SPC 2 - Minutes

Minutes of Strategic Policy Committee 2 – Environment & Infrastructure Meeting held on Wednesday, 16th November 2022 at 11.00 a.m. Council Chamber, County Hall, Sligo


ATTENDANCE:

  • Councillor Thomas Walsh, Cathaoirleach
  • Councillor Donal Gilroy
  • Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady

 

REPRESENTATIVES:

  • Ms Sharon Eastwood (Community & Voluntary Sectoral Rep)
  • Ms Joan Swift (Environment Pillar Sectoral Rep)
  • Mr Conor McCarthy (Business Sectoral Rep)
  • Michael O’Dowd

 

OFFICIALS:

  • Ms Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services
  • Mr Brían Flynn, Acting Senior Engineer
  • Mr Pete Murtagh, Energy Efficiency & Climate Action Officer
  • Mr Paul O’Rourke, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Ms Imelda McCarron, Administrative Officer
  • Ms Caroline McManus, Administrative Officer

 

1. Confirmation of Minutes

Minutes of Meeting held on 14th September 2022 were adopted, proposed by Councillor Gilroy and seconded by Joan Swift.  

 

2.Matters Arising

A point was made regarding the Bulky Goods Collection that none of the goods collected are recycled. The nature of the event is collection only. Expanding the range of materials collected was discussed, but the Council is obliged to abide by Circulars when organising such events, and hazardous wastes are excluded.

E. Concannon advised that the National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy currently being drafted will have more of a focus on reuse / repair. This Plan will come into force in 2023.

 

3.Road Works Programme and House Fronts

E. Concannon advised that the Roads Section are drafting a policy on ‘House Fronts’, to regularise the approach to surfacing / not surfacing house setback areas, when carrying out the Roads Works Programme. Issues to consider include compliance with planning permission, completion of drainage works, type of surfacing being carried out. This policy will be brought to the SPC at a later meeting for consideration.

A discussion followed and points noted included a suggestion that the houseowner should contribute to the cost of the works. A consistent approach is important.

 

4.Summer 2023

McCarron presented a report on Summer 2023 and a discussion followed.

Access to Rosses Point Second Beach

E. Concannon advised that consultants are being procured to design a permanent access solution e.g., boardwalk to the second beach, and to bring the scheme through the Planning Process. On receipt of Planning Approval, options for funding will need to be actively pursued.  This is a medium-long term solution and will not be in place for Summer 2023.

A discussion followed regarding the safety of egress from the beach and the council were asked to explore immediate short-term options. E Concannon agreed to do this.

Owenmore River

A meeting was held locally, but there was no update from that meeting.

Water Safety

A discussion took place regarding the recruitment age of lifeguards, and this will be explored further by the Council. A suggestion was made to have a second test day to allow more lifeguards apply for positions.

It was suggested that there should be life buoy rings at all beaches over the winter, preferably with a warning beacon that would alarm should the ring be removed. I McCarron advised that buoys were not suitable for leaving out over the winter period and the Council will look at the option of funding more permanent ones.

Camper Van Parking

The issue of designated parking locations for campervans was discussed. The main issue is facilities for waste disposal. Sligo Airport was approached previously as an overnight parking location, but the airport identified a number of obstacles. It was agreed that this would be relooked at. A suggestion that information leaflets be produced regarding disposal of waste. It was agreed to discuss this further at the next meeting.

Festivals & Events

The need to have environmental climate awareness to the forefront of festivals and events was noted. I McCarron advised that this would be investigated further.

 

5.Update on Major Infrastructure Projects including update on N17 route option selection.

E. Concannon presented a report on the N7 Knock to Collooney and N16 Lugatober Schemes. Following queries, E Concannon confirmed that the N17 project is aligned with National Policy and the public consultation for the Preferred Transport Corridor will not commence until the new year to give affected landowners adequate time to examine and consider all aspects of the project. 

Regarding the Eastern Garvogue Bridge Scheme, E Concannon advised that the Consultants Tender Documents were close to completion and that advertising of this Tender was imminent.

 

6.Update on current Active Travel Programme including Transport and Mobility Plan and Sligo Cycle Network Plan

P. O’Rourke presented a report on the Active Travel Programme. A discussion followed, which included the importance of the Local Transport Plan and its early completion. The difficulties of contraflow for cyclists were mentioned. The  provision of lockers for bicycles was suggested, for example at the train station, instead of bicycle parking.  P. O’Rourke will investigate this further. There was general welcome for all the Active Travel initiatives.

B. Flynn informed the meeting that the Bolt Bikes are a great success and referred to dedicated charging points being proposed for Lord Edward Street / Inner Relief Road junction and John F Kennedy Parade.

 

7.Update on application for future Active Travel Programme

P. O Rourke stated that funding for 2023 will be similar to this year and the application process is specific to each scheme.

 

8.Bus Shelters, Sligo Bus Routes and Leap Cards

The meeting was advised that the Council has secured funding for 10 bus shelters and the Council is prioritising the need and location of additional bus shelters. It was suggested that Local Agenda 21 funding should work in conjunction with small groups and community centres. It was also noted that there is no bus service to the retail park.  It was agreed this would be brought up at the next meeting between the NTA and Council Members.

It was agreed to write to the NTA to ask that they amend their map to reflect where Leap Cards can be purchased, and to publicise these locations. It was noted that Iarnród Éireann’s policy does not permit the use of Leap Cards.

 

9.Any Other Business

A number of items were brought up including the following:

  • Can Smart Lights be used where possible to allow for the smooth flow of traffic.
  • Acknowledgement and thank you to the Council for removal of rubbish quickly and efficiently from Belladrihid.
  • Request for Bulky Waste Collection Event to be held in early springtime.
  • It was noted that the EPA reporting of statistics could be misleading, referencing the recent EPA Report on Environmental Enforcement.
  • The position of Biodiversity Officer was welcomed.
  • It was noted that there was no evidence of the community making contact with the Council with regard to speed limits.
  • Following a query, the meeting was advised that the Corporate Section of the Council is currently updating the website to ensure all Agendas & Minutes of Meetings for the SPC 2 Meetings are available to the public.

 

10.To confirm date for the next SPC2 Meeting

It was agreed that Councillor T. Walsh and E. Concannon would discuss dates for SPC Meetings next year and revert to the members.

 

Councillor T. Walsh thanked everyone for attending.

 

Meeting concluded at 12.30 pm.


Meeting Date 16/11/2022