Minutes Meeting December 2009

 

IN ATTENDENCE:            Councillors :   Cllr. Eamon Barrett (Cathaoirleach)

Cllr. Philip Mc Glynn, Cllr. Elizabeth Mc Intyre, Cllr. Denise Connolly, Cllr. Florence Doherty, Cllr. Arthur Rafferty, Cllr. Michael Mc Mahon, Cllr. Dermot Doherty

                                                                                                                       

                        Officials :         Mr. Sean Sheridan, Town Manager

Mr. Liam Murray, Town Engineer

Mr. Joe Mc Nulty, Town Clerk

                                                            Ms. Edel Carlin-Rosanio

 

Apologies:   Cllr. Sean Mc Eniff

 

131/09             Adoption of Minutes

 

Adoption of Minutes of Monthly Meeting 3^rd November, 2009

            Proposed by Cllr. Mc Glynn, seconded by Cllr. Mc Mahon

 

            Adoption of Workshop Meeting 26^th November, 2009

            Proposed by Cllr. Mc Glynn, seconded by Cllr. Connolly

 

132/09             Managers Orders

 

            Managers Order as circulated were noted by the members

 

133/09             Planning Applications

 

            Planning Application as circulated were noted by the members

 

134/09             Donegal County Council – Scheme for the establishment and operation of Strategic Policy Committees 2009-2014

 

Mr. Mc Nulty circulated the scheme to all members and reminded members that Cllr. Barrett had been nominated in July but as there was 5 S.P.C.’s and 4 Town Councils there was one more nomination required.

 

Cllr. Mc Mahon was proposed by Cllr. Mc Glynn, and seconded by Cllr. Rafferty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

135/09Audit Report Year Ending 31^st December, 2008

 

            Members were circulated with the Audit Report prior to the meeting. 

Mr. Sheridan stated that the Council remains in a very strong financial position, Capital was down but still remains strong.

 

Cllr. Mc Glynn referring to 7.2 Salaries queried why Bundoran Town Council were not paying some salary rates in accordance with Department guidelines, felt that Bundoran Town Council was no different from any other Council in the Country and the same basis of rates of pay should be adhered to.

 

Cllr. Mc Intyre agreed with Cllr. Mc Glynn in relation to rates of pay.  She also suggested that in relation to Inter Authority Borrowing Bundoran Town Council owes Donegal County Council and we should off set it against Street Cleaning owed by Donegal County Council.  She also queried 7.1.1. in relation to Planning application where Development Contributions were calculated incorrectly and failed to understand how charges of that magnitude could have been miscalculated and not picked up on.

 

Cllr. F. Doherty stressed that this has to be followed up and the developer cannot get away with it and that there was plenty of developers out there that owed the Council money.  In relation to the salaries she queried what was a Donegal rate or Personal Rate and was Bundoran Town Council in a “Banana Republic”.  She queried the Union who ratified this and how long was these rates being going on and that these people have to pay back this money and proposed that Bundoran Town Council be abolished, there was no seconder.

 

Cllr. Mc Mahon welcomed this document and felt that there was too much money involved with the developer to let go.  He felt that the Developer himself should have known that he owed this money.  With regards to wages he felt it was time to tighten the belt, and with the economic decline it should be fair and sorted out immediately.  Wages/Salaries should be in line with everyone else.

 

Cllr. Mc Intyre felt that this was not the developers fault but a miscalculation from Planning she also asked for it to be clarified if miscalculation was made by Donegal County Council or Bundoran Town Council, was it made by Planning in Donegal. 

 

Cllr. Connolly felt that each and everyone of us as Elected members work on behalf of the community and when the public begin to ask questions members should be able to answer the people correctly.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Sheridan informed the members that the Audit was undertaken by the Local Government Auditor and the Auditor reviews the recommendation from the year before, so this will be pursued.  As regards error made, all planning files have been reviewed and it should be noted that the water charges goes to Donegal County Council and not to Bundoran Town Council.  This file was dealt with when planning was under severe pressure.  A genuine error was made here and he gave his assurance that it would be pursued.  We along with Donegal County Council are reviewing procedures of Enforcement and that they are pursued rigorously.  Donegal County Council are the Sanitary Authority, monies collected by Bundoran Town Council are then passed onto Donegal County Council. 

 

In relation to pay rates, these are pay rates sanctioned and agreed for all Donegal County Council and Town Council and negotiated through Unions and the LRC and sanctioned by Department of Environment.  The Labour Court Report is available for any Councillor to inspect.  Cllr. F. Doherty requested a copy of this.

 

The Rate applied to the Town Clerk was on the basis of Labour Court Agreement and totally in accordance with Statutory Procedures.

 

In relation to Inter Authority Accounts set off against Street Cleaning they related to cost of supervising projects, Donegal County Council are writing them off.

 

The adoption of the Audit Report for the Year ending 31^st December, 2008 was proposed by Cllr. Mc Intyre, seconded by Cllr. Connolly.

 

Cllr. F. Doherty proposed not to adopt it, there was no seconder.

 

136/09            Scheme of Letting Priorities

 

The Scheme of Letting Priorities was circulated to the members prior to the meeting.  Cllr. D. Doherty asked that the 5 points given to locals be increased.

 

Cllr. Barrett asked that he put this in as a motion.

 

137/09Access to Tullan Strand

 

Sean Sheridan confirmed that there was no further update, and that he would prepare a brief update for the next meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

138/09            Motions

 

(a)             Submitted by Cllr.  Mc Eniff

 

(i)                 “That this Council employ a consultant to install close circuit TV cameras at the various points of entry to the town and other vulnerable areas”

 

It was agreed to put on Agenda for next month as Cllr. Mc Eniff was not present.

 

(b)  Submitted by Cllr Philip Mc Glynn

 

(i)                 “That this Council give part of the library car park for the overflow of patients cars attending the Health Centre – a token system should be introduced.

 

Proposed by Cllr. Mc Glynn, seconded by Cllr. Mc Mahon asking that the sign be changed to say Library/Health Care Centre Car Park.

 

Cllr. F. Doherty felt that by changing the sign the Council were showing favouritism in businesses.

 

Cllr. F. Doherty asked that this be discussed with the Library Staff as they busy at certain times also.

 

Mr. Mc Nulty informed the members that he had spoken with the Library Staff and they were not in favour of this.

 

Cllr. Mc Glynn in defence said that the Library Staff do not tell Bundoran Town Council what to do and did not accept this.

 

Cllr. Mc Intyre asked if Staff Car Park could be used.

 

Cllr. Connolly felt there were a number of options available as also main Car Park adjacent to the Doctors Surgery but in Summer months the traffic warden would issue tickets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c)  Submitted by Cllr. F. Doherty

 

(i)                “That this Council should set aside monies in the estimates for the setting up of a hardship fund so that anyone who may run in difficulties can apply for help”

 

Proposed by Cllr. Doherty, there was no seconder

 

(ii)              “That this Council should ask the Government to abolish the standards in public office as it is a waste of money because it has never exercised its powers”

 

Proposed by Cllr. Doherty, there was no seconder

 

(iii)           “That this Council should look for a progress report from the outreach officer on job creation in this area”

 

Proposed by Cllr. Doherty, seconded by Cllr. D. Doherty.

Cllr. Doherty said it had only come to light that this office has an Outreach Officer

 

Cllr. Barrett confirmed that the Outreach Officer was not involved in job creation.

 

(iv)             “That this Council should call on the Government to reinstate the Christmas bonus as families depend on it”

 

Proposed by Cllr. F. Doherty, seconded by Cllr. Mc Mahon

 

(c)      Submitted by Mullingar Town Council

 

“That this Council deplores the recommendations of An Bord Snip Nua Report on the elimination of Town Local Government and requests that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley, T.D. gives his full public support to all town councils and to immediately commence the implementation of his Party’s Local Government Policy, which was published prior to the last General Election”

 

As Read

 

(d)      Submitted by South Tipperary County Council

 

“That this Council in view of the ongoing relevations surrounding Fas this Council calls for its abolition in its present format”

 

            Proposed by Cllr. F. Doherty, seconded by Cllr. D. Doherty                                               

                       

139/09            Questions

 

            (a)  Submitted by Cllr. Mc Glynn

 

1.         When is it intended to put the promised signage into the Council Car Park at Council Office and Super Valu?

 

Mr. Mc Nulty confirmed that they are in discussions with Developer of Shopping Centre and will come back as barrier issues have to be resolved.

 

2.         Did this Council agree to the removal of Box Junction at the Promenade?

 

It was confirmed that Donegal County Council carried out lining works and members were asked if it was removed or faded with wear and tear.  Cllr. Mc Glynn confirmed that it was removed.

 

            (b)  Submitted by Cllr. F. Doherty

 

1.         What is the up to date position on the flooding and is there an Engineers Report?

 

Mr. Liam Murray confirmed he was compiling a list of landowners to be wrote out to in connection with this and that small works had been carried out at Armada Cottages by the developer which should help.

 

140/09            Council Chamber Heating

 

Cllr. Rafferty asked that either a P.A. system be installed so heat can be put on as the Chamber was freezing cold or heating sorted so it doesn’t make as much noise that it was a disgrace that members and officials had to sit in a cold chamber with their coats on.

 

 This concluded the business of the meeting.

 

 

 

 

                                                                        ___________________________

                                                                                          Town Clerk

 

 

 

 

                                                                        ___________________________

                                                                                      Cathaoirleach