Minutes 2023
Minutes of the Meeting of the Borough District of Sligo Held on Monday 20th November 2023 at 10.00 A.M. in the Council Chamber, City Hall, Quay Street, Sligo.
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
- Councillor Declan Bree (Mayor)
- Councillor Rosaleen O'Grady
- Councillor Tom MacSharry
- Councillor Arthur Gibbons
- Councillor Gino O’Boyle
APOLOGIES:
Councillor Sinead Maguire
OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:
- Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
- Mr. John Moran, Director of Services
- Mr. Thomas Kerins, Acting Senior Executive Engineer
- Mr. Adrian Grandison, Vacant Homes Officer
- Mr. Brían Flynn, Town Regeneration Officer
- Mr. Michael Carty, A/Senior Engineer
- Ms. Geraldine Timlin, Staff Officer
- Ms. Mary Boylan, Senior Staff Officer
MAYOR:
Mayor Declan Bree presided and welcomed all present to the meeting.
1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF BOROUGH DISTRICT OF SLIGO HELD ON 18TH SEPTEMBER 2023:
Proposed by Councillor A. Gibbons
Seconded by Councillor T. MacSharry
AND AGREED
"To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Borough District of Sligo held on 18 September 2023
2. MATTERS ARISING
Mr. T. Kerins confirmed that as per discussion held at meeting dated 18 September 2023, in relation to Bus Routes, the NTA had been contacted but no reply to date.
3. UPDATE ON THE CROI CONAITHE TOWNS FUND (VACANT PROPERTY REFURBISHMENT GRANT)
Mr. A. Grandison gave a summary of applications received to date, within each MD. In the Borough District of Sligo 53 applications have been received, of which 34 grants are approved, 34 site inspections completed and 2 grants rejected.
4. ROAD MARKINGS AT KEVINSFORT
Proposed by Councillor R. O'Grady
Seconded by Councillor T. MacSharry
AND AGREED
"That road markings at Kevinsfort be upgraded where needed"
Mr. T. Kerins informed the meeting that there is no dedicated budget for this type of work, but it can be considered on a case by case basis depending on the specific location.
5. FOOTPATH AT THE ORCHARD, KEVINSFORT
Proposed by Councillor R. O'Grady
Seconded by Councillor A. Gibbons
AND AGREED
"That works be carried out on the footpath at the Orchard, Kevinsfort"
Councillor R. O'Grady acknowledged that some work was carried out but that there is some additional footpath works outstanding. She has spoken with the Roads Department regarding this work.
Mr. T Kerins said that this matter would be reviewed.
6. FOOTPATH FROM THE WESTERN DISTRIBUTOR ROAD TO OAKFIELD ESTATE
Proposed by Councillor R. O'Grady
Seconded by Councillor A. Gibbons
AND AGREED
"That an update be provided on the provision of the extension of the footpath from the Western Distributor Road to Oakfield Estate".
A discussion took place acknowledging the works being planned by sec for this stretch of road; members also requested that seating areas and lighting also be considered in these plans.
7. PROPOSED WORKS OUTSIDE SCOIL URSULA, STRANDHILL ROAD
Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor T MacSharry
AND AGREED
"Noting the significant concerns raised by The Park Residents Association in regard to the proposed works outside Scoil Ursula, Strandhill Road, as part of the "Safe Routes to School Programme", this meeting requests a full report on the project, with a response to the submissions made to the Council, including the submission made by The Park Residents Association"
Councillor D. Bree welcomed the work carried out by the Active Travel Team and asked that it be confirmed that residents in the area will also be consulted. Councillor R. O'Grady requested that Thornhill Residents be consulted.
Mr. T. Kerins said he would request the Active Travel team to meet with The Park Residents and he recommended that the Thornhill Residents Association should make a submission and/or contact with the Active Travel Department if they have not done so already.
8. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING OPPOSITE NORBERT FERGUSON PARADE WALKWAY
Proposed by CounciIlor T. MacSharry
Seconded by Councillor R. O'Grady
AND AGREED
"That Sligo MD would assess the need for a Pedestrian crossing opposite Norbert Ferguson Parade walkway on Bridge Street in the interests of Health & Safety".
Members noted that this had been raised a number of times. Councillor T. MacSharry has been approached by parents from the National Learning Network (NLN) who carried out their own research into the need for a pedestrian crossing at this location. Councillor G. O'Boyle, in supporting the motion, noted that should this crossing be developed, there would be 2 sets of traffic lights and a walkway within 150 metres of each other.
Mr. T. Kerins agreed to consider this proposal as part of The Active Travel Pathfinder scheme, as per the response to the Motion. He did relay that a new crossing would be in close proximity to an already existing controlled pedestrian crossing and that this would have to be considered as part of the design process.
9. MARYMOUNT GATES & WAILING BENCH, PEARSE ROAD
Proposed by CounciIlor T. MacSharry
Seconded by Councillor R. O'Grady
AND AGREED
"That Sligo MD would re-paint the Marymount Gates on Pearse Road and refurbish the historic wailing bench on Pearse Road as requested by the residents".
Councillor T. MacSharry acknowledged the work of Sligo Tidy Towns and thanked sec for engaging with them on this project.
10. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING OPPOSITE LONDIS, CLEVERAGH ROAD
Proposed by Councillor G. O'Boyle
Seconded by CounciIlor T. MacSharry
AND AGREED
"To ask for an update on the pedestrian crossing at Cleveragh Road opposite Londis".
Councillor G. O'Boyle welcomed the response from Mr. T. Kearns to this motion.
11. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING, MARKIEVICZ LINE
Proposed by Councillor G. O'Boyle
Seconded by Councillor A. Gibbons
AND AGREED
"To ask for an update on the pedestrian crossing at Markievicz line".
Councillor G. O'Boyle welcomed the response from Mr. T. Kearns to this motion.
12. PAYMENT TO sec FOR GRAVE OPENINGS & AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THE PARKS DEPT
Proposed by Councillor G. O'Boyle
Seconded by Councillor A. Gibbons
AND AGREED
"To ask how much has sec been paid for grave openings from August 20 7 9 to August 2023 also how much of the monies received has gone to the Parks Dept for funding? Lastly how many grave openings has sec not been paid for since August 2023 to the current date".
AND AGREED
Members agreed that it is important that money is invested in burial grounds. In supporting the motion, Councillor D. Bree noted that Sligo Municipal Cemetery is in the unique position of being staffed by sec staff. Councillor D. Bree stated that it is unacceptable that the cemetery is currently losing €5,000 per month; this needs to be resolved as soon as possible and brought to the attention of the Director of Services.
13. DRAIN CLEARING PROGRAMME
Proposed by CounciIlor T. MacSharry
Seconded by Councillor A. Gibbons
AND AGREED
"That Sligo County Council would ring fence funding specifically for a drain clearing programme with the urban core of Sligo to counteract flash flooding".
Councillor T. MacSharry noted his appreciation for the response to this motion but did not agree with it. He acknowledged that Mr. T. Kerins and Mr. D. Noone had previously suggested Councillors consider the allocation of specific funds to deal with drain clearance.
In response, Mr. T. Kernis advised that over-capacity of the combined sewer system is the main issue as regards to flash flooding events in the urban area. He welcomed the consideration of Members for the allocation of funds for 2024 which could be allocated towards the cleaning and maintenance of gullies.
14. SURVEY OF FOOTPATHS & ROADS IN CARTRON HEIGHTS AND CARTRON POINT
Proposed by Councillor A. Gibbons
Seconded by Councillor O'Grady
AND AGREED
"That the roads department of this local authority carry out a full survey of all the footpaths and roads in Cartron Heights and Cartron Point that need replacing and put in place a full programme of works that can realistically be carried out over a 3-year period".
Members welcomed the response to this motion and requested that Heather View would also be included.
15. SURVEY OF FOOTPATHS IN HEATHER VIEW
Proposed by Councillor A. Gibbons
Seconded by Councillor T. MacSharry
AND AGREED
"That the roads department of this Local Authority would carry out a full survey of all the footpaths in upper Heather - view and include this in its programme of works for 2024 /2025
Heather View included in Motion 14- as above.
16. TOP ROAD, STRANDHILL VILLAGE
Proposed by Councillor A. Gibbons
Seconded by CounciIlor T. MacSharry
AND AGREED
"That this local authority direct the Active Travel team to submit an application for funding to enhance and upgrade the Top Road in Strandhill village as part of the R292. The lack of continuous footpaths on the eastern side of the road, continual vehicular speeding and issues about parking on the road due to the newer developments are among the concerns of the local community".
Councillor A. Gibbons expressed concern that the Top Road is being overlooked given the number of houses, apartments and businesses located along the route. It was noted by members that this was brought to their attention by the community during the last Local Elections and that funding to upgrade the road has been requested on numerous occasions.
In response Mr. T. Kearns confirmed that as the NTA have prioritised funding for works on the Burmah Road this must be completed. The Top Road can be considered when this scheme is complete.
17. ST. ANNES TCE - TRAFFIC RAMPS
Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor A. Gibbons
AND AGREED
"That the traffic ramps be reinstated in St. Annes Terrace"
Councillor D. Bree noted the response that sec, having carried out a speed survey, does not consider the reinstallation of speed ramps as necessary. Cllr. Bree requested this be reviewed in the coming months and that An Garda Sioch~na also be consulted.
18. PUBLIC REALM PROJECTS
Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor R. O'Grady
AND AGREED
"That the meeting be provided with an up-to-date report on the proposed Public Realm projects in the Borough District area".
The members welcomed this report and the progress on projects. It was noted that it is vital to bring people into the centre of Sligo.
The members requested that this item be kept on the Meeting Agenda going forward.
19. FOOTPATH BETWEEN THORNHILL AND THE PARK ESTATE
Proposed by Councillor R. O'Grady
Seconded by CounciIlor T. McSharry
AND AGREED
"Requesting that the footpath between the entrance to Thornhill and the Park Estate, Strandhill road be upgraded".
Councillor O'Grady welcomed the response to this motion.
20. PLAN FOR CLEANING OF DRAINS AND GULLIES
Proposed by Councillor R. O'Grady
Seconded by Councillor A. Gibbons
AND AGREED
"That an ongoing plan be put in place for the cleaning of drains and gullies".
Councillor O'Grady acknowledged the work of the Roads Maintenance Dept and Mr. Darren Wall and noted the need for a specific programme of funding for flooding. She referenced flooding in Adelaide Street during the previous 6 weeks which also needs to be addressed with Uisce Eireann.
Councillor T. MacSharry suggested a portion of the Sligo L.A. Bonus payment of approximately €1 milllion be allocated to this issue.
21. FLOODING AT NAZARETH HOUSE
Proposed by Councillor R. O'Boyle
Seconded by Councillor G. O'Boyle
AND AGREED
"That the flooding issue near the top entrance to Nazareth House be investigated"
Members agreed that the issue could be the number of trees in the area.
Mr. T. Kerins, in responding agreed that this is a likely factor and will be investigated again by sec.
22. CORRESPONDENCE
There were no items of correspondence.
23. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Councillor D. Bree asked that the good wishes of the members be passed onto Mr. Jude Mannion, Staff Officer.
It was requested that the technical issues which affected the recording of this meeting be dealt with as soon as possible. Ms. D. Clarke, Director of Services apologised for the technical issues and assured members that it would be resolved.
Councillor T. MacSharry expressed disappointment that Free Parking will not be available in the lead up to Christmas and requested that this be considered. Ms. D. Clarke will convey concerns of members to the Management Team; members were reminded that sec needs the income from parking.
Mr T. Kerins reminded Members that the public consultation stage for the Draft Parking Byelaws closes on Thursday 23" November and that the new Bye Laws will be presented for adoption at the January 2024 meeting.
The Mayor, Councillor D. Bree concluded the meeting and wished those in attendance a peaceful and happy Christmas and New Year.
The business of the meeting concluded at 11.20 a.m
Meeting Date 20/11/2023