Agenda and minutes

Venue: Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim

Contact: Kieran Brett  Meetings Administrator

Items
No. Item

MM.73.21

Election of Cathaoirleach

Minutes:

The outgoing Cathaoirleach, Councillor Paddy O’Rourke expressed his sincere thanks to the members, Mr Lar Power, Chief Executive, the Management Team, and staff of Leitrim County Council, his wife Rita and family for all their support and co-operation during the last year. Cathaoirleach, Councillor Paddy O’Rourke paid tribute to Councillor Paddy Farrell, Leas Cathaoirleach for all his help and support during the year.

 

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Paddy O’Rourke said it was a reasonably successful year in getting back on track after the covid pandemic. He referred to a visit by Minister Darragh O’Brien earlier in the day for the official opening of 27 houses in Carrick-on-Shannon, and he said as Cathaoirleach, it was a great privilege and honour for an elected member or Cathaoirleach to officiate at the opening of such housing estates where people had obtained their family home.

 

The members paid tribute to Councillor Paddy O’Rourke for his efficiency, fairness, cordial manner, generosity, and as an excellent ambassador for the County and for the wonderful way he carried out his duties as Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council.

 

Mr. Lar Power, Chief Executive, extended his gratitude to Councillor Paddy O’Rourke on behalf of the management and staff of Leitrim County Council and said he showed great respect for the job.

 

On behalf of the members and staff, Mr. Lar Power presented a pictorial memoir to Councillor Paddy O’Rourke of his year as Cathaoirleach.

 

Councillor Paddy O’Rourke proceeded to deal with the first item on the agenda of the Annual Meeting and invited nominations for the Election of Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council.

 

Councillor Enda McGloin proposed that Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn be elected Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council for the term 2022/2023. This was seconded by Councillor Caillian Ellis.

 

Councillor Paddy O’Rourke invited any other proposal for the Election of Chairperson, and as no counterproposal was received. Councillor Paddy O’Rourke deemed Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn elected as Chairperson of Leitrim County Council for the term 2022/2023.

 

Proposed by Councillor Enda McGloin, seconded by Councillor Caillian Ellis AND RESOLVED;

 

“That Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn be elected Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council for the year 2022/2023”.  

 

Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn accepted the nomination as Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council. In her opening address, she extended her gratitude to her proposer and seconder. Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn said preliminary figures released by the Census show that the population of Leitrim is recorded at 35,087, an increase of 3,043 since 2016, which presents a number of challenges. Cathaoirleach Reynolds Flynn said she wants to see more affordable housing to accommodate people who want to work remotely and live in their own native county. As Chairperson of the Leitrim Association of People with Disabilities, Cllr Reynolds Flynn expressed her desire to see progress for a high dependency unit for the South of the County. She concluded by saying she is looking forward to working with Mr. Lar Power, Chief Executive, the staff of Leitrim County Council and the members.

 

Cathaoirleach  ...  view the full minutes text for item MM.73.21

MM.74.21

Election of Leas Cathaoirleach

Minutes:

Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn invited nominations for the position of Leas-Cathaoirleach.

 

Councillor Frank Dolan proposed the nomination of Councillor Sean McDermott as Leas-Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council. This was seconded by Cllr Mary Bohan. Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn invited any other proposals for the Election of Chairperson, and no counterproposal was proposed. Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn deemed Councillor Sean McDermott elected as Leas-Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council.

 

Proposed by Councillor Frank Dolan, seconded by Councillor Mary Bohan  AND RESOLVED;

 

“That Councillor Sean McDermott be elected Leas- Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council for the year 2022/2023”.

 

Councillor Sean McDermott accepted the nomination as Leas-Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council. He thanked his proposer and seconder and his fellow Councillors for their support. Councillor Sean McDermott extended his good wishes to Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn as Cathaoirleach and assured her of his full support as Leas-Cathaoirleach over the next 12 months.

 

The Members congratulated Councillor Sean McDermott on his election as Leas-Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council.

 

 

Councillor Des Guckian addressed the meeting and said there was a general culture that exists in the coalition in the Council Chamber which he finds it unacceptable. Decisions are rubber stamped rather than debated. Councillor Guckian referred to issues such as vulture funds buying up large tracts of land, forestry, and wind farms and he said members have not dealt with these issues. Councillor Des Guckian referred to the 2 year wait for compensation for those affected by the Shass mountain landslide. Councillor Guckian said members expenses should be published every year.

 

Councillor Guckian said he was elected as equally as the other members, and as an elected member he is entitled to be nominated for these positions. He proposed next year there should be an open draw from a hat for the position of Cathaoirleach, restricted to the members who have not been elected as Cathaoirleach to date.

 

Councillor Mary Bohan said Members have a responsibility to adopt the budget and they

have to do this the best way they can, or they will be disbanded by the Minister and decisions affecting the county will then be made by persons outside of the county.

 

Councillor Paddy O’Rourke said it was very unfair of Councillor Guckian to assume that members don’t read reports and rubber stamp decisions; it may be a matter that Members interpret reports differently.

 

At this point, Councillor Des Guckian left the meeting as a show of objection to proceedings.

 

 

Mr Lar Power, Chief Executive congratulated Councillor Sean McDermott on his election as Leas Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council and he also thanked outgoing Leas Cathaoirleach Councillor Paddy Farrell.

 

MM.75.21

Note change of membership of Planning, Economic Development and Infrastructure SPC and Housing Community & Culture SPC.

Minutes:

It was noted that Councillor Frank Dolan was joining the Housing, Community & Culture SPC from the Planning, Economic Development and Infrastructure SPC. Councillor Sean McDermott was joining the Planning, Economic Development and Infrastructure SPC from the Housing, Community & Culture SPC.

 

MM.76.21

Appoint Chairperson of Planning, Economic Development, and Infrastructure Strategic Policy Committee

Minutes:

Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn invited nominations for the position of Chairperson of the Planning, Economic Development and Infrastructure SPC

 

 

Councillor Enda McGloin proposed the nomination of Councillor Sean McDermott as Chairperson of the Planning, Economic Development and Infrastructure SPC. This was seconded by Cllr Paddy O’Rourke  

 

Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn invited any other proposal for the Election of Chairperson of Planning, Economic Development and Infrastructure SPC, and no counterproposal was proposed. Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn deemed Councillor Sean McDermott elected as the Chairperson of the Planning, Economic Development and Infrastructure SPC.

 

Proposed by Councillor Enda McGloin, seconded by Councillor Paddy O’Rourke AND RESOLVED;

 

“That Councillor Sean McDermott be elected as the Chairperson of the Planning, Economic Development and Infrastructure SPC”.

 

Councillor Sean McDermott thanked his proposer and seconder and looked forwarded to working with the Members on this SPC.

 

MM.77.21

Appoint Chairperson of Environment, Climate Action & Agriculture SPC

Minutes:

Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn invited nominations for the position of Chairperson of Environment, Climate Action and Agriculture SPC.

 

 

Councillor Paddy O’Rourke proposed the nomination of Councillor Caillian Ellis as Chairperson of the Environment, Climate Action and Agriculture SPC. This was seconded by Cllr Enda McGloin. 

 

Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn invited any other proposal for the Election of Chairperson of, Environment, Climate Action and Agriculture SPC and no counterproposal was proposed. Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn deemed Councillor Caillian Ellis elected as the Chairperson of the Environment, Climate Action and Agriculture SPC.

 

Proposed by Councillor Paddy O’Rourke, seconded by Councillor Enda McGloin AND RESOLVED;

 

“That Councillor Caillian Ellis be elected as the Chairperson of the Environment, Climate Action and Agriculture SPC”.

 

 

Councillor Caillian Ellis thanked his proposer and seconder and looked forwarded to working with the Members on this SPC.

 

MM.78.21

Appointment of three (3) members to the PEACEPLUS Partnership

Minutes:

Proposed by Councillor Enda McGloin, seconded by Councillor Frank Dolan AND RESOLVED:

 

“That Councillor Sean McDermott be appointed to the PEACEPLUS Partnership”.

 

 

Proposed by Councillor Mary Bohan seconded by Councillor Caillian Ellis  AND RESOLVED:

 

“That Councillor Paddy O’Rourke be appointed to the PEACEPLUS Partnership”.

 

Proposed by Councillor Enda McGloin, seconded by Councillor Paddy O’Rourke AND RESOLVED:

 

“That Councillor Enda Stenson be appointed to the PEACEPLUS Partnership”.

 

MM.79.21

Note dates & times of meetings of Leitrim County Council until next Annual Meeting

Minutes:

Councillor Enda McGloin proposed that the existing arrangements be kept in place until the next Annual Meeting. Councillor Mary Bohan supported this.

 

 

Kieran Brett, Meetings Administrator said the next plenary Council meeting will be held in on Monday, 4th July 2022 at 11.00 am in Aras Phadraig, Drumshanbo. Refreshments will be provided for afterwards on the compliments of Councillor Mary Bohan and Councillor Enda McGloin as they did not get the opportunity to host the last plenary meeting of their term of office as Cathaoirleach in their own respective areas due to the COVID pandemic.

 

 

Mr Brett advised that an LIS workshop will take place at 9.30 am prior to the July plenary meeting in Aras Phadraig, Drumshanbo. Councillor Mary Bohan asked that whatever information is available in this regard to be made available to Members well in advance of the workshop taking place.

 

Mr Joseph Gilhooly said a position paper will be forwarded to the Members by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. Mr Gilhooly advised members that that no decision will be made at the July Council meeting as it is not listed as an item on the July agenda, but it will be listed on the September agenda of the full Council.

 

Councillor Enda Stenson sought clarification if the people who are on already on the Local Improvement Scheme will they be included in any revision of the scheme.

 

Mr Joseph Gilhooly said the current Local Improvement Scheme list which has been in existence since 2019 is being worked through.

 

 

Councillor Brendan Barry acknowledged that positions on Committees have been determined 3 years ago following the formation of the coalition after the local elections. As a majority of the members make up the coalition, Sinn Fein Group did not put any proposals forward for committee positions as they do not have the majority to support them.