Ballymote-Tubbercurry Minutes 2015

Minutes of Meeting of The Municipal District of Ballymote-Tobercurry held on Monday 19th October, 2015 at 11am in Meeting Room 1, Teach Laighne, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Martin Baker
  • Councillor Michael Clarke
  • Councillor Margaret Gormley
  • Councillor Jerry Lundy
  • Councillor Dara Mulvey
  • Councillor Joe Queenan
  • Councillor Eamonn Scanlon
  • Councillor Paul Taylor (Cathaoirleach)

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr. Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive
  • Ms. Marie Whelan, Head of Finance
  • Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
  • Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services
  • Mr. John Reilly, Head of LEO Sligo
  • Mr. John Moran, Senior Executive Officer
  • Mr. Frank Moylan, Senior Executive Planner
  • Ms. Mihaela Davidescu, A/Senior Executive Planner
  • Ms. Leonora McConville, Executive Planner
  • Ms. Mihaela Davidescu, A/Senior Executive Planner
  • Mr. Ray O’Grady, Executive Planner
  • Ms. Leonora McConville, Executive Planner
  • Ms. Sinéad Branley, Staff Officer

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach Councillor P. Taylor presided.

1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BALLYMOTE-TOBERCURRY HELD ON 13TH JULY, 2015:

Proposed by Councillor M. Clarke
Seconded by Councillor E. Scanlon

AND AGREED

“To confirm the minutes of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tobercurry dated 13th July, 2015”

2. MATTERS ARISING:

Cllr Gormley asked for an update on the N17/R294 junction works. In response Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services advised that the Council were still working on the project but expected to have a contractor appointed by the end of the year.

3. PRESENTATION FROM SLIGO GREENWAY CO-OP LTD

With the agreement of the Members this item was withdrawn as it was now to go before the full Council meeting on Monday 2nd November, 2015.

4. PRESENTATION FROM WEST ON TRACK COMMITTEE

With the agreement of the Members this item was withdrawn as it was now to go before the full Council meeting on Monday 7th December, 2015.

5. DRAFT LOCAL AREA PLAN FOR TOBERCURRY 2015-2021

Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services introduced this item and then handed over to Ms. Mihaela Davidescu who proceeded to give an outline of the amending resolutions passed by the Members at the July meeting of the Municipal District. The amending resolutions resulted in 22 amendments to the Draft LAP. The proposed amendments were placed on public display for a period of four weeks from 31st August to 28th September, 2015. Seven submissions were received during this period. Ms. Davidescu outlined details of the submissions received and the recommended actions (if applicable). Ms. Davidescu stated that the members of the Municipal District must now consider the Draft LAP, the proposed amendments, the SEA screening Report and its Addendum together with the Second Chief Executive’s Report. She proceeded to state that the members may decide to adopt the LAP with all, some or none of the Proposed Amendments. However no new material alterations can be made at the adoption stage. Ms. Davidescu stated that having regard to planning legislation and to the Department’s response to consultation, the Chief Executive strongly recommends that the Members adopt the Tobercurry LAP 2015-2021 without the proposed amendments A-1, A-2 and A-3.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr Taylor thanked Ms. Davidescu for her report and invited comments from members. A lengthy discussion among members followed with specific comments made in relation to the extent of the buffer zone around Tobercurry. The Chief Executive advised the meeting that the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is opposed to amendments A-1, A -2 and A-3 which would have the effect of eliminating the buffer zone around Tobercurry. If adopted, with these amendments, the local area plan would be inconsistent with the County Development Plan. Following further discussion, the members queried if the buffer zone area could now be reduced in size rather than eliminating it completely. In response, Mr. Frank Moylan advised that only minor modifications can be made at this stage of the process and that the reduction in size of the buffer zone does
not constitute a minor modification. Following further discussions among the members it was: 

Proposed by Councillor Margaret Gormley
Seconded by Councillor Joseph Queenan

AND AGREED

“Having considered the Draft Local Area Plan for Tobercurry, the associated SEA screening Report and Addendum and AA Report, the Proposed Amendments and the Second Chief Executive’s Report dated 9th October, 2015, it appeared to the members of the Planning Authority that the Draft Plan should not be adopted and the process of preparing the LAP for Tobercurry should recommence”.

6. APPOINTMENT OF THREE  MEMBERS TO COUNTY SLIGO PLACE NAMES COMMITTEE

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

AND AGREED

“To appoint Cllr. M. Clarke to the County Sligo Place Names Committee”.

Proposed by Councillor E. Scanlon
Seconded by Councillor J. Lundy

AND AGREED

“To appoint Cllr. M. Gormley to the County Sligo Place Names Committee”.

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor J. Lundy

AND AGREED

“To appoint Cllr. P. Taylor to the County Sligo Place Names Committee”.

7. RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ZONE (REDZ)

Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services outlined that the Council has recently completed an application for funding to the Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government under the Rural Economic Development Zone Initiative. A report was presented to the September 2015 Ordinary Council meeting and due to the short timelines there was no opportunity to bring this matter before a Municipal District meeting in advance of the submission of the application. The REDZ application is for the area of Tobercurry and its hinterland, inclusive of 15 Electoral Districts. The application was submitted in partnership with the Tubbercurry Chamber of Commerce and will be delivered via a partnership approach with the local community. The Council is currently awaiting a letter of
Offer in respect of a funding allocation of €150,000. Sligo County Council has agreed to contribute match funding of €22,500 while €23,585 will be made available from the Tubbercurry Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Clarke endeavoured to keep members informed of progress on the matter.

The Cathaoirleach and members thanked Ms. Clarke for her report and
welcomed the initiative for the Tubbercurry area.

8. COASTAL PROTECTION INFRASTRUCTURE

Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services circulated a report to members on the Coastal Protection Infrastructure damaged by 2014 severe weather. The report stated that the Council had received correspondence from the
OPW advising that a once off allocation of €291,210 has been approved for Sligo. This was based on a Council submission of a list of 14 projects (7 in the Ballymote-Tobercurry Municipal District) that required attention after
the 2014 severe weather conditions. It does not appear that any matching funding element is required from the Council’s resources. The Council will continue to separately engage with Irish Water in respect of what their
responsibilities might be in respect of projects such as the Enniscrone WWTP Protection. 

The members welcomed the funding allocation and thanked Mr. Kilfeather for his report.

14. COASTAL EROSION & PIER REPAIRS IN WEST SLIGO

With the agreement of the meeting, it was decided to take Motion No. 14
at this time:

Proposed by Councillor M. Clarke
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan

AND AGREED

“To call on this Council to provide a report on coastal erosion and pier repairs in West Sligo”

In response Mr. Tom Kilfeather, DoS advised that repairs have been carried out to most piers in west Sligo since the 2014 storm damage, a summary of which was as follows:

  • Aughris Pier: Considerable works have been carried out to Aughris Pier, including replacing damaged quay surface, strengthening to pier head and substantial repairs to undermining and scour damage at pier head.
  • Easkey Pier: Some repairs have been carried out at Easkey Pier including replacement railings and void plugging.
  • Pullnadivva Pier: The repairs were carried out to the upper quay surface and wall which was storm damaged. Other repairs are planned at the pier head.
  • Enniscrone Pier: Substantial strengthening works have been carried out to Enniscrone pier over the past number of year and without this work the pier head may have been irreparably damaged in Feb 2014. Additional storm damage repair works are currently under way including filling scour holes below water level at pier head and consolidation works.

9. SPEED LIMITS ON THE R297 AT MAIN STREET, ENNISCRONE

With the agreement of the meeting Councillor Queenan withdrew this motion as the matter had been dealt with in the interim since the last meeting. Councillor Queenan expressed his thanks to Mr. John O’Flaherty and his team in the Roads Department.

10. LICENCES FOR COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY & UNATUTHORISED TRADING IN ENNISCRONE

With the agreement of the meeting Councillor Queenan withdrew this motion.

11. COURT ABBEY CEMETERY, LAVAGH, BALLYMOTE

With the agreement of the meeting Councillor Scanlon withdrew this motion as the matter had been dealt with in the interim since the last meeting.

12. NAME OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

Proposed by Councillor M. Clarke
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

AND AGREED

“To call on the Council to provide a report on the proposed name change of this Municipal District”

In response Mr. John Moran, SEO advised that this matter was the subject of a resolution by the Municipal District at its July meeting, following which a letter issued to Mr. Alan Kelly. T.D., Minister for the Environment,
Community and Local Government on 13/07/15. A response has been received from the Minister, a copy of which has been circulated under Item 22 “Correspondence”. The position as outlined in the Ministers letter
is:

  • The Municipal District of Ballymote / Tobercurry was determined by Order of the Minister under Sections 4 and 23 of the Local Government Act 2001
  • Any change to the name of the Municipal District would require the making of a new Order
  • Since Municipal Districts are based on electoral areas any amendment to them would require an overall review of electoral areas
  • As the last review was carried out in 2013 it is not anticipated that a further review will be carried out before 2018 at which time this issue can be addressed.

 

Councillor Clarke requested that a further letter be sent to the Department requesting that the name of the Municipal District be amended to “Ballymote, Tobercurry-Dromore Municipal District”. This was agreed.

13. SIGHTLINES AT R296/R294 JUNCTION - BELL’S CROSS, QUARRYFIELD

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

AND AGREED

(known locally as Bell’s Cross), Quarryfield to improve sightlines” In response Mr. Tom Kilfeather advised that this location can be considered for a future Low Cost Accident Scheme application to the Department of Transport. The deadline for submission of LCAS for 2016 has passed, however this location can be considered for submission for a
LCAS in 2017.

15 & 18. OPENING HOURS AT TUBBERCURRY GARDA STATION

With the agreement of the meeting the Cathaoirleach Councillor Taylor took motions 15 and 18 together at this time:

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

AND AGREED

“That we call on the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, Chief Superintendent Michal Clancy and Inspector Padraic Burke to re-examine the situation at Tubbercurry Garda Station with a view to opening it 24 hours a day, assigning extra Gardai, and to improve facilities for members of the force”

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

AND AGREED

“Due to the recent damage to property, shops and cars in Tubbercurry and the number of break-ins and robberies in South Sligo, this Municipal Council calls on the Government to have the Garda Station in Tubbercurry open on
a 24/7 basis with more Gardai on the beat and better resources for the Gardai in their fight against crime”

The members discussed both motions and it was then 

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

AND AGREED

“To invite Chief Superintendent Michal Clancy and Inspector Padraic Burke to a future meeting of the Municipal District to address the issues at the Tubbercurry station”

16. FLOODING ON ROAD 511C CHAFFPOOL, TUBBERCURRY

Proposed by Councillor J. Lundy
Seconded by Councillor P. Taylor

AND AGREED

“To ask the Council if any funding has been allocated by the Department to solve the flooding problem on public road no. 511C in Chaffpool, Tubbercurry”

In response Mr. Tom Kilfeather advised that a submission for funding was made to the Department after this flooding event but to date no funding has been received to alleviate flooding at this location.

17. THORNHILL BRIDGE WORKS

Proposed by Councillor J. Lundy
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

AND AGREED

“I will ask when works are planned to start on Thornhill Bridge on the N17, north of Ballinacarrow”

In response Mr. Tom Kilfeather advised that the N17 Thornhill Bridge Realignment Project has been “bundled” with the N17 Cloonacurra Overlay Project and will be executed as one overall contract. A contractor has been appointed and works will start in the coming weeks and will take significant improvement works to a 2.3km stretch of the existing N17 North of Ballinacarrow Village. The existing bend and road alignment at Thornhill Bridge will be improved subject to existing constraints at that location. The N17 Cloonacurra Overlay scheme is approximately 1.9km long and is located directly north of the N17 Thornhill Bridge scheme. The works will include pre-patching, the regulating of the existing road surface and the placing of road strengthening material and new surfacing. In addition the project includes the provision of drainage, fencing and safety barrier systems, raising of verges, adjustment of ironwork, utility service relocations, accommodation works, road lining, road signage and traffic management including tie-ins to existing roads. Combined the project is approximately 2.3km in length and has a total cost of €1.6m approximately.

Councillor Clarke expressed his support for the motion.

19. WORKS ON R693 KILLARAGHT AND R496 ISLAND ROAD, MONASTERADEN

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

AND AGREED

“That the Council carry out works on Rd 693 Killaraght and R496 Island Road, Monasteraden”

In response Mr. Tom Kilfeather advised that no funding currently exist to
allow the upgrade of LS 5713-0 (CR 693) at Killaraght or LP 4105-0 (CR 496)
Island Road but these roads can be considered as part of the Schedule of
works for the Ballymote / Tubbercurry Municipal District for 2016.

20. BRIDGE WIDENING ON THE R294 ENTERING GURTEEN

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

AND AGREED

“To ask the Director of Services to have the widening of the bridge on the R294 entering Gurteen from Tubbercurry, put on the 2016 Improvement Programme”

In response Mr. Tom Kilfeather advised that the Council have this bridge on its Bridges for Improvement List and will include it in the 2016 submission for 2017 works. Works likely to include new parapets and a foot-bridge on the north side. This work will hopefully take place in 2017.

21. RESURFACING WORKS AT MONESTRADEN CROSSROADS

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

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council for an update on resurfacing works at Page 8 of 8 Monestraden Crossroads”

In response Mr. Tom Kilfeather advised that no funding currently exist for resurfacing works at Monasteradan cross but this location can be considered as part of the Schedule of works for the Ballymote / Tubbercurry Municipal District for 2016.

22. CORRESPONDENCE

This was noted and agreed by the Members.

23. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

This was noted and agreed by the Members.

  • Councillor M. Baker acknowledged the recent works carried out by John O’Flaherty and the Roads Department in the Sooey area.
  • Councillor M. Gormley asked that the Executive retain all levels of service at Teach Laighne. The Chief Executive added his
  • compliments to the staff in Teach Laighne.
  • Councillor J. Lundy took the opportunity to congratulate the Tubbercurry Town Twinning Committee in their liaison with
  • Viarmes, France.
  • Councillor J. Lundy also commended the Sligo Fleadh Cheoil 2015 Committee on their recent Green Fleadh Award.
  • The Cathaoirleach Councillor P. Taylor extended his congratulations to Dessie Sloyan and the Easkey GAA team on winning the intermediate championship.
  • Councillor E. Scanlon thanked Ms. Brenda Lavin and staff of Bank of Ireland, Ballymote for the recent business expo where
  • approximately 60 businesses were in attendance.
  • Councillor M. Baker congratulated the Shamrock Gaels GAA team on their recent achievement of gaining promotion back into Senior football.

The business of the meeting ended at 1.30 pm.

Download  Minutes of Municipal District Ballymote-Tobercurry 19th October 2015 (PDF) - 242 kbs  

 


Meeting Date 19/10/2015