Minutes 2024
Minutes of Sligo–Drumcliff Municipal District Meeting held on Monday 11th March 2024 at 09.30 am in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo
COUNCILLORS PRESENT:
- Councillor Marie Casserly
- Councillor Donal Gilroy
- Councillor Thomas Healy
- Councillor Thomas Walsh
- Councillor Tom Fox
OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:
- Mr. Jim Molloy, Director of Services
- Ms. Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services
- Ms. Marie Whelan, Head of Finance
- Mr. Paul Hampson, Senior Executive Engineer
- Mr. Adrian Grandison, Vacant Homes Officer
- Mr. Dermot McTiernan, Executive Engineer
- Ms. Jenny Burns, Senior Staff Officer
(R) = participated in the meeting remotely
APOLOGIES:
None
CATHAOIRLEACH:
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Walsh, presided. The Cathaoirleach welcomed all present to the meeting.
1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF THE MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF SLIGO – DRUMCLIFF HELD ON 22ND JANUARY 2024:
Proposed by Councillor T. Fox
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh
AND AGREED
“That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Sligo-Drumcliff held on 22nd January 2024 be confirmed”.
2. MATTERS ARISING:
Councillor Healy referred to item 10 on the Minutes of the Municipal District of Sligo-Drumcliff held on 22nd January 2024, which was a notice of motion that he had placed on the agenda. He stated that the response received was about the Collooney to Ballygawley Road and he wanted an update on the Ballygawley to Ballintogher Road. He understood, from the last meeting, that works on this road were going ahead and asked for confirmation if it was too late to make an application for funding to the Department of Transport for 2024. Mr. Jim Molloy, Director of Services, advised that it is too late to make an application in the current year, however, the matter will be referred to Road Design for a report.
3. UPDATE REPORT ON THE CROÍ CÓNAITHE TOWNS FUND - VACANT PROPERTY REFURBISHMENT GRANT:
Mr. A. Grandison gave an update for the Sligo – Drumcliff MD area as follows:
- 60 applications have been received.
- 41 first inspections have been completed
- 41 grants approved.
- 2 grants rejected.
- 1 application withdrawn.
Mr. Grandison confirmed that 5 grants have been paid under this scheme to date.
In response to a query raised by Councillor Fox, Mr Grandison confirmed that there are no plans to introduce phased payments, however, he advised that consultants have been appointed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to carry out a review of the scheme.
Councillor Casserly asked if there was any proposal to extend the timeline for the various phases as part of the review, and Mr. Grandison stated that there may be a change from the period of 13 months to 18 months.
Mr. Jim Molloy clarified that the Council does not provide loans to applicants under this scheme.
4. SCHEDULE OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT WORKS 2024 – DRAFT ROADS, TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMME
At the outset, the Cathaoirleach, Councillor T. Walsh stated that the Council should write to the Secretary General of the Department and the Minister to ask that the Roads Programme funding would be issued earlier in the year.
Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor T. Fox
AND AGREED
“To consider the Schedule of Municipal District Works 2024, to include Draft Roads, Transportation and Infrastructure Programme”.
5. UPDATE FROM TII RE. CARRYING OUT OF ROAD SAFETY & SPEED SURVEYS ON THE N15, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO ROAD BETWEEN GRANGE & CLIFFONEY
Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
AND AGREED
“To seek an update from TII following previous motions re the carrying out of road safety and speed surveys on the N15 with particular reference to the stretch of road between the villages of Grange and Cliffoney”.
Mr. Paul Hampson gave a report on the motion.
Councillor Casserly asked if the results of the survey are available, and Mr. Hampson advised that they are not. It was agreed that the members would either be issued with an e-mail regarding the results in the next couple of days or the matter would be included in the agenda for the next meeting. Mr Hampson agreed to follow up on the results.
6. POTHOLES ON THE R290
Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh
AND AGREED
“To ask that the potholes on the R290 be filled as soon as possible as many drivers are being affected by them”.
Mr. Paul Hampson gave a report on the motion, which was noted.
7. FLOODING IN LOCAL AUTHORITY HOUSING ESTATE IN CARRIGANS IN MAUGHEROW
Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor T. Fox
AND AGREED
“To call on Sligo County Council to address the ongoing flooding in the local authority housing estate in Carrigans in Maugherow”.
Mr. Paul Hampson gave a report on the motion.
Councillor Healy welcomed the report but added that there must be a blockage somewhere as this is an ongoing issue. Mr. Hampson agreed that the pipe would be cleaned out in the short term but stated that he would investigate the matter further.
8. SAFETY SURVEY FROM SUPERVALU TO THE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN BALLSODARE
Proposed by Councillor T. Healy
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh
AND AGREED
“To call on Sligo County Council to carry out a safety survey from Supervalu to the Community Centre in Ballisodare in the interest of health and safety concerns and to seek funding to address lighting and footpath along this same route”.
Mr. Paul Hampson gave a report on the motion.
Councillor Healy welcomed the report and asked that the issue of funding be left on the agenda.
In response to queries from members, Mr. Hampson agreed to examine the issue of providing signage relating to the concealed entrance to the community football pitches, as well as slow down signs on the approach to the facility and road marking on the road from the village to the pitches.
9. FEASIBILITY STUDY TO DEVELOP A SEWERAGE SYSTEM & WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLAN FOR RATHCORMAC VILLAGE
Proposed by Councillor M. Casserly
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
AND AGREED
“That Sligo County Council request that Irish Water UE carry out a feasibility study to develop a sewerage system and wastewater treatment plant for Rathcormac village”.
Councillor Casserly asked if the Council could commence the process of applying for funding for this project. Mr Jim Molloy agreed to look into the process, including timelines, etc. and to report back to the MD on the next steps.
10. PEDESTRIAN ACCESS & PUBLIC LIGHTING ON OLD GALWAY ROAD, KNOCKBEG, COLLOONEY
Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor T. Healy
AND AGREED
“That Sligo County Council urgently address the lack of pedestrian access and public lighting on the Old Galway Road, Knockbeg, Collooney”.
Mr. Paul Hampson gave a report on the motion.
Councillor Healy expressed his disappointment with the negative response and asked that the Council would try to find a solution to this issue. Mr. Hampson agreed to refer this request to the Road Design Department for further consideration.
11. UPDATE ON PROJECTS FUNDED UNDER THE COMMUNITY RECOGNITION FUND AT ROSSES POINT/CREGG
Proposed by Councillor T. Walsh
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly
AND AGREED
“That Sligo County Council provide an update on the projects funded under the Community Recognition Fund at Rosses Point/Cregg
- Verge widening and installation of public lighting along L-3308 to Cregg (Installation of 11 No. public lighting columns Rosses Point Road and Cregg House building)
- Enhancement works at outdoor swimming pool at Deadman’s Point, Rosses Point
- Bus Shelters in Rosses Point- Provide 3 No. bus shelters along inbound route between Rosses Point & Sligo Town
- Provision of a Community Playground
- Refurbishment of The Den”
Mr. Paul Hampson gave a report on the motion.
12. EXCESSIVE SPEED ON PROMENADE AT ROSSES POINT
Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly
“To ask for Sligo County Council to report on what measures can be taken in the short term to deal with the excessive speed on the promenade in Rosses Point and if either speed bumps or Vehicle Activated speed signs to slow down traffic”.
Mr. Paul Hampson gave a report on the motion.
In relation to the proposal for vehicle activated speed signs, Mr. Hampson advised that TII does not generally provide such signs on national primary roads as it is the belief that they only have value for the first three months.
The members acknowledged the work of the Gardaí at this location, and it was noted that active travel proposals in the village would slow down traffic.
13. TIMELINE FOR GRANGE FOOTPATH IMPROVEMENT WORKS
Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly
“To ask for a timeline for the Grange Footpath Improvement works to include.
- When will Layout drawings be available?
- When detailed design will be completed?
- When will works on the ground be started and completed?
- Can anything be done about the obstacle outside the health Centre where the 50KPH Sign is sticking out into the road in advance of these works”?
Mr P. Hampson gave report on the motion.
Councillor Gilroy expressed his disappointment that this issue does not appear to be progressing despite being raised for a number of years now. It was agreed that correspondence issue from this MD to the Chief Executive and the A/Director of Services requesting a detailed report and a meeting to discuss the issue further.
It was also agreed that correspondence be forwarded to the Chief Executive and Director of Services stating that, when there is an item placed on the agenda for this meeting, relevant members of staff should be present in the Chamber to answer queries.
14. FUTURE USE OF OLD PRIMARY CARE CENTRE IN CLIFFONEY
Proposed by Councillor D. Gilroy
Seconded by Councillor M. Casserly
“To write to HSE Estates and ask that they meet with this Municipal District members to discuss the future use of the old Primary Care centre in Cliffoney and see if this can be used as a set down area for the adjacent Primary School”.
This motion was supported by all members of the MD.
15. SPEED RAMPS ON R278 OUTSIDE MARION HALL, CALRY
Proposed by Councillor T. Fox
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
“To call on Sligo County Council to make the necessary arrangements for the provision of speed ramps on the R278 outside Marion Hall, Calry and to advise when the works due to be carried out on footpaths will commence”.
Mr. Paul Hampson gave a report on the motion.
Councillor Fox asked if a contract had been awarded yet for work on footpaths at Farranacardy and Mr. Hampson advised that the contract has not been signed as a date for commencement has not been agreed.
16. ALTERNATIVE LAYOUT FOR BUS STOPS IN BALLYSADARE TOWN
Proposed by Councillor T. Fox
Seconded by Councillor T. Walsh
“To request that Sligo County Council examine if an alternative design/layout is possible for the bus stops in Ballysadare town centre in order to alleviate traffic congestion”.
Mr. Paul Hampson gave a report on the motion.
It was noted by the members that this issue is having a negative impact on traffic and people using the buses in Ballysadare and needs to be prioritised.
17. UPDATE ON WORKS TO FOOTPATHS AT HAZELWOOD ROAD AND CARPARK OUTSIDE CALRY ST. JOSEPH’S COMMUNITY PARK
Proposed by Councillor T. Fox
Seconded by Councillor D. Gilroy
“To request an update for works due to be carried out on footpaths at the Hazelwood Rd (R286) and at the carpark outside Calry St Joseph’s Community Park, Hazelwood”.
Mr. Paul Hampson gave a report on the motion.
Councillor Fox welcomed the report and called for this work to be prioritised in the near future.
In response to a query from Councillor Gilroy, Mr Hampson advised that the proposal is to improve the existing footpath at this location, which will not have any effect on the width of the road.
Following a request from Councillor Fox, Mr Hampson agreed to examine the issue of a public light at this location, that is being blocked out by overgrown foliage.
18. VOTES OF SYMPATHY
Noted.
19. VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS
It was proposed by Councillor Casserly, seconded by Councillor Walsh, and agreed, that a vote of congratulations be extended to ATU Sligo and St. Angela’s GAA Team on winning the Moynihan Cup over Limerick.
It was proposed by Councillor Walsh, seconded by Councillor Casserly, and agreed, that a vote of congratulations would be extended to Coola Post Primary School ladies on winning the All-Ireland FAI Junior B Schools National Cup.
It was proposed by Councillor Walsh, seconded by Councillor Casserly, and agreed, that a vote of congratulations would be extended to Sligo Rugby Club on winning the Connacht Senior Cup Final and League 2023/24.
19. CORRESPONDENCE
Noted.
20. DATE & VENUE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The members noted a provision date of 20 May 2024 for the next meeting; however, it agreed that this needs to be checked with the other MDs as the Plenary Meeting will be held on the 2nd Monday of the month due to the public holiday in May.
21. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Councillor Healy referred to his motion from the January meeting that he had raised under “Matters Arising” and proposed that funding would be provided in 2024 for these works. Councillor Walsh seconded this proposal.
The business of the meeting concluded at 11.20 am.
Meeting Date 11/03/2024