Minutes 2021
Minutes of Meeting of Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District held on Monday 18th January 2021 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
ATTENDING VIRTUALLY:
- Councillor Marie Casserly
- Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services
OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:
- Tom Kilfeather, A/Chief Executive
- Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services
- Pauline Lavelle, Staff Officer
- Mr Jimmy O’Brien, I.S Project Leader
APOLOGIES/ABSENT:
None
CATHAOIRLEACH:
The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Walsh, welcomed all present to the meeting. Councillor Walsh and all the Members congratulated Ms. Emer Concannon on her appointment as Acting Director of Infrastructure, Environment & Fire Services, Sligo County Council.
1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO/DRUMCLIFF HELD ON 16th NOVEMBER 2020:
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 16th November 2020”.
2. MATTERS ARISING:
None
3. TO NOTE THE RECENT TOWN & VILLAGE RENEWAL SCHEME ACCELERATED MEASURES 2020 ROUND 1, 2 & 3 FUNDING ALLOCATIONS AWARDED TO THE SLIGO-DRUMCLIFF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT:
Ms Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services presented a report to the Meeting which had been circulated to the Members in advance of the meeting. Ms. Clarke updated the Members on the application process for funding across three rounds of Town & Village Renewal Scheme 2020 Accelerated Measure and confirmed that Letters of Offer have been accepted for the following project locations in the Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District, as detailed in the Report. The members welcomed the funding and a short discussion followed on the Report and various aspects thereof.
4. PROVISION OF BRING CENTRE IN CLIFFONEY VILLAGE:
Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
AND AGREED
“To seek an update on the possibility of having a Bring Centre in Cliffoney Village following a request for same last year.”
Acting Director of Services, Ms. Emer Concannon advised the Members that the possibility of provision of a bring centre in Cliffoney will be looked into, having regard for such matters as acquisition of land and planning compliance but it is hoped to progress this item in 2021.
5. SURVEY AT DRUMCLIFF CARNEY INTERSECTION ON N15 TO SOLVE ONGOING TRAFFIC ISSUES:
Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor T. Fox
AND AGREED
“That Roads Engineers carry out a survey at the Drumcliff Carney intersection on the N15 to help solve the ongoing traffic issues including the issue of access from the Carney road onto the very busy N15. This area will see an increase in traffic when the new Primary Care Centre is built.”
Acting Director of Services Emer Concannon advised that this location can be examined, as staff resources allow, in conjunction with TII to determine any particular traffic problems and possible solutions to same.
6. ADDITION OF HAZELWOOD ROAD INTO HALF-MOON BAY AND BENBULBEN ROAD TO GORTAROWEY TO NEXT ROADS PROGRAMME FOR RESURFACING:
Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor T. Fox
AND AGREED
“To ask for the Hazelwood Road into Half-moon Bay and the Benbulben Road at Gortarowey be added to the next roads programme for resurfacing.”
Acting Director of Services Ms. Emer Concannon advised that these two roads are not included in the current 2019-2021 multi annual Restoration Improvement programme. However if additional funds become available these roads will be included for consideration.
7. HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES ON KNOCKBEG ROAD – PROGRESS REPORT:
Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh
AND AGREED
“To call on Sligo County Council for an update report on what progress has been made to address the health and safety issues on the Knockbeg Road and when will footpaths and speed issues and the lack of public lighting be resolved on this road.”
Acting Director of Services, Ms. Emer Concannon advised that this location will be considered for future funding applications under Low Cost Safety Schemes and also under Active Travel Grants subject to meeting the criteria of these funding streams.
8. UPDATE ON PROGRESS OF FOOTPATH REALIGNMENT SCHEME BETWEEN COLLOONEY AND BALLISODARE:
Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
AND AGREED
“To call on Sligo County Council to give an update report on when will the second phase work start on the footpath realignment scheme between Collooney and Ballisodare as funding has now been secured for this project.”
Acting Director of Service Ms. Emer Concannon advised that a contract has been awarded for these works and it is envisaged that works will be completed by end of Q2, 2021.
9. UPDATE REPORT FROM IRISH WATER ON SECURING A MORE PERMANENT WATER SUPPLY TO NORTH SLIGO:
Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
AND AGREED
“To call on Sligo County Council to write to Irish water for an update report on what progress has been made to secure a more permanent water supply to North Sligo.”
Acting Director of Services, Ms. Emer Concannon advised the members that as part of the National Water Resources Plan (NWRP), Irish Water has published the first phase, the draft Framework Plan of the NWRP, for public consultation. As part of this process and with regard to the North Sligo Public Water Supply, Irish Water has consulted with members of the Sligo Water Services team and members of the Sligo Planning team over the last 2 years.
A number of possible options are now being considered and a preferred long-term solution for the North Sligo will be confirmed later this year. The first stage plan is available to view in the Sligo Planning Offices.
The NWRP will carry out an analysis to calculate demand for water in this area to ensure sufficient supplies to all homes and businesses in the future.
10. WARNING SIGNAGE IN BALLINTOGHER VILLAGE ON APPROACH TO NEW SPEED RAMPS ON BALLYGAWLEY & DROMAHAIR SIDE:
Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor T. Healy
AND AGREED
“To call on Sligo County Council to erect warning signage in Ballintogher village on approach to the new speed ramps on the Ballygawley and Dromahair side which are having a very positive impact on speed coming into the village.”
Acting Director of Services, Ms. Emer Concannon informed the Members that appropriate warning signage to inform motorists of the provision of speed ramps has been provided on both approaches to Ballintogher village. Additionally, the appropriate road markings in the form of sharks teeth have been provided.
11. FILLING OF POST OF FESTIVAL & EVENTS MANAGER – COMPLETION OF NEW FESTIVAL & EVENTS STRATEGY:
Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly
AND AGREED
“To ask Sligo County Council to detail when the new post for festival and events manager will be advertised and when we can expect this post to be filled. In addition, as per recommendation in the County Sligo Tourism Strategy when is it expected that there will be a new festival and events strategy complete and published.”
Director of Services, Ms. Dorothy Clarke informed the Members that Department sanction for the Festival & Events Programming Manager post will be sought by end January 2021 and once received the post can be advertised. It is hoped that the position could be filled by the end of Q2 2021.
Ms. Clarke also informed the members that a new 5-year Festival & Events Strategy is being prepared for Sligo. However, the launch of the strategy has been delayed due to the Covid crisis, until such time as the position of Tourism sector and the situation regarding holding of Festivals and events becomes clearer in light of the impact of Covid-19.
The impact of Covid-19 on the Tourism sector both locally and nationally has been significant and indicates that the immediate outlook for tourism and for festivals & events for 2021 will may be much different to 2020.
It is hoped that the Strategy can be finalised when Festival and Events can once again move forward so that the Strategy will be relevant for the time period going forward and will be in keeping with the national tourism policy in the Sligo area.
Ms. Clarke also advised that the Council is currently working with BID, in partnership with FI to develop a virtual St Patrick’s Day Festival. Sligo is one of 6 no. locations selected by Fáilte Ireland to be involved in the “greening” of Ireland nationally for 2021 for St Patrick’s Day celebrations. In addition, Sligo has been successful in its bid to host the Fleadh Fest event in lieu of the traditional All Ireland Fleadh.
12. SAFE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FROM COLLOONEY TOWN TO COLLOONEY TRAIN STATION:
Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor T. Healy
AND AGREED
“To ask Sligo County Council to make provision for safe pedestrian access from Collooney Town to Collooney Train Station for users.”
Acting Director of Services, Ms. Emer Concannon informed the Members that application for funding has been made for pavement upgrades, footpath construction and widening along the R290 from the Owenmore river bridge to the junction with the L-3607-0 Coolaney Road. Application to the NTA is also being considered to upgrade existing footpaths and construct a new section of footpath along the L-3607-0 as far as the entrance to the railway station under the Active Travel funding scheme, subject to meeting requirements of the scheme.
13. CORRESPONDENCE:
None.
14. AOB:
The Members extended a vote of sympathy to the family of the late Mr. Kieran McDermott, who passed away recently. Tributes were paid to Mr McDermott’s long-standing involvement with the GAA at local and national levels, and his contributions to local communities in North Sligo and county wide in progressing GAA events over the years.
Councillor T Healy queried monitoring of movements outside the current 5km restriction limits, in particular in the Deerpark area, as large numbers of people are visiting this area. This concern was echoed by all Members. Acting Chief Executive, Mr Tom Kilfeather advised that Sligo County Council is assisting An Garda Síochána in monitoring restrictions of access to popular areas, and stated that the matter will be looked into.
The members asked if public lighting could be turned on in the Cleveragh Regional Park at night time to facilitate those using the park in the evenings. Acting Chief Executive, Mr Tom Kilfeather advised that this will be looked into, and also with regards to Mitchell Curley Park.
Councillor T Walsh noted that whilst it was agreed at the last meeting of the Procedures Committee that MD members can now attend meetings virtually, attendance must still be physical in order for a quorum to be present. It was agreed that Councillor Walsh will raise this matter at the next meeting of the Procedures Committee, with a view to having the Standing Orders amended to allow a quorum to be reached by virtual attendance.
The next Meeting of the Sligo/Drumcliff Municipal District meeting was set for Monday 15th March 2021.
The business of the meeting concluded at 3.50 p.m.
Meeting Date 18/01/2021