MINUTES OF MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN ÁRAS AN CHONTAE, CASTLEBAR, ON MONDAY, 10th DECEMBER, 2012, AT 3.00 p.m.
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The Cathaoirleach, Cllr. C. Burke, was in the Chair.
The other Councillors present were:-
Cllrs. J. O’Hara, E. Staunton, S. Weir, R. Conway-Walsh, G. Coyle, M. Holmes, M. McNamara, F. Durcan, B.K. Gavin, H. Kenny, M. Kilcoyne, E. McCormack, A. McDonnell, M. Burke, T. Connolly, J. Cribbin, R. Finn, P. O’Brien, D. Ryan, E. Lavin, J. Maloney, J. Mellett, G. Murray, M. Adams, A.F. O’Malley, John O’Malley.
Apologies received from Cllrs. J. Munnelly and A.M. Reape for inability to attend the Meeting.
The Council Staff in attendance were:-
Mr. P. Hynes, Co. Manager, Mr. J. Loftus, Dir. of Services, Mr. J. Condon, Meetings Administrator, Mr. S. Granahan, Dir. of Services, Mr. P. Duggan, Head of Finance, Mr. M. Keating, A/Dir. of Services, Mr. P. Benson, A/Dir. of Services, Mr. D. Turnbull, A/Dir. of Services, Mr. S. Smyth, Sen. Ex. Officer, Ms. A. McCarthy, Arts Officer, Ms. C. Kenny, Asst. Staff Officer.
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At the outset, Cllr. J. Mellett requested the Cathaoirleach to suspend “Standing Orders” in order to allow a discussion to take place on the future of Ireland West Airport Knock as a result of the Government’s decision to provide a full package of measures to ensure the long term future of Shannon Airport, including the write off of the Airport’s €100 million debt.
A discussion ensued.
Following the discussion, it was agreed that the Cathaoirleach and the County Manager would contact the Board of Ireland West Airport Knock with a view to meeting the Members of the Council.
ITEM NO. 1.
MIONTUAIRISCI DE CRUINNIU COMHAIRLE CHONTAE MHAIGH EO A BHI AR SIUL AR AN 5ú SAMHAIN, 2012, A DEIMHNIU.
TO CONFIRM MINUTES OF MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 5th NOVEMBER, 2012.
Mhol Comhairleoir J. Mellett
Chuid Comhairleoir D. Ryan leis
Ghlacu leis an tairiscint:-
“Go n-aontaiomar le Miontuairisci de Cruinniu Comhairle Chontae Mhaigh Eo a bhi ar siul ar an 5ú Samhain, 2012”.
Proposed by Cllr. J. Mellett
Seconded by Cllr. D. Ryan
Resolved:-
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“That Minutes of Mayo County Council Meeting held on 5th November, 2012, be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record”.
ITEM NO. 2.
TO ADOPT PREFERRED ROUTE FOR N59 CROSSMOLINA-BALLINA ROAD PROJECT.
Proposed by Cllr. J. Mellett
Seconded by Cllr. M. McNamara
Resolved:-
“That this Item be referred back to the Ballina Electoral Area Committee for further consideration”.
ITEM NO. 3.
ENTERPRISE AND EMPLOYMENT.
The County Manager introduced this Item to the Members.
A discussion ensued during which a number of Councillors extended their Congratulations to Ms. Joanne Grehan on her appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Mayo County Enterprise Board.
Proposed by Cllr. G. Murray
Seconded by Cllr. M. McNamara
Resolved:-
“That a representative from the Department of Social Protection be invited to address a Meeting of the Council”.
ITEM NO. 4.
TO ADOPT DRAFT BYE-LAWS FOR THE REGULATION OF BURIAL GROUNDS IN COUNTY MAYO.
It was agreed to defer this Item to the January Meeting of the Council.
ITEM NO. 5.
TO APPROVE OF THE DISPOSAL OF DERELICT DWELLING AT CARRAJAMES, BELCARRA, CASTLEBAR, TO MARGARET FLATLEY, CARRAJAMES, BELCARRA, CASTLEBAR, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 183 NOTICE DATED 9th NOVEMBER, 2012, ALREADY CIRCULATED.
Proposed by Cllr. B.K. Gavin
Seconded by Cllr. H. Kenny
Resolved:-
“That we hereby approve of the disposal of derelict Dwelling at Carrajames, Belcarra, Castlebar, to Margaret Flatley, Carrajames, Belcarra, Castlebar, for €10,000.00, in accordance with Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001, and Notice dated 9th November, 2012, already circulated”.
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ITEM NO. 6.
TO APPROVE OF THE DISPOSAL OF 0.0033 HECTARES OF LAND ADJOINING THE JACKIE CLARKE LIBRARY & ARCHIVE AT WALSH STREET, BALLINA, BY LEASE AGREEMENT, TO MR. PAUL GARVIN, T/A KP TAVERNS LTD., 3,
BLACKROCK COURT, BALLINA, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 183 NOTICE DATED 27th NOVEMBER, 2012, ALREADY CIRCULATED.
Proposed by Cllr. S. Weir
Seconded by Cllr. J. O’Hara
Resolved:-
“That we hereby approve of the disposal of 0.0033 hectares of Land adjoining the Jackie Clarke Library & Archive at Walsh Street, Ballina, by Lease Agreement, to Mr. Paul Garvin, t/a KP Taverns Ltd., 3, Blackrock Court, Ballina, for a weekly rent of €120.00, in accordance with Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001, and Notice dated 27th November, 2012, already circulated”.
ITEM NO. 7.
TO CONSIDER REQUEST RECEIVED FROM COMHAIRLE NA nÓG TO ADDRESS A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL.
Proposed by Cllr. J. Mellett
Seconded by Cllr. A. McDonnell
Resolved:-
“That Comhairle ne nÓg be allowed to address the February Meeting of the Council”.
ITEM NO. 8.
TO APPROVE OF THE ALLOCATION OF ARTS GRANTS FOR 2012.
Proposed by Cllr. J. Mellett
Seconded by Cllr. M. McNamara
Resolved:-
“That we hereby approve of the Allocation of Arts Grants for 2012 as follows:-
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RECOMMENDED
NAME OF APPLICANT GRANT 2012
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Claremorris Arts Committee €5,000
Westport Arts Festival €5,200
Scoil Ácla, Acaill €1,100
Fleadh Cheoil Mháigh Eó (Newport) €1,500
Ballina Salmon Festival €3,000
Siamsa Sráide, Swinford €2,000
Kenny Naughton School, Ballyhaunis €1,100
Feile Chois Cuain, Louisburgh €1,600
Ceol na Locha, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh € 800
Crimlin Community Arts Group €1,300
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RECOMMENDED
NAME OF APPLICANT GRANT 2012
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Cumann Merriman, Westport € 400
Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival € 600
Mayo International Choral Festival €2,100
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland € 500
Seosamh Mac Gabhann Summer School € 800”.
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ITEM NO. 9.
TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE DATED 13th NOVEMBER, 2012, RECEIVED FROM THE COURTS SERVICE IN RELATION TO COURT VENUE REVIEW.
Proposed by Cllr. J. Mellett
Seconded by Cllr. M. Kilcoyne
Resolved:-
“That Mr. Brendan J. McDonald, Western Regional Manager, Courts Service, be invited to address the January Meeting of the Council”.
A discussion took place on this Item during which the Members expressed their concern in relation to the proposed closure of Courthouses in the County.
ITEM NO. 10.
TO NOTE MINUTES OF PLANNING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & EMERGENCY SERVICES STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 22nd JUNE, 2012.
Proposed by Cllr. E. McCormack
Seconded by Cllr. M. McNamara
Resolved:-
“That Minutes of Planning, Economic Development & Emergency Services Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on 22nd June, 2012, be noted”.
ITEM NO. 11.
TO NOTE MINUTES OF CULTURAL, EDUCATION, HERITAGE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 25th JULY, 2012.
Proposed by Cllr. J. Mellett
Seconded by Cllr. M. McNamara
Resolved:-
“That Minutes of Cultural, Education, Heritage and Corporate Affairs Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on 25th July, 2012, be noted”.
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Referring to Item No. 5 of Minutes of Cultural, Education, Heritage and Corporate Affairs Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on 25th July, 2012, in relation to the Commemoration Strategy, Cllr. R. Conway-Walsh stated that any such Committee should be inclusive of all Parties represented on the Council.
Mr. J. Loftus, Dir. of Services, informed Cllr. Conway-Walsh that her concerns will be addressed.
ITEM NO. 12.
TO NOTE MINUTES OF CLAREMORRIS ELECTORAL AREA COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 5th SEPTEMBER, 2012.
Proposed by Cllr. T. Connolly
Seconded by Cllr. D. Ryan
Resolved:-
“That Minutes of Claremorris Electoral Area Committee Meeting held on 5th September, 2012, be noted”.
ITEM NO. 13.
TO NOTE MINUTES OF WESTPORT ELECTORAL AREA COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 10th SEPTEMBER, 2012.
Proposed by Cllr. A.F. O’Malley
Seconded by Cllr. M. McNamara
Resolved:-
“That Minutes of Westport Electoral Area Committee Meeting held on 10th September, 2012, be noted”.
ITEM NO. 14.
TO NOTE MINUTES OF CASTLEBAR ELECTORAL AREA COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 11th SEPTEMBER, 2012.
Proposed by Cllr. B.K. Gavin
Seconded by Cllr. M. Kilcoyne
Resolved:-
“That Minutes of Castlebar Electoral Area Committee Meeting held on 11th September, 2012, be noted”.
ITEM NO. 15.
TO NOTE MINUTES OF SWINFORD ELECTORAL AREA COMMITTEE MEETINGS HELD ON 12th SEPTEMBER, 2012 AND 1st OCTOBER, 2012.
Proposed by Cllr. J. Mellett
Seconded by Cllr. J. Maloney
Resolved:-
“That Minutes of Swinford Electoral Area Committee Meetings held on 12th September, 2012 and 1st October, 2012, be noted”.
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Seminar – Clonmel, Co. Tipperary – 14th and 15th December, 2012.
Proposed by Cllr. J. Maloney
Seconded by Cllr. D. Ryan
Resolved:-
“That Cllr. B.K. Gavin be nominated to attend Seminar – “Health & Safety and the Councillor” – to be held in the Clonmel Park Hotel, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, on 14th and 15th December, 2012”.
Seminar – Rosscarbery, Co. Cork – 14th to 16th December, 2012.
Proposed by Cllr. A.F. O’Malley
Seconded by Cllr. R. Conway-Walsh
Resolved:-
“That Cllrs. E. McCormack and G. Murray be nominated to attend “Budget 2013 Seminar” to be held in the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery, West Cork, Co. Cork, from 14th to 16th December, 2012”.
NOTICES OF MOTION.
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(a) Proposed by Cllr. F. Durcan
Seconded by Cllr. R. Finn
Resolved:-
“That the Members resolve to call on the Minister for Finance to repeal
Sections 648 to 653 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, which introduced
the Windfall Tax in respect of property sales”.
It was then agreed to deal with Notices of Motion (b) and (g) as listed on the
Agenda, together.
(b) Proposed by Cllr. D. Ryan
Seconded by Cllr. F. Durcan
Resolved:-
“To ask Mayo Co. Council to outline its proposals going forward in relation
to Car Parking in the County given the fact it is seeking tenders for the
collection of monies from machines around the County and if indeed this is
the beginning of privatisation of our Car Parking”.
(g) “That the Members direct the County Manager under Section 139 of the
Local Government Act 2001 to refrain from proceeding with the privatisa-
tion of the collection of monies from car parking meters within the County”.
The time being 5.38 p.m., the Leas Chathaoirleach, Cllr. P. O’Brien, took the
Chair.
(c) Proposed by Cllr. D. Ryan
Seconded by Cllr. G. Murray
Resolved:-
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“To ask the Co. Manager to make a special case to the Minister for the
Environment for the development of a Regeneration Programme for our
small towns in the County, to have the necessary resources allocated to
this proposal and to seek funding for same, with particular emphasis on
dereliction and business decline”.
(d) Proposed by Cllr. M. McNamara
Seconded by Cllr. M. Holmes
Resolved:-
“That Mayo County Council calls on the Minister for Transport, Deputy Leo
Varadkar TD, to reinstate the LIS Roads Scheme in the 2013 Roads
Program”.
(e) “Calling on Mayo County Council to examine the impact the proposals and
cost cutting measures in the Local Government Reform Document “Putting
People First” will have on County Mayo”.
It was agreed to defer this Notice of Motion to the January Meeting of the
Council.
(f) Proposed by Cllr. M. Kilcoyne
Seconded by Cllr. F. Durcan
Resolved:-
“That this Council recognises the vital service that Home Help and Home
Care workers employed by the HSE provide to elderly people and people
with disabilities. We support the Campaign which opposes reductions to
the Home Help service in County Mayo. We call on the HSE and the
Minister for Health to protect from further cuts, both workers and clients
who need this service. We call on the HSE and the Minister for Health to
cease the practice of cutting home help hours due to financial considera-
tions only and which cuts are not based on the needs of the clients and
does not recognise the integral role home care workers and home help
workers play in the lives of people most in need in our community”.
(g) “That the Members direct the County Manager under Section 139 of the
Local Government Act 2001 to refrain from proceeding with the privatisa-
tion of the collection of monies from car parking meters within the County”.
This Notice of Motion was already dealt with.
RESOLUTION OF SYMPATHY.
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Proposed by Cllr. D. Ryan
Seconded by Cllr. J. Maloney
Resolved:-
“That the sympathy of the Council be extended to the O’Loughlin family, Kilmaine Road, Ballinrobe, on the death of Christy O’Loughlin”.
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The Cathaoirleach and County Manager then wished all the Members, Staff and their families and the Members of the Press, a Happy, Safe, Peaceful Christmas and New Year.
The Meeting concluded at 6.30 p.m.