Minutes:
At the outset of the meeting Cllr Enda McGloin, Cathaoirleach welcomed the Members, Executive and the Media to the online information meeting and he went through the guidelines in relation to the online information meeting.
Mr Lar Power, Chief Executive presented an update to the Members on the current situation regarding the COVID 19 National Emergency and the measures introduced by Leitrim County Council in response to the National Emergency.
Mr Power outlined that the Corporate Policy Group had met on the 24th April 2020 to consider arrangements for convening Council Meetings and Municipal District Meetings during the Covid 19 Pandemic
Mr Power outlined that the Corporate Policy Group took on board the Departments advice that in making arrangements for Council meetings, Councils should take account of the public health measures introduced by Government, on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the CPG noted the Departments view that meetings convened for a statutory purpose under the Act should be held in a physical place, in so far as practicable, the principal Council Offices. Mr Power said it is not possible to facilitate a full meeting of Council in our Council Chamber at this time due to social distancing requirements.
Mr Power advised that formal decisions which are required under statute at either plenary or municipal level will not be included on agenda for meetings which are held incorporeally on online platforms. In this context and having reviewed statutory business required to be dealt with at this time, the only item arising relates to the setting of dates and venue for the annual meeting of the Council and the Municipal Districts and the rescheduling of the July plenary meeting. In this regard it has been agreed that 4 short meetings will be held on Tuesday 2nd June 2020 at 10 a.m. in the Council Chamber for the purpose of agreeing dates and venue for the Annual Council Meeting, Annual Municipal District meetings and July ordinary Council Meeting and any Municipal District meeting if necessary. These meetings will only be for a duration of 15 minutes. The attendance at the meeting will be restricted to 9 members including the Cathaoirleach and the 3 Municipal District Chairs and ensuring equal representation from the 3 Municipal Districts and cross party/grouping representation.
Mary Quinn, Director of Services, Housing, Corporate Services, Community and Cultural Services gave an overview of the options considered by the CPG in relation to the restricted attendance of 9 members at the meeting on the 2nd June 2020.
Ms Quinn said in line with the normal practice of holding the annual meeting on the last Friday of June, it is anticipated that all 4 annual meetings will be held on Friday 26th June 2020 subject to formal resolution at meetings 2nd June 2020.
Mr Power outlined it has also been proposed by the CPG and subject to resolution at meeting on 2nd June that the ordinary meeting of the Council scheduled for 6th July will be held on the same day as the annual meeting i.e. 26th June to deal with statutory matters arising at that time.
Mr Power said this year is going to be a challenging year from a financial perspective and the current restrictions have resulted in increased expenditure in certain areas and in other functional areas costs have not arisen due to restricted activity.
Mr Power advised the members that it is not possible or feasible for a local authority to implement any measure in relation to Commercial Rates. The rates each year in Leitrim are worth approximately €6 million and Leitrim County Council are already short a sizable amount of that total. Measures to help rate payers can only be introduced by the Government. The shortfall in rates is going to have significant repercussions for Leitrim which is likely to result in cuts in services such as roads, housing maintenance and tourism promotion, if the Government isn’t prepared to make up the shortfall. Mr Power acknowledged the real difficulties that businesses are going through and acknowledged that even though some businesses are open there is a significant reduction in their turnover. Mr Power outlined that the Government needs to lead the way on assisting ratepayers and called on the Members to contact their respective party TD’s to ensure the issue of rates is dealt with in a fair manner.
Mr Power paid tribute to Leitrim Community Response Forum established to assist citizens during Covid 19 representing the excellent community spirit in the county.
Mr Power informed the meeting that staff are consulting with contractors in relation to contracts and it is hoped that Leitrim County Council’s roadworks programme would be able to restart on the 18th of May, when phase 1 of the easing of Covid restrictions is scheduled. Once the restrictions are lifted nationally Leitrim County Council will be implementing induction training for staff.
Mr Power paid tribute to the Government on the good job they are doing in containing this Pandemic and to the Cathaoirleach and Elected Members of Leitrim County Council for all their help and assistance during this pandemic
Proposed by Councillor Mary Bohan seconded by Councillor Sean McDermott AND UNANIMOUSLY AGREED;
“That a Meeting of Leitrim County Council be held on Tuesday, 2nd June 2020 at 11.00 am in the Council Chamber, Aras an Chontae, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim for the purpose of agreeing a date and venue for the Annual Council Meeting, Annual Municipal District meetings and July ordinary Council Meeting attendance is restricted to 9 members including the Cathaoirleach and the 3 Municipal District Chairs and ensuring equal representation from the 3 Municipal Districts and cross party/grouping representation due to social distancing requirements. The attendance of the following Members was agreed.
Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District
Cllr Finola Armstrong McGuire, FG (Cathaoirleach Carrick-on-Shannon MD)
Cllr Sean McGowan, FF
Cllr. Des Guckian, Non-Party
Ballinamore Municipal District
Cllr. Paddy O’Rourke, FF (Cathaoirleach, Ballinamore MD)
Cllr. Enda McGloin, FG (Cathaoirleach Leitrim County Council)
Cllr. Gerry Dolan, Non-Party
Manorhamilton Municipal District
Cllr. Mary Bohan, FF (Cathaoirleach, Manorhamilton MD)
Cllr Frank Dolan, FG
Cllr. Padraig Fallon, SF”
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Enda McGloin thanked Mr Lar Power for his presentation and invited any questions/comments from the Members.
The following items were raised:-
The Members paid tribute to Mr Lar Power, Chief Executive, the Management Team, Staff of Leitrim County Council, frontline staff, Government, HSE, CMO and Community groups for their efforts during the current Pandemic.
Cllr Caillian Ellis proposed that Leitrim County Council call on Bank of Ireland to reinstate the Lodgement service in their local branches in Drumshanbo and Mohill and to seek clarification that the Bank of Ireland will reopen their branches when the pandemic is over. This was supported by Cllr Thomas Mulligan who called for a staffing presence of at least one day a week in these banks.
Cllr Felim Gurn queried as to when the outdoor crews will be back at work and he referred to the potholes on the N16 which were brought to his attention by HSE Staff.
Councillor Des Guckian paid tribute to frontline staff and to good neighbours. Councillor Des Guckian said loans for businesses at 4.5% is totally excessive and faster broadband is needed throughout Leitrim right now. Councillor Des Guckian proposed that interest rates on loans for businesses should be 1%. Members supported this.
Councillor Sean McGowan said the Government will have to address issues in relation to rates as many businesses will not reopen and it is important to lobby our TD’s and our new Government as we have to adopt to a new reality and way of living.
Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn paid tribute to the frontline workers, neighbours and highlighted the importance of the strong community spirit that exists.
Councillor Paddy O’Rourke sought clarification on the roadworks programme for 2020; if funds are not expended this year will the funds be carried over to next year and the works completed then. Cllr O’Rourke commended voluntary bodies and also our local food producers.
Councillor Enda Stenson referred to the issue of poor broadband and sought clarification on contract deadlines for contractors.
Councillor Padraig Fallon proposed that a letter issue to the Minister for Finance and An Taoiseach in relation to lending rates offered by financial institutions to small medium enterprises in these exceptional times. Councillor Fallon acknowledged the micro finance loans available and he stated that an anomaly exists in the scheme. Councillor Padraig Fallon said when pubs and restaurants open up again it will be very hard to implement social distancing guidelines and significant costs will be involved in doing, Cllr Fallon said central funding will be needed to bail out Local Authorities.
Cllr Padraig Fallon stressed that Leitrim County Council cannot go over on expenditure and paid tribute to the prudent management of the Local Authorities finances. He stated that exceptional measures should not be ruled out at this time and that the financial position should be kept under review. Cllr Fallon said he would like to see members back meeting in the forum that they are used to and this could be easily done at the Municipal District level.
Councillor Sean McDermott sought an update on the waste collection charges issue that was raised at the 2nd March 2020 Council meeting.
Councillor Thomas Mulligan called for the meeting on the 2nd June 2020 to be set up online like this meeting and he acknowledged that Members would not be able to vote but could observe.
Councillor Gerry Dolan paid tribute to the Chief Executive, staff of Leitrim County Council, HSE and frontline staff.
Councillor Paddy Farrell queried as to when the public realm works in Carrick-on-Shannon will be carried out. Cllr Farrell called for the Carbon Tax increases to be waived at this time when there is a lot of expenses and hardship on elderly people at this time.
Councillor Brendan Barry paid tribute to Mr Lar Power, Staff of Leitrim County Council, Frontline staff, emergency staff and all who are complying with the restrictions. Councillor Brendan Barry expressed his concern about Commercial Rates for the Local Authority and the uncertainty for all. Cllr Barry proposed that a letter issue to the Government to seek funding and financial certainty to Leitrim County Council that the Local Authority will be sure of its income and give certainty to businesses opening up as soon as possible.
Mr Lar Power, Chief Executive responded to the above as follows
· A letter will issue to the Bank of Ireland as agreed by members
· Roadworkers will be back on the 18th May for induction training assuming phase 1 of lifting of restrictions comes into effect then.
· 4.5% interest Rate on business loans is a decision made by the Government.
· Carryover of the road works programme - the funding of this work will need to be considered in the context of overall funding of the Local Authority.
· Deadlines in relation to existing contracts between that Leitrim County Council and contractors will be extended.
· Government published details on website on Saturday last in relation to announcement of support for businesses. A letter, as agreed by members, will issue to the government seeking advice on how this is to be administrated and outlining that an anomaly exists.
· Leitrim County Council would be stepping out of sync with the Government guidelines if meetings were to revert back to before the pandemic restrictions are lifted and would advise against this.
· The meeting on the 2nd June 2020 is to have a quorum of 3 members to set the date, time and venue for the Annual Meeting. It can be facilitated that Members can attend through an online platform as an observer only but members doing so will not have a voting right.
· Meetings will be kept under review. Putting social distancing measures in place will incur additional expenditure.
· Leitrim County Council will manage the financial situation without borrowing, expenditure will be carefully managed so as not to worsen the situation, as this may affect the county for many years.
· Contractors must comply with Government restrictions currently and must also comply with guidelines issued for the 18th May 2020 re-opening, if the Department of Health is happy to lift the restrictions.
· A letter will issue to the Government in regard to Carbon tax on the agreement by the members.
Mr Vincent Dwyer responded to Cllr Sean McDermott and said the issue was highlighted with Barna Waste and he intended to meet with them and revert back to Members with an update in this regard.