Minutes 2021
Minutes of Meeting of Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District held on Monday 24th May 2021 at 12.30 p.m. in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
- Councillor Thomas Walsh (Cathaoirleach)
- Councillor Tom Fox
- Councillor Dónal Gilroy
- Councillor Thomas Healy
- Councillor Marie Casserly (virtually)
OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:
- Mr Tom Kilfeather, A/Chief Executive
- Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services (virtually)
- Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services
- Ms Pauline Lavelle, Staff Officer
- Jane Golden, Staff Officer
APOLOGIES/ABSENT:
None
CATHAOIRLEACH:
The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Walsh, welcomed all present to the meeting.
1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO/DRUMCLIFF HELD ON 15th MARCH 2021:
Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh
AND AGREED
“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Sligo-Drumcliff held on 15th March 2021”.
2. MATTERS ARISING:
Councillor Donal Gilroy requested that additional roadworks not included in the initial works scheduled in Cliffoney be completed.
3. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE N16 LUGATOBER SCHEME:
Ms. Emer Concannon, A/Director of Service gave a detailed report on the N16 Lugatober Scheme.
The Scheme was brought through the early design, statutory planning stage and approved in 2019 by Sligo County Council’s National Roads Project Office Team. The design process involved the preparation of an Environment Impact Statement followed by a route selection process for the full N16 in County Sligo, completed in 2017.
It is hoped to proceed to tender the main construction contract in July/August of this year with a view to awarding the construction contract later in 2021/early 2022, subject to TII approval and funding.
Councillor Walsh thanked the Ms. Concannon for her report.
Councillor Gilroy thanks Ms. Concannon for the report and stated that it was positive to see the advanced works on this road. He expressed concerns about the proposed roundabout at the Drum Road and highlighted the need for caution. Councillor Gilroy also felt that the Collinsford road was unsuitable for large vehicles as it was a minor road and requested that the A/Director of Service come back with suggestions as to how these potential problems could be alleviated.
Councillor Walsh thanked Ms. Emer Concannon, A/Director of Service for her report.
4. TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SLIGO – DRUMCIFF AGM:
As previously agreed to be held on Monday 28th June at 12noon.
5. LOCAL ROAD L7404 BE ADDED TO 2022 ROADS PROGRAMME:
To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
"That Local Road L7404 be added to the roads programme for 2022 as it's urgently in need of restoration and repair, and that potholes be filled very regularly until such time as the works are carried out"
Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh
AND AGREED
Ms. Emer Concannon, Acting Director of Services, advised the Members that Sligo County Council will include this road for consideration in drafting the 2022-2024 Multi Annual Restoration Improvement Programme and will also include this road in their pothole repair programme.
Councillor Casserly welcomed this update and acknowledged Damien Henry’s input with this matter. Councillor Casserly also requested that the works be planned for nearer 2022 as the need determined.
Councillor Gilroy agreed that these works were long overdue. Councillor Gilroy also highlighted that there is a culvert at the top of the Castletown to Glencar Road which he felt was dangerous and needed attention.
6. MERMAIDS COVE, MULLAGHMORE WALL AND PUBLIC SPACE BE MADE SAFE:
To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
“To request that the shore wall and public space at Mermaid's Cove in Mullaghmore be made safe and repairs carried out on same.”
Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh
AND AGREED
Ms. Emer Concannon , Acting Director of Services, advised the Members that Sligo County Council will examine the area to assess the extent of works that may be required. Ms. Concannon also stated that there is no funding in the current years Roadworks Programme to carry out any extensive repairs. However, it will be determined what can be achieved in this regard with limited resources.
Councillor Casserly stated that the area was a popular tourist location and that the reinstatement of the wall would address any health and safety issues.
7. ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEY AT STREEDAGH BEACH:
To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Casserly:
"That an environmental survey be carried out at Streedagh Beach to ascertain what damage and erosion is happening over the past 20 years and a plan be put in place following the outcome of said survey to protect and repair the entire area of Streedagh Beach for future generations."
Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
AND AGREED
Ms. Emer Concannon, Acting Director of Services, gave a report and advised the Members that recent inspection shows little evidence of wave action erosion at Streedagh beach, although there is some evidence of the dunes being worn down by pedestrian traffic. It would not be feasible to carry out a retrospective survey as a baseline needs to be done first and there is no record of any previous survey being completed.
It was stated that it would be very costly to conduct such a survey and that funding would not be forthcoming from outside agencies given that no infrastructures, i.e., houses or schools were at risk.
Ms. Concannon advised that the council seek an opinion from a relevant professional and that the erection of ‘sand dune fencing’ would be considered in due course.
Councillor Casserly welcomed the commitment to exploring the provision of sand dune fences while also highlighting the need for vigilance by both local Councillors and the local authority regarding the issue of littering in the area associated with camping.
Councillor Gilroy informed the members that Lonely Planet have described this beach as one of the top 10 beaches in Ireland. It was felt that if erosion continues, this amenity would not be available for people in years to come and that it was important to preserve the area and arrange a survey as a starting point which could be somewhat informed by information already available.
As Councillor Fox was not present at the meeting at this time, it was agreed to take his motions later in the meeting when he would be present.
9. TAKING IN CHARGE L7606 AT ARNASBRACK, BALLYGAWLEY:
“To ask Sligo County Council to consider taking in charge road adjacent to L7606 at Arnasbrack, Ballygawley, Co Sligo on safety grounds”
Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
AND AGREED
Ms. Emer Concannon, Acting Director of Services, advised the Members that the road in question was a private road and given this that the responsibility for maintenance lies with the landowners who use the road to access their land holdings. The LIS Scheme is utilised to improve the road surface on private roads and could be considered in this instance.
Councillor Walsh thanks Ms. Concannon for the report and recorded his disappointment at the lack of funding available locally and nationally for the maintenance of Class 2 and 3 roads. He queried if there was a formal process in place for taking in charge a road similar to that of taking in charge an estate.
Ms. Emer Concannon, Acting Director of Services, replied that it would be very difficult to take in charge these private roads given the extent of them and the very limited resources there was available to deal with the maintenance of public roads at present.
Mr. Tom Kilfeather, A/Chief Executive stated that a comparison would be the taking in charge of a road in a housing estate which is only considered when the road is of a standard to allow the council to do so. Mr. Kilfeather also stated that given the limited funding there is available to maintain public roads, it would not be feasible to begin taking over the maintenance of particular private roads given the extent of them that there is.
Mr. Kilfeather stated that while the funding for the LIS was very welcome, it did not meet the need and only covers a fraction of the costs required to maintain Class 2 and 3 roads.
Councillor Healy highlighted the importance of involving the council in the process of putting in a request to the government to look into the provision of a dedicated scheme which would provide much needed funding to tackle the issue of maintenance of Class 2 and 3 roads.
It was agreed that this issue needed to be put on the agenda of the next SPC 2 meeting for progressing.
11. RRDF FUNDING FOR PUBLIC REALM ENHANCEMENT SCHEME IN COLLOONEY:
To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
“To call on Sligo County Council to make an application for funding under the RRDF and engage with appointing a consultant for a public realm enhancement scheme to address traffic management on the main street and the remainder of Collooney village”
Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh
AND AGREED
Ms. Emer Concannon, Acting Director of Services, confirmed that an application had been made under the Rural Regional Development Fund (RRDF) for public enhancement works in Collooney in 2020. However, this application was not successful. The council will reassess the application and include these works for consideration in the third call for Category 2 RRDF applications which is currently open.
It was also agreed that a public consultation should be conducted as soon as current restrictions allowed.
Councillor T. Fox joined the meeting at 1.15pm.
8. DRAINAGE AT AHAMLISH CEMETERY, GRANGE:
To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Fox:
To ask this Council for an update report on the drainage problem at Ahamlish cemetery in Grange, Co. Sligo
Proposed by Councillor T. Fox
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh
AND AGREED
Ms. Emer Concannon advised the Members that the provision of a drainage system would involve going through third party lands and that initial contact had been made with the landowners to progress this issue.
10. ADDITIONAL SEATING AND BINS AT MULLAGHMORE, STREEDAGH, LISADELL AND ROSSES POINT:
To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Fox:
“That Sligo County Council would provide additional seating, benches and solar compacting bins at Mullaghmore Head, Streedagh Beach, Lissadell, and Rosses Point”
Proposed by Councillor T. Fox
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh
AND AGREED
Ms. Emer Concannon, Acting Director of Services, advised the Members that the council are looking at where the best locations are to provide resources given the limited funding available to do so.
Suitable locations have been identified in Rosses Point for additional seating, benches and bins which is currently being progressed. There are no suitable locations for additional seating at Mullaghmore Head, Streedagh or Lissadell, however, Mullaghmore Village is being assessed to determine if there are any suitable locations.
A suitable location is being identified for the use of a set of compacting bins.
Councillor T. Walsh took his motion next (Item 14) as it was related in topic to the previous motion and discussion.
14. MAPPING OF BIN INFRASTRUCTURE IN SLIGO/APPLICATION FOR SMART SOLAR BINS/ANTI DUMPING INITIATIVE:
To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
‘’In anticipation of a busy domestic tourism season to ask Sligo County Council if it has mapped the bin infrastructure in Sligo in light of the recent funding announcement of 5 million for litter infrastructure and ask if the Local Authority intends in making application to the scheme for smart solar compacting bins and that Sligo County Council document what it intends to do in 2021 as part of the Anti-Dumping Initiative.
Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
AND AGREED
Ms. Emer Concannon, Acting Director of Services, advised the Members that the council would be applying for funding from the Anti-Littering Infrastructure/Capital Supports Fund.
The need for a wide geographical spread throughout the county was highlighted as important when applying for this funding.
The issues with the provision of bins were discussed. Mr T. Kilfeather, A/Chief Executive stated that the council were going to use additional staff, i.e., Amenity Wardens throughout the county during the summer in an effort to tackle the issue of littering.
The responsibility of businesses to keep areas outside their premises was also highlighted.
12. ACCESS TO LUKES BRIDGE:
To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
“To call on Sligo County Council’s Road Department for an update with design and funding in relation to the partial of ground which now is made available to them to address the ongoing concerns with access to Luke’s Bridge for sheep farmers to and from the Mountain”
Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
Ms. Emer Concannon, Acting Director of Services gave a report and stated that the council had engaged with the respective landowners to discuss access arrangements and that it would be towards the end of the year when staff could deal with this matter given current work commitments.
It was highlighted that this issue has been raised on a number of occasions in the past by a number of Councillors who all have been in communications with the landowner.
13. R287 INCLUDED IN NEXT THREE YEAR ROADS PROGRAMME:
To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
“That Sligo County Council include the long stretch in the next 3 year roads programme and that the Roadworks could be done in a number of stages over the 3 year period as flooding has been a major problem on the R287 which serves the growing number of motorists for the village of Ballintogher and Leitrim area”
Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh
AND AGREED
Ms. Emer Concannon, Acting Director of Services, advised the Members that to raise this stretch of road would be costly with the possibility of the road sinking further due to poor ground conditions. It was noted that there are no houses or occupied properties affected by flooding and that a short road diversion is put in place when flooding does occur.
Councillor T. Healy stated his disappointment at the council’s response as this flooding had been an issue for a considerable time.
Mr. T. Kilfeather, Acting Chief Executive responded that the Road Works Programme is agreed by the Councillors and that if this road is to be included in future roads programmes that this would have implications for roads in other areas given the extensive costs that would be involved to upgrade this particular road. It was agreed that a costing would be done to ascertain costs which would inform the Members when considering this road in the next Road Works Programme.
It was agreed to set up a meeting between the local council engineer and representatives from the community to discuss possible solutions.
15. COMPLETION OF GRANGE DALE DEVELOPMENT ON N15 AT AGHAGAD, GRANGE:
To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
“To ask for Sligo County Council for a report on what enforcement actions have been taken to ensure the completion of the Grange Dale Development on the N15 at Aghagad Grange which has remained in a state of dereliction and an eye sore at the entrance to Grange Village. The completion of this project could provide much needed residential accommodation and assist the local community and the business owners in making the village more aesthetically pleasing. These buildings have become a venue for anti-social behaviour and the impact on the entire village will only get worse if enforcement is not forthcoming”
Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor T. Fox
AND AGREED
Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services, advised the Members that Sligo County Council Planning and Enforcement Section commenced enforcement action against the original owners of this development when works on completion of the permitted works ceased. It is proposed, by the current owners, to complete works to apartments in Block 1 in the next 12 months. No indication has been given as to when works on Block 2 will take place and as planning permission has expired, a new planning application will be required.
A discussion ensued regarding the importance of ensuring that both Blocks would be completed as soon as possible given that Grange is a much sought after area for development of business and tourism. It was agreed that the progress of works would be kept under review.
16. DISABLED ACCESS FROM CAR PARK TO STREEDAGH BEACH:
To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
“To ask for Sligo County Council for an update on provision of access from the Car Park at Streedagh Beach to the Main beach to make the beach accessible to all and especially parents with Children and People with Disabilities”
Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor T. Fox
AND AGREED
Ms. Emer Concannon, Acting Director of Services stated that as Streedagh Beach is a Special Area of Conservation, any significant works for the provision of disabled access would require planning and resources.
A meeting is scheduled at Streedagh Beach with the Water Safety Development Officer, the National Parks and Wildlife Services, Clean Coasts Group and Council Members in the next few weeks.
This update was welcomed. The importance of looking at possible solutions being used in other areas was highlighted.
17. NOTIFICATION OF PROVISION OF OFF-SHORE WIND FARMS VISIBLE FROM SLIGO COAST LINE:
To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
“That Sligo County Council confirm if this council has received any notification regarding the provision of any off-shore wind farms visible from the Sligo Coast Line.”
Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor T. Healy
AND AGREED
Ms. Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services, advised the Members that Sligo County Council had not received any notification regarding the provision of any offshore wind farms off the Sligo coast.
The Members requested that they be kept up to date with any developments in this regard.
18. CORRESPONDENCE:
None
19. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
None
The business of the meeting concluded at 2.10p.m.
Meeting Date 24/05/2021