Minutes 2021

Minutes of Meeting of Sligo-Drumcliff Municipal District held on Monday 26th July 2021 at 10.00 a.m. in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Marie Casserly (Cathaoirleach)
  • Councillor Tom Fox (virtually)
  • Councillor Thomas Healy
  • Councillor Thomas Walsh

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Mr Tom Kilfeather, A/Chief Executive
  • Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services (virtually)
  • Marie Whelan, Head of Finance (virtually)
  • Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services
  • Jane Golden, Staff Officer

 

APOLOGIES/ABSENT:

  • Councillor Dónal Gilroy

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Marie Casserly, welcomed all present to the meeting.

 

1.  MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO/DRUMCLIFF HELD ON 24th MAY 2021:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Sligo-Drumcliff held on 24th May 2021”.

 

2.  MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO/DRUMCLIFF HELD ON 28TH JUNE 2021:

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

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Municipal District of Sligo-Drumcliff held on 28th June 2021”.

 

3.  MATTERS ARISING:

There were no matters arising.

 

As Councillor T. Fox was having technical difficulties, it was agreed to take his motions later in the meeting.

7.  SAFETY CONCERNS AT ROUNDABOUT, ST MARYS GREEN, COLLOONEY:

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

AND AGREED

“Following on from my notice of motion in September 2020 relative to safety concerns with the roundabout at St Mary’s Green, Collooney, it was agreed a review of the recent works would be carried out including the roundabout.  I ask for findings and recommendations of the review”

Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services gave a report stating that interventions provided at St Mary’s Green, Collooney were provided in accordance with the required standards and best practice.   It was proposed to carry out a survey of traffic volumes and speeds to establish if further interventions were required, which would be subject to funding.

Councillor T. Walsh responded that there was an issue with a ramp and alignment which he requested to be looked at also.

 

8.  INCREASE IN FUNDING THROUGH COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME 2021:

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

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council consider increasing the funds available in the Community Enhancement Programme 2021 in an effort to support the Community and Voluntary Sector who now need our help after they have supported and continue to support their communities through the pandemic”

Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services highlighted that the Community Enhancement Programme 2021 was oversubscribed with 84 applications received and that Sligo County Council’s resources were committed for 2021.

It was agreed to write to the Department of Rural & Community Development to request an increase to the funding available, while also highlighting the issues community groups have with regard to increasing insurance costs.

It was confirmed that it is hoped to have a Festivals & Events Officer in place by the end of 2021 and as a result of this, any underspend to date on this project would not be available for reallocation.

The members joined in acknowledging the volunteer work of all communities throughout the County along with the ongoing grants and support that communities receive from Sligo County Council.

 

9.  FINNID LANE, CARNEY & CLISH BEACH, CLOGHBOLEY BE INCLUDED FOR UPGRADE WORKS:

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

AND AGREED

“That Finnid Lane, Carney and the access road to Clish Beach, Cloghboley be included in the recently announced funding for upgrade works for rural roads and laneways”

Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services, stated that additional funding recently announced had already been committed.  As no LIS application had been submitted for these schemes, it was agreed that they would be considered for inclusion in the 2022 LIS Programme if applications are submitted.

It was also confirmed that LIS allocations are distributed as evenly as possible throughout the Municipal Districts and only covers works on private roads.

 

10.  PURCHASE OF LAND FOR NEW BURIAL GROUND IN NORTH SLIGO:

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

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to give an update report on a proposal I put forward to purchase land to address the need for a new burial ground in North Sligo”

Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services confirmed that negotiations were ongoing relating to the purchase of land for the cemetery in North Sligo.  This update was favourably received by the members.

 

11.  UPDATE REPORT ON PEDESTRAIN CROSSING IN BALLISODARE:

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

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council for a update report on the proposed pedestrian crossing for Ballisodare and a date on when this work will start”

It was highlighted that this issue has been raised on a number of occasions.  Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services stated that preliminary investigations and draft design for a pedestrian crossing in Ballisodare were proposed in Q4 of 2019.  An informal public consultation did not provide a consensus on the preferred location for a pedestrian crossing.  It was also noted that the project must be approved by the TII in order to receive funding.  Ms. Concannon agreed to engage with the TII re: potential funding and will get back to Councillor Healy should the need arise.

 

12.  GRASS CUTTING AT ROAD JUNCTIONS:

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

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to give an update report on cutting of grass at road junctions in our Municipal area”

Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services confirmed that verge trimming had been carried out recently on all junctions on the N15 and N16 with works planned for the Grange/Drumcliff areas over the coming weeks.  Any areas of concern should be brought to the attention of the area engineers.  The junction at Aughamore was highlighted as needing attention and it was agreed that individual junctions of concern would be reviewed.

 

It was agreed to take Councillor T. Fox’s motions at this point in the meeting.

4.  RESURFACING OF CAR PARK AT RATHCORMACK NATIONAL SCHOOL:

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

AND AGREED

“To call on Sligo County Council to make the necessary arrangements to resurface the car park adjacent to Rathcormack National School”

Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services stated that an estimate to resurface the car park was currently being prepared.  Councillor’s proposal funding had been allocated to complete these works, however, funds had not been sufficient to complete the works and additional Councillor’s allocations will be required.

It was agreed to look at costings again in light of the members giving their support to having the works completed in the interest of Health & Safety.

 

5.  ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT CLOGHER CEMETRY, CALRY

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

AND AGREED

“To request an update report on the necessary road improvement works at Clogher Cemetery, Calry”

Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services confirmed that this road would be considered for inclusion when drafting the 2022-2024 Multi Annual Restoration Improvement Programme.  Councillor T. Fox welcomed the report and requested a meeting with the local engineer to review the area.

 

6.  PROGRESS REPORT ON SEWERAGE SCHEME IN ROSSES POINT:

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

AND AGREED

“To receive a progress report on the upgrading of the sewerage scheme in Rosses Point”

Ms. Emer Concannon, a/Director of Services updated the members with a report received from Irish Water which stated that the Rosses Point Sewerage Scheme involved repairs to the wastewater collection network in the village, construction of pumping stations and rising mains with connection to the Sligo Town wastewater system.  It was noted that the existing Rosses Point wastewater treatment plant will be decommissioned on completion of this project.  The Project is currently out to tender, with tenders expected back in August. Following tender evaluation, it is expected that construction will commence early in 2022.

All members welcomed this update and progress on the project.

Councillor T. Fox queried if residents living between Rosses Point and Sligo Town would be able to connect to this network.  Ms Concannon agreed to contact Irish Water for clarification on this and will revert to Councillor T. Fox.

 

13.  DERELICT APARTMENTS IN ROSSES POINT VILLAGE:

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

AND AGREED

“To see an update on the status of the derelict apartments at the entrance to Rosses Point village from the Planning Department”

Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services reported that the Enforcement Section will carry out a site inspection to ascertain the condition of the properties. The owners will also be contacted and asked about their future plans for the completion and occupation of these vacant apartments and their proposed timeline for doing so.  The report was welcomed by all members and Ms. Clarke agreed to report back her findings to the members.

 

14.  OVERGROWN AREAS IN ROSSES POINT BETWEEN PIER AND YACHT CLUB:

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

AND AGREED

“To ask that the path and seating areas between the Pier and Yacht Club in Rosses Point which is overgrown at present be cut back and tidied up”

Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services informed the members that the Rosses Point Development Association have always maintained this area.  The Area Engineer had spoken to the Development Association and it is understood that maintenance works will be carried out along this pathway in August.  Councillor M. Casserly agreed to pass this information on.

 

15.  CORRESPONDENCE:

 None.

 

16.  ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

(i)  All members joined in congratulating local Olympian Mona McSharry on getting through to the swimming finals in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on her first attempt.  This was an outstanding achievement as she is the first person from Ireland to qualify in swimming in 25 years.

(ii)  Councillor T. Walsh stated his concerns and voiced the concerns of members of the community at a planning application to open a quarry at Carraroe.  A total of 96 observations have been made by the community in relation to this application and a large public meeting has been held.

(iii)   It was agreed that the date of the next meeting would be on Monday 11th October 2021 at 10.00am in the Council Chamber.

 

(iv) Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Members of the Maloney Family, Doorla, Drumfin, on the death of Michael”.

 

The business of the meeting concluded at 10.50am.

 


Meeting Date 26/07/2021