I AM PROPOSING this motion asking that the County Manager explain to the elected members why an application was made to the Department of the Environment seeking €500,000 from Cranmore Regeneration funding in the current year for the improvement of O’Connell Street, taking into consideration the fact that the necessary preparations had not been made by Council officials to have the improvement works in O’Connell Street carried out in the current year; and also to ask the County Manager if the funding for O’Connell Street which is not being used can now be spent on house improvements and refurbishment in Cranmore rather then returning the funding to the Department, Cllr Declan Bree told this months meeting of Sligo Borough Council.
“The Department of the Environment allocated a sum of €2 million for the Cranmore Regeneration this year and of that total funding the County Manager asked that €500,000 be provided for the improvement of O’Connell Street.” said Cllr Bree.
“However we now know that the County Manager did not make the necessary preparations to expand this money on O’Connell Street in the current year and my concern is that if the money is not used it will be returned to the Department.
“Earlier in the year the Department approved a proposal from the Borough Council to refurbish up to 53 Council houses in Cranmore at an estimated cost of €445,000. However many more houses in Cranmore require refurbishment works to be carried out.
“Now that the €500,000 earmarked for O’Connell Street is not being utilised on the street it stands to reason that it be used for refurbishment works in Cranmore before the end of the year.
“When Minister Penrose was asked in the Dail two weeks ago if the unspent money earmarked for O’Connell Street could be used for alternative remedial works on local authority and privately owned houses in Cranmore he said that so far no proposal had been received by his Department from the Borough Council in relation to further improvement works in the Cranmore Estate.
“I assume that there are plans in place for further refurbishment works in Cranmore and I would ask the Manger to have these plans submitted to the Department for sanction without further delay so as to ensure that the funding will be used for further house improvement and refurbishment in Crannmore before the end of the year. Otherwise the money could be lost to Cranmore.” said Cllr Bree.
He then proposed the following motion “That the County Manager explain to the elected members why an application was made to the Department of the Environment seeking €500,000 from Cranmore Regeneration funding in the current year for the improvement of O’Connell Street, taking into consideration the fact that the necessary preparations had not been made to have the improvement works carried out in the current year; and to ask the County Manager if the €500,000 can be spent on house improvements and refurbishment in Cranmore in the current year rather then returning the funding to the Department.” The motion was seconded by Cllr Chris MacManus and put to a vote.
Those voting in favour were councillors Declan Bree, Chris MacManus and Arthur Gibbons. Those voting against were councillors Veronica Cawley, Jude Devins, Daniel McGarrigle, Marcella McGarry, Rosaleen O’Grady. Councillors David Cawley, Matt Lyons, Jim McGarry and Sean MacManus were absent. The motion was defeated.