MINUTES OF MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 6th MARCH, 2006, AT 4.00 p.m.

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The Cathaoirleach, Cllr. H. Kenny, was in the Chair.

 

The other Councillors present were:-

 

Cllrs. M. Mulherin, J. Munnelly, Johnnie O’Malley, A.M. Reape, E. Staunton, S. Weir, P. O’Brien, D. Ryan, H. Walsh, G. Coyle, M. Holmes, M. McNamara, T. Quinn, S. Bourke, C. Burke, A. McDonnell, P. McGuinness, J. Mee, M. Carty, T. Connolly, J. Cribbin, P. McHugh, E. Lavin, J. Maloney, J. Mellett, G. Murray, M. Adams, F. Chambers, A.F. O’Malley, John O’Malley.

 

The Council Staff in attendance were:-

 

Mr. D. Mahon, Co. Manager, Mr. J. Beirne, Dir. of Services / Co. Engineer, Mr. J. Loftus, Dir. of Services, Mr. J. Condon, Meetings Administrator, Mr. S. Granahan, Dir. of Services, Mr. J. Coll, Dir., Comm. & Enterprise, Mr. P. Duggan, Head of Finance, Mr. A. Vaughan, Co. Librarian, Ms. C. Kenny, Asst. Staff Officer.

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A detailed discussion took place in relation to a number of recent job losses in Ballina the latest being the loss of 40 jobs due to the closure of Oasis.    

 

It was agreed that a Task Force should be set up with the County Manager to sit on same.

 

ITEM  NO.  1.

MIONTUAIRISCI DE CRUINNIU COMHAIRLE CHONTAE MHAIGH EO A BHI AR SIUL AR AN 13ú FEABHRA, 2006, A DEIMHNIU.

TO CONFIRM MINUTES OF MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 13th FEBRUARY, 2006.

 

Mhol Comhairleoir P. McGuinness

Chuid Comhairleoir P. McHugh

Ghlacu leis an tairiscint:-

“Go n-aontaiomar le Miontuairisci Cruinniu Comhairle Chontae Mhaigh Eo a bhi ar siul ar an 13ú Feabhra, 2006”.

 

Proposed by Cllr. P. McGuinness

Seconded by Cllr. P. McHugh

Resolved:-

“That Minutes of Mayo County Council Meeting held on 13th February, 2006, be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record”.

 

It was agreed to deal with Item No. 5 on the Agenda at this stage.

 

 

 

 

 

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ITEM  NO.  5.

TO CONSIDER REPORT DATED 28th FEBRUARY, 2006, IN ACCORDANCE WITH PART 8 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT) REGULATIONS, 2001, AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 2001, IN RESPECT OF PROPOSED REFURBISHMENT OF BALLA STREETS.

 

Mr. R. Norton, Dir. of Services, outlined the background to this Item.

 

Proposed by Cllr. P. McGuinness

Seconded by Cllr. A. McDonnell

Resolved:-

“That we hereby adopt Report dated 28th February, 2006, in accordance with Part 8 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 2001, and the Local Government Act, 2001, in respect of proposed refurbishment of Balla Streets”.

 

ITEM  NO.  2.

TO HEAR A PRESENTATION BY MR. PADDY McCANN, IRISH POSTMASTERS UNION.

 

Mr. Paddy McCann, Irish Postmasters Union, made a Presentation to the Council.

 

Following a detailed discussion, the Cathaoirleach thanked Mr. McCann for his Presentation.

 

It was agreed to deal with Item No. 7 on the Agenda at this stage.

 

ITEM  NO.  7.

TO CONSIDER AND ADOPT LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2006 – 2010.

 

Mr. J. Loftus, Dir. of Services, outlined the background to this Item and Mr. A. Vaughan, Co. Librarian, made a Presentation on same.

 

Proposed by Cllr. P. McGuinness

Seconded by Cllr. M. Adams

Resolved:-

“That we hereby adopt Library Development Programme 2006 – 2010, as circulated”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ITEM  NO.  3.

TO CONSIDER REPORT DATED 15th FEBRUARY, 2006, IN ACCORDANCE WITH PART 8 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT) REGULATIONS, 2001, AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 2001, IN RESPECT OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF 10 SOCIAL HOUSING UNITS, ACCESS ROAD AND PUBLIC CAR PARK IN KILKELLY TOWN CENTRE, KILKELLY, CO. MAYO.

 

Proposed by Cllr. E. Lavin

Seconded by Cllr. F. Chambers

Resolved:-

“That we hereby adopt Report dated 15th February, 2006, in accordance with Part 8 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 2001, and the Local Government Act, 2001, in respect of proposed development of 10 Social Housing Units, access road and public Car Park in Kilkelly Town Centre, Kilkelly, Co. Mayo”.

 

ITEM  NO.  4.

TO CONSIDER REPORT DATED 21st FEBRUARY, 2006, IN ACCORDANCE WITH PART 8 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT) REGULATIONS, 2001, AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 2001, IN RESPECT OF A PROPOSAL TO CONSTRUCT RELIEF ROAD LINKING THE N17 AND THE R375 (SWINFORD ROAD) AT KILKELLY.

 

Proposed by Cllr. E. Lavin

Seconded by Cllr. A.M. Reape

Resolved:-

“That we hereby adopt Report dated 21st February, 2006, in accordance with Part 8 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 2001, and the Local Government Act, 2001, in respect of a proposal to construct Relief Road linking the N17 and the R375 (Swinford Road) at Kilkelly”.

 

ITEM  NO.  5.

TO CONSIDER REPORT DATED 28TH FEBRUARY, 2006, IN ACCORDANCE WITH PART 8 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT) REGULATIONS, 2001, AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 2001, IN RESPECT OF PROPOSED REFURBISHMENT OF BALLA STREETS.

 

This Item was already dealt with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ITEM  NO.  6.

TO APPROVE OF THE DISPOSAL OF PLOT 11 COMPRISING 0.6 ACRES OF LAND AT SWINFORD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, KILKELLY ROAD, SWINFORD, TO MR. P.J. RONANE, FURNITURE MANUFACTURER, OLD KILKELLY ROAD, SWINFORD, CO. MAYO, IN ACCORDANCE WITH NOTICE DATED 23rd FEBRUARY, 2006, ALREADY CIRCULATED.

 

Proposed by Cllr. A.M. Reape

Seconded by Cllr. E. Lavin

Resolved:-

“That we hereby approve of the disposal of Plot 11 comprising 0.6 acres of Land at Swinford Industrial Estate, Kilkelly Road, Swinford, to Mr. P.J. Ronane, Furniture Manufacturer, Old Kilkelly Road, Swinford, Co. Mayo, for €60,000.00, in accordance with Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001, and Notice dated 23rd February, 2006, already circulated”.

 

ITEM  NO.  7.

TO CONSIDER AND ADOPT LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2006 – 2010.

 

This Item was already dealt with.

 

ITEM  NO.  8.

CO-FUNDING OF MAYO FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE FAI.

 

Proposed by Cllr. J. Mee

Seconded by Cllr. C. Burke

Resolved:-

“That we hereby approve of the allocation of €7,500 towards the Co-Funding of Mayo Football Development Officer in Association with the FAI”.

 

ITEM  NO.  9.

ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES FOR ACHILL SPUR WALKING ROUTE.

 

Mr. J. Coll, Director, Community & Enterprise, outlined details of this Item.

 

Proposed by Cllr. P. McGuinness

Seconded by Cllr. M. Mulherin

Resolved:-

“That we hereby approve of the Allocation of €20,000 to the Achill Spur Walking Route to enable the required work, as agreed with South West Mayo Development Co. Ltd. (SWMDC) and the local communities, to be carried out”.

 

 

 

 

 

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ITEM  NO.  10.

TO NOTE MINUTES OF ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 10th OCTOBER, 2005.

 

Proposed by Cllr. M. Mulherin

Seconded by Cllr. M. Holmes

Resolved:-

“That Minutes of Roads and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on 10th October, 2005, be noted”.

 

The time being 8.00 p.m., it was  -

 

Proposed by Cllr. P. McGuinness

Seconded by Cllr. P. McHugh

Resolved:-

“That “Standing Orders” be suspended in order to allow the Meeting to continue”.

 

ITEM  NO.  11.

TO NOTE MINUTES OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 7th DECEMBER, 2005.

 

Proposed by Cllr. E. Lavin

Seconded by Cllr. M. Adams

Resolved:-

“That Minutes of Environmental Policy and Emergency Services Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on 7th December, 2005, be noted”.

 

ITEM  NO.  12.

TO NOTE MINUTES OF BALLINROBE ELECTORAL AREA COMMITTEE MEETINGS HELD ON 14th  NOVEMBER AND 12th DECEMBER, 2005.

 

Proposed by Cllr. P. O’Brien

Seconded by Cllr. H. Walsh

Resolved:-

“That Minutes of Ballinrobe Electoral Area Committee Meetings held on 14th November and 12th December, 2005, be noted”.

 

ITEM  NO.  13.

TO NOTE MINUTES OF CLAREMORRIS ELECTORAL AREA COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 10th JANUARY, 2006.

 

Proposed by Cllr. T. Connolly

Seconded by Cllr. P. McHugh

Resolved:-

 

 

 

 

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“That Minutes of Claremorris Electoral Area Committee Meeting held on 10th January, 2006, be noted”.

 

ITEM  NO.  14.

TO CONSIDER NOMINATING REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND TOURISM CONFERENCE – “THE FUTURE OF OUR PAST – THE ROLE OF HERITAGE AND CULTURE IN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT” – TO BE HELD IN THE DOLMEN HOTEL, CARLOW, ON 23rd AND 24th MARCH, 2006.

 

The Council were informed of the estimated cost of sending a Delegate to this Conference.

 

Proposed by Cllr. P. McGuinness

Seconded by Cllr. P. McHugh

Resolved:-

“That Cllrs. M. Adams, S. Bourke, T. Connolly, G. Coyle, G. Murray, A.F. O’Malley, John O’Malley, D. Ryan and H. Walsh be nominated to attend Tourism Conference – “The Future of our Past – the Role of Heritage and Culture in Tourism Development” – to be held in the Dolmen Hotel, Carlow, on 23rd and 24th March, 2006”.

 

ITEM  NO.  15.

TO CONSIDER NOMINATING REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND CONFERENCE – “THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN URBAN REGENERATION” – TO BE HELD IN THE LISTOWEL ARMS HOTEL, LISTOWEL, CO. KERRY, ON 20th and 21st APRIL, 2006.

 

The Council were informed of the estimated cost of sending a Delegate to this Conference.

 

Proposed by Cllr. P. McGuinness

Seconded by Cllr. P. McHugh

Resolved:-

“That Cllrs. M. Adams, J. Munnelly, A.M. Reape and D. Ryan be nominated to attend Conference – “The Importance of the Arts in Urban Regeneration” – to be held in the Listowel Arms Hotel, Listowel, Co. Kerry, on 20th and 21st April, 2006”.

 

ITEM  NO.  16.

TO CONSIDER NOMINATING REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND LOCAL AUTHORITY MEMBERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE – “LOCAL GOVERNMENT – DELIVERING THE FUTURE NOW” – TO BE HELD IN THE NEWPARK HOTEL, KILKENNY, ON 20th AND 21st APRIL, 2006.

 

The Council were informed of the estimated cost of sending a Delegate to this Conference.

 

 

 

 

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Proposed by Cllr. P. McGuinness

Seconded by Cllr. P. McHugh

Resolved:-

“That the Cathaoirleach, Cllrs. M. Adams, S. Bourke, C. Burke, T. Connolly, G. Coyle, J. Cribbin, P. McHugh, G. Murray, A.F. O’Malley, John O’Malley and S. Weir be nominated to attend Local Authority Members Association Annual Conference – “Local Government – Delivering the Future Now” – to be held in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny, on 20th and 21st April, 2006”.

 

ITEM  NO.  17.

TO CONSIDER NOMINATING REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND KERRY ENVIRONMENTAL RECOGNITION CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN THE GOLF HOTEL, BALLYBUNION, CO. KERRY, FROM 26th TO 29th APRIL, 2006.

 

The Council were informed of the estimated cost of sending a Delegate to this Conference.

 

Proposed by Cllr. P. McGuinness

Seconded by Cllr. P. McHugh

Resolved:-

“That the Cathaoirleach, Cllrs. M. Adams, S. Bourke, M. Carty, M. McNamara, G. Murray and A.M. Reape be nominated to attend Kerry Environmental Conference to be held in the Golf Hotel, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry, from 26th to 29th April, 2006”.

 

Conference – Rosslare, Co. Wexford – 31st March and 1st April, 2006.

 

Proposed by Cllr. P. McGuinness

Seconded by Cllr. P. McHugh

Resolved:-

“That Cllrs. M. Adams, S. Bourke, G. Coyle, A. McDonnell and John O’Malley be nominated to attend Conference – “Does Media reporting of Opinion Polls during an Election affect the result?” – to be held in the Great Southern Hotel, Rosslare, Co. Wexford, on 31st March and 1st April, 2006”.

 

NOTICES OF MOTION.

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(a)            “Calling on Mayo County Council to clarify the situation in relation            to the Council’s tenant purchase scheme for single rural houses in

            circumstances where the tenant originally donated the site to the

            Council free of charge, in such circumstances can the Council

 

 

 

 

 

 

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            confirm that the market value of the house was deducted in the

            course of the valuation process, and can they further confirm if this

            deduction was conveyed to the tenant in writing when informing                  them of the valuation and their other statutory entitlements and

            deductions under the Tenant Purchase Scheme”.

 

            This Notice of Motion was not moved.

 

(b)            Proposed by Cllr. F. Chambers

            Seconded by Cllr. T. Quinn

            Resolved:-

            “That Mayo County Council passes a resolution requesting the

            Local papers and media not to hold or publish any opinion polls for

            at least a month prior to the next General Election, in the interest of

            fair play”.

 

(c)            Proposed by Cllr. F. Chambers

            Seconded by Cllr. P. McGuinness

            Resolved:-

            “That Mayo County Council discusses the importance of the

            forthcoming Census which was announced by the Central Statistics

            Office, and is to be taken up during the months of March to May,

            2006”.

 

            Proposed by Cllr. P. McGuinness

            Seconded by Cllr. F. Chambers

            Resolved:-

            “That the following wording be added to the above Motion:-

            “and that the Census be taken on a Friday or a Saturday”.

 

(d)            Proposed by Cllr. J. Munnelly

            Seconded by Cllr. P. McHugh

            Resolved:-

            “That Mayo County Council will extend an invitation to the National

            Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to give a presentation on their

            services in Co. Mayo, including the role they play in the planning

            process”.

 

VOTE OF CONGRATULATIONS.

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Proposed by Cllr. J. Munnelly

Seconded by Cllr. E. Lavin

Resolved:-

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“That a Vote of Congratulations be extended to Ms. Elizabeth Munnelly, Clyrower, Kincon, Ballina, on being elected  President of Young Fine Gael”.

 

 

 

 

 

The Meeting concluded at 8.10 p.m.