Ballymote-Tubbercurry Minutes 2019
Minutes of Meeting of Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on Monday 29th July 2019 at 3.00 p.m. in Meeting Room 1, Teach Laighne, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
- Councillor Martin Baker
- Councillor Michael Clarke
- Councillor Martin Connolly
- Councillor Gerard Mullaney
- Councillor Dara Mulvey
- Councillor Joe Queenan
- Councillor Paul Taylor (Chair)
OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:
- Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services
- Marie Whelan, Head of Finance
- Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer
- Mihaela Davidescu, A/Senior Executive Planner
- Clodagh Quinn, Staff Officer
APOLOGIES:
- Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive
CATHAOIRLEACH:
The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Paul Taylor, presided and welcomed those present to the meeting, congratulating incoming Councillors Martin Connolly and Gerard Mullaney on their recent success in the Local Elections. Councillor Taylor then proposed to proceed with the Headed Items on the agenda and then deal with Item No. 11. This proposal was agreed by Members.
1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BALLYMOTE-TOBERCURRY HELD ON 25TH MARCH 2019:
Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan
AND AGREED
“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tobercurry held on 25th March 2019”.
2. MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BALLYMOTE-TUBBERCURRY HELD ON 17TH JUNE 2019:
Proposed by Councillor M. Baker
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan
AND AGREED
“To confirm the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on 17th June 2019”.
3. MATTERS ARISING:
There were no matters arising.
4. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE SLIGO PLACENAMES COMMITTEE:
Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey
AND AGREED
“To appoint Councillor Michael Clarke to the Sligo Placenames Committee”.
Proposed by Councillor M. Baker
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey
AND AGREED
“To appoint Councillor Gerard Mullaney to the Sligo Placenames Committee”.
At this point, Councillor Joe Queenan queried whether any update was received on the Enniscrone plebiscite. Ms. Marie Whelan, Head of Finance stated that an update had not been received but the matter would be followed up.
5. SOCIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF SLIGO / ‘SMART SLIGO 2030’ PILOT PROJECT:
Ms. Marie Whelan, Head of Finance, informed Members that the Council met with officials from the Department of Planning, Housing & Local Government on two occasions earlier in the year regarding the Council’s financial situation. As a result of these meetings, the Council entered into negotiations with various financial agencies to explore possible options available to grow and develop Sligo while at the same time, deal with the Council’s financial deficit.
Ms. Whelan explained that as part of the negotiations, the Council are working with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and referred Members to correspondence which had previously been circulated in advance of the meeting advising that Sligo had been successful in being selected as a pilot project by the Smart Development Division of the EIB with a view to establishing a scalable smart city region investment programme for Ireland. The first phase of the project extends to June 2020 and is being advanced through the Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions (JASPER) division of the EIB.
As part of the project, Members were advised that, in consultation with various stakeholders, the Council will be required to put together a vision for Sligo for 2030 under 4 no. headings -: ‘Resilient City’, ‘Socially Inclusive City’, ‘Green City’ and ‘Smart City’. Ms. Whelan advised that the matter was brought to each Municipal District to get Members’ views on their vision for Sligo in 2030.
While Members welcomed news of the project and hoped it would extend county-wide and not focus solely on the urban area, issues such as the lack of availability of housing and the crisis in the farming sector were also highlighted.
In conclusion, the Cathaoirleach, Councillor Paul Taylor asked that the Item remain on the Agenda for the next meeting to afford Members the opportunity to formulate their thoughts on their vision for Sligo in 2030.
6. CONNACHT RANGERS COMMEMORAION EVENT 2020:
Former Councillor Mr. Jerry Lundy introduced Mary & Brendan Henry to the meeting.
Mrs. Mary Henry began by explaining that the Connaught Rangers were a regiment of the British army who, on learning of the news of the Irish War of Independence and reprisals by the Black and Tans in 1920, began a mutiny at their respective posts in Jalandhar and Solan, India.
Three of the mutineers hailed from Co. Sligo – James Gorman from Tubbercurry and Martin Conlon and Jack Scanlon from Sligo Town.
The centenary of the mutiny occurs in June 2020 and it is proposed to erect a monument dedicated to the memory of the three Irishmen in Wolfe Tone Square, Tubbercurry. The monument will cost in the region of €5,000.
Mrs. Henry advised that the project will be launched on 2nd November 2019 to which the President, Mr. Michael D. Higgins and the Indian Ambassador have been invited.
Members thanked Mary and Brendan Henry for their work on the memorial to date and offered their support with the project where possible.
As agreed at the beginning of the meeting, Item No. 11 was then taken. The 5G Action Group joined the meeting for this Item.
11. CONSTRUCTION OF MAST AT FRANKFORD, ENNISCRONE:
Proposed by Councillors J. Queenan & M. Clarke
Seconded by Councillor P. Taylor
AND AGREED
“To call on the ESB to withdraw their decision to construct a 20 metre mast at Frankford, Enniscrone”.
On behalf of Director of Services, Ms. Dorothy Clarke, A/Senior Executive Planner, Ms. Mihaela Davidescu, reported that Sligo County Council issued a decision to grant planning permission for a 20m high telecommunications monopole at Frankford Road, Enniscrone to be located within an existing ESB substation compound located opposite ‘The Meadows’ housing estate. This decision was made on 11th July 2019 and there were no objections received in respect of the planning application.
Councillor Joe Queenan informed the meeting that the planning application was advertised in the Irish Independent on Local Elections polling day (24th May 2019) and not in a local newspaper leading the application to going relatively unnoticed hence the lack of submissions received.
A discussion on the issue followed where Members agreed:
“To ask Sligo County Council to write to ESB Networks to ask for a consultation with representatives of Sligo County Council and to delay any works proposed under PL 19/201 relating to a 5G mast at Frankford, Enniscrone”.
It was further agreed by Members that the following motion would be placed on the agenda at the September meeting of Sligo County Council:
“That Sligo County Council opposes: (1) testing of 5G and the roll-out of 5G in County Sligo (2) calls on ComReg to deny licensing for its roll-out and (3) calls on the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment to establish the facts about the radiation impact of 5G”.
The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Paul Taylor thanked the 5G Action Group for taking the time to attend the meeting.
7. UPDATE ON TAKING IN CHARGE OF TEMPLEMANOR ESTATE, BALLINACARROW:
Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey
Seconded by Councillor M. Connolly
AND AGREED
“To ask Sligo County Council for an update on taking in charge (TIC) of Templemanor Estate, Ballinacarrow, Co. Sligo”.
On behalf of Director of Services, Ms. Dorothy Clarke, A/Senior Executive Planner, Ms. Mihaela Davidescu informed the meeting that on 8th March 2019, Sligo County Council received a request from the residents of Templemanor Estate to have the estate taken in charge. Inspections have been undertaken by the Roads and Water Services Sections to determine whether any remedial works are required to bring the estate up to a satisfactory standard to be taken in charge. Ms. Davidescu advised that fencing works are required around the pumping station and other minor civil works. It is planned to fund the works using the bond which has already been drawn down and to have the works completed within the next six months.
8. UPDATE ON SIGNAGE WITH ROAD NUMBERS ON LOCAL ROADS:
Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey
Seconded by Councillor M. Connolly
AND AGREED
“To ask Sligo County Council for an update on signage with road numbers on local roads”.
Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, advised that road signs for local roads at junctions with national roads and regional roads are in place and no funding is available at present to erect road number signage on local roads.
It was agreed that Item numbers 9 and 14 be taken together.
9. SETTING BACK OF TELECOM POLE ON ROAD 6802 0 AT CARROWGAVNEEN, COOLANEY:
Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey
AND AGREED
“To ask Sligo County Council to allocate funding to set back telecom pole on road 6802 0 at Carrowgavneen, Coolaney”.
AND
14. RE-LOCATION OF TELEGRAPH POLE FROM FOUR CROSSROADS JUNCTION AT SEEVINESS, COOLANEY:
Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan
AND AGREED
“To ask Sligo County Council, due to various accidents and its dangerous location, to contact Eir and get the telegraph pole moved at the 4 cross roads junction at Seeviness, Coolaney”.
Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, stated that the re-location of the Eir pole is a matter for the property owner and Eir to address.
Following queries from Members, Mr. Hughes and Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services reiterated that the matter is the responsibility of the householder and the Council cannot afford to re-locate telegraph poles.
10. TENDER ANNOUNCEMENT FOR UPGRADE OF N59 AT CASTLECONNOR:
Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor M. Clarke
AND AGREED
“To ask when will the tender be announced for the upgrade of the N59 road at Muddy Burns, Castleconnor?”
Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, advised that tenders have been received and following their assessment, the contract will be awarded to the lowest qualified bidder. It is envisaged that this will occur within the next 2-3 months.
12. DERELICT BOATS ON ENNISCRONE PIER:
Proposed by Councillor M. Clarke
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan
AND AGREED
“To call on the Enforcement Section of Sligo County Council to prepare a report on two boats that are parked on Enniscrone pier for more than 10 years that have fallen into dereliction”.
Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer informed Members that the Council’s Coastal and Marine Section engineers will take up the request with the boat owners.
Councillor Michael Clarke asked that Sligo County Council inform the boat owners that the boats will be removed within a specified time period e.g. six weeks due to their derelict state.
13. DISCUSSION ON PAY AND CONDITIONS OF ELECTED MEMBERS:
Proposed by Councillor M. Clarke
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney
AND AGREED
“To call on the Cathaoirleach and Members of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry to discuss the pay and conditions of Elected Members”.
A discussion took place in which Members highlighted the fact that the current pay and conditions of Elected Members prevented a number of potential candidates contesting the recent Local Elections.
It was then:
Proposed by Councillor M. Clarke
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney
AND AGREED
“To write to the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government requesting that the draft report on Councillor’s pay and conditions is referred to A.I.L.G. and L.A.M.A. before any decisions are made”.
It was agreed that Item numbers 15 and 21 be taken together.
15. UPDATE ON COOLRAWER BRIDGE CLOSURE:
Proposed by Councillor P. Taylor
Seconded by Councillor M. Connolly
AND AGREED
“To ask Sligo County Council for an update on the Coolrawer bridge closure on the Banada to Charlestown Road”.
AND
21. UPDATE ON DAMAGED BRIDGE ON CURRACUNNANE ROAD:
Proposed by Councillor M. Connolly
Seconded by Councillor P. Taylor
AND AGREED
“To ask Sligo County Council for an update on progress to the damaged bridge on the Curracunanne Road linking Charlestown and Banada”.
Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, informed Members that the contract for Coolrawer Bridge will be awarded shortly with the contractor due on site in late August/early September with the road due to re-open in mid-October. Contact is to be made with Bus Éireann in the meantime.
16. UPDATE ON RE-SURFACING OF PARKING AREAS IN ‘THE SQUARE’, TUBBERCURRY:
Proposed by Councillor P. Taylor
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey
AND AGREED
“To ask Sligo County Council for an update on resurfacing of the parking areas in The Square in Tubbercurry”.
Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, stated that funds are not available for the works at present but advised that such works could be considered as part of a Town and Village Renewal Scheme/Community Involvement Scheme in 2020 or a future Restoration Improvement Scheme, subject to funding.
17. SAFETY ISSUES AT MIDOO CROSSROADS, GURTEEN:
Proposed by Councillor P. Taylor
Seconded by Councillor M. Connolly
AND AGREED
“That Sligo County Council will address the dangers at Midoo crossroads in Gurteen village for the safety of motorists including parents accessing Carn National School”.
Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, informed the meeting that the junction in question is located within a 50 km/hr speed zone but due to its vertical alignment, access can be difficult at different times of the day. Mr. Hughes advised that no funding currently exists for sightline improvement work at the location but the location will be discussed with the Council’s Road Design Section with a view to submitting an application to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for a Low Cost Accident Scheme in 2020.
18. CUTTING BACK OF VERGES AT JUCTIONS AND BENDS ON ROADS:
Proposed by Councillor M. Baker
Seconded by Councillor P. Taylor
AND AGREED
“As a safety measure, to ask Sligo County Council to cut back verges at junctions and bends on our roads”.
Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, explained that no hedge/verge cutting along roads is permitted between 1st March and 31st August except for reasons of public safety as it is during this period that verge cutting is carried out along regional and national roads. Mr. Hughes stated that efforts will be made to cut back verges at some junctions for road safety purposes after 1st September subject to adequate resources being available.
19. WIDENING OF FOOTPATH AT GALLAGHER HOUSE, TUBBERCURRY FOR PEDESTRIAN AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY:
Proposed by Councillor M. Connolly
Seconded by Councillor P. Taylor
AND AGREED
“To call on the Director of Service for Infrastructure to widen approximately 3 meters of footpath at Gallagher House, Teeling Street, Tubbercurry to make it safe for wheelchair and pedestrian access”.
Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, advised that the location has been reviewed and works will be scheduled at the earliest opportunity.
20. ERECTION OF SPEED SIGNS IN ARD AISLING ESTATE, TUBBERCURRY:
Proposed by Councillor M. Connolly
Seconded by Councillor P. Taylor
AND AGREED
“I call on Sligo County Council to erect speed signs in Ard Aisling Estate, Charlestown Road, Tubbercurry”.
Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, informed the meeting that a 30 km/hr speed limit currently operates within the housing estate and slow zone signage is provided at the entrance to the estate. There are also several speed ramps along the internal routes and it would appear that no further signage is warranted at this time.
22. IMPROVEMENTS TO FOOTPATH ON GRATTAN STREET, BALLYMOTE:
Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey
AND AGREED
“To call on the Director of Services for Infrastructure to carry out the necessary improvements to the footpath on Grattan Street, Ballymote on the right hand side going towards Castlebaldwin”.
Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, advised that there is no funding available at present to carry out the substantial repairs necessary to this section of footpath. As there are a number of sections of footpath in the town that require replacement, each location will be considered depending on the funding available but the particular area will be discussed with the Area Engineer.
23. RIGHT OF WAY ON ROAD NUMBER L-14045:
Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey
AND AGREED
“To call on the Director of Services for Infrastructure to begin the process of extinguishing a right of way for 60 meters on road number L14045 at the most northern junction in Castlebaldwin village”.
Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, stated that the Ballymote Area Office will consider the request and consult with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in the matter. Mr. Hughes informed Members that if the request is proceeded with, public consultation will form part of the procedure for abandoning a public road as set out in the Roads Act 1993.
24. REPORT ON 2018 LOCAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME:
Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor M. Baker
AND AGREED
“To ask the Director of Services for Infrastructure to give a report on the number of roads improved under the 2018 Local Improvement Scheme, how much money was received and how many points were required for approval in the Ballymote-Tubbercurry area”.
Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, explained that the Dept. of Rural and Community Development allocated two rounds of Local Improvement Scheme funding in 2018 as follows:
Round 1 – an allocation of €282,000 was received on 27th February 2018. 10 no. schemes were carried out with this grant, 7 no. of which were in the Ballymote-Tubbercurry Municipal District.
Round 2 – an allocation of €324,870 was received in late 2018. 12 no. schemes were funded with this allocation, 10 no. of which were in the Ballymote-Tubbercurry Municipal District.
The minimum number of points for schemes in 2018 was 25-30 points.
Following the reply from Mr. Hughes, it was:
Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor M. Baker
AND AGREED
“To call on the Department of Rural and Community Development for an increased allocation for the Local Improvement Scheme (L.I.S.) in light of the number of applications received”.
25. ARRANGEMENTS FOR TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS:
It was agreed that future meetings be convened at 3 p.m. with the situation to be reviewed in six month’s time.
26. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
- Director of Services, Mr. Tom Kilfeather informed Members that Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer will be meeting Committee Members involved in the Owenmore Drainage Scheme to deliver a briefing on the programme of works. The meeting will take place on 1st August and Members were invited to attend.
- In reply to a query from Councillor Michael Clarke regarding the situation with Lough Talt, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, said that Mr. John Morris has been appointed Resident Engineer and it is anticipated that works will begin in September.
- Councillor Paul Taylor drew the meeting’s attention to a large amount of rubbish deposited on the lawn of a derelict house in Connolly Park, Tubbercurry and asked that the matter be dealt with as soon as possible.
The business of the meeting concluded at 16.55 p.m.
Meeting Date 29/07/2019