MINUTES OF MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL ADJOURNED BUDGET MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 17TH JANUARY, 2005, AT 3.00 P.M.

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The Cathaoirleach, Cllr. E. Staunton, was in the Chair.

 

The other Councillors present were:-

 

Cllrs. M. Mulherin, J. Munnelly, Johnnie O’Malley, A.M. Reape, S. Weir, P. O’Brien, D. Ryan, H. Walsh, G. Coyle, M. Holmes, M. McNamara, T. Quinn, S. Bourke, C. Burke, H. Kenny, A. McDonnell, P. McGuinness, 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.

P. Hynes, Dir. of Services, Mr. S. Granahan, Dir. of Services, Mr. R. Norton, Dir. of Services, Mr. J. Coll, Dir., Comm. & Enterprise, Mr. P. Duggan, Head of Finance, Mr. S. Murphy, Chief Fire Officer, Mr. I. Douglas, Senior Planner, Mr. T. Reidy, Sen. Ex. Engineer, Ms. E. McCormack, Financial Accountant, Mr. J. McGovern, A/Head of I.S., Mr. A. Vaughan, Co. Librarian, Mr. J. Walsh, Adm. Officer, Mr. S. Walsh, A/Arts Officer, Mr. J. Moran, Sen. Staff Officer, Mr. G. Costello, Staff Officer, Ms. C. Kenny, Asst. Staff Officer.

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Discussion continued on the Annual Budget of Mayo County Council.

 

ITEM  NO.  1.

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-         TO CONSIDER THE BUDGET OF MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL FOR THE

FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER, 2005, AND

-         TO ADOPT THE SAID BUDGET WITH OR WITHOUT AMENDMENT;

-         TO DETERMINE BY RESOLUTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAID

BUDGET AS ADOPTED THE ANNUAL RATE TO BE LEVIED FOR THE

PURPOSES SET OUT IN TABLE B OF THE SAID BUDGET FOR THE

FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER, 2005, AND

-         TO DETERMINE BY RESOLUTION THE CHARGES TO BE MADE FOR

SERVICES PROVIDED IN RESPECT OF DOMESTIC FIRE BRIGADE SERVICE.

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PROGRAMME  GROUP  3  -  WATER  SUPPLY  AND  SEWERAGE.

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Mr. S. Granahan, Dir. of Services, outlined details of Programme Group 3 – Water Supply and Sewerage.

 

A detailed discussion ensued on this Programme Group during which reference was made to the following:-

 

 

 

-      2      -

 

 

 

-         Louisburgh Water Supply Scheme;

 

-         Design, Build and Operate;

 

-         The harvesting of raw water;

 

-         That Mayo County Council should take over as many Group Water Schemes as possible;

 

-         The development of Killala Sewerage Scheme;

 

-         Ballina Regional Water Supply Scheme;

 

-         The taking over of Knockmore Group Water Scheme;

 

-         Small Sewerage Schemes for Attymass and Bonniconlon;

 

-         The poor quality of the Drummindoo Group Water Scheme;

 

-         The extension of the Lough Mask Water Supply Scheme to Knock Airport, Kiltimagh and Swinford;

 

-         Sewerage Schemes for Breaffy, Glenisland, Ballyheane and Castlebar;

 

-         The high cost of water metering for farmers;

 

-         The provision of small Sewerage Schemes in villages;

 

-         Sludge treatment;

 

-         Swinford Water Scheme;

 

-         Polluter Pays Principle for farmers – how will it be applied?

 

-         Provision of Sewerage Scheme for Belmullet;

 

-         The upgrading of water quality in County Mayo;

 

-         Achill Sound Sewerage Scheme;

 

-         Killala Sewerage Scheme and Carrowmore-Lacken Group Water Scheme;

 

-         Aughagower and Clare Island Sewerage Schemes;

 

-         Upgrading of Treatment Plant in Tourmakeady.

 

 

 

-      3      -

 

 

 

Mr. S. Granahan, Dir. of Services and Mr. J. Beirne, Dir. of Services / Co. Engineer, replied to queries raised by the Members under this Programme Group.

 

The time being 5.00 p.m., it was  -

 

Proposed by Cllr. A. McDonnell

Seconded by Cllr. P. McHugh

Resolved:-

“That the Meeting be adjourned until 5.30 p.m.”.

 

The Meeting reconvened at 5.30 p.m.

 

PROGRAMME  GROUP  4  -  DEVELOPMENT  INCENTIVES  AND  CONTROLS.

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Mr. P. Duggan, Head of Finance, outlined details of Programme Group 4 – Development Incentives and Controls.

 

A detailed discussion ensued under this Programme Group during which reference was made to the following:-

 

-         The need for a Social and Economic Fund;

 

-         The excellent work being carried out by the Community and Enterprise Section;

 

-         Planning Enforcement Units;

 

-         Integrated rural development;

 

-         Inconsistencies in Planning;

 

-         The percentage of Planning refusals;

 

-         Statutory review of Mayo County Development Plan;

 

-         Planning Clinics;

 

-         Area Plans for Towns;

 

-         The abolition of the 5 Year Residency Clause in the Mayo County Development Plan.

 

Mr. D. Mahon, Co. Manager and Mr. J. Loftus, Dir. of Services, replied to queries raised by the Members under the Development Incentives and Controls Programme Group.

 

 

-      4      -

 

 

 

PROGRAMME  GROUP  5  -  ENVIRONMENTAL  PROTECTION.

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Mr. R. Norton, Dir. of Services, and Mr. S. Murphy, Chief Fire Officer, outlined details of Programme Group 5 – Environmental Protection.

 

A detailed discussion took place under this Programme Group during which reference was made to the following:-

 

    -    Recycling and the Refuse Collection Service;

 

-         The need for more education in second level schools regarding the

issue of litter;

 

-         The excellent work being carried out by the Fire Service;

 

-         The upgrading of Fire Stations in the County particularly Swinford;

 

-         The need for increased funding for maintenance of Burial Grounds;

 

-         The provision of toilets at every Blue Flag Beach in the County;

 

-         The privatisation of the Refuse Collection Service;

 

-         The poor condition of the old Cemetery in Ballinrobe;

 

-         Call out charges for the Fire Service;

 

-         That the Waste Collection Service in the County be reviewed in 2005;

 

-         Review of the Connaught Waste Management Plan.

 

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”.

 

Mr. R. Norton, Dir. of Services, replied to queries raised by the Members under this Programme Group.

 

The Council then considered Programme Groups 6, 7 and 8.

 

 

 

 

 

 

-      5      -

 

 

 

PROGRAMME  GROUP  6  -  RECREATION  AND  AMENITY.

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PROGRAMME  GROUP  7  -  AGRICULTURE,  EDUCATION,  HEALTH  AND  WELFARE.

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PROGRAMME  GROUP  8  -  MISCELLANEOUS  SERVICES.

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Mr. D. Mahon, Co. Manager, outlined details of Programme Groups 6, 7 and 8.

 

A discussion took place under these Programme Groups during which reference was made to the following:-

 

-         The excellent work being carried out by the Community and

Enterprise Section;

 

-         The excellent work being carried out by the Arts Service and the

Library Service:

 

-         The excellent work being carried out by the Information Technology

Section;

 

-         The vast amount of funding being provided for Piers and Harbours in

the County;

 

-         Higher Education Grants;

 

-         That the funding for Agricultural Shows be increased;

 

-         The need for a second Dog Warden in the County;

 

-         The need for additional funding for coastal erosion;

 

-         Mayo County Heritage Plan;

 

-         Broadband.

 

Mr. D. Mahon, Co. Manager, and Mr. J. Loftus, Dir. of Services, replied to queries raised by the Members under Programme Groups 6, 7 and 8.

 

Proposed by Cllr. E. Staunton

Seconded by Cllr. P. McGuinness

Resolved:-

 

 

 

 

-      6      -

 

 

 

“That having considered the County Manager’s Annual Budget for the Financial Year ending 31st December, 2005, together with his Report, the Council hereby amend the said Annual Budget as follows:-

 

Programme Group 2 – Road Transportation and Safety:-

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That Local Roads Rates of €4,420,208 – Sub Programme Road Upkeep – be increased by €75,000

 

Programme Group 4 – Development Incentives and Controls:-

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(a)       That a provision of €100,000 be made for Knock Airport;

(b)       That other income of €150,000 be provided – Sub Programme –

            Other Development and Promotion

 

Programme Group 5 – Environmental Protection:-

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That Refuse Charges of €3,000,000 be reduced by €8,000

 

Programme Group 8 – Miscellaneous Services:-

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That Overdraft Interest of €250,000 be reduced by €25,000

 

Programme Group 9 – Support Services:-

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(a)       That Geographical Information Systems of €541,000 be reduced by

            €23,000

(b)       That Other Expenses of €138,480 be reduced by €33,926

 

Table B:-

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Amount to be levied reduced by €48,926”.

 

Proposed by Cllr. P. McGuinness

Seconded by Cllr. J. Munnelly

Resolved:-

“That the County Council of the County of Mayo hereby adopt the said Annual Budget for the Financial Year ending 31st December, 2005, as set out in Tables A and B, as amended”.

 

 

 

 

 

-      7      -

 

 

 

Proposed by Cllr. P. McGuinness

Seconded by Cllr. J. Mellett

Resolved:-

“That the County Council of the County of Mayo hereby determine, in accordance with the Annual Budget as adopted, for the Financial Year ending 31st December, 2005, the rate set out in Table B to be €63.43”.

 

Proposed by Cllr. P. McGuinness

Seconded by Cllr. P. McHugh

Resolved:-

“That in accordance with Section 2 of the Local Government (Financial Provisions) (No. 2) Act, 1983 (No 21 of 1983), the Council hereby make a charge of €100.00 payable on receipt of demand from the County Council for attendance of the Fire Brigade at a domestic premises for the Financial Year ending 31st December, 2005”.

 

The Cathaoirleach, Cllrs. P. McHugh and P. McGuinness thanked all the Members of the Council for their co-operation in the adoption of the Budget and the County Manager and Staff for their work in the preparation of the Budget.

 

The County Manager thanked the Cathaoirleach and the Members of the Council for their co-operation in the adoption of the Budget.   He also thanked his Staff for their work in the preparation of the Budget.

 

 

 

 

 

The Meeting concluded at 9.25 p.m.