Ballymote-Tubbercurry Minutes 2021

Minutes of Meeting of The Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on Monday 15th February 2021 at 15.00 p.m. in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Martin Baker
  • Councillor Michael Clarke (Cathaoirleach)
  • Councillor Martin Connolly
  • Councillor Gerard Mullaney
  • Councillor Dara Mulvey
  • Councillor Joseph Queenan
  • Councillor Paul Taylor

   

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Tom Kilfeather, Deputy Chief Executive
  • Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services (via video link)
  • John Moran, A/Director of Services
  • Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services
  • Dónal Tinney, County Librarian (via video link)
  • Ultan McNasser, Executive Librarian (via video link)
  • Clodagh Quinn, Staff Officer

 

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 21ST DECEMBER 2020:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on 21st December 2020”.

 

2.  MATTERS ARISING:

There were no matters arising.

 

3. DORMANT ACCOUNT FUNDED SENSE-ABILITY LIBRARY PROJECT:

Mr. Dónal Tinney, County Librarian, outlined details of the joint pilot project between Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon Local Authorities which is co-funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) explaining that the project is a collaboration between the aforementioned partners to establish sensory services in each Local Authority library service.  The location for the project in Sligo is Ballymote Community Library with a possible extension to Tubbercurry Community Library at a later date.

Mr. Tinney advised that Sligo County Council will act as the lead authority for the administration of the project with Mr. Ultan McNasser, Executive Librarian, fulfilling the role of project co-ordinator.  Dr Dorothy Armstrong has been appointed as the project’s professional Occupational Therapist.

In terms of funding, Mr. Tinney informed Members that the total budget for the Sense-Ability project is €65,000.  Each Local Authority will receive grant assistance from DRCD in the amount of €19,500 which will be matched with each Local Authority’s own contribution of €2,166.

Members welcomed the report.

 

As Councillor Mulvey was not present at the meeting at this point, the Cathaoirleach proceeded with Item Numbers 7, 8 & 9.

 

7. INSPECTION OF CANOPIES, DOORS & WINDOWS IN MILLVIEW ESTATE, DROMORE WEST AND MAINTENANCE OF GREEN AREA:

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

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to carry out an inspection on the canopies and the doors and windows in Millview Estate, Dromore West and to provide funds for a ride on lawn mower for the residents to maintain the very large green area in this estate”.

On behalf of Mr. Joe Murphy, Senior Executive Officer, Mr. John Moran, A/Director of Services, informed the meeting that the Council will arrange for an inspection to be carried out when Covid-19 restrictions allow.

In relation to the provision of funds for a lawn mower, Mr. Moran advised that the Millview Residents Association received €250 under the 2020 Estate Enhancement Scheme and can apply for similar funding under the 2021 scheme which will be advertised shortly.

 

8. INCLUSION OF SLIGO IN THE PYRITE REDRESS SCHEME:

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

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to call on the Minister to include Sligo in the pyrite redress scheme”.

 

9. ERECTON OF DEER CROSSING SIGNS ON N59 AT LARKHILL, BELTRA:

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

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to erect deer crossing signs on the N59 at Larkhill, Beltra to the Coolaney turns as a number of deer have been killed with damage to vehicles and drivers”.

On behalf of Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer, A/Director of Services, Ms. Emer Concannon, confirmed that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (T.I.I.) have no objection to the signage and the Council will erect same on the N59 from Beltra to the Hungry Rock junction.

 

As Councillor Mulvey had now joined the meeting, the Cathaoirleach returned to Item Number 4.

 

4. RESURFACING OF PRIMROSE LANE, BALLYMOTE:

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

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to include resurfacing the short stretch of road at Primrose Lane, Ballymote which links the R293 with Wolfe Tone Street”.

On behalf of Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer, Ms. Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services, stated that the section of road in question is not included in the current Roadworks Programme and therefore a budget has not been allocated for the road. However, Ms. Concannon added that it will be considered for inclusion in the next three year Multi-Annual Restoration Improvement Programme commencing in 2022.

In reply, Councillor Mulvey asked if a costing on the works could be undertaken.

 

5. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR PUBLIC LIGHTING IN MUNICIPAL DISTRICT AREA:

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

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council if any funds are available for public lighting in our Municipal area?”.

On behalf of Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer, Ms. Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services, advised that at present, there is no capital funding for investment in new public lighting and the maintenance fund available is strictly for, and targeted at, the maintenance of the existing network.

Ms. Concannon went on to say that the public lighting budget for 2020 had a significant cost overrun and the current financial demand on 2021 funds in this regard is unprecedented hence any proposals cannot be considered in the short term.

While Members were disappointed with the contents of the report, Acting Chief Executive, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, noted that measures introduced as part of the Active Travel Scheme may include provision for public lighting in particular areas.

 

6. ERECTION OF SIGNAGE FOR PUBLIC CAR-PARK, THE ROCK, BALLYMOTE:

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

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council if signage can be erected to show the location of the new public car-park at the Rock, Ballymote?”.

On behalf of Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer, Ms. Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services confirmed that new signage is ordered and will be erected in the coming weeks.

 

10. COMMENCEMENT OF PROCESS TO MAKE PIER ROAD, ENNISCRONE ONE WAY TO TRAFFIC:

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

AND AGREED

“To ask the Director of Services when will Sligo County Council commence the process of making Pier Road, Enniscrone, one way?”.

Ms. Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services, on behalf of Mr. Tom Brennan, Senior Engineer, informed Members that in order to commence the process, public consultation would have to be undertaken to establish a consensus with stakeholders in the area to proceed with the proposal, including agreement from An Garda Síochána.

Ms. Concannon also advised that the re-routing of traffic from the R297 to the Pier Road (via the Cliff Road) would require various works including the installation of traffic and pedestrian signals and a footpath at the Pier Road/R297 junction.  Such works would have to be designed and funding sought for construction to enable the one-way system to be implemented.

 

11. CO-LOCATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS MASTS:

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

AND AGREED

“To ask the Director of Services for Planning to confirm that it is Sligo County Council policy that as far as possible, all telecommunications companies should co-locate on masts in the area?”.

Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services, referred Members to the relevant Sections of the Sligo County Development Plan 2017-2023 and guidance document “Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures – Guidelines for Planning Authorities” respectively which state that “operators should seek to co-locate their services by sharing a single mast or, if necessary, locating additional masts in cluster form”.

 

12. INCLUSION OF ROAD NUMBER L5904-4 IN CURRENT ROADS PROGRAMME:

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

AND AGREED

“To call on the Director of Services for Infrastructure to ensure that road number L5904-4 would be included in this year’s roads programme”.

On behalf of Senior Engineer, Mr. Tom Brennan, A/Director of Services, Ms. Emer Concannon, advised that the road in question is not on the current road programme but will be considered for the next three year Multi-Annual Restoration Improvement Programme commencing in 2022. Ms. Concannon confirmed that the Council will maintain the road in a reasonable condition until it is surfaced.

 

13. INCLUSION OF ROAD NUMBER L1904-0 IN THE NEXT THREE YEAR ROADS PROGRAMME:

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

AND AGREED

“To call on the Director of Services for Infrastructure to include road number L1904-0 in the next three year programme”.

On behalf of Senior Engineer, Mr. Tom Brennan, A/Director of Services, Ms. Emer Concannon, stated that the Council will consider inclusion of the road in the 2022-2024 Multi-Annual Restoration Improvement Programme.

 

14. INCLUSION OF ROAD NUMBER L5204-36 IN THE NEXT THREE YEAR ROADS PROGRAMME:

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

AND AGREED

“To call on the Director of Services for Infrastructure to include road number L5204-36 in the next three year programme”.

On behalf of Senior Engineer, Mr. Tom Brennan, A/Director of Services, Ms. Emer Concannon, said that the Council will consider inclusion of road number L-5204 in Drumee in the 2022-2024 Multi-Annual Restoration Improvement Programme.

 

15. CONFIRMATION OF OWNERSHIP OF NOS. 15 & 18 CONNOLLY PARK, TUBBERCURRY:

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

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to confirm ownership of No. 15 and No. 18 Connolly Park;

  • Does Sligo County Council own one or both of these properties?
  • If not, can the County Council identify the present owners?”

Director of Services, Ms. Dorothy Clarke, advised Members that Sligo County Council do not own either property.  Both are privately owned and the names of the owners have been previously identified by the Council’s Enforcement Section.  Ms. Clarke stated that the Planning Enforcement Section will carry out an inspection of the properties to ascertain their current condition.

In reply to a query from the Cathaoirleach regarding the use of a compulsory purchase order(s) on the properties to bring them into use for social housing, Ms. Clarke advised that the process is a lengthy one and an informed decision can be made once the properties have been inspected by the Planning Enforcement Section.

 

16. UNDERTAKING OF SAFETY MEASURES AT JUNCTION OF L5711 AND R361 IN KILLARAGHT:

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

AND AGREED

“To ask that safety measures be carried out to the junction of the L5711 with the R361 in Killaraght”.

On behalf of Senior Engineer, Mr. Tom Brennan, A/Director of Services, Ms. Emer Concannon, explained that the fence line was previously set back at the junction to improve sight lines and there is no funding at present to carry out further works. However, the junction may be considered for a safety improvement scheme in 2022.

 

17. MEASURES TO ADDRESS EXTRA LITTER ALONG ROADSIDES:

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

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council waste enforcement to work with communities to address the extra litter along our roadsides”.

On behalf of Ms. Siobhán Gillen, A/Administrative Officer, Ms. Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services, informed the meeting that National Spring Clean is due to take place in March and registration for community groups is now open with An Taisce. Arrangements can also be made with the Environment Section for collection of community clean-up material following scheduled “clean-up” days.

Members complimented Sligo County Council staff, Tidy Towns and GAA groups on their continued work in this area.

 

18. WIDENING OF JUNCTION AT TAUNAGH, RIVERSTOWN:

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

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to widen the junction at Taunagh, Riverstown”.

On behalf of Senior Engineer, Mr. Tom Brennan, A/Director of Services, Ms. Emer Concannon, confirmed that the Council do not have the necessary funding to carry out such works in the current year but will consider the project for a Safety Improvement Scheme in 2022.

 

19. CORRESPONDENCE:

None.

 

20. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

  • Votes of sympathy were recorded.
  • Councillor Martin Connolly proposed a vote of congratulations to Ms. Kathleen Kane on her induction into the LGFA Hall of Fame. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Joe Queenan.
  • Councillor Paul Taylor welcomed the Department of Transport allocation for regional and local road grants just announced.
  • The Cathaoirleach remembered Mr. Bernard Brennan (R.I.P.) who served as a judge in Roscommon and Donegal and said he will be greatly missed in the Tubbercurry area.
  • The Cathaoirleach also updated Members with information in relation to the Register of Electors.

  

The business of the meeting concluded at 15.55 p.m.

 


Meeting Date 15/02/2021