Minutes 2008

Minutes of the Adjourned Meeting of the Council Held On 11th of February 2008 in County Hall, Riverside, Sligo At 11pm

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Baker,
Barry,
Bree,
Cawley,
Colleary,
Conmy,
Fleming,
Fox,
Gormley,
Healy McGowan,
Higgins,
Leonard,
McGarry,
MacManus,
Lundy,
McGrath,
McLoughlin,
Mullaney,
Murray,
Queenan
Sherlock

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

Mr H. Kearns, County Manager
Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services
Mr D. Breen, Director of Services
Ms R. McNulty, Director of Services
Mr T. Kilfeather, Head of Finance
Mr J. McHugh, Senior Engineer
Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer
Mr T. Brennan, Senior Engineer
Mr S. O’Toole, Senior Executive Engineer
Mr J. Murphy, Senior Executive Officer
Ms P. Bergin, Executive Scientist
Mr D. Harrison, Senior Executive Engineer
Ms K. McDaniel, Senior Executive Engineer
Mr J. O’Flaherty, Executive Engineer
Ms K. McTiernan, Administrative Officer
Ms L. Conlon, Clerical Officer
Ms S. Malone, Assistant Staff Officer
Mr F. Mac Nabb, Meetings Administrator

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor S. Kilgannon presided.

1. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THE 3RD DECEMBER, 2007

Proposed by Councillor J. Sherlock
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting held on the 3rd December, 2007”.

2. MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED BUDGET MEETING HELD ON THE 7TH JANUARY, 2008

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of the Adjourned Budget Meeting held on 7th January, 2008”.

3. MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED BUDGET MEETING HELD ON 14TH JANUARY, 2008;

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor G. Murray

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of the Adjourned Budget Meeting held on the 14th January, 2008”.

4. DISPOSAL OF LAND AT COLLOONEY, CO SLIGO;

Proposed by Councillor J. Sherlock
Seconded by Councillor G. Murray

AND AGREED

“To approve pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of land at Collooney, Co. Sligo”.

5. PART 8 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, 2001) PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SLUDGE DEWATERING BUILDING AT ENNISCRONE WASTEWATER TREATMENT WORKS AT CARROWHUBBOCK SOUTH, ENNISCRONE;

Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

AND AGREED

“To approve in accordance with Part 8 of the Local Government (Planning 7 Development) Regulations, 2001, the proposed construction of a new sludge Dewatering building at Enniscrone Wastewater Treatment Works at Carrowhubbock South, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo”

6. PART 8 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, 2001) PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF R277 NEW AIRPORT ROAD IN THE TOWNLANDS OF LARASS AND KILLASPUGBRONE, STRANDHILL

Following a discussion;

Proposed by Councillor T. McLoughlin
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council in accordance with Part 8 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations, 2001 proceed with the proposed construction of the R277 New Airport Road in the Townlands of Larass and Killaspugbrone, Strandhill, Co. Sligo.”

7. SOURCE PROTECTION PLANS FOR CALRY, KILSELLAGH AND LOUGH TALT PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES;

Ms R. McNulty, Director of Services advised members that this item had been raised at an SPC meeting and members had requested that it be raised at the full meeting of the Council.

Proposed by Councillor P. Barry
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

AND AGREED

“To adopt the source protection plans for Calry, Kilsellagh and Lough Talt Public Water Supply Schemes”.

8. GRANTING OF A LEASE OF LANDSBETWEEN DEEPWATER BERTHS ROAD AND FINISKLIN ROAD TO BORD NA MONA FUELS LTD;

Proposed by Councillor P. Barry
Seconded by Councillor A. Higgins

AND AGREED

“To approve the granting of a lease of lands situated between Deepwater Berths Road and Finisklin Road, Sligo, to Bord na Mona Fuels Ltd, Newbridge, Co. Kildare”.

9. DECLARE ROADS TO BE PUBLIC ROADS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 11(1) OF THE ROADS ACT, 1993

Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council being satisfied of their general public utility declare the Roads named below to be Public Roads in accordance with Section 11(1) of the Roads Act, 1993.

Road No L-63073-0
Road situate in the housing estate of “Eamon De Valera Park” in the townland of Dromore.

10. TAKING IN CHARGE OF GROUP WATER SCHEMES IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 6 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (SANITARY SERVICES ACT, 1962

Proposed by Councillor G. Murray
Seconded by Councillor T. McLoughlin

AND AGREED

“That we hereby approve of the County Manager’s proposal to acquire waterworks from the Group Water Schemes listed hereunder, whose members have submitted a formal request in accordance with Section 6 of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1962

Monasteraden Group Water Scheme
Carranduff Group Water Scheme
Carns Group Water Scheme
Oldrock Group Water Scheme
Carrowlobaun Group Water Scheme
Drinaghan Group Water Scheme
Lugawarry Lugnadeffa Group Water Scheme

The takeover of the schemes is subject to submission of all the necessary documentation and payment of all outstanding water charges. The relevant take-over dates are to be agreed between the County Council and the relevant schemes”.

11. TAKING IN CHARGE OF ESTATES:

Proposed by Councillor T. McLoughlin
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council take in Charge “The Maples” Estate, Strandhill, Co. Sligo”

12. DRAFT SUPPLEMENTARY DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTION SCHEME;

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor J. Leonard

AND AGREED

“That the Draft Supplementary Development Contribution Scheme – Western Distributor Road be place on public display”.

13. ESTABLISH AN AUDIT COMMITTEE;

Proposed by Councillor A. Higgins
Seconded by Councillor J. Sherlock

AND AGREED

“To nominate Councillor P. Barry to the Audit Committee”.

Proposed by Councillor J. Leonard
Seconded by Councillor T. McLoughlin

“To nominate Mr Leo Conlon to the Audit Committee”.

15. PRESENTATION BY AUGHAMORE ACTION GROUP;

It was agreed to take Item No. 15 at this stage.

Ms Maureen Scanlon gave a presentation on behalf of the Aughamore Action Group.

Councillor S. Kilgannon thanked the Group for their presentation and advised members that as some of the matters raised in the presentation were being pursued legally by the courts members of the executive would not be in a position to answer questions on this matter. Councillor D. Bree accused officials of turning a blind eye to events that had taken place in the past.

In response Mr H. Kearns, County Manager accused Councillor Bree of taking a cheap shot to get the headlines in the paper. He stated that staff had been doing great work, but that there are hundreds of environmental issues to be dealt and with limited staff it was impossible to give unlimited time to any one issue. He sympathised with the residents on their concerns.

Mr D. Breen DOS indicated that the comments made by Councillor Bree were both untrue and unfair and that the enforcement staff of this Council had pursued this matter through the courts in the past and he asked Councillor Bree to withdraw his allegations. Councillor Bree refused.

14. PRESENTATION ON PROPOSED VARIATION TO SLIGO AND ENVIRONS DEVELOPMENT PLAN IN RELATION TO SLIGO WESTERN BYPASS;

Ms Katrina McDaniel, Senior Engineer gave a presentation on the proposed variation to Sligo and Environs Development Plan in relation to Sligo Western Bypass.

The Members thanked Ms McDaniel for her presentation.

20. JUNCTION AT KNOCKADOO, COOLANEY;

It was agreed to take item No. 20 at this stage.

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

“That this Council carry out necessary works to improve unction at Knockadoo, Coolaney in the current year in the interest of road safety”

In Response Mr S. O’Toole, SEE stated the following;

This improvement can be considered in context of 2008 roadworks programme when being drafted at local area meeting. Notification of D.O.E.H.L.G grants for 2008 has not been received by Sligo County Council yet.

17. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE JUNCTION AT CLARKE’S BRIDGE;

Proposed by Councillor P. McGrath
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

“To ask Sligo County Council to urgently look at a traffic management plan for the junction at Clarke’s bridge, which is the junction where the R293 joins the N17”.

In Response Mr S. O’Toole, SEE stated the following;

A part of the N17 Collooney to Tubbercurry scheme it is proposed that the N17 will be upgraded to Type 2 Dual Carriageway and a grade-separated junction will be provided at this location. The current problem at this location relates to congestion problem over a short period of time particularly mornings between 8.30am and 9.30am

16. TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES AND SIGNAGE AT BALLYINABOLL, COLLOONEY;

Proposed by Councillor P. McGrath
Seconded by Councillor J. Leonard

“To ask Sligo County Council to provide traffic calming measures and signage at Ballyinaboll, Collooney, Co. Sligo”.

In Response Mr S. O’Toole, SEE stated the following;

The road in question is local road L4501 in Ballynaboll. The default speed limit at this location is 80k.p.h. the enforcement of this speed limit is a matter for An Garda Síochána. The local area engineer will review road signage at this location and replace if appropriate.

22. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ON THE N59 IN THE VILLAGE OF DROMORE WEST

This Item was deferred with the agreement of the meeting.

23. FUNDING TO ALL SCHOOLS TO INSTALL THE NECESSARY FACILITIES FOR HARVESTING OF RAINWATER AND CONSERVATION OF WATER;

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley

AND AGREED

“In the light of recent Government decisions re: water charges for schools I propose that the Ministers for Education and Environment would provide the necessary funding to all schools to install the necessary facilities for harvesting of rainwater and conservation of water”.

24. UPDATE ON POSITION OF PROPOSED REALIGNMENT OF SECTION ROAD N17 FROM RHUE TO CHARLESTOWN;

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley

“To request an update on the position of the proposed re: alignment of section road N. 17 from Rhue to Charlestown”.

In Response Mr S. O’Toole, SEE stated the following;

Ground investigation on the section of route between Rathscanlon and Curry is ongoing at present, and is to be completed by the end of February. The results of this will be forwarded to Mayo Regional Design Office as this section of the route is to be incorporated into the Charlestown Bypass, and the Preliminary design will be carried out by Mayo RDO. There is no indication as to when funding may become available for construction of this scheme.

25. GRANT AID SCHOOLS THAT HAVE TO PAY WATER CHARGES;

Proposed by Councillor S. MacManus
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council calls on the government to grant aid schools that have to pay water charges and that a waiver system be introduced by government to remove any outstanding arrears for schools in County Sligo”.

Councillor MacManus requested that “grant aid” be deleted from motion and replaced with “seek exemption for”.

“That Sligo County Council calls on the government to seek exemption for schools that have to pay water charges and that a waiver system be introduced by government to remove any outstanding arrears for schools in County Sligo”.

18. ROCKWOOD MANOR HOUSING ESTATE, COOLANEY;

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley

“That the Council be provided with a report regarding works required to complete the development at the Rockfield Manor housing estate, Coolaney (PL 02/759 and PL 00/1093) and further that the Council be advised as to why the Rockfield Manor Residents Association has been refused information relating to the development contribution which the Developer is legally obliged to pay the Planning Authority.”

In Response Mr J. Murphy, SEO stated the following;

This development was inspected on the 7th of February 2008, and the following is the position:-

The bitmac wearing course has been laid
The public lighting has been fixed
The fence has been secured and a hedge has been planted along same.

Outstanding works include:-

Stone face wall to the front of the development (this work will start next week).
Upgrading of path along fence (developer has contracted to have this done).
Landscaping (drawing is to be submitted to the Council for agreement, following which the landscaping will be carried out).
Play Area (subject to discussions with Residents Association)

In summary, substantial progress, has been made in relation to the completion of this development and the position will be monitored by the enforcement section in the future to ensure compliance in all respects.

There is an agreement with the developer in relation to compliance with the planning conditions pertaining to this development in so far as it related to financial contributions.

In a reply to a query from Councillor Bree, Mr Murphy SEO stated that Section 48 allows the Developer to pay development charges on a phased basis.

19. REPORTS RECEIVED FROM ATKINS CONSULTANTS CONCERNING THE COUNTY’S WATER AND SEWERAGE INFRASTRUCTURE;

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

“That the Council be provided with copies of reports received from Atkins Consultants concerning the county’s water and sewerage infrastructure and services and a copy of the assessment of needs with respect to water and sewerage services prepared by officials of the Council prior to the appointment of Atkins, which inter alia led the Council to conclude that the authority itself it was not in a position to carry out the work now
being undertaken by Atkins.”

In Response Mr K. Larkin, SE stated the following;

Atkins consultants were appointed to one project only by Sligo County Council i.e the Water Metering Project. The appointment was on foot of a recommendation of the Interview Board which sat on 16/1/2002.

There were two phases to this project:
Development of Model Contract Documents for Sligo County Council and for DEHLG, for their further distribution by DEHLG to all other Local Authorities throughout the country.

Supervision and management of the Design/Build phase of the contract i.e. the installation of the meters etc.

As the 1st of these phases was a Pilot Project it was funded in its entirety by DEHLG. Sligo County Council paid for 2nd phase as normal part of the Water Metering Project. As the Design/Build phase of the Water Metering Project is now effectively complete and the project is now in Operation phase, Atkins are no longer involved in the project. Atkins Consultant provided no other reports in relation to the county’s water/wastewater infrastructure nor were they asked to do so. Atkins Consultants did not carry out any other works for Sligo County Council and are not now carrying
out any such works. Atkins Consultants did apply and were considered for appointment to a number of water/wastewater projects which are ongoing at
present but, on foot of recommendation of interview Boards, in each case, they were unsuccessful.

21. WORKS CARRIED OUT ON TWO BRIDGES OVER THE OWENMORE RIVER;

Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor S. MacManus

“That the Council be provided with a report on the recent works carried out on the two bridges over the Owenmore river on the duel carriage-way linking Sligo with Collooney, including the reasons for the work and the total cost of the work”

In Response Mr S. O’Toole, SEE stated the following;

During 2005 pot holes started to occur in the bridge deck on Owenmore Bridge creating serious traffic hazards. Safety measures were put in place
immediately. Temporary repairs were carried out and the NRA instigated an investigation as to the cause. Consultants Ryan Hanley WPS were engaged by NRA. Similar problems manifested on the Ballysodare Bridge. In 2006 the NRA decided that both bridges required new deck waterproofing, deck drainage alteration and resurfacing. Works were designed and put to tender on behalf of the NRA in late 2006 and contractors SIAC Construction Ltd were appointed later that year. The contract price was €490811.26. The works took longer than anticipated and were completed in late spring 2007. the work was 100% funded by the NRA. Sligo/Collooney Dual Carriageway was opened in January 1998 and it is understood that the defects occurred outside the liability period in any event.

26. GRANT AID TO THE ELDERLY TO INSTALL EMERGENCY LIGHTING IN THEIR HOMES;

Proposed by Councillor M. Baker
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

AND AGREED

“To call on the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to provide grant aid to the elderly to install emergency lighting in their homes, to assist in the event of an ESB outage or such similar occurrence”.

27. IN THE EVENT OF BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS ALL ROADS IN TOWN AND VILLAGES BE GRITTED IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY;

Proposed by Councillor M. Baker
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

“To ask Sligo County Council that in the event of bad weather conditions that all roads in towns and villages be gritted in the interest of public safety”.

In response Mr S. O’Toole stated the following;

In the event of adverse weather conditions including snow and ice 5 number gritters and snow ploughs are activated from machinery yard to public road network in County Sligo. Funding of €235,000 was provided by the National Roads Authority towards the winter maintenance of national route network in County Sligo in 2007. 5 number routes are travelled by the gritters on activation of winter maintenance programme ensuring all national routes are gritted as a matter of priority. On occasions these routes are gritted twice to ensure roads are safe for use of public following these adverse weather conditions. Villages not on the national road receive treatment to roads and footpaths by the local areas road maintenance crew. Where resources allow the non-national road network is prioritised on a needs basis and gritters diverted to treat routes on an emergency basis. It would not be
possible to provide a comprehensive winter maintenance service throughout the County. There is in excess of 2,600km of public road in County Sligo
maintained by Sligo County Council road department.

Councillor M. Gormley paid tribute to the outdoor staff for their diligent work in the recent bad weather.

28. LEGISLATION TO GIVE PEOPLE LIVING IN VOLUNTARY HOUSES THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE THEM;

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

AND AGREED

“That this Council calls on the Minister for the Environment to bring in legislation to give people living in voluntary houses an opportunity to purchase them”.

29. PROGRESS REPORT ON THE PROPOSED BALLYGAWLEY SEWERAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES;

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor G. Murray

“To ask the Director of Services for a progress report on the proposed Ballygawley sewerage treatment facilities”.

In Response Mr K. Larkin SE stated the following;

The initial planning phase of Ballygawley sewerage scheme has already commenced. The project has been listed in the Capital Schemes Programme to enter construction phase in 2009/2010 period. However the assessment of the feasibility of the scheme will be an intrinsic element of the planning phase in terms of anticipated cost, likely uptake in connections, likely development pressures etc. There should be a greater degree of clarity in these matters later this year.

30. SET DOWN AREA FOR THE SCHOOL BUS AT RIVERSTOWN NO. 2 SCHOOL;

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor P. Conmy

“To ask the Director of Services to provide set down area for the school bus at Riverstown No. 2 school”.

In Response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;

Sligo County Council roads department has no objection in principle to proposed location of set down area for school bus at Riverstown NOo.2 school. The funding of same is a matter for Department of Education and Board of Management. Ballymote Area Officer will advise promoters of proposal in relation to design detail.

31. RELALIGNMENT OF THE R284 AT DOONALLY;

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor G. Murray

“To call on the County Manager to provide funding for completion of the realignment of the R284 at Doonally”.

In Response Mr S. O’Toole, SEE stated the following;

In excess of €1m was expended on realignment works undertaken on Regional Road R284 at Union, Drumiskabole in 2007 under specific improvement
grant. It is proposed subject to funding from the Department of Transport non-national roads division to continue theses improvements in 2008. On completion of these improvement works at Union it is proposed to submit next priority scheme at Doonally for funding under specific improvement grant scheme.

32. OLD SEWERAGE WORKS AT TIEVEBOY, BALLYMOTE

This Item was deferred with the agreement of the meeting.

34. GRITTING UNIT TO BE LOCATED AT TUBBERCURRY DURING THE WINTER SEASON;

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor P. Conmy

“To request that a gritting unit be located at Tubbercurry during the winter season or have gritting material available for spreading on icy roads in the interest of safety”

In Response Mr S. O’Toole, SEE stated the following;

In the event of adverse weather conditions including snow and ice 5 number gritters and snow ploughs are activated from machinery yard to public road network in County Sligo. Funding of €235,000 was provided by the National Roads Authority towards the winter maintenance of national route network in County Sligo in 2007. 5 number routes are travelled by the gritters on activation of winter maintenance programme ensuring all national routes are gritted as a matter of priority. On occasions these routes are gritted twice to ensure roads are safe for use of public following these adverse weather conditions. Villages not on the national road receive treatment to roads and footpaths by the local areas road maintenance crew. Where resources allow the non-national road network is prioritised on a needs basis and gritters diverted to treat routes on an emergency basis. It would not be
possible to provide a comprehensive winter maintenance service throughout the County. There is in excess of 2,600km of public road in County Sligo
maintained by Sligo County Council road department

35. UPGRADING OF DUNGANNON/SLIGO ROUTE ;

Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor A. Higgins

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council calls on the Minister for Transport, Mr Noel Dempsey and the Northern Assembly Minister Mr Conor Murphy to meet County Managers from Sligo Leitrim and Cavan along with selected councillors from the three local authorities to discuss the up grading of the Dungannon/Sligo route to finally have this route incorporated into cross border planning”.

33. BALLYMOTE SEWERAGE SCHEME;

Proposed by Councillor P. McGrath
Seconded by Councillor G. Murray

“To ask Sligo County Council for an update regarding the Ballymote Sewerage Scheme to include a report on its presence capacity and details of proposed new works”.

In Response Mr K. Larkin SE stated the following;

Ballymote SS is included in the “Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009” as published by the DEHLG in October 2007. It is approved to go to planning stage. The next phase in the advancement of the scheme under WSIP will be the appointment of a Clients Representatives for the preparation of a Preliminary Report. It is anticipated that a brief for the appointment of a CR will be submitted to the DEHLG for approval next month. Realistically it is unlikely that the scheme will go to construction before 2010. The design capacity of the existing scheme is 3000PE. Sligo County Council are currently constructing a new inlet works to the plant under the Small Schemes Programme which will improve the operation of the plant. This inlet works is due to be completed shortly. In addition as part of the sludge management plan for County Sligo, new sludge reception and treatment facilities will be constructed this year on the site of the existing treatment works at Ballymote. These works are being carried out as part of the Sligo Main Drainage project and will also serve to improve the performance of the existing plant in Ballymote, particularly in terms of sludge removal and disposal.

36. RESTORATION WORKS AT DOON ROCK, GURTEEN AND LISALOUGH/KNOCKADOO

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

“To ask for a report as to when restoration works will be carried out to roads at Doon Rock, Gurteen(road No. 531 ) and Shancough/Knockadoo (road No.4) following the laying of water pipes”.

Councillor M. Gormley advised that the motion should have read Lisalough/Knockadoo instead of Shancough/Knockadoo.

In Response Mr K. Larkin, SE stated the following;

A new water main was laid along approx. 900metres of C.R.No. 531 (New; L81095-0) as part of upgrade/takeover of Monasteraden GWSS: temporary road reinstatement was carried out in July 2007 pending an ESB connect on for the new pumping station.

Permanent restoration of this road is scheduled to be undertaken in April of 2008 by the local Roads Office. In the interim the road opening will be maintained in a satisfactory condition.

A new watermain was laid along CR No 4C(New; L68043-0) for a distance of approx. 950 metres, to service the proposed new reservoir at Shangough, Coolaney. Construction work on the reservoir is ongoing at present and is expected to be substantially complete in March 2008. Subject to successful commissioning of the reservoir and rising main it is expected that permanent restoration of the road surface will take place in April 2008.

37. UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENTS AT COUNCIL LANDS AT BALLYFREE;

Proposed by Councillor A. Higgins
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

“What plans the Council has to remove unauthorised developments at Council lands at Ballyfree”.

In Response Ms D. Clarke DOS stated the following;

Officials of the Council are in constant contact with the residents of Ballyfree Halting Site and efforts are ongoing to improve relations that had deteriorated in the past. Essential drainage works are currently being carried out adjacent to the site. The visual amenity of the site and its surrounding area, as well as the accommodation inside, are some of the issues that are considered urgent for attention in 2008.