore Community Co-Operative, the Resource House, the Abbeyquater Centre and various residents associations.
Roads
In the last year, €21 million has been spent on the maintenance and upgrading of the public road network in County Sligo, and work has progressed on the planning and design of key strategic national routes serving Sligo. Over €6.5m was allocated by the National Roads Authority towards the maintenance and improvement of the national roads in the county.
The Public Road Network within the Borough of Sligo is divided into three categories:
National Primary Roads(N4, N15, N16) 7.18km
Regional (Main) Roads 8.22km
Urban Roads 60.0km
National Primary Road – Maintenance and Improvement
The National Roads Authority, through Sligo County Council, fund all maintenance works on National Roads. Sligo Borough Council’s allocation for 2009 is €115,610 which incorporates an allocation towards public lighting.
Regional Road – Maintenance and Improvement
The Department of Transport fund maintenance on Regional Roads, through Sligo County Council. The 2008 allocation was €184,200. It is anticipated that this amount will be increased in 2009.
Local Road – Maintenance and Improvement
Urban Road general maintenance is funded from Sligo Borough Council’s own resources. The allocation for 2009 is € 680,390.
Funding in the region of €7m will be allocated in 2009 towards the operation and maintenance of water supplies in County Sligo. The Kilsellagh Water programme is due to progress to contract stage shortly, and funding has been approved for a new reservoir and rising main in Mullaghmore.
Water Services
New Waste Water Treatment Plants have been provided in Enniscrone, Carney and Gurteen. The construction of the Teesan/Lisnalurg Sewerage Scheme is almost completed and will be operational early in the new year. In 2009 work will also continue on our very busy Rural Water programme.
The Sligo Main Drainage project was completed in October 2008. This involved the Design Build & Operation of a new Wastewater Treatment Plant for a 50,000 population equivalent, Pumping Station and Sludge Hub Centre at Finisklin, Sligo and will service the existing and future needs of Sligo City and its environs. Arrangements for the official opening of the €37 million plant will be finalized for early 2009.
The street sweeping service, or cleansing department, delivers its services through a range of measures, as follows: -
- Daily mechanical sweeping of City Centre, completed by 9 a.m.
- Weekly mechanical sweeping of primary access routes into Sligo.
- Response based approach to residential areas.
- General Operative assigned daily to maintain pedestrian areas – e.g. Rockwood Parade, Car Parks.
- Litter bins emptied daily.
- General Operatives assigned to litter picking on approach roads to Sligo.
- Clean-ups around bottle-banks.
- Removal of illegal dumping.
- Assist Estate Management in Cranmore.
- Bi-annual gully cleaning, subject to resources.
- Removal of abandoned vehicles.
Sligo Borough Council welcomed the news in early January 2009 which ranked Sligo City as the fourth cleanest town in Ireland in the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey. Sligo was one of 55 towns assessed in the final quarter of 2008 and joined Howth, Fermoy, and Cavan at the top of the antilitter league. A sum of €521,097 is provided towards street cleaning operations in 2009.
Traffic
Sligo Borough Council’s Text Alert system enables members of the public to report traffic management problems around the streets of Sligo. If you come across a vehicle illegally parked on a footpath, a bus bay or a disabled parking area, simply text 087 7850566 and one of our Traffic Wardens will respond immediately.
- Mayor Cawley, elected members, Sligo Local Authority staff, and local disability group members at Text Alert Launch
Heritage
2009 represents the third year of the implementation of the 5 Year Heritage Strategy adopted by the Sligo Local Authorities and the County Sligo Heritage Forum. In the next year the Heritage Office will continue the habitat mapping programme for key settlements in Sligo, and the office will also continue its support of local; initiatives through the Protected Structures and Community Heritage Grants Scheme.
Harbour
Sligo Harbour has benefited from a programme of works in the last year, including the provision of new commercial berthage at barytes jetty, new access and safety facilities at Timber Jetty and major improvements to the training wall which helps maintain the shipping channel to the port. The work cost in the region of €1.85m and was facilitated by a grant from the Department of Transport Marine Section.
- New Jetty at Sligo Harbour
Parks & Amenity
The Sligo Borough Parks Department manages a rapidly expanding range of facilities including 8 playing pitches, 5 playgrounds, a range of landscaped inner urban areas, 33 acres of partially landscaped and developed open space, and 290 acres of undeveloped open space incorporating woodland, pathways and undeveloped agricultural pastureland. Works conducted by the Parks Department on the developed open space areas include grass cutting, litter collection, maintenance of landscaping, maintenance of fencing, tree management and planting, maintenance of monuments and parks furniture.
- Completed works at Seaview Drive Promenade
To stay in touch with news and events from your Local Authority, visit the Sligo Local Authorities websites.. www.sligoborough.ie and www.sligococo.ie. You can also register on-line for monthly updates our Arts and Heritage offices, and our monthly e-newsletter e-Contact.
Comhairle na nÓg - Sligo’s Youth Have Their Say
Comhairle na nÓg Shligigh is a Sligo County Development Board Project, involving a working partnership between Sligo County Council, County Sligo VEC and Foróige. Set up as part of the National Children’s Strategy (2000), Comhairle na nÓg provides a forum for young people to discuss local and national issues of relevance to them.
The 7th Annual Comhairle na nÓg Shligigh event was hosted by the Sligo County Development Board in the Clarion Hotel on 9th December, 2008. Young people from around the county were invited to attend, to express their views on topics deemed important by them.
The event consisted of a series of facilitated workshops on topics chosen by young people in Sligo:-Teenage Alcohol and Drugs and Youth Friendly Facilities in County Sligo. Findings from the workshops were presented back to the general assembly and distinguished guests which included The Mayor of Sligo, Councillor Veronica Cawley and the Leas Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Deirdre Healy-McGowan.
In her address, Mayor Cllr Veronica Cawley stated that “Comhairle na nÓg is one of the most important and innovative projects developed in recent years to give a voice to young people in our society”. She added that Comhairle na nÓg provides a firm platform for young people to develop their skills across a range of areas, something reflected in the very topical programme for this years forum.
- Mayor Councillor Veronica Cawley and Leas-Cathaoirleach Councillor Deirdre Healy McGowan with the newly elected members of Sligo Youth Council/Comhairle na nÓg and members of Community and Enterprise, Sligo VEC and Foroige
The event culminated in elections to fill twelve places on the Comhairle na nOg/Sligo Youth Council for a 2 year term. The election procedure reflected the County Council elections and electoral areas. Cllr Healy-McGowan commented that “The rationale driving this process is the belief that while some of our students are too young to vote, this should not mean that they are completely disenfranchised. They still have concerns to express and strong views to articulate”.
Comhairle na nÓg is representative of the voice of young people in County Sligo. They meet monthly and take part in various projects and campaigns which they consider important to the youth of Sligo. The group is facilitated by Elaine Grenaghan, Comhairle Development Worker with Foroige. An interagency Expert Youth Advisory Group has been established by Sligo County Development Board to ensure that the voice of Comhairle na nÓg gains access to the relevant adult decision making organisations in the county.
The Interagency Expert Youth Advisory Group for Comhairle na nOg is made up of:- Elected Representatives of Sligo Local Authorities – Mayor of Sligo, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council and the Chairs of the Councils Strategic Policy Committee’s and other agencies such as Sligo Co VEC, Foroige, HSE, An Garda Siochana, DSFA, SLPCo, RAPID, Voluntary Youth Council of VEC and the County Sligo Community Forum.
Mayor’s Ball 2009
Mayor Councillor Veronica Cawley will host this years Mayor’s Ball in the Clarion Hotel, Sligo on the 14th February.
Tickets cost €80.00 and are available from City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo by contacting 071 91 14400.
All proceeds will be donated to the following Charities -
- The Garden Room Project
- St. John’s Hospital, Sligo
- Rape Crisis Centre
- Save Sligo Cancer Services Group
- Carers Association
Sligo County Council Announces Heritage Grant Schemes for 2009
‘Knowing, valuing and caring for Sligo’s heritage’
Sligo County Council in association with the County Sligo Heritage Forum is committed to “working with the community, to know, value and care for Sligo’s heritage and to increase awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of our heritage for all”.
Through the County Sligo Heritage Office, Sligo County Council administers and sponsors the following Heritage Grant Schemes:
- Local Authority Grants for the Conservation of Protected Structures.
- Community Heritage Grant Scheme
- Heritage in Schools Grant Scheme
Applications are now being sought for the above grant schemes for 2009.
Conservation Grants for Protected Structures
The Local Authority Grants for the Conservation of Protected Structures, are designed to assist the owner or occupier of a structure which is protected because of its ‘architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, scientific, social or technical interest’, to undertake works on such a structure. Works which qualify under the scheme where they consist of the conservation of one or more elements of a qualifying structure are works which are necessary to -
- secure the stability of a structure or part of a structure
- make a structure weather or damp proof
- conserve or repair external walls or internal features
- carry out temporary repairs, to protect a structure from immediate risk.
In 2008 Sligo County Council grant aided 14 projects under the scheme. A total of €115,000 was awarded during 2008 and the works completed were all to a very high conservation standard.
Community Heritage Grants
Sligo Local Authorities have a pivotal role to play in nurturing and encouraging pride in our heritage and the Community Heritage Grant Scheme provides a ideal opportunity for the Local Authority to work in a dynamic partnership with local communities to foster awareness and appreciation of our heritage. Sligo County Council encourages projects which relate to the following: monuments, archaeological objects, heritage objects, architectural heritage, flora, fauna, wildlife habitats, landscapes, seascapes, wrecks, geology, heritage gardens and parks and inland waterways. Projects relating to local history and traditions, placenames, folklore, traditional crafts and skills and museums and archives will also be considered under the scheme. A funding package of €18,000 is available annually under this scheme with individual grant allocations limited to €1,000 per project.
Heritage in Schools Scheme.
Each year the Heritage Council, in partnership with the INTO, operates the Heritage in Schools scheme. The scheme offers a panel of Heritage specialists who will, at the request of a teacher, visit a primary school to work directly with the children on heritage related projects. To facilitate the promotion of the scheme in Sligo, the Heritage Office, Sligo County Council will be sponsoring a limited number of ‘Heritage in Schools’ visits during 2009. During 2008, more than 20 primary schools in Sligo, with approx. 700 children benefited as part of the scheme. The Heritage in Schools Directory and an application form for the Heritage in Schools Scheme are available directly from the INTO in Dublin.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications for the above schemes is 5pm on Wednesday the 11th February 2009.
Details and application forms can be downloaded from http://www.sligococo.ie/Services/Heritage/
For further information and application forms please contact:
Siobhán Ryan,County Sligo Heritage Office,
Sligo County Council.
Telephone: 071 91 11 226 or email; heritage@sligococo.ie
Community and Voluntary Sector Grant Scheme 2009
Applications are invited from County Based Community Groups and Voluntary Organisations for:
- Sligo County Council’s Community and Voluntary General Grant Scheme 2009:
The aim of the scheme is to support and encourage the work and activities of Community & Voluntary Organisations throughout the County. - Sligo County Council’s Burial Ground Grant Scheme 2009:
The aim of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to Burial Ground Committees in the maintenance and upkeep of their local burial ground.
Application forms and details on both schemes are available from:
M. Marren, Community and Enterprise Office, Development Centre, Cleveragh Road, Sligo. Telephone: 071-9111800/9111803 or Email: mmarren@sligococo.ie Or download particulars from www.sligococo.ie
Closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 4pm on Friday 27th February, 2009.
Raghly Harbour Improvement Works
Final Phase Completed in Late 2008
The project was conceived with the community group and promoted in partnership with the Community and Enterprise Directorate during 2003 and 2004 who secured Phase I funding in 2005 for the slipway and other ancillary works.
The Infrastructure Directorate took on the management of the contract to build the slipway which was completed in September 2006.
The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources provided funding for the much larger Phase II project involving a new quay, new jetties, extensive dredging and ancillary works. Works were carried out by Love Contractors under the supervision of Sligo County Council Project Engineer, Gary Salter.
The bulk of the essential works were completed by the end of 2007. Additional funding (€300,000) was allocated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries to complete the project fully in 2008. This third phase, involved the completion of the Sligo Bay crest wall and armour protection, repairs to the old quay wall, a capping to a portion of the quay and repairs to the old external breakwater, and basic surfacing of the parking area.
This element of the contract represents the end of a project that has spanned over three years and proved challenging from both a funding and technical viewpoints. However the outcome is a fine and safe harbour facility for the users and public .Consultants were SDS Ltd., Project Engineer/Manager for the entire scheme was Gary Salter and Dessie Sloyan was Resident Engineer, Consultant was Danny Groarke, SDS Ltd, Castlebar.
Council Issues Reminder to Dog Owners
Sligo County Council is issuing a strong reminder to all dog owners of their responsibilities during the lambing season to ensure their dogs are under control at all times. There has already been one incident in the new year where sheep were chased and killed by dogs. Attacks such as this cause considerable damage, and even when sheep are not physically attacked, the stress can cause them to loose their lambs.
In such cases the owner of the dogs is responsible for all losses incurred by the farmer. The farmer is also allowed to shoot any dogs seen worrying sheep. These incidents can be prevented if dog owners ensure they know where their dogs are at all times.
Motorists Urged to be Vigilant in 2009
While 2008 saw the lowest ever recorded road deaths in Ireland since records began, there were still 276 people tragically killed on the nation’s roads, including seven people were killed in County Sligo.
The Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Jude Devins said that ‘while the statistics on road deaths for 2008 were encouraging, there is no room for complacency and I would urge all motorists to be extra careful on our roads in 2009. We have come a long way in terms of education, awareness and enforcement; In 1978 there were 628 people killed on Irish roads, more than double the 2008 figure. It is imperative that we build on this platform to continue the downward trend in fatal road accidents in our country. To achieve this objective, we have to convey a forceful message that road safety is not the preserve of any one authority or agency, it is the responsibility of all road users.’
Val Baynes, Road Safety Officer with Sligo County Council, welcomed the trend of the national figures and feels they reflect both the improved change in behaviour by all road users and the work being done by various agencies. He noted that Sligo’s figure of seven road deaths last year was a slight increase on the six people killed in 2007, but a greater number than the 4 people killed in the previous year.
In relation to Sligo’s figures Mr. Baynes was concerned that these were higher than the past couple of years. “The county’s figures were tragically higher than the past couple of years but can be compared to the eleven Sligo road deaths in 2005. I would appeal to all road users in county Sligo to be ever more vigilant and hopefully 2009 will see reduced road deaths and serious injuries in the county ”.
“At national level the increased enforcement activities by the Gardai is reaping great rewards. The targeted campaigns by Gardai in relation to drink-driving alone saved dozens of lives last year. However, it is shocking that several hundred drivers were still arrested for drink-driving offences in Ireland over the Christmas period. The national roll-out of safety cameras will help to deal with the continuing problem of cars being driven at excessive and dangerous speeds – this will save more lives in the years to come.”
Mr Baynes complimented the efforts of Sligo Gardai in their enforcement activities. ‘The improvement in driver behaviour over the past couple of years has been an equally critical reason for the dramatic fall in road deaths. The simple rules of never drink-and-driving, wearing seat-belts and driving at safe speeds will ensure much safer roads for all road-users”.
He also noted that the overwhelming majority of Irish road fatalities occur on either national and regional routes reflecting the larger volumes of road traffic and the higher speeds that vehicles travel at. In Sligo, for example, sixteen of the last seventeen road deaths have occurred on these types of roads.
Mr Baynes especially asked for drivers on these routes to watch out for pedestrians and cyclists and to beware of vehicles attempting to come out from side roads, and stressed that every road user has a direct and personal responsibility to ensure they behave in a safe and courteous manner to ensure the nation’s roads are safe for all.
Council Focus
Sligo Local Authorities have teamed up with local radio station Ocean FM to produce a programme of news and information which is broadcast as part of the radio station’s regular schedule. The fifteen minute programme, Council Focus, will be broadcast on the second Sunday of every month at 9.00am and is repeated the following Wednesday evening at 6.40pm. New editions of the programme is recorded monthly.
Library News
Record Numbers Visit Sligo Central Library
Sligo Library Service welcomed a record number of customers recently with 1068 people visiting Sligo Central Library in Stephen St. on Tuesday 6th January, with 1,328 books being issued. The post - Christmas period is traditionally a very busy period for the Library Service, and these figures reflect the growing popularity of the service in our community.
Tuesday’s record attendance in Sligo Central Library was made up of a wide range of readers and book categories:
| Category | Issues |
|---|---|
| Adult fiction | 458 |
| Adult non-fiction | 386 |
| Juvenile fiction | 434 |
| Juvenile non-fiction | 50 |
County Librarian Donal Tinney commented that ‘we are very pleased with the continued support of our customers as witnessed on Tuesday last. The popularity of the Central Library service within Sligo is to be seen on a weekly basis with an average of 2,900 visits per week. These visitor figures continue to maintain the Central Library service as being one of the busiest cultural venues in the county.
We welcome new members throughout the year but we like to think that Library membership might be considered among the many new year resolutions, in particular for families, as it is a great family outing.’
‘Liar Liar’ Launched at Sligo Library
Mayor Councillor Veronica Cawley and Cathaoirleach Councillor Jude Devins officiated at the recent launch of Sligo born writer Alan McMonagle’s newly published book of short stories ‘Liar, Liar.’ The launch, which was hosted in Sligo Central Library, was also attended by County Librarian Donal Tinney and Sligo Library Service’s Writer in Residence, Niall Williams.
- Left-Right Cathaoirleach Councillor Devins, ‘Liar, Liar’ Author Alan McMonagle, Mayor Councillor Cawley, County Librarian Donal Tinney, Writer in Residence Niall Williams, Executive Librarian Patricia Keane and Tony Kelly
Literacy
In her address Mayor Cawley highlighted the significance of an OECD report ‘which identified reading as the most important indicator of the future success of a child.’ The Mayor stated that ‘The importance of literacy cannot be over-stated, and our Library staff play a pivotal role in developing this interest both in young people and the wider community. This is just one of the many vital roles played by our Library staff, and I would encourage people to start the new year by availing of the services at our branch libraries, and to prompt young people in particular to discover the magic and wonder of the world of books.’
Emerging voice
Writer in Residence Niall Williams also spoke of a writer’s emerging voice and how Alan McMonagle’s voice is evident in this collection. Particularly in his opening lines;
“You’ll make a great criminal, my father says to me” ( Opening line from the title story ‘Liar Liar’) and “Ciara tells me I have a female brain” (Opening line from ‘Repeat Offender’), opening lines which draw you in so that you want to read more.
Niall also spoke of a writer’s desire too get their work published. Of the two hundred writers he has met during his residency with Sligo County Libraries this was their aim… Not to be famous, not to make a million, but to see their work published. Mr Williams said a writer never forgets that feeling of seeing their work published for the first time, to see your book in a bookshop with your name on it.
Dark humour
Writer and broadcaster Noel Kelly said after obtaining his qualification and setting off for a career in accountancy, “and we all know how exiting that can be,” Alan managed to change track to pursue his writing. Noel said Alan must be the only writer; however, who managed to get the terms “trading statement” and “reconciled balance sheet” into a short story.
Noel spoke of his own interest in music and film. He mentioned the emerging trend of making short stories into screen plays. He said maybe a Sligo born film-maker who, like Alan, has a love of dark humour and all things quirky, may look to use one of Alan’s stories one day.
Book Review
The top 5 books borrowed through Sligo County Library Service in December 2008 were:
The Streets of Sligo: Urban Evolution over the course of Seven Centuries—Fiona Gallagher
The book has been several years in the writing as the Author, who is originally from Burton Street in Sligo, painstakingly researched the streets of her home town, often with fascinating results. Founded by the Normans seven centuries ago, Sligo has undergone phenomenal change, some of it quite evolutionary, some of it more radical. Perhaps the most surprising element is just how far back Sligo as we know it today was established. Fiona concluded that the street pattern of the town’s core was laid out by the 1590s and has changed very little since. Sligo thus displays an intact medieval street pattern, despite the substantial changes in the urban fabric in the intervening 300 years. Of particular interests to Sligonians will be the chronicling of the older names of the streets, many of which have now passed out of use.
Payback— Margaret Atwood
Using folklore, religion, ancient history, literature, computer simulations and experiments in animal behaviour, Atwood shows that a sense that there should be balance and fairness in relations between debtors and creditors lies deep in the human psyche and that when this is absent, things turn nasty. This applies even among the higher animals, as shown by a fascinating experiment in which monkeys were taught to trade stones for bananas. She concludes with an examination of the `debt to nature', arguing that mankind cannot go on taking rather than giving, without destroying the Earth on which it depends.
The Other Boleyn Girl—Philippa Gregory
The Boleyn family is keen to rise through the ranks of society, and what better way than to place their most beautiful young woman at court? But Mary becomes the king's mistress at a time of change. He needs his personal pleasures, but he also needs an heir. The unthinkable happens and the course of English history is irrevocably altered. For the women at the heart of the storm, they have only one weapon; and when it's no longer enough to be the mistress, Mary must groom her younger sister in the ways of pleasing the king.
Horrid Henry's Revenge—Francesca Simon
A brilliant new collection of four stories about “Horrid Henry” - one of the few new characters to have emerged in recent years for this age group. Wickedly subversive, hilariously funny and bang up to date, Horrid Henry's fame is spreading. In this collection, Henry accompanies his father to the office, hacks into his parents' computer, meets the Demon Dinner Lady and plans the ultimate revenge on Perfect Peter.
The Woman in the Fifth—Douglas Kennedy
Harry Ricks is a man who has lost everything. A romantic mistake at the small American college where he used to teach has cost him his job, his marriage and his relationship with his only child. And when the ensuing scandal threatens to completely destroy him, he votes with his feet and flees...to Paris.
€19,200 Raised by Cathaoirleach’s Ball
In late 2008, the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Jude Devins hosted the inaugural Cathaoirleach’s Ball in the Radisson Hotel, Sligo.
A large crowd of over four hundred turned out and were treated to a great nights entertainment with comedy, music, fine dining and an auction. Our Cathaoirleach donated all the proceeds of the night to the St Jude Childrens Home in Uganda. The final donation amounted to €19,200 – thanks to very generous support of the people of Sligo.
This donation which has been fully transferred to St Jude Childrens Home is to be used to complete the building of their own on site primary school. The school will ensure every child who passes through St Jude will get a primary school education and a chance at life in Uganda.
The children and future children of St Jude will now have their own school thanks in a large part to the donations of the people of Sligo. And for the year 2009, Bro Elio will have enough money to ensure the home can cater for the education, food and medical needs of the children he cares for.
A great deal of work was put in to the Cathaoirleachs’ Ball by the organising committee of Niamh Manly (events organiser – Illustrious Events), Enda Scanlon, Deirdre Healy Mc Gowan, Marian McGovern, Mary Gannon, Robbie Fitzpatrick. The work was matched in abundance by the kind generosity of our auction prize donors and buyers, by Andy Donaghy and by indeed by everyone who supported and enjoyed what was a great nights entertainment.
To find out more about St. Jude’s log on to website below: http://www.stjudechildrenshome.org/
