Ballymote - Tubbercurry Minutes 2024

Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry Held on Monday 20th May, 2024 at 12pm 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 Michael Clarke
  • Councillor Martin Baker

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Ms. Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services
  • Mr. Noel Haran, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr. David Golden, Executive Engineer
  • Mr. Conleth Whelan, Assistant Engineer
  • Ms. Ruth Hanniffy, Biodiversity Officer
  • Mr. Adrian Grandison, Executive Engineer, Vacant Homes  Officer
  • Mrs. Sarah McNamara, Staff Officer

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Joseph Queenan presided and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICAL DISTRICT OF BALLYMOTE-TUBBERCURRY HELD ON 25TH MARCH, 2024:

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 25TH March, 2024.”

 

2. MATTERS ARISING:

No item was raised.

Due to the delayed arrival of Ms. Ruth Hanniffy, Biodiversity Officer and Mr. Adrian Grandison Executive Engineer, Vacant Homes Officer to the meeting, it was unanimously agreed to defer items 3 and 4 on the agenda until later in the meeting.

 

5. SECTION 11 OF THE ROADS ACT 1993 – PUBLIC ROADS:

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

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council commence the process of taking in charge the following roads by instigating the necessary procedures under Section 11 of the Roads Act, 1993, that the roads listed hereunder to be public roads.

(i) Road commencing at junction with L4803-0, north and east to terminate at junction with road L4801-0 in the townland of Lislea, Aclare in the Barony of Leyny.

(ii) Road commencing at the junction with L3700 in the townland of Cloongad south west and south east to its termination point at L14043 in the townland of Lecarrow, Castlebaldwin.

(iii) Road commencing at the junction with L2204 north east and south east in   the townland of Buninna, Dromard.”

 

6. FLOODING AT BALLINACARROW:

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

AND AGREED

“I ask Sligo County what works can be put in place to solve the flooding issue for residents  at F56 NY72 Ballinacarrow.

The drain along the footpath- N17 road below Silverdale estate Ballinacarrow appears to be inadequate for the amount of running water where the footpath is thus flooding into residents driveway.”

Mr. Noel Haran, SEE informed the meeting there is currently no funding available within the National Roads General Maintenance fund for a project of this scale, but this MD will discuss the extension of the surface drainage network in Ballinacarrow with the TII for consideration as part of any future works in Ballinacarrow, such as structural overlay works, Active Travel scheme or Low-Cost Accident scheme.

 

7. REQUEST FOR WORKS AT CARROWLEAM COOLANEY:

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

AND AGREED

 “I ask Sligo County Council to fit-coloured chevrons at Carrowleam Coolaney on the village side of house F56 YX62 due to the camber in the road, which drivers have reported vehicles are veering off the road into the drain.” 

Mr. Noel Haran SEE reported that the Tubbercurry Engineering Area office will review this location over the coming weeks with the view of undertaking works to improve carriageway definition / bend widening to improve road safety at this location. 

Councillor Mulvey thanked Mr. Haran for his positive reply.

 

8. REQUEST FOR WORKS AT PORTINCH ROAD BALLYMOTE:

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

AND AGREED

“I call on Sligo County Council to build up the road sidings at Portinch, Ballymote on road L1603, near the entrance to Eagles flying which is a big summer tourist attraction. The road has bad dips and drivers are wary of meeting other vehicle at this location.” 

Mr. Noel Haran SEE reported that SCC do not have the funding to carry out side filling to this section of road. This is a local primary road with a constant verge width throughout the road. This section of road will be included on the 2025-2027 road improvement programme and the verge may be improved if required during the road improvement works. 

Following further discussion, it was agreed that Councillor Mulvey forward photographs of the area to Mr. Haran SEE for further investigation.

 

9. UPDATE ON TAWNAGH GWSS UPGRADE:

PROPOSED BY: COUNCILLOR G. MULLANEY
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR M. BAKER

AND AGREED

“To request a update on the Tawnagh Group Water Scheme upgrade.” 

Mr. Noel Haran SEE read the following reply as received from Uisce Eireann “The Tawnagh Group Water Scheme’s application for Community Water Connection funding under the 2024 -2026 Multi Annual Rural Water Programme was submitted to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on Friday 12th April 2024.

The Department subsequently confirmed receipt of application. 

An expert panel from the Department will now evaluate all applications received from all Local Authorities and will inform the Local Authorities in due course after their evaluations are complete. 

We will inform Tawnagh Group Water Scheme accordingly, when this evaluation process is complete, and Sligo County Council has been notified of the expert panel recommendations.” 

 

10. PROPOSED WORKS ON JUNCTIONS ON N17:

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

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to prepare a report with design drawings of proposed works on dangerous junctions on the N17.” 

Mr. Noel Haran SEE reported the only funding stream available for perceived ‘dangerous junctions’ on the National Road Network is through Safety Improvement Schemes. TII carry out Road Safety Inspections and Network Safety Analysis on the National Road network based on collision frequency and collision rate. Once high-risk locations have been identified through this process, Local Authorities including Sligo County Council are notified and prioritise schemes to progress through to construction in accordance with TII processes and procedures for Safety Improvement Schemes.  

Following the last round of Network Safety Analysis, two junction improvement schemes and a pedestrian permeability scheme were identified on the N17 National Primary Road Network. SCC has been unable to secure lands to progress one of the junction improvement schemes (namely at the N17-L84015 junction at Muckelty Td.) and is at Preliminary Design stage for the second scheme (namely at the N17-L45048 junction at Cashel South Td). The pedestrian permeability scheme which is in Ballinacarrow Village (namely at the N17-L6108 junction) is also at Preliminary Design stage. Design drawings will be prepared for both schemes during the next stage in the process, which is Design and Procurement, subject to TII approval of the Preliminary Design stage.   

Councillor Clarke expressed his disappointment with the reply and Members agreed that progress has not been made in the last 5 years.  Members requested that TII take the upgrade of the N17 more seriously.  Ms. Emer Concannon A/DOS confirmed that funding for the N17 Tubbercurry Bypass and Charlestown Bypass elements of the overall N17 Knock to Collooney Scheme are currently being funded. 

 

11. REQUEST FOR REPORT ON BRIDGES IN WEST SLIGO.

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

AND AGREED:

“To call on Sligo County Council to prepare a report on bridges in west Sligo. Dangerous bridge near F91 KT6K.  Bridge near F91 T213, Bridge at Tra Bhui and Taylors Bridge.” 

Mr. Noel Haran SEE reported as follows:

Gerrib Little  Bridge (F91 KT6K): 

This Bridge will be included in an application to the Department of Transport in 2024 for funding for Bridge Rehabilitation works in 2025. 

Ardnaglass Bridge (F91 T213):

This Bridge will be included in the 2024 application to the Department of Transport for funding for Bridge Rehabilitation works in 2025. 

Bridge at Tra Bhui:

New railings are being installed on this Bridge in 2024.  

Taylors Bridge:

Funding of €75,000 was allocated to Taylors Bridge under the 2024 Bridge Rehabilitation Programme. The Council has engaged consultants to carry out a detailed design on widening of the Bridge deck.”

Councillor Clarke thanked the Executive for the funding for works at Tra Bhui.

 

12. CALL TO ABOLISH THE UNIVERSAL SOCIAL CHARGE:

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

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council calls on the Minister for Finance Michael McGrath and the Government to abolish the Universal Social Charge (USC) for working families with school children in this year's budget.”

It was agreed that Ms. Sarah McNamara, Meeting Administrator write to the Minister for Finance as outlined above. 

 

3. UPDATE ON CROÍ CÓNAITHE TOWNS FUND (VACANT PROPERTY REFURBISHMENT GRANT):

Mr. Adrian Grandison, Executive Engineer, Vacant Homes Officer reported the update as circulated on the scheme to the Members present.  Cathaoirleach Joe Queenan and all the Members thanked Mr. Grandison for his updates and the professional manner in which he dealt with them and the members of the public with this new scheme.  

 

4. UPDATE ON THE PREPARATION OF A COUNTY SLIGO BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN:

Ms. Ruth Hanniffy, Biodiversity Officer introduced herself to the Members and outlined the Co. Sligo Biodiversity Action Plan.  A working group has been compiled and she welcomed comments and recommendations from the Elected Members. 

Cathaoirleach Joe Queenan together with all the Members welcomed Ms. Hanniffy and they look forward to the results of the work she is carrying out.  He added it is very important to keep an open line of communication with all state bodies.

 

13. VOTES OF SYMPATHY:

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

AND AGREED

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs. Patricia Gilmartin on the recent death of her husband Paudge,  RIP.”

 

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

AND AGREED

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Mr. Murdeach Kerrigan on the recent death of his sister Phyllis, RIP.”

 

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

AND AGREED

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Mr. Gabriel Healy on the recent death of his sister Angela, RIP.”

 

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

AND AGREED

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Mr. Vincent Kelly on the recent death of his brother Joe, RIP.”

 

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

AND AGREED

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs. Pauline Coady on the recent death of her husband George, RIP.”

 

15. CORRESPONDENCE:

(i) Reply dated 17.4.2024 from TFI Local Link – route 977.

 

16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

To be confirmed.

 

17. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

(i) GOOD WISHES TO COUNCILLOR MARTIN BAKER:

Cathaoirleach Joe Queenan congratulated Councillor Martin Baker on his 20 years of service as County Councillor in the MD.  All Members thanked Councillor Baker for his hard work on behalf of his constituents and the general MD area.  Councillor Bakers’ influence in having the budget passed was commended.  Members noted that Councillor Baker is held in very high esteem throughout the County at large.  Ms. Emer Concannon A/DOS on behalf of the Council Executive thanked Councillor Baker for always being respectful and professional in dealing with staff.  Councillor Baker was wished good health to enjoy his retirement.

 

(ii) CIS SCHEMES:

Councillor Taylor requested going forward that more funding be allocated by Government to the CIS Schemes.

 

(iii) CATHAOIRLEACH THANKS:

Cathaoirleach Joe Queenan together with the Members thanked the Council Executive, Staff both indoor and outdoor, the media and all who dealt with the MD over the past 5 years.  The Members thanked Cathaoirleach Joe Queenan for his professionalism in acting as Chairperson and acknowledged the very good team work carried out by Members on behalf of the entire MD.

 

(iv) COUNCILLOR MARTIN BAKER:

Outgoing Councillor Martin Baker noted his thanks to the Cathaoirleach, for his friendship over the years.  Councillor Baker mentioned the MD Members worked for the betterment of the MD Area and for the advancement of the MD and its residents.  He thanked all the staff of Sligo County Council and especially those present.  Councillor Baker thanked his cousin Stephen Devine who attended the meeting with him and looks forward to a happy retirement with this family.  He wished all Members good luck in the forthcoming Local Elections.

 

END OF MEETING:

The meeting ended at 1.25pm.


Meeting Date 20/05/2024