Minutes Workshop Budget Meeting 2009

 

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

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

                                                                                                                       

                                    Officials :         Mr. Sean Sheridan, Town Manager

Mr. Joe Mc Nulty, Town Clerk

Mr. Liam Murray, Town Engineer

Mr. Tony Brown

                                                            Ms. Edel Carlin-Rosanio

 

Apologies:   Cllr. Sean Mc Eniff, Cllr. Denise Connolly

 

 

122/09Budget Workshop Meeting

 

Mr. Sean Sheridan presented the Budget for 2009 to the members outlining the documents presented

 

1.                  Managers Report

2.                  New Statutory format of the Budget

3.                  Presentation of Annual Budget Report

 

Mr. Sheridan presented the Draft Budget for the coming year to the members

with an Opening Balance for Revenue at €1.911 million and Capital of  1.407 coming in at a total of €3.77m for 2009.  The projected revenue expenditure for 2009 is €2.091m which is 4.2% less than the estimated amount of €2,182,174 while projected revenue income outturn is €746,000 which is 20% less than the estimated amount of €937,800.

 

He felt the main factors to take into account is the possibility of 10% decrease in funding for the year and he also anticipated further reductions in the Budget tomorrow.  He reminded the members of projects already signed up for such as St. Patricks Hall which funding was accounted for the Council remained in a strong position financially.  He was not proposing an increase to the commercial rates under the current economic climate.  The 2010 Budget provides for a total expenditure of €2.38 with an estimated income including the Local Government Fund allocation is €1.27 which would leave a net sum of €1.7 to be levied by the Council through rates with the Annual Rate on Valuation of €66.80.  He was not clear on what income from 2^nd Homes Levy but assumed any income generated from this would be reduced at Local Government Funding, but if the NPPR is additional he would get back to the members.

 

County Charge for 2010 came in at €384,000 which was the same for 2009.

 

123/09            Housing

 

In relation to housing the proposed first phase of 40 houses at 6.6 acres purchased at Drumacrin was prepared and submitted to the Department with an overall estimated budget cost of €6.5m, it is unlikely that approval will be received within the timeframe of 2009-2011.  The Department approved the purchase of 4 no. apartments at Market Square Development at a cost of €613,000 and these would be finalised shorty.  Negotiation are also in progress with other developers in relation to Part V.  Cllr. Mc Glynn proposed that the proposed development at Drumacrin be “shelved” and the Council look at buying existing properties for sale.

 

Mr. Sheridan confirmed that the Government Policy at the moment was to purchase rather than new builds.

 

Cllr. Mc Intyre enquired who would look after maintenance of the four apartments purchased under Part V, Mr. Mc Nulty confirmed that a Yearly Management fee of €1,000 per apartment.

 

Cllr. Doherty felt that the land purchased at Drumacrin was not practical as no services or access and was unsure what the Council could do with this land.

She asked why there was no mention of 6 homes at Drumacrin Road to be replaced with 14 as these houses were inadequate.

 

Cllr. Mc Mahon voiced his concerns over housing maintenance and agreed with Cllr. Doherty in relation with progress on 6 homes at Drumacrin Road and maintenance of Cluid Housing

 

Mr. Mc Nulty reiterated that the Department was not approving new builds and the replacement of 6 houses at Drumacrin Road was a new build and this Council had no say in maintenance of Cluid Housing.

 

Cllr. Mc Glynn proposed that a report be carried out regarding repairs and given to the members, this was seconded by Cllr. F. Doherty.

 

124/09Roads

 

Mr. Sheridan confirmed that the Council had made provision of €113,400 which was a reduction of 10% on 2009 allocation for Urban Road Improvements based on current assumption.  Proposed for this funding will come before the Council in due course.  It is also proposed to retain parking charges at the same level as 2009.  Also a sum of €10,000 was included for Lighting on the next phase of the West End Walk.

 

 

 

 

Cllr. F. Doherty asked that the Sea Front Car Park be free.

Cllr. Mc Mahon enquired about 3 lights at Drumacrin Road

In relation to lighting on the Main Street Mr. Barrett confirmed that he had received no correspondence from the ESB and he had finished works in this area in April and the lights are out since July.

 

Mr. Sheridan informed the members that the ESB were getting out of Public Lighting and were being taken over by Airtricity, so they are in no hurry to fix anything.

 

Cllr. Mc Glynn proposed that a small delegation of members meet with the ESB and explain the problems, this was seconded by Cllr. Rafferty.  It was agreed that Cllrs, Mc Glynn, Mc Mahon and Barrett meet with ESB.

 

125/09Water Services

 

Since the transfer of Water Services to Donegal County Cuoncil in January 2004 an arrangement was in place that Bundoran Town Council be compensated for loss of income which was continuing.  In relation to Public Conveniences this remains the responsibility of Bundoran Town Council/

 

Cllr. F. Doherty felt that €34,000 was a lot to spend on Public Conveniences, Cllr. Barrett suggested pay cuts to personnel manning this.

 

Cllr. Mc Mahon felt it was very important that the toilets be opened for Knock Buses and proposed that toilets be operated on a Coin op, this was seconded by Cllr. F. Doherty.

 

Mr. Mc Nulty felt that unsupervised toilets were a disaster as vandalism, grafitti and other serious problems arises.  Coin Operated basis was not therefore a suitable option.

 

Mr. Mc Nulty said if the Council were notified of Knock Days in advance the Council could arrange to have them opened.  It was agreed that the Tourism Officer to contact Knock or Bishops Secretary and find out these dates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

126/09            Development Management

 

Mr. Sheridan felt that with the downturn in the economy planning fees were down to €15,000 as opposed to €30,000 and provision of €45,000 for the final funding phase of the Bundoran & Environs Development Plan 2004-2010.  Additional funding would be made available for Marketing of Tourism and €16,000 would be provided for Local Committees/Community Incentives with a further contingency sum of €10,000 for Community Facilities as agreed recently by the members.  Provision of €10,000 was also made for the Councils contribution towards the additional cost of the extension to the PE Hall at Magh Ene College and again €20,000 included towards a fund for the take over of private housing estates.

 

Cllr. F. Doherty disagreed with the €20,000 fund for the upgrade for the take over of estates as she felt it was up to the developer.

 

Cllr. Barrett informed the members that he had been approached regarding a proposal for a National Elite Surfing Academy which 70% would be funded through Europe with the first of its kind been built in Portugal.  Bundoran had been idenitified as the preferred location and would bring approx. 14,000 people in a year.  They would require help with a site and help towards a Feasibility Study.

 

It was agreed that the ISA make a presentation to the members at the January meeting.

 

Cllr. Rafferty stressed the difficulties the Playschool were experiencing as they even ran out of money for food for the children and had to open an account with a local shop to pay for food.  Mr. Sheridan felt that the Council would need a firmer footing before we handed over €10,000.

 

Cllr. Barrett asked if the members could relay message to Playgroup to update the Council at the next meeting.

 

127/09            Environmental Services

 

Mr. Sheridan felt it was not reasonable in the current economic climate to recoup €49,000 from Donegal County Council for Streetcleaning.

 

Cllr. Doherty said she was outraged that €127,000 was being spent on Street Cleaning

 

 

 

 

 

 

128/09            Recreation & Amenity

 

Mr. Sheridan highlighted that provision of €75,000 was included in 2010 Budget to go towards funding a programme of works to be carried out over a number of years to the Waterworld facility with the members agreement and provision was included to meet the existing loan charges on Phase III.

Provision was also being continued for the use of a landscape contractors and €10,000 towards the West End Walk and another €10,000 towards improvement of Playgrounds.

 

Cllr. F. Doherty enquired where is the profit from Waterworld and felt they should use their own profits to rejuvenate their own building.  She also disagreed with the purchase of St. Patricks Hall and it was only 4 walls and a bad roof and the Council has no need for it and highlighted that it was not carried out properly by the Council Officials as the members had only agreed to look at it.  She also disagreed with putting a fence around the Playground and felt the figure of €138.337 was huge for the maintenance of the playgrounds.

 

Cllr. Rafferty asked that these figures needs to be wrote more simply and in connection with St. Patricks Hall was disappointed that no money was being allocated for the refurbishment and when the Council do take it over who will manage it.

 

Cllr. D. Doherty felt that in relation to St. Patricks Hall was in agreement with Cllr. F. Doherty as it was a bad purchase and a bottomless pit and of no gain to the Council and if we could pull out of sale we should do so immediately.

 

Cllr. F. Doherty also asked in relation to Collie Drummond can he not do the maintenance of the gardens.

 

Mr. Mc Nulty confirmed that council decided to go ahead with the purchase of St. Patricks Hall but that he was on to the Solicitor and there maybe a delay because of the Freehold.  In relation to the cost of maintaining parks he said there was a significant  amount of parks and walks to maintain in the Summer and the fencing of the Playground was an insurance requirement.

 

In relation to St. Patricks Hall Mr. Sheridan felt that no money would be passed over until title sorted and rather than making provision from our own budget for refurbishment he was hopeful that through groups like Foroige and other Community Organisations we could access funding from other sources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

129/08            Miscellaneous Services

 

As agreed at an earlier meeting the members agreed to reallocate the provision of entertainment, conferences, members expenses and Chairmans Allowance to other projects.

 

Mr. Sheridan estimated Refunds and Irrecoverable Rates for 2010 to come in at €95,000 under the current economic climate.  Cllr. F. Doherty felt this was a large amount to write off in rates.  Cllr. Barrett felt that in the current climate it was indicative.  He also asked what the Councils position was in relation to taking out of loans for eg. for the Playgroup.  Mr. Sheridan confirmed that generally this was not an option as legally first of all he did not have the authority to take out loans, he would need approval from the members and the Department and at the moment the Department are not approving borrowing of any description.

 

130/09            Central Management Charges

 

Mr. Sheridan highlighted the fact that Central Management Charges were down from €474,000 to €407,000 a reduction in €70,000.

 

Mr. Sheridan wished to acknowledge all the work put into this by Joe, Edel, Tony and Liam not only in preparing the Budget but all the work they do throughout the year and it is much appreciated by him.

 

 

 

 

This concluded the business of the meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        ___________________________

                                                                                         Town Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        ___________________________