Minutes:
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Enda McGloin proposed the suspension of standing orders for 20 minutes to receive a presentation from Minister John Paul Phelan, Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform to Leitrim County Council this was seconded by Cllr Frank Dolan.
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Enda McGloin welcomed Minister John Paul Phelan, Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform to the Meeting.
Minister John Paul Phelan, Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform thanked the Cathaoirleach, Elected Members and the Chief Executive for inviting him to address the full Council.
Minister Phelan acknowledged the issues in Leitrim with regard to flooding and he paid tribute to Leitrim County Council as one of the best run Local Authorities in Ireland.
Minister Phelan acknowledged the dependency of Local Authorities on commercial rates and he noted that Leitrim is a very rural county and in that regard has a low rates base. He noted that it is important for Leitrim to get as much business and activity in each town in Leitrim as possible.
He outlined that the Local Government Rates Bill was introduced last year which will allow local authorities to vary rates on areas within the county.
Minister Phelan referred to the Reform of the Electoral Register and outlined the need to having a real time register recognises and facilitates mobility in the population and he acknowledged the importance of maintaining an accurate register and he acknowledged that GDPR Requirements still have to be addressed.
Minister Phelan referred to the review of staffing levels across Local Authorities. He acknowledged that although the financial position of Leitrim County Council is good, staffing numbers have dropped drastically in recent years and he asked the Members to think about this issue going forward.
Minister Phelan acknowledged the success of the Joint Policing Committees and Local Enterprise Offices.
Minister Phelan referred to the issue of Elected Members pay. Talks are currently taking place in this regard and will be finalised before the budget.
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Enda McGloin thanked Minister Phelan for his address and he welcomed the Press, Deputy Frank Feighan and former Councillor John McTernan to the meeting.
He invited any questions/comments from Members.
The following items were raised by the Members:-
· One Off Rural housing
· Increase funding for roads
· Funding for Local Improvement Scheme
· Bye Pass for Carrick-on-Shannon
· Hedge Cutting Initiative – Period of extension to be extended due to weather
· Better Communication with State Bodes e.g. Social Protection in relation to Electoral Register
· Funding for lighting and footpaths in Towns and Villages
· Powers of Local Authorities diminishing
· Abandonment of the West of Ireland – closure of garda stations
· Online sales verses retailer
· Rural & Local Link services
· Funding for land drainage/minor drainage works
· Local Area Hackney licences
· Grant Aid for sports/playing facilities
· Impact of rates on smaller Towns and Villages
· Home Care packages
· High Dependency unit for Leitrim for people with special needs
· Keep power and decision making local in local Authorities to get things done much quicker
· Existing abandoned dwellings need engineering solution to be sorted in pockets in each county.
· Insurance Premiums
· Respite services in Ballinamore Hospital
Minister John Paul Phelan responded to the queries raised and he thanked the Cathaoirleach, Elected Members and the Executive for inviting him to Leitrim
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Enda McGloin thanked the Members and acknowledged their time and their input into the various issues raised. He thanked Minister John Paul Phelan and stated Leitrim County Council looked forward to working with him in the future.
The meeting was adjourned for 20 minutes at this point.