Minutes 2020
Minutes of meeting of Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District held on Monday 20th January 2020 at 12.00 p.m. on Apartment No. 14, Harbour View Housing Development, Rosses Point Road, Sligo
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
- Councillor Marie Casserly
- Councillor Tom Fox (Chair)
- Councillor Dónal Gilroy
- Councillor Thomas Healy
- Councillor Thomas Walsh
OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:
- Mr. Ciarán Hayes, Chief Executive
- Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
- Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services
- Mr. Terence Cosgrove, Executive Architect
- Mr. Declan Noone, A/Senior Executive Engineer
- Mr. Kevin Colreavy, Administrative Officer
- Ms. Clodagh Quinn, Staff Officer
CATHAOIRLEACH:
The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Tom Fox, welcomed all present to the meeting.
1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO-DRUMCLIFF HELD ON 18TH NOVEMBER 2019:
Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
AND AGREED
“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Sligo-Drumcliff held on 18th November 2019”.
2. MATTERS ARISING:
Councillor Thomas Walsh raised the issue of convening future meetings on separate days to the Borough District of Sligo meetings. It was agreed that the matter would be considered by the Procedures Committee and revisited following the General Election on 8th February.
3. PRESENTATION ON HARBOUR VIEW DEVELOPMENT, ROSSES POINT ROAD:
Mr. Terence Cosgrove, Executive Architect, began by outlining the project which consists of the construction of 14 no. apartments (6 no. 1-bedroom apartments and 8 no. 2-bedroom apartments) on a previous brownfield site at the junction of the N4, N15 and N16. The development is adjacent to a public transport route and is within walking distance of Sligo city centre. Mr. Cosgrove explained that all apartments have a Building Energy Rating (BER) of A3 standard as a result of the high levels of insulation used, installation of solar panels and demand control ventilation. Air source heat pumps are used to heat the dwellings and provide hot water resulting in an average weekly heating cost of €7/€8 which also ties in with the promotion of a low carbon approach as detailed in the Council’s Climate Adaptation Strategy.
In conclusion, Mr. Cosgrove explained that while the road junction realignment project being undertaken at present at the front of the development is a separate project, a number of meetings were held with the Road Design Office to agree on how the movement of pedestrians and cyclists could be best managed in the area. The result will be the creation of a landscaped green area to the south of the development with a segregated pedestrian walkway and cycleway.
Members congratulated the Architects Team on the high standards achieved in the development and welcomed the addition to the housing stock.
4. ARRANGEMENTS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS:
The Item was previously dealt with under “Matters Arising”.
5. PARKING ISSUES AT LISSADELL PARK ESTATE, CARNEY:
Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
AND AGREED
“That the Area Engineer meets with some representatives from the Lissadell Park Estate to discuss the ongoing issue of parking to ensure the safety of children in the estate and on the Oxfield Road”.
On behalf of Director of Services, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, A/Senior Executive Engineer, Mr. Declan Noone, stated that the Area Engineer will arrange to meet with representatives of the estate to discuss the issue.
6. ROAD SURFACE AND SAFETY ISSUES ON R284:
Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor T. Healy
AND AGREED
“To ask Sligo County Council to address the road surface and safety issues on the R284 between Ballygawley village and Sooey”.
On behalf of Director of Services, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, A/Senior Executive Engineer, Mr. Declan Noone, advised that the Council will carry out an inspection of the road.
In reply to a query regarding signage at Tullybeg corner, Mr. Noone stated that the issue can be investigated.
7. PRESERVATION OF OLD PARISH CHURCH IN KILLERY GRAVEYARD, BALLINTOGHER:
Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
AND AGREED
“To call on Sligo County Council to provide a report and outline plans for the preservation of the old parish church in Killery Graveyard, Ballintogher which is listed as an ancient graveyard in the National Monument Archaeological Survey of Ireland”.
Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services, informed the meeting that Killery Church and Graveyard are National Monuments in the ownership of Sligo County Council. However, there is no funding available from the Council to commission a Conservation Report for Killery Church which would cost in the region of €12,000.
Ms. Clarke recommended that members of the community/community group would meet the Area Engineer and Heritage Officer to consider the ongoing care and maintenance of the graveyard and to explore opportunities to commission a Conservation Report for the church.
8. INSTALLATION OF CONTROLLED CROSSING AT WOODBROOK HEIGHTS, BALLISODARE AND FINGERPOST SIGN AT WOODBROOK HEIGHTS/N59 JUNCTION:
Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor T. Healy
AND AGREED
“To ask for Sligo County Council to install a controlled crossing at Woodbrook Heights, Ballisodare near St. John’s National School and to liaise with the principal and management of St. John’s National School, Ballisodare to agree the best location and layout for this crossing.
To also give an update on the finger post sign promised at the September Municipal District Meeting. Unfortunately at that meeting it was suggested that a finger sign for the school would be erected at the Woodbrook Heights/N59 junction despite the fact that the school community operate a voluntary one way system at school times where vehicles access the school via Stella Maris and exit via Woodbrook Heights”.
On behalf of Director of Services, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, A/Senior Executive Engineer, Mr. Declan Noone, advised that there is an existing uncontrolled crossing at St. John’s National School. The Roads Section will liaise with the school principal and the Road Design Office to assess the need to update the crossing and identify a design for safe drop off and collection. Mr. Noone advised that the development of any design is resource dependent.
Mr. Noone went on to state that the Roads Section were not aware of the unofficial existing traffic arrangement whereby school vehicles access via Stella Maris and exit via Woodbrook Heights and said that the Roads Section can arrange to have a sign erected at the entrance to Stella Maris on a temporary basis until a design for safe drop off and collection points is finalised.
In addition to Mr. Noone’s comments, the Chief Executive, Mr. Ciarán Hayes cautioned against local traffic arrangements.
9. PROVISON OF FOOTPATH ALONG BRIDGE (PROTECTED STRUCTURE RPS NO. 206) BETWEEN GRANGE VILLAGE AND NEWTOWN:
Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly
AND AGREED
“To ask Sligo County Council, as a matter of urgency, to assess how a safe footpath can be facilitated for students attending Grange Post Primary School at the Protected Structure Bridge between Grange and Newtown (RPS 206).
A walkway outside the bridge wall on the northern side may offer a safe alternative and would align directly with existing pathways and leave a safe passage for students and those attending the adjoining sports complex, athletics facility and soccer pitch”.
On behalf of Director of Services, Mr. Tom Kilfeather, A/Senior Executive Engineer, Mr. Declan Noone advised that the Council will assess the location as resources allow but highlighted that any solution is likely to involve considerable design input and construction cost. Mr. Kilfeather added that it is likely that an application would have to be submitted to the Dept. of Transport, Tourism and Sport for funding for such works.
10. PROGRESS REPORT ON COLLOONEY WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT:
Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
AND AGREED
“To call on Sligo County Council for an update progress report on the Collooney waste water treatment plant”.
Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, reported that the Collooney wastewater treatment plant is currently undergoing an upgrade to increase the treatment capacity of the plant allowing for future economic development and improved water quality in the receiving water. Works commenced in May 2019 and it is expected that the upgraded facilities will be operational in Q3 2020.
11. DRAINANGE AND STRENGTHENING WORKS ON THE R287 AT ‘THE LONG STRETCH’:
Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly
AND AGREED
“To call on Sligo County Council to apply for drainage works and strengthening works under the investment programme for regional and local roads in 2020 to address the ongoing issue on the R287 at the ‘Long Stretch’”.
On behalf of Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, Mr. Declan Noone, A/Senior Executive Engineer, informed Members that a three year Roads Programme was agreed in 2019 and it is envisaged that a significant investment would be required to increase the level of road at this location. The Council will carry out a survey at the end of the winter season to determine what extent of flooding occurs and subsequent estimated costs.
Appropriate applications for funding may be submitted in 2021.
12. PROVISION OF MASTERPLAN FOR VILLAGES OF COLLOONEY, BALLISODARE, GRANGE AND CLIFFONEY:
Proposed by Councillors T. Healy, D. Gilroy & T. Fox
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly
AND AGREED
“To call on Sligo County Council to put a master plan in place over the next four years for the villages of Collooney, Ballisodare, Grange and Cliffoney as these are seen as the satellite villages in the Sligo-Drumcliff area”.
Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services, stated that the Sligo County Development Plan 2017-2023 contains mini-plans for 32 settlements in the county and was adopted by the Council following three separate phases of public consultation. Each settlement has been carefully considered by the Development Planning Unit (DPU) resulting in recommendations in the Plan relating to the road network, public open spaces, heritage features etc.
Ms. Clarke advised that additional plans for the villages of Collooney, Ballisodare, Grange and Cliffoney would be beyond the current resources of the DPU and would require the sourcing of external consultants.
The Chief Executive, Mr. Ciarán Hayes, also added that the ‘One Voice, One Vision’ Smart Sligo 2030 Plan sets out a preferred vision for Sligo for 2030 that the Council is working towards.
13. REVIEW OF SIGNAGE AND ROAD MARKINGS ON N16 FROM DUNALLY BRIDGE TO BARROE:
Proposed by Councillor T. Fox
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
AND AGREED
“To call on Sligo County Council to investigate road markings on the stretch of road for traffic travelling on the N16 from Dunally Bridge to Barroe as there is a dip in the road so oncoming traffic cannot be seen. The road markings on this busy stretch of road is a continuous broken line indicating that cars can overtake. As a result of this, there have been various serious accidents and potential near misses. I am calling for an urgent review of signage and road markings on this stretch of road to rectify the hazard and prevent serious injury or death”.
On behalf of Mr. Tom Kilfeather, Director of Services, Mr. Declan Noone, A/Senior Executive Engineer, informed the meeting that road lining on the N16 is the responsibility of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (T.I.I.) and the Council will refer the matter to them for consideration.
14. CORRESPONDENCE:
- Councillor Dónal Gilroy informed the meeting that he had received offensive emails and texts following his opposition to a resolution put forward at the adjourned January Council meeting concerning a ban on fox hunting.
15. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
The business of the meeting concluded at 13.30 p.m.
Meeting Date 20/01/2020