MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF MONTHLY MEETING OF TIPPERARY COUNTY COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC OFFICES, LIMERICK ROAD, NENAGH AT 11.00AM ON 22nd SEPTEMBER 2014 Present Cllr. Michael Fitzgerald, Cathaoirleach Cllrs. Ambrose, S. Anglim, M. Bonfield, F. Bourke, J. Bourke, K. Browne, M. Bugler, P. Cahill, J. Carey, C. Carroll, J., Crosse, J. Darcy, G. Doran, D. Dunne, D. English, P. Goldsboro, I. Hanafin, S. Hannigan, J. Hogan, J. Hourigan, Mary Hanna, Kennedy, R. Kennedy, W. Leahy, D. Lonergan, M. Lowry, M. McGrath, H. McLoughlin, L. Molloy, R. Moloney, A. Morris, S. Murphy, M. Murphy, Ml. O’Meara, E. O’Meara, M. Ryan(Coole), M. Ryan, J. Smith, M. Wood, T. Apology: Fahey, J. Also Present Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive, Sinead Carr, D.O.S., Karl Cashen, D.O.S., Clare Curley, D.O.S., M. Shortt, D.O.S., Marcus O’Connor, D.O.S., Pat Slattery, D.O.S., Liam McCarthy, Head of Finance, Meetings Administrator Ger Walsh, David Coleman, A.O. Welcome The Cathaoirleach welcomed the members to the first Council meeting to be held in Nenagh of the newly unified Tipperary County Council. On behalf of the entire Council he wished to send our very best wishes to the Tipperary Senior Hurling Team in advance of the All Ireland Senior Hurling Final replay on Saturday next. Item 1.1 It was proposed by Cllr. Roger Kennedy and seconded by Cllr. Siobhan Ambrose that the Minutes of minutes of the July 2014 meeting held on the 14th July 2014 be adopted. July 2014 Monthly Meeting Item 2.1 It was proposed by Cllr. Roger Kennedy Conferences/ Seconded by Cllr. Mattie Ryan and resolved:- Seminars/ Training “That pursuant to Section 142(5) of the Local Government Act 2001 and having regard to (i) the benefits likely to accrue, (ii) the general interest of this administrative area and of the local community (iii) the estimated cost of the proposed attendance and the provision made for such purposes in the annual budget, hereby nominate those listed hereunder to attend the following Conference/Seminar:- Seminar/ Dates Venue Nominees Estimat Conference/ Similar ed Event Cost Annual Academic 6th George’s Hall, Cllr. Michael Murphy €196 Road Safety Lecture October Dublin Castle. Cllr. Mary Hanna 2014 Hourigan The Public Health 26th – 28th Bewley’s Hotel, Cllr. Jim Ryan €411 Care System October Newlands 2014 Cross, Clondalking, Dublin 22 Productivity and Time 18th Clonakilty Hotel, Cllr. Catherine €230 Management October, Clonakilty, Co. Carey 2014 Cork 1 “That in accordance with Part v of the Regulations where elected members attends at training listed at 2(1)(b) to (f) under “Courses for which expenses may be paid” at Part VB of those directions that travel and subsistence payments are only applicable for attendance at the event organised within the local authority area and payments calculated on the lesser of the expenses payable for attendance at a training event organised outside the area” “That all members of Tipperary County Council be approved for attendance at the following Training Days organised by Association of Irish Local Government:- “Finance and Budgeting” at the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow on 16th Septembers, 2014”. “Housing Training” at the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary on 16th October 2014” “Planning Training” at the Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford on 6th November, 2014” Item 3.1 & 3.2 Ms. Sinead Carr, Director of Services, Community & Enterprise referred to the report as Local and circulated to the members outlining the full membership structure of the LCDC. She also Community made reference to the revised guidelines which allowed membership to increase from 17 to Development 19 and she was recommending that the private sector representative come from the Committee Community Pillar and the public sector representative come from the HSE. Cllr. English and (LCDC) Morris considered that a Union representative should be on the LCDC. Following further discussion on the matter, the Chief Executive advised that as there was a difference of opinion that the matter be deferred to allow further consultation in order to seek a consensus on the matter. Item 4.1 & 4.2 A discussion took place around how the two Leader Development Boards, namely South Appointment of Tipperary Development Company and North Tipperary Leader Partnership would operate vis- Members to à-vis the LCDC. Sinead Carr, Director of Services advised that members should be mindful Committees/ that three structures would be able to apply for funding and this had the potential to create Boards conflicts of interests for members. Nomination of 4 Following further discussion on the matter, it was agreed to proceed with the nomination of Members to the members to both Boards subject to the exclusion of the existing nominees to the LCDC. Board of South Tipperary It was proposed by Councillor: Mary Hanna Hourigan. Development Seconded by Councillor: Phyll Bugler Company And Resolved:- “That Councillor John Crosse be appointed to the Board of South Tipperary Development Company” It was proposed by Cllr: Denis Leahy Seconded by Cllr: Pat English And Resolved:- “That Councillor Andy Moloney be appointed to the Board of South Tipperary Development Company” It was proposed by Cllr: David Doran Seconded by Cllr. David Dunne And Resolved:- “That Cllr. Catherine Carey be appointed to the Board of South Tipperary Development Company” 2 It was proposed by Cllr. Roger Kennedy Seconded by Cllr. Seamus Hanafin And Resolved:- “That Cllr. Siobhan Ambrose be appointed to the Board of South Tipperary Development Company” Item 4.2 It was proposed by Cllr. Ger Darcy North Tipperary Seconded by Cllr. J. Crosse Leader And Resolved:- Partnership “That Cllr. Phyll Bugler be appointed to North Tipperary Leader Partnership” It was proposed by Cllr. Roger Kennedy Seconded by Cllr. Seamus Hanafin And Resolved:- “That Cllr. Jackie Cahill be appointed to North Tipperary Leader Partnership” It was proposed by Cllr. Jim Ryan Seconded by Cllr. Willie Kennedy And Resolved:- “That Cllr. Michael O’Meara be appointed to North Tipperary Leader Partnership” It was proposed by Cllr. Phyll Bugler Seconded by Cllr. Seamus Hanafin And Resolved:- “That Cllr. Ger Darcy be appointed to North Tipperary Leader Partnership” Item 5.1 Mr. Liam McCarthy, Head of Finance presented a report to the members summarising the Finance impact of the LPT allocation to the county and the requirements of the Local Property Tax (Local Adjustment Factor) Regulations 2014. He provided details of the main points of these Local Property two reports advising that Tipperary County Council was a major beneficiary from the Tax equalisation fund resulting in the shortfall being greater than the yield from the LPT generated within the county. He stated that a reduction of 15% in the Tax would lead to a reduction of 1.863 million euro in Council revenue income. The average amount payable by property owners would be 58c per week. A detailed discussion ensued regarding the advantages and disadvantages of adjusting the Local Property Tax by 15%. The Chief Executive thanked the Members for the informed and balanced debate on this issue, which was not an easy matter for members. He explained that the reduction of €1.863 million would lead to reduced and, in some cases, closed services, for example: A reduction in the discretionary Roads budget which would affect the re-employment of temporary workers A reduction in Housing Maintenance budget A reduction in the Arts Grant A reduction or elimination in Burial Ground Grants A reduction or elimination of grants for Christmas lighting A reduction in services for Swimming Pools and Museums He went on to say that the merger savings referred to by the members would accrue over time. Those savings which had so far accrued had been taken into account in framing the 2015 budget. He reminded the members that the sum of €7.6 million in rate arrears was 3 presently outstanding to the Council and rate payers were being treated fairly in how these sums would be repaid. He recommended to the members that a prudent and responsible decision be made regarding the Local Property Tax. Following further discussion amongst the members, It was proposed by Cllr. John Hogan, seconded by Cllr. Joe Bourke that “Pursuant to the provisions of Part 4 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2912 (as amended) and the recommendation of the Chief Executive, Mr. Joe MacGrath dated 18th September 2014, that Tipperary County Council decide not to adjust the LPT adjustor and retain the Local Property Tax for 2015 at current levels”. On further discussion, it was proposed by Cllr. Jim Ryan and seconded by Cllr. Pat English that the LPT for 2015 be reduced by 15% and that the savings from the merger is used to facilitate same. In the absence of unanimous agreement in relation to the original motion, the Cathaoirleach called for a vote by way of roll call to accept the recommendation of the Chief Executive and retention of the LPT rate at the existing level for 2015. There voted in favour/against the motion as follows: COMHAIRLEOIR FOR AGAINST ABSENT ABSTAIN 1. Ambrose, Siobhan √ 2. Anglim. Micheál √ 3. Bonfield, Fiona √ 4. Bourke, Joe √ 5. Bourke, Kieran √ 6. Browne, Martin √ 7. Bugler, Phyll √ 8. Cahill, Jackie √ 9. Carey, Catherine √ 10. Carroll, John √ 11. Crosse, John √ 12. Darcy, Ger √ 13. Doran, David √ 14. Dunne, David √ 15. English, Pat √ 16. Fahey, John - 17. Fitzgerald, Michael √ 18. Goldsboro, Imelda √ 19. Hanafin, Seamus √ 20. Hannigan, Joe √ 21. Hogan, John √ 22. Hourigan, Mary Hanna √ 23. Kennedy, Roger √ 24. Kennedy, Willie √ 25. Leahy, Denis √ 26. Lonergan, Martin √ 27. Lowry, Michael √ 28. McGrath, Hughie √ 29. McLoughlin, Louise √ 30. Molloy, Richie √ 31. Moloney, Andy √ 32. Morris, Seamus √ 4 33. Murphy, Marie √ 34.