Agenda and minutes

As Councillor Thomas Mulligan had indicated he would be late joining the meeting,

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Paddy O’Rourke

SECONDED by Cllr Frank Dolan

It was agreed that Cllr Enda Stenson would stand in as Chairperson for this meeting.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Paddy O’Rourke

SECONDED by Cllr Frank Dolan

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of 15^th February 2023.

1.     Letter from Department of Community & Rural Development concerning  the launch of “A Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement inLocal Planning and Decision Making”

2.     Copy of “A Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement inLocal Planning and Decision Making”

Pauline Brennan invited Mark Tully and Maeve McCormack of Tully Meehan and Associates Ltd to update the members on the preparation of a new 5 year strategic Library Plan.

Mark Tully informed the members of the requirement to prepare a 5 Year Strategic Library Plan, He advised the plan will outline how the library service currently meets the needs of the community, what the mission statement of the Library service is and how its current work programme meets it goals and objectives. The plan will outline how the Library service will meet the needs of the community over the next five years both in terms of the provision of local services and also how Leitrim Library service will meet the vision of the National Library Plan. In the preparation of the draft plan, Tully Meehan & Associates Ltd will engage and consult with elected members, stakeholders and library users as part of the process.

Cllr Padraig Fallon queried the provision of a new Library in Kinlough.

Ms Mary Quinn advised that this will be addressed through the consultative process with the elected members and stakeholders. Once the draft plan has been prepared and considered by the SPC it will be brought before the plenary council for approval.

Mr Justin Fannon provided the members with an update on the delivery of Housing Services:

·       There are currently 230 households on the housing waiting list.

·       Including those in receipt of HAP or on the housing transfer list this figure increases to 526.

·       These figures represent an approximate increase of 10 households year on year.

·       The Housing delivery target for 2023 is 26 housing units. 24 units will be delivered in the next 6 weeks through developments in Ballinamore, Drumshanbo and Manorhamilton. A further 4 housing units will be delivered in Dromahair by year end and thereby achieving the delivery target.

·       Through acquisitions, 13 units have been purchased or are at sale agreed stage in 2023.

·       3 homes have been purchased through the Tenant in Situ scheme and discussion are ongoing in relation to other properties under this scheme.

·       Interest in the Repair & Lease scheme has increased across the county. Currently there are 3 units in train under this scheme.

·       Approximately 100 application forms have been issued for the Croí Cónaithe refurbishment scheme.

·       A further 71 expressions of interest have been received in relation to the expanded Croí Cónaithe - refurbishment of properties for the rental market.

·       To date, under the Croí Cónaithe scheme, 36 applications have been received, 17 have been fully approved, 3 have been approved in principle and 16 are being processed. The applications are primarily in rural locations.

·       Housing grants to the value of €716K have been approved by the Department; €573K funded by the Department and €143K funded from Leitrim County Council own resources.

·       Under the Disabled Persons Grant, funding of €308,593 has been allocated with €34K being allocated form Leitrim County Council own resources.

·       Leitrim has limited housing stock available on the private market, with approximately 6 houses available to rent and 181 available to buy in the entire county. 

·       Vacant Homes: Across 14 towns and villages, 756 properties have been identified for further investigation. The Vacant Homes Officer has inspected 168 of these properties to date and 25 have been identified as derelict. Through active engagement with the property owners, efforts will be made to bring these vacant properties back into productive use.  

Ms Mary Quinn advised the members that the key priority is the delivery of Housing units. Further analysis is required around the rental market and the affordability of housing.

In response to the housing update the members raised the following queries:

·       Councillor Frank Dolan queried when the new housing development in The Commons, Manorhamilton will be available for allocation to tenants,

·       Councillor Padraig Fallon queried if there are any supports available for tenants currently renting from private landlords,

·       Councillor Fallon complimented the staff of the Housing Department for their efforts in dealing with housing queries and helping people with their housing needs.

·       Councillor Paddy O’Rourke queried if there will be an improvement in the provision of OT services by the HSE to assess applicants’ suitability for DPG funding. Councillor O’Rourke queried if the provision of OT services is being out sourced  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Ms Mary Quinn, Director of Services, summarised the items from this meeting for presentation to the Corporate Policy Group and plenary Council meeting.

It was agreed the next meeting of the Housing, Cultural, & Community SPC take place on Wednesday 27^th September 2023 at 10am.