Ballymote - Tubbercurry Minutes 2023

Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry Held on Monday 24th July, 2023 at 1.30 Pm In Teach Laighne, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo.


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

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

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services
  • Paul O’Rourke, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Bernard Scott, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Dessie Sloyan, Executive Engineer
  • David Golden, Executive Engineer
  • Joseph Devaney, Executive Engineer
  • Adrian Grandison, Executive Engineer
  • Sarah McNamara, Staff Officer

 

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Martin Bourke, Regional Operations Manager, Region West, TII.
  • Edward Warren, Chartered Engineer, Technical Director, Roughan & O’Donovan, Consulting Engineers.

 

1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BALLYMOTE-TUBBERCURRY HELD ON 22nd MAY, 2023:

PROPOSED BY: COUNCILLOR P. MULVEY
SECONDED BY: COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on 22nd May, 2023.”

 

2. MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BALLYMOTE-TUBBERCURRY HELD ON 19th JUNE, 2023:

“To confirm the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on 19th June,  2023.”

 

3. PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF STRATEGIC ROAD MAINTENCE FACILITY AT DRUMFIN:

Mr. Joseph Queenan, Chairman welcomed Mr. Martin Bourke, Regional Operations Manager, Region West, TII and Mr. Edward Warren, Chartered Engineer, Technical Director, Roughan & O’Donovan, Consulting Engineers to the meeting together with Mr. Bernard Scott, A/Senior Engineer, Sligo RDO.

Mr. Bourke and Mr. Warren presented the plan for the proposed construction of a Strategic Road Maintenance Facility at Drumfin.  Mr. Bourke confirmed the purchase of the land required subject to the grant of Planning Permission.  It was also confirmed that this depot will replace the current County Council depot in Geevagh.

All the members present welcomed the proposal.

Councillor D. Mulvey requested that the TII carry out an evaluation on the L1502 which has seen a large increase in traffic since the N4 CCRD was opened.

Mr. Bernard Scott SEE added that the proposal will be advertised in the Sligo Champion dated 26th July, 2023 and the proposal will be on the agenda for the Plenary Council Meeting in October.

 

4. UPDATE CROI CONAITHE TOWNS FUND (VACANT PROPERTY REFURBISHMENT GRANT):

Mr. Adrian Grandison, Executive Engineer presented an update on Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund (Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant). Mr. Grandison answered queries presented e.g., confirmed Utility Bills used to ascertain the property is vacant, must be roofed, etc. Mr. Grandison confirmed all information is available on the Council’s website.

 

5. ACTIVE TRAVEL UPDATE:

Mr. Paul O’Rourke, SEE gave an update on all projects currently being undertaken under the Active Travel Programme. He confirmed Coolaney/Rockfield design is complete - Mr. O’Rourke to contact Councillor Dara Mulvey when meeting with landowners. Cycle Parking to be installed before the end of the year; Enniscrone Footpaths to be completed - Pier Road footpaths and safety zone near the school; Extension of footpaths on Ballina Road, Tubbercurry to be carried out also.

Following discussion, Mr. O’Rourke confirmed the NTA funding under Active Travel is to enhance modal shift to walking and cycling. It is origin - destination based and primarily urban. Land purchase is sometimes required. General consensus of Meeting that funding for footpaths should be positively discriminated towards this MD, as Active Travel funding is limited.

 

6. TAKING IN CHARGE RURAL ROADS:

Mr. Emer Concannon A/DOS informed the meeting that 74% of local roads in the County are in the Ballymote Tubbercurry MD. She added to take a road in charge, the road must be of general public utility and a public right of way must exist over the road. The Roads Authority must consider the financial implications of taking on responsibility for additional public roads.  Sligo County Council does not have the resources to take in charge additional roads at present, as CIS funding is not adequate.

Following a lengthy discussion Ms. Concannon A/DOS agreed that the relevant Area Engineer would evaluate 4 No. roads in the MD Area (6-8km in total), to determine their suitability for TIC, and cost any potential pothole repair required. It was agreed that the number of roads looked at would be limited to these 4 No; Any road TIC; would not be added to the Annual Roads Programme, that CIS is more appropriate; TIC will not be revisited for 3 years.

The Cathaoirleach and members thanked Ms. Concannon A/DOS for her commitment to this matter.

 

7. MATTERS ARISING:

No item was raised.

 

8. TIC ROAD AT BUNNINA DROMARD:

This notice of motion was agreed at item 6 above.

 

9. SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS N17:

PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR D. MULVEY:
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR P TAYLOR

AND AGREED:

“Can Sligo County Council give an update on safety improvements works for motorists who are exiting daily out on to the very busy N17 road particularly from Tubbercurry towards Ballinacarrow.”

Mr. Noel Haran, SEE informed the meeting that Sligo County Council are currently progressing 2 No. safety schemes which deal with visibility issues at N17 junctions - N17 Muckelty and N17 Gilmartin.

There are 10 No. “Work In Progress” (WIP) schemes on the N59, N15 and N17 which must be closed-out prior to looking at any new safety scheme proposals.

 

10. TRAFFIC CALMING R296 CARROWNANTY BALLYMOTE:

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

AND AGREED

 “I call on Sligo County Council to put traffic calming measures such as Solar speed indicator signs to be fitted on road R296 at Carrownanty Ballymote due to excessive speed and volumes of traffic entering and exiting the town”. 

Mr. Noel Haran, SEE reported that Sligo County Council do not have sufficient funding to erect the signage in 2023. The funding required may be applied for under Non-National Road Safety Improvement Scheme in 2024.

Mr. Dessie Sloyan, EE agreed to contact the Road Design Office regarding solar speed indicator signs.

 

11. INTERMITTENT MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE COOLANEY AREA:

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

AND AGREED:

“To ask Sligo County Council to write to Eir asking why has there been repeated intermittent mobile phone coverage in the Coolaney area recently.   Customers unable to make outgoing calls, cannot receive calls, Mobile data not working. 

Also to ask what plans Eir have to increase fibre capacity in Coolaney exchange. I understand full capacity has been reached on the Eir fibre cabinet at the entrance to the community park and Eir are only activating new fibre service when a line is freed up through cancellation. 

Any new activations are only being offered a maximum 20MB download service rather than the typical 80-100mb fibre speeds.  

Coolaney and the surrounding area is very built up with many new houses and customers.”

It was agreed that the Municipal District Administrator contact Eir regarding the above.

 

12. PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING CLOGHOGUE SCHOOL:

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR G. MULLANEY
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to provide a Pedestrian Crossing at Cloghogue School on the L1604 close to Castlebaldwin in the interest of public safety.” 

Mr. Noel Haran, SEE reported that Sligo County Council do not have funding in 2023 for this scheme. This scheme may be considered in 2024 under a Non-National Safety Improvement Scheme.

Applications for the Non-National Safety Improvement Schemes will be applied for in September 2023. 

Mr. Dessie Sloyan, EE agreed to meet Councillors on site to investigate this matter further.

 

13. ENHANCEMENT WORKS FLYNN’S PIER LOUGH ARROW:

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR G. MULLANEY
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR

AND AGREED:

“To call on Sligo County Council to carry out enhancement works including surface dressing, fencing, and improving of boat launching area at Flynn's Pier Lough Arrow. Eir Code (F52P682 for house across the road)” 

Mr. Noel Haran SEE informed the meeting that the area referred to at Flynn’s Pier is not in the ownership of Sligo County Council.

Applications for funding to carry out the works below should be made to Inland Fisheries Ireland as they control the inland fishing areas in the country and provide grants to fishing clubs for such works. 

 

14. PULLAHENNEY PEIR:

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

AND AGREED:

 “A.   To call on Sligo County Council to provide an update on Pullaheeney pier. Has an application been made to extend the pier out so that fishermen can land their catch at all tides and also the large number sea swimmers can also use the a pier,
B. will the Council provide picnic table and seating at this location. “ 

Mr. Noel Haran SEE reported as follows:

A. Pullaheeney Pier will see its navigation lights upgraded this year. Structural work to the existing pier is being investigated in preparation for a grant application for next year.
A pier extension is not considered warranted, as the pier is accessible at all times, except for a few hours during low Spring tides every month. In addition, a pier extension would require a foreshore licence, environmental assessments and underwater archaeological surveys which, along with design works, are not eligible for grant funding from DAFM. These costs would have to be funded from Sligo County Council own resources.  

B. There is currently no funding available for the installation of a picnic table and seating at Pullaheeney Pier.

It is further noted that coastal works have been carried out in this area.

Following discussion, Ms. E. Concannon, A/DOS agreed to meet the Councillors on site to discuss this matter.

 

15. HOUSE REPAIRS WEST SLIGO:

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

AND AGREED:

“To call on Sligo County Council to prepare a report on house repairs and estate repairs in west Sligo.

1, fencing in Archers cottages and Woodland Crescent estates
2, Doors, windows and 2 Canopies in Millview, Dromore West.
3, No 36 to 46 Woodlawns, Enniscrone. various issue.
4, Back door and issues in 34 Fair Green Dromore West.”

Mr. Noel Haran SEE provided a comprehensive report on all above provided by the Housing Section.

The funding for Planned Maintenance for 2023 in the sum of €220,000 has already been allocated.  Funding decisions for the 2024 Planned Maintenance Programme will be made in late 2023/early 2024. This will be subject to availability of funding.

Councillors Clarke and Queenan thanked the Executive for the extensive reply.

 

16. HSE SERVICES SKREEN HEALTH CENTRE:

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

AND AGREED:

“To call on Sligo County Council to write to the HSE to restore day care services for older people at Skreen Health Centre and recruit more home help persons to provide adequate services to our senior citizens in West Sligo.”

It was agreed that the Municipal District Administrator contact the HSE regarding the above.

 

17. VOTES OF SYMPATHY:

No votes of sympathy.

 

18. VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK:

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLORS MULVEY, TAYLOR AND MULLANEY:
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR CLARKE:

AND AGREED:

“that a vote of congratulations be extended to Mr. Brian Colsh, Lisanney Beg, Rathmullen, Ballymote, Co. Sligo on his recent winning of a Gold Medal in the Final of the World U23 Rowing Championships in Bulgaria.  Congratulations are also extended to Brians teammate Konan Pazzaia.

 

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR:
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR G. MULLANEY:

AND AGREED:

“that a vote of good luck be extended to the Sligo U16 girls team in the upcoming All Ireland B Final and to the Sligo Girls Minor Team in the All Ireland B final on this coming Saturday.”  

 

19. CORRESPONDENCE:

No correspondence to note.

 

20. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

Monday, 18th September, 2023 at 1.30pm in Teach Laighne.

 

21. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

A discussion took place regarding rising costs of materials at the present time and the high costs of replacement of footpaths, etc. Not enough footpath work can be done.

 

The business of the meeting concluded at 3.30pm.

 

 

 


Meeting Date 24/07/2023