Minutes 2020

Minutes of Meeting of Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District held on Monday 16th November 2020 at 2.00 p.m. in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Thomas Walsh (Chair)
  • Councillor Tom Fox
  • Councillor Dónal Gilroy
  • Councillor Thomas Healy
  • Councillor Marie Casserly

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr. Tom Kilfeather, A/Chief Executive
  • Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
  • Mr. John Moran, A/Director of Services
  • Ms. Emer Concannon, Senior Engineer
  • Mr. Fergus Meehan, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Mr. Declan Noone, A/ Senior Executive Engineer
  • Ms. Pauline Lavelle, Staff Officer

 

APOLOGIES/ABSENT:

  • None

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Walsh, welcomed all present to the meeting. Councillor Walsh and all the Members congratulated Mr. Tom Kilfeather on his appointment as Acting Chief Executive of Sligo County Council. 

 

1.  MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO/DRUMCLIFF HELD ON 21ST SEPTEMBER  2020:

Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor T. Fox

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Sligo-Drumcliff held on 21st September 2020”.

 

2.  MINUTES OF THE BUDGET MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO-DRUMCLIFF HELD ON 19TH OCTOBER  2020:

Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Budget Meeting of the Municipal District of Sligo-Drumcliff held on 19th October 2020”.

 

3.  MATTERS ARISING:

Councillor Thomas Healy stated that in response to Notice of Motion submitted by him for the 21.09.2020 MD meeting, regarding green areas in two estates in Collooney and Ballisodare, to date he had not received a response on the matter of ownership of these green areas.  Mr John Moran, A/Director of Services advised that the matter will be followed and a response will issue to Councillor Healy.

 

4.  UPDATE ON N17 KNOCK TO COLLOONEY ATLANTIC ECONOMIC CORRIDOR) ROAD PROJECT:

Mr. Fergus Meehan, S.E.E. updated the Members on the public consultation of feasible options for the N17 Knock to Collooney [Atlantic Economic Corridor] Road Project which outlined the process involved including expected timelines anticipated for the project.

In terms of Governance the TII is rolling out the project with Sligo County Council as the Lead Authority with project supports from Mayo County Council

As per TII Project Management Guidelines, there is an eight step process involved from planning to construction stage and there are a number of environmental assessments to be carried out as part of the project. 

The project is currently at stage 2 “Options Selection”.

Mr Meehan spoke about the objectives of the project, which is to support the economy of the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC) and the North West Region and to bring the frequency and severity of collisions to below the national average.  The AEC is a concept which is defined in the National Planning Framework.

Under the “Options Selection” phase of the project, there are a number of criteria which must be met.  Key to meeting these criteria is to present a strong business case to Government which will demonstrate economic worth and show the benefits of the projects for the region as a whole.  This must be balanced with a proposal to minimise the effects of the project on the environment in the area.  If successful, it will be approximately three years before an application can be made to An Bord Pleanála and only about 60% of such applications are successful.

The presentation outlined the Local Area Model which is used to analyse the traffic and transport patterns for the region, which is one of the biggest transport models carried out in this region to date.

Mr Meehan stated that there are huge constraints involved which have the potential to limit or control how the project develops, such as recorded monuments, geology formations, populations, effects on local towns, etc.

Road layouts, junctions etc in conjunction with existing road networks will be factored in the determination of feasible options for the project.

Road types/junctions have not yet been determined and there will be flexibility involved in choosing of same.  Mr Meehan outlined the layout options being considered in the local area around Collooney.

It is hoped that by mid-2021 the route options will have been narrowed down to 3-4 routes and by end 2021 the preferred route will be emerging.

By Q1 2024 it is hoped to have the project at Statutory Consent stage.

Mr Meehan outlined the various methods for the public to make submissions in respect of the project and stated that there were over 60,000 hits on the website in the early weeks of advertising.  Two planned public consultation events have had to be cancelled because of the Covid pandemic but these are being re-scheduled for mid-December, subject to confirmation.

Mr Meehan then addressed a number of queries/comments from the Members regarding proposed routes around local towns, effects on the environment, provision of safety measures etc. 

Mr Meehan urged the Members to encourage submissions on the project from members of the public.

 

5.  SIGNAGE AT N15 OLD BUNDORAN ROAD JUNCTION:

Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy

AND AGREED

“To look at improving signage at the N15 Old Bundoran Road junction where two lanes of traffic merge into one lane heading north”.

Acting Senior Executive Engineer Mr. Declan Noone advised that the Road Design section will investigate this location. 

 

6.  UPDATE ON FOOTPATH IMPROVEMENT WORK IN CLIFFONEY AND GRANGE:

Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy

AND AGREED

"To receive an update on footpath improvement works in Cliffoney and Grange."

Acting Senior Executive Engineer Mr. Declan Noone advised that following survey works carried out in Grange, any footpaths improvement will be considered in association with potential safety improvement schemes.  Road Design and the Area office will consider Cliffoney for future footpath improvement works.

 

7.  PROVISION OF SHOWER AT BEACHERY IN ROSSES POINT:

Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh

AND AGREED

“To enquire if it would be possible to have a shower fitted at the 'Beachery' in Rosses Point.  So many swimmers and surfers and beach users in general would get great use out of it and would really appreciate it. Can Sligo County Council look into the possibility of improving the facility here in conjunction with support from Irish Water.”

Acting Senior Executive Engineer Mr. Declan Noone confirmed Sligo County Council’s commitment to the enhancement of the facilities in Rosses Point.  He advised that in advance of the 2021 Bathing Season any limited funding available must focus on provision of accessible toilet facilities for those with disabilities and also works to maintain safe access onto both Beaches.

Mr. Noone advised that Sligo County Council has been approved for Category 2 funding through the National Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF), to progress the public realm enhancement of Strandhill and Rosses Point.  In this regard, the Council intend to procure a multi-disciplinary team to progress the preliminary design for the two villages. 

Included in the scope of works for Rosses Point is an objective for “enhancement of walkway from the village to the beach/beachery and redevelopment of underutilised semi-derelict building at beach known as the ‘Beachery’. It is the Council’s view that this offers the best solution for the facilities requested in this Notice of Motion.

 

8.  SPEED SURVEY ON R290 AT KILLROSS SCHOOL:

Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to carry out a speed survey on the R290 at Killross school as there is major concern with speed at this stretch of Road and to update the flashing lighting system and address the need for more signage coming to and from the school.”

Acting Senior Executive Engineer Mr. Declan Noone advised that the area office will arrange to have a traffic survey carried out in the vicinity of the school and will also inspect signage at this location and determine what works, if any, are required.

The Members expressed concern about inadequate flashing lights systems at these and other schools in this Municipal District area, namely Carns and Castlegal schools.  Mr. Noone informed the Members that this matter will be looked into by the Road Design team.

 

9.  SPEED ISSUES IN WOOKBROOK HEIGHTS IN BALLISODARE/PROVISION OF RAMPS & PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AT LOCAL SCHOOL:

Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to address the concerns of residents in Woodbrook Heights in Ballisodare regarding speed in the estate and look at putting in ramps and pedestrian crossings at the local school too.”

Acting Senior Executive Engineer, Mr. Declan Noone informed the Members that a speed survey will be carried out to determine the need for ramps or other speed reducing measures in the area.  Minor works were carried out at the school in 2019.  Regarding the issue of drop off/collection at the school, the Road Design section will require a full design to provide a safe set down area.  This scheme could potentially be funded by the Non National Safety Improvement Scheme and will be considered for inclusion in the 2022 applications.

Responding to a query from Councillor Healy Acting Chief Executive, Mr. Tom Kilfeather advised the Members that it is hoped that staffing levels in the Road Design section will be increased with the filling of vacancies and the completion of ongoing capital projects.

 

10.  AMALGAMATION OF DRUMCLIFF VISITOR FACILITIES WITH YEATS INTERNATIONAL CENTRE:

Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor T. Fox

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to consider incorporating the Drumcliffe visitor facilities and the Yeats International Centre on the same grounds as a major attraction for North Sligo.”

Director of Services, Ms. Dorothy Clarke informed the Members that there are significant and planning related restrictions associated with any proposed new development within the grounds of Drumcliff church.  Accordingly, such consideration is premature pending the completion of the Conservation Plan for Drumcliff which will provide guidance on the quantum and scale of new development that might be possible within the overall site.

However, having regard to the likely scale of the project and the visitor numbers it is hoped to generate, it is envisaged that the Yeats International Centre may be more appropriately located within the urban area where it will significant potential to contribute to the regeneration of the City centre.

Some Members expressed their opposition to the location of the Yeats International Centre at any other location other than in Drumcliff itself.  They stated that Drumcliff was the home and is the final resting place of WB Yeats and such a Centre has the potential to attract large numbers of tourists to North Sligo, in addition to the large number of tourists that already visit Yeats Grave.

Acting Chief Executive, Mr. Tom Kilfeather stated that Sligo County Council is looking at the Drumcliff site with possibility of enhancing the existing facilities there, but re-iterated that the Conservation Plan needs to be completed first in order to determine what enhancement works can take place there.  Mr Kilfeather stated that it is unlikely that the Yeats International Centre could be envisaged for that site, notwithstanding the huge costs involved for such a project.

 

11.  PRESERVATION OF BOUNDARY AND GABLE WALLS IN KILROSS AND KILLERY BURIAL GROUNDS:

Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to devise a plan to ensure preservation of boundary and gable walls both in Kilross Burial Ground and Killery Burial Ground which are over both over 600 years old.”

Acting Senior Executive Engineer Mr. Declan Noone informed the Members that both burial grounds will be inspected and a plan devised in consultation with our Heritage officer and the National Monument Service. However, the amount of funds available to carry out any works will be minimal.

 

12. ROAD SURFACE ISSUES ON R284 MAIN ROAD – BALLYGAWLEY VILLAGE TO GADDEN, SOOEY:

Proposed by Councillors T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to address road surface issues on R284 main road; Ballygawley Village to Gadden, Sooey.”

Acting Senior Executive Engineer Mr. Declan Noone advised that the three year roads improvement program up to and including 2021 is in place. Any changes to the 2021 program will be subject to available budget and agreement with Councillors within the Municipal District.

 

13.  UPDATE ON VERGE/HEDGE CUTTING AND ROAD SWEEPER FOR VILLAGES IN THE SLIGO-DRUMCLIFF MD AREA:

Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor T. Fox

AND AGREED

“To ask Sligo County Council to give an update on plan in relation to verge and hedge cutting and also for road sweeper for villages in the Sligo Drumcliffe MD area.”

Acting Senior Executive Engineer, Mr. Declan Noone informed the Members that Sligo County Council carry out verge trimming and hedge cutting on the National Roads as part of the National Road Maintenance programme. Verge trimming and hedge cutting on Regional Roads will be carried out to address any road safety issues as resources allow. However, any hedges that are causing an obstruction along the public road are the responsibility of the respective land owner.

A road sweeping programme is in place currently for a number of towns and villages in the Sligo/Drumcliffe MD.  A programme will be developed for 2021 but is very much down to available resources.

In response to queries from the Members regarding cleaning of gullies in the area, Mr. Noone advised that gully cleaning is carried out as resources allow as part of a regular proactive gully cleaning programme which is in place. 

 

14.  REPAIR OF ROAD ON LAYBY AT MUNNINANE OUTSIDE ST KEVIN’S CHURCH:

Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly

AND AGREED

“That this motion calls on Sligo County Council to repair the road on the layby at Munninane outside St Kevins Church. This road although only having three houses has a Church that is used regularly and has a lot of pedestrians attending the Church services. The lay by is also used a turning spot and a drop off for Children getting buses to school.”

Acting Senior Executive Engineer, Mr. Declan Noone informed the Members that this section of road is not included in the Multi Annual Restoration improvement programme. However, if additional funds become available it will be included for consideration.

 

15.  COMPLETION OF WORKS TO PIPES AT JINKS TO PIPES AT JINKS CROSS DRUMISKABOLE AND AT JUNCTION OF R284 AND L3603:

Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh

AND AGREED

“That this motion calls on Sligo County Council to ensure that Irish Water have completed all works on the repair of pipes at Jinks Cross Drumiskabole at the Junction of the R284 and the L3603, and ensure that the road surface receives a permanent repaired surface. The road at this junction has been dug up several times and the temporary type surface dressing that sinks and leaves puddles that splash up on neighbouring walls and dwellings.” 

Acting Chief Executive, Mr. Tom Kilfeather advised the Members that Irish Water will carry out permanent repairs here in the coming weeks. They have procured a contractor and are awaiting them to attend site.

 

16.  REPORT ON USE OF WEIR / SLUICE GATES AT RIVERSIDE:

Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor T. Healy

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council report on the use of the Weir / Sluice Gates at Riverside 

  • To what extent does the Sluice Gate control water levels on the Garavogue River and Lough Gill?
  • When were the Sluice Gates installed?
  • What other purpose does the Sluice Gate provide?
  • What arrangements if any are in place with Leitrim County Council to get advance warning when the Bonet River rises above a certain level that may cause flooding along the Garavogue and Lough Gill?
  • How often have the gates have been opened and for what purpose?
  • Who or what department is responsible for opening the gates to release rising water levels?
  • How much did the Weir/Sluice Gates cost to build?
  • Could releasing water at Riverside in any way reduce the levels of flooding at Aghamore and along the R287?”

Acting Chief Executive, Mr. Tom Kilfeather advised the Members that Irish Water understands that the Weir and Sluice gates were installed in 1998, as part of Foxes Den Water Treatment Plant (WTP) works. The main purpose of the gates/weir is to provide adequate storage of water, particularly during dry periods on Lough Gill for the Foxes Den WTP, which also provides for Moneyduff WTP in North Leitrim.

There is only one gate consistently open at IFI’s request, to allow for compensation water to the river, again in dry periods. Typically, the gates are opened throughout the winter period. In terms of Flooding and River Levels in the surrounds, please refer to the OPW as to any Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAMS).

 

17.  CORRESPONDENCE:

 None.

 

18.  AOB:

Mr. Tom Kilfeather, A/Chief Executive asked the Members to attend the online Climate Action training on 27th November 2020 as previously notified to them, if possible.

 

The next of the Sligo/Drumcliff Municipal District meeting was set for Monday 18th January 2021.

 

The business of the meeting concluded at 3.50 p.m.

 


Meeting Date 16/11/2020