Ballymote-Tubbercurry Minutes 2021

Minutes of Meeting of The Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on Monday 20th September 2021 at 4.00 p.m. in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

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

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Martin Lydon, Chief Executive
  • Jim Molloy, Director of Services
  • Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
  • Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services
  • Donal Tinney, County Librarian (virtually)
  • Jane Golden, Staff Officer

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Martin Connolly, presided and welcomed Mr. Martin Lydon and Mr. Jim Molloy to their first Ballymote – Tubbercurry Municipal District meeting.  Two students from Kempten, Germany who are on placement with Sligo County Council were also welcomed to the meeting.

 

1.  MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BALLYMOTE-TUBBERCURRY HELD ON 21st JUNE 2021:

PROPOSED BY: COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR
SECONDED BY: COUNCILLOR J. QUEENAN

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on 21st June 2021”.

 

2.  MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BALLYMOTE-TUBBERCURRY HELD ON 21st JUNE 2021:

PROPOSED BY: COUNCILLOR G. MULLANEY
SECONDED BY: COUNCILLOR D. MULVEY

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote – Tubbercurry held on 21st June 2021”.

 

3.  MATTERS ARISING:

Councillor G. Mullaney requested an update on the removal of the telegraph pole in Ballymote which was on the agenda of the previous Municipal District meeting.

Ms. E. Concannon gave a brief update stating that the area engineer was advancing the works.

 

4.  TII TO CONDUCT A SURVEY LOOKING AT PUTTING A RIGHT TURNING LANE ON N4 TO SERVE LOCAL ROAD L58017:

PROPOSED BY: COUNCILLOR G. MULLANEY
SECONDED BY: COUNCILLOR D. MULVEY

AND AGREED

“To call on the TII to conduct an engineering survey to investigate the possibility of putting in place a right turning lane on the N4 to serve local road L58017.”

Ms. E. Concannon gave a report and stated that this request will be discussed with the TII Safety Section who will survey the area in question and will then make a determination on the matter.

 

5.  STRATEGY FOR HONOURING PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS:

PROPOSED BY: COUNCILLOR J. QUEENAN
SECONDED BY: COUNCILLOR M. CONNOLLY

AND AGREED

“Ask the County Librarian, Mr Donal Tinney to advise elected members in their efforts in drawing up a strategy to honour a person or persons who have made a significant contribution in their area.”

Mr. D Tinney gave a response from the perspective of the Decade of Centenaries commemoration and Government guidelines.  The members were informed that The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media had convened an Expert Group to draft guidelines, Appendix A Local Legacies 1921/2021: The Community Strand of the 2021 Decade of Centenaries Programme, which were issued to all Local Authorities in December 2020.  Appendix A contains advice, direction, suggestions and rules for Local Authorities to follow in commemorating the 1921/2021 centenary Community Strand.

Mr. D. Tinney stated that the Sligo County Council Decade of Centenary Steering Group are utilising Section F of the Guidelines to commemorate Sligonians who paid the ultimate price in the War of Independence.  It is intended to plant a commemorative tree in honour of four people, namely, Henry Kelly, Thomas McDonagh, Thomas Howley and Martin Savage, in the community from which they came.  Trees will be planted in October. 

The importance of involving the Enniscrone Community Council and the Thomas Howley Committee in the identification of the location of the commemorative tree for Thomas Howley was highlighted by members.

It was emphasised that the Guidelines also advised that a sustainability plan needs to be examined and put in place to order to ensure proper maintenance in subsequent years of any commemorative gardens/groves.

Members complimented Mr. D. Tinney on the work that he had done to date.

Members discussed the need for a review of the procedures required when naming bridges/public buildings after local people.  It was felt that local knowledge was important and should be taken into consideration first within Municipal Districts before decisions being brought for consideration and ratification at a Plenary Council Meeting.

Mr. M. Lydon stated that a Procedures Meeting needed to be convened to discuss the procedure involved in the naming of places after local people and other matters pertaining to Municipal Districts.  It was highlighted that it will be the elected members who will be making these decisions. 

 

6.  ASK IRISH WATER TO CONFIRM THAT SEWERAGE PLANT IN CARROWHUBBOCK, ENNISCRONE IS FIT FOR PURPOSE:

PROPOSED BY: COUNCILLOR J. QUEENAN
SECONDED BY: COUNCILLOR M. CLARKE

AND AGREED

“Ask Irish Water to confirm that sewerage plant in Carrowhubbock, Enniscrone is fit for purpose regarding the huge numbers of people that visited Enniscrone 2021.”

Ms E. Concannon advised that Sligo County Council had written to Irish Water and a response had been received.  Irish Water stated that, to date, in 2021 the plant had been operating satisfactorily and was compliant with all EPA licence requirements bar a small number of elevated Ammonia and Total Oxidised Nitrogen samples.  The Wastewater Treatment Plant and associated Pumping Stations had been inspected on a daily basis during the summer bathing season given the increase in the tourist trade during this time.

This update was welcomed by the members.  The need to continually monitor the situation was highlighted given the ever increasing numbers of tourists to the area.  Members referred to other areas within the county which are similarly affected, particularly during the summer season.

Ms E. Concannon gave an update on a separate meeting held with Irish Water regarding the Storm Water Tank at Easkey. Irish Water have committed to advancing the Storm Water Tank at Easkey.

 

7.  KILMORGAN OLD CEMETRY GRASS CUTTING/SCRUB REMOVAL:

PROPOSED BY: COUNCILLOR G. MULLANEY
SECONDED BY: COUNCILLOR D. MULVEY

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to survey Kilmorgan old cemetery to allow grass cutting and scrub removal”

Ms. E. Concannon gave a report stating that there are strict requirements to be complied with before carrying out work at Burial Grounds.  The Area Engineer will discuss this with the Heritage Officer and then revert to Councillor G. Mullaney.

Members highlighted that this was an issue in many old cemeteries around the county.

 

8.  ROAD UPGRADE COOLANEY TO TEMPLEBOY:

PROPOSED BY: COUNCILLOR M. CLARKE
SECONDED BY: COUNCILLOR D. MULVEY

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to upgrade the road from Coolaney to Templehouse and in particular the 300 yards of Bog Road near Eircode F56N230"

Ms. E. Concannon informed the members that this section of road would be considered for inclusion in the draft 2022 Restoration Improvement Programme.

This update was welcomed by the members who congratulated Sligo County Council on the quality of work completed on roads within the County to date.

 

9.  INCREASE SIGNAGE ON TWO PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS ON BACK ROAD (N17):

PROPOSED BY: COUNCILLOR M. CONNOLLY
SECONDED BY: COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to increase the signage approaching the two pedestrian crossings on the back road (N17) Tubbercurry with a view to making both safer for pedestrians to cross”

Ms. E. Concannon informed the members that the road marking at this crossing are scheduled to be refreshed in October.  The upgrading of signage will be discussed with TII.

Safety concerns regarding the crossing at Church Street, Tubbercurry was highlighted by members.  Ms. E. Concannon agreed to bring these concerns to the attention of TII.

 

10.  CORRESPONDENCE:

Correspondence was noted.  Progress on the new Health Care Centre in Tubbercurry was welcomed.

 

11.  ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

Date of next Meeting – Monday 15th November at 4.00pm.

The Cathaoirleach thanked the Executive and everyone for attending.

The meeting concluded at 4.40pm.

 


Meeting Date 20/09/2021