Agenda and minutes

Cathaoirleach, Cllr Justin Warnock called on Mr Joseph Gilhooly, Chief Executive to introduce the Draft Budget.

In introducing the Draft Budget to the members, the Chief Executive, Mr Jospeh Gilhooly, advised the members that a baseline review has been completed by the Government on the Local Government LPT allocation. This has resulted in an additional allocation of €1.5 m to Leitrim County Council for 2024.

The draft budget for 2024 has been prepared with the following considerations:

·                     Increasing discretionary spend within targeted service delivery areas,

·                     Strengthening corporate governance in the face of increasing regulatory and statutory requirements and demands,

·                     Meeting the increasing cost of energy, inflation, and ICT security,

·                     Supporting the preparation of statutory development plans and economic, tourism and community initiatives

·                     Strengthening the resources available to the Town Regeneration Team

·                     Includes a 36% increase in the General Municipal Allocation

·                     Increases in Local Roads Allocation and Housing Maintenance Expenditure in the region of 10%

·                     Includes a further increase in Drainage Maintenance, similar to last year’s increase,

·                     Additional allocations for upkeep of amenities,

·                     The reducing income from NPPR is recognised.

·                     Provision is made for the 2024 Local Election Process

·                    The Budget book commentary outlines the key deliverables for 2024,

·                    In keeping with the Section 102 of the Local Government Act 2001 (as amended), the budget has been presented to the Corporate Policy Group, who have considered and endorsed it.

Mr Vincent Dwyer presented a detailed overview of the budget detailing the expenditure provisions under each Service Division heading. He advised the members the Government have provided additional funding for costs associated with incremental pay increases, but there will be no additional funding towards energy costs. In September 2023, Water Services functions in Leitrim transitioned to Úisce Éireann.  In this context, the budget is prepared on the basis that the cost of Local Authority staff (under the direction and control of Úisce Éireann) will be recouped directly from Úisce Éireann.

Salaries in the Draft Budget include costs arising from the WRC agreement regarding the Retained Fire Service and will be funded nationally. 

Housing & Building

Mr. Vincent Dwyer gave an overview of the budgetary provisions in Division A – Housing & Building.

The members raised the following queries in relation to the Housing & Building service division:

• Recruitment of additional administrative staff and outdoor staff required to reduce processing bottlenecks and quickly address maintenance issues/refurbishments,
• Is there capacity to temporarily backfill a staff member/craftsman that is off sick from work.
• Turnaround time of vacant social housing units needs to be much quicker,
• Often tenants experience maintenance issues with 6 months of being allocated a house,
• Contractors based in Dublin have expressed an interest in  carrying out refurbishment works on Leitrim housing stock, and this should be considered.
• Availability of land banks in Leitrim
• Housing Adaptation Grant schemes funding
• Adequacy of the Choice Based Letting process.
• Importance of  funds being available for Housing mobility grants as there is always significant interest in this scheme,

Ms Mary Quinn, Director of Services replied to the queries as follows:  ...  view the full minutes text for item MM.165.23

Proposed by Councillor Justin Warnock seconded by Councillor Enda McGloin AND RESOLVED

“That Leitrim County Council hereby determines in accordance with the Budget as proposed and adopted by the Members, the Annual Rate on Valuation to be levied for the several purposes specified in the Budget for the financial year ending 31^st December 2024. The Annual Rate on Valuation determined was 0.2436”.

Proposed by Councillor Sean McGowan seconded by Councillor Enda McGloin AND RESOLVED

“That Leitrim County Council approve by resolution the application of a 75% abatement of rates due by liable persons in respect of vacant properties for the financial year ending 31 December 2024”.

Mr. Vincent Dwyer referred to the Capital Works Programme 2023-2029, as circulated to the members.

The members raised the following queries:

·         Date for the completion of the Public Realm works and Fire Station in Manorhamilton

·         Match funding of €5 million will be expensive for Leitrim.

·         Update on CFRAMs project

·         Update of Carrick Dromod By Pass

·         Delegation in regard to Lennox Bridge

Mr Shay O’Connor responded to the members as follows:

• Some issues are outstanding on the Manorhamilton Public Realm works
• Manorhamilton Fire Station application has been referred to An Bord Pleanála for consideration
• Carrick & Leitrim Village CFRAMS schemes must be considered by An Bord Pleanála for decision.  An Bord Pleanála don’t have to make a decision within a specific time period  and the timeframe can be lengthy

Mr Terry McGovern responded to the members as follows:

• Lennox Bridge: an options report is with the TII and then it will go through the Planning Process
• Carrick-on-Shannon and Dromod Bypass is progressing.  Currently working through Phase 3 and Phase 4 which is due to be completed by 2026.

On the proposal of Cllr Justin Warnock and seconded by Cllr Felim Gurn it was agreed that Leitrim County Council write to the Minister for Transport seeking a delegation with representatives from both Donegal County Council and Leitrim County Council to meet the Minister in regard to expediting and progressing the Lennox Bridge Project, as the existing bridge is narrow and dangerous for current traffic flows between the country boundaries of Leitrim and Donegal.

The Capital Works programme was noted by the members.

The Members extended a vote of congratulations to the following:

·                Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins Ladies on winning the Connacht LGFA Intermediate Club Championship Final

·                Carrigallen GAA Healthy Club on winning the Pride of Place Award in their category “Welcoming New Communities”.

·                Shane McGourty on winning the World Irish Dancing Champion. 

Ms Quinn advised that a workshop will be held with Irish Water at 12.30 pm on 4^th December 2023 following the JPC Meeting in Áras an Chontae, Carrick-on-Shannon.