Ballymote-Tubbercurry Minutes 2020

Minutes of Meeting of The Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on Monday 21st December 2020 at 15.00 p.m. in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Michael Clarke (Cathaoirleach)
  • Councillor Martin Connolly
  • Councillor Gerard Mullaney
  • Councillor Dara Mulvey

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Tom Kilfeather, Deputy Chief Executive
  • Clodagh Quinn, Staff Officer

 

APOLOGIES/ABSENT:

  • Councillor Martin Baker
  • Councillor Joseph Queenan
  • Councillor Paul Taylor

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Michael Clarke, presided and welcomed those present to the meeting.

 

1.  MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BALLYMOTE-TUBBERCURRY HELD ON 19TH OCTOBER 2020 TO CONSIDER THE DRAFT 2021 BUDGETARY PLAN:

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on 19th October 2020 to consider the Draft 2021 Budgetary Plan”.

 

2.  MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BALLYMOTE-TUBBERCURRY HELD ON 19TH OCTOBER 2020:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on 19th October 2020”.

 

3.  MATTERS ARISING:

There were no matters arising.

 

4. PROVISION OF SAFETY BARRIER AT THE JUNCTION BETWEEN THE R293 & L1501:

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to consider erecting a safety barrier at the junction between the R293 and L1501, at the old Sligo Road, Ballymote. Recent drainage works and a steep drop are causing concern to motorists”.

On behalf of Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, Deputy Chief Executive, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, advised Members that recent drainage works along the R293 have not affected the verge width along the road. Mr. Kilfeather went on to explain that the provision of a safety barrier along the section of road in question would be costly and there is no funding available at present to carry out such works.

 

5. INVESTIGATION INTO FLOODING AT STONEPARK, BALLYMOTE:

Proposed by Councillor D. Mulvey
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

AND AGREED

“I call on Sligo County Council to investigate the winter flooding at Stonepark, Ballymote. The river flowing along the R293 and through the town park has overflowed its banks recently and affected business, homeowners and certain parts of the town park are impassable and water logged. Can a survey be carried out to identify if there are blockages and can funding be allocated or applied for as some homeowners say they cannot get insurance as a result of previous flooding?”.

On behalf of Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Deputy Chief Executive, informed the meeting that a survey of the drainage network will be carried out in early 2021 when water levels permit. A recent survey of the pipelines was undertaken and a blockage to a manhole was located and removed which may have contributed to the recent flooding issues together with above average rainfall over the previous two months.

 

6. VERGE STRENGTHENING ON R284:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

AND AGREED

“To compliment the Area Engineer, Area Supervisor and their team on the verge strengthening on the R284 and to request the Director of Services for Infrastructure to apply for additional funds for a similar scheme where verges require strength on this road”.

On behalf of Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, Deputy Chief Executive, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, stated that an application for further funding has been submitted to the Department for continuation of verge filling works along the R284.

 

7. INCLUSION OF L51032 ON FUTURE ROADS PROGRAMME:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

AND AGREED

“To call on the Director of Services for Infrastructure to ensure that road number L51032 is included on a future roads programme for upgrade”.

On behalf of Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, Deputy Chief Executive, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, confirmed that the road in question will be considered for inclusion in the next Multi-Annual Restoration Improvement Programme commencing in 2022.

 

8. REVIEW OF SPEED LIMIT ON L15016 AT CARRIGANS:

Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor D. Mulvey

AND AGREED

“To call on the Director of Services for Infrastructure to review the speed limit on road number L15016 Carrigans with a view to reducing it”.

On behalf of Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Deputy Chief Executive, informed the meeting that the current guidelines do not support reducing the speed limits on local roads. The default speed limit on the road in question is 80 km/h with Mr. Kilfeather advising that motorists should drive at a safe speed considering the standard of the road.

Members were further advised that the possibility of installing signage at the location could be explored.

 

9. DEVELOPMENT OF FACILITIES AT DUNMORAN BEACH:

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

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to liaise with Skreen/Dromard Community Council with regard to the development of facilities at Dunmoran Beach: (1) an extension to the car park (2) provision of showers, changing rooms, male, female and disabled toilets (3) to widen and upgrade the road leading to the beach”.

On behalf of Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Deputy Chief Executive, advised as follows:

  • Sligo County Council will liaise with Skreen/Dromard Community Council in relation to Dunmoran Beach.
  • There is no current funding available to carry out an extension to the car-park.
  • The Environment Section provide a disabled and standard toilet during the bathing season. There is no funding available at present for the provision of shower units/changing rooms/permanent toilets at the location.
  • Sligo County Council do not receive grants for widening local roads such as the one in question. 2 no. passing bays were provided in 2020 and locations where the carriageway can be widened and additional passing bays provided will be examined.
  • Sligo County Council will liaise with T.A.R.A. in relation to facilities at Aughris Pier however there is no funding for the provision of new facilities at the location at present.
  • There is no funding to provide facilities such as showers/changing rooms, male/female/disabled toilets at Trawee beach at present.
  • Warning signs to keep dogs on leads will be erected shortly.
  • There is no funding available to develop a car-park at Trawee beach.
  • The bridge wall will be repaired in early 2021.

Mr. Kilfeather added that in 2021, priority needs to be given to bringing toilet facilities up to the required standard at both Rosses Point and Enniscrone beaches to enable them to be considered for Blue Flag status.

 

10. DEVELOPMENT OF FACILITIES AT AUGHRIS PIER & TRA-WEE BEACH:

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

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to liaise with T.A.R.A. with regard to development of facilities at Aughris Pier and the provision of showers, changing rooms, male, female and disabled toilets and at Tra-Wee beach: (1) to erect warning signs to keep dogs on leads (2) to develop a car-park (3) to repair wall on the bridge”.

On behalf of Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Deputy Chief Executive, informed the meeting as follows:

 

11. LOUGH TALT FEASIBIILITY STUDY:

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

AND AGREED

“Now that the new treatment plant at Lough Talt is in operation, I am asking Sligo County Council in conjunction with Irish Water, to do a feasibility study with a view to supplying the 10 households around the lake currently using untreated water with treated water”.

On behalf of Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Deputy Chief Executive, advised that the situation with the households concerned is being examined by the Rural Water Section in Sligo County Council’s Water Services Department. There are a few options through which connections can be made with the most viable being forming a Group Water Scheme and then applying for a connection.

 

12. REMOVAL OF BEND ON MOUNTAIN ROAD, TUBBERCURRY:

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

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to remove the bend on the Mountain Road at the ESB sub-station to increase visibility for walkers and vehicles using this road”.

On behalf of Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, Deputy Chief Executive, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, informed Members that there is no funding available at present to permit the purchase of the required lands and undertake the widening of this section of the Mountain Road. However, the Council will undertake a feasibility study of the works required with the hope of lodging an application for a Low Cost Accident Scheme in 2021.

Following confirmation from Councillor Connolly that agreement from landowners would be forthcoming, the matter will be further explored by the Area Engineer.

 

13. CORRESPONDENCE:

Noted. 

 

14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Jerome and Orlagh Clarke, Finod, Easkey, Co. Sligo on the death of Jerome’s father Leonard”.

 

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Tom and Mary McManus, Pier Road, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo on the death of their son Paul”.

 

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Martina and Ciaran Flatley, Ballygreighan House, Templeboy, Co. Sligo on the death of their son Tyler”.

 

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Pat Flatley, Ballygreighan House, Templeboy, Co. Sligo on the death of his grandson Tyler”.

 

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Esther Sheridan, Knockacullen, Dromore West, Co. Sligo on the death of her husband John”.

 

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

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Michael Sheridan, Knockacullen, Dromore West, Co. Sligo on the death of his brother John”.

 

  • Members highlighted the difficulties that many rural communities are experiencing at the present time in paying costs such as insurance for playgrounds etc. Councillor Clarke paid tribute to the Mullinabreena community who recently raised circa €60,000 to purchase a community pub/shop.
  • The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Clarke, complimented the Council’s outdoor staff for all work undertaken throughout the year.

 

The business of the meeting concluded at 15.30 p.m.

 


Meeting Date 21/12/2020