Agenda and minutes

Proposed by Councillor Caillian Ellis, Seconded by Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn and UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:

“That the Minutes of the Meeting of Ballinamore Municipal District meeting held on Monday 26th February 2024 be adopted.”

A report from Ms. Sinead McDermott, Tourism Officer was circulated to the Members in advance of the meeting outlining the role of the new County Tourism Forum.  (This Report appears as Appendix 1 to the Minutes of this meeting in the Minutes Book).

The Cathaoirleach invited Members to make their nominations.  No members sought nomination.  Councillor O’Rourke said that in the absence of nominations he would put his name forward as a candidate.

The Members were all in agreement that Councillor Paddy O’Rourke would be the nomination from the Ballinamore Municipal District.

A copy of report from the Roads Department was circulated to the Members in advance of the meeting appears as Appendix 2 to the Minutes of this meeting in the Minutes Book.

Mr. O’Boyle went through the 3 proposed schemes.

Proposed by Councillor Enda McGloin, Seconded by Councillor Caillian Ellis and UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED.

Ms. Sharkey informed the meeting that there was an acknowledgement from the Office of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science regarding a recent a motion raised regarding SUSI Grants.

She also informed the members that a letter has issued to the ESB outlining issues raised at last month’s meeting and requesting a representative to attend a meeting of Ballinamore Municipal District on Monday 22nd April 2022 and is awaiting a response.

I ask Ballinamore Municipal District to pipe the inner verge which is very exposed along the L-2496 at Ballinaglera. In particular the section from Gilrane’s house up towards Slievenakilla. A number of vehicles have ended up having to be pulled from the open drains there.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Enda McGloin;

“I ask Ballinamore Municipal District to pipe the inner verge which is very exposed along the L-2496 at Ballinaglera. In particular, the section from Gilrane’s house up towards Slievenakilla.  A number of vehicles have ended up having to be pulled from the open drains there.”

Report by Roads

"The L-4296-1 connects the RMG 14 and RIG 6. We will pipe the vulnerable road edge as part of these works."

Councillor McGloin thank Mr. O’Boyle for the reply and commented that a number of vehicles have ended up going over the edge and into the drains.

I call on Ballinamore Municipal District to examine the Charlton’s Crossroads junction, Drumshanbo along the L-3307/L-73104 to improve general safety. Can I suggest that the Road Design Office review the traffic flow coming from the four roads and come up with an alternative or safer options.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Enda McGloin;

“I call on Ballinamore Municipal District to examine the Charlton’s Crossroads junction, Drumshanbo along the L-3307/L-73104 to improve general safety. Can I suggest that the Road Design Office review the traffic flow coming from the four roads and come up with an alternative or safer options.”

Report by Roads

"We will install proper signage to advise the Aghacashel road users of a local road junction under our Low-Cost Safety Signage Programme."

Councillor McGloin noted the reply. 

Mr. O’Boyle sought clarification that it was a proposed change to the priority of the junction that was being sought and that this was a good idea and would talk to his colleagues in the Road Design Office. 

Councillor Barry supported the motion and commented that there are four roads meeting here but not in a straight line.

Mr. O'Boyle concluded that the priority of the junction will be changed with advanced signage for a couple of months.

Can I request an update on when Road No. L-55691-0 will be repaired at Leganamer.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn;

“Can I request an update on when Road No. L-55691-0 will be repaired at Leganamer.”

Report by Roads

"The L-55692-0 is on our Surface Dressing Programme this year. The L-55692-0 can be placed on the next 3 year plan"

Councillor Reynolds Flynn acknowledged the reply.

I wish to request an update on Electric Charging Points in Ballinamore.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Ita Reynolds Flynn;

“I wish to request an update on Electric Charging Points in Ballinamore.”

Mr. O'Boyle said that there are ducts running to proposed possible charging points in the town however there may be an issue with the actual supply to that point for the chargers.  The areas being considered are at the Junction car park and possibly along the New Line heading up to Tesco as there is a substation already there.

He said that Padraic MacShera, Capital Projects Office is on a regional committee working on a Regional Feasibility Study for Cavan, Leitrim and surrounding areas to see where it would be possible to locate viable charging points in these counties. 

Councillor McGloin supported the motion.  He said that the charging facilities were needed more from a tourism infrastructure point of view.  Local people who have electric cars have their own charging points at their homes but that charging points are needed to bring people to this part of the county over the summer.  There are the Country and Western Festival in Drumcoura and the Joe Mooney Summer School in Drumshanbo and various events that draw people in and unless we have this type of infrastructure in place, it will have a detrimental effect on those who drive electric cars.

Councillor Reynolds Flynn added that a lot of families whose children/grandchildren want to come down to visit find there is no facility to charge their vehicles.  She said she was disappointed as Manorhamilton and Carrick-on-Shannon have the points already.

I call on Ballinamore Municipal District to have repair works done on road L3378, where it is sinking at an alarming rate at the crossroads leading to Shancurry.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Gerry Dolan;

“I call on Ballinamore Municipal District to have repair works done on road L3378, where it is sinking at an alarming rate at the crossroads leading to Shancurry.”

Report by Roads

"The Local Road L-3378 which links "wooden bridge" to R280 has a good pavement structure. It is prone to settlement nearer the R280 Junction. We will apply for a Climate Adaption Grant in 2025."

Councillor Dolan informed the meeting that there is no grass verge in this location and is causing havoc when traffic meets and he requested if lay-bys could be created on this road.

Councillors Barry and McGloin supported the motion.

Mr. O’Boyle referred to his reply.  He said he would need to talk to the landowner before any works could be done.  This is all dependent on whether he would be successful in obtaining a Climate Action Grant Funding  and that he would wait to see the outcome of funding before engagement with the landowners.

Councillor Dolan again requested the possibility of lay-bys and if this were not suitable could the verges be raised.  Mr. O’Boyle responded that if the verges were raised that would lead to flooding as the water would have nowhere to run off.  He said he would put up delineators in the meantime on the verges.

I request an update from the HSE and Leitrim County Council on the progress that has been made on providing a new building for respite services in Carrick on Shannon for South Leitrim and surrounding areas.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Brendan Barry;

“I request an update from the HSE and Leitrim County Council on the progress that has been made on providing a new building for respite services in Carrick on Shannon for South Leitrim and surrounding areas.”

He referred to a meeting with Anne Rabbitte, Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, in May 2022 at which the Councillors had been told that the HSE was looking at a site beside St. Patrick's Hospital to build a five-bed respite facility.  He said he hoped that a Planning Application would have been lodged at this stage or that at least a Pre Planning Meeting would have taken place.

He requested that a letter be sent to the HSE to see where they are at with the provision of this building and also that the Planning Department be contacted for an update on the position as to whether a pre planning application/planning application has been made.

He noted that there was a campaign by parents underway for more respite for children as it is badly needed in the county, for example if a family has another child in the family that needs to go for an operation to Dublin and will be away for a week, the other parent can't go because they can't get respite. So hopefully we can get a response from the HSE for respite for a facility for adults and children. Or alternatively, the HSE could try and work with St. Ciaran's Day Service to try and get more staff in there so more children can avail of the service.

All members supported the motion.

Councillor O’Rourke noted that Leitrim is one of only two counties in the entire country that does not have a permanent respite centre and that it desperately needs movement on this because although there is a temporary system with the rental of a house in Boyle but we don't know when the landlord may seek back the property and any members who attended that meeting in May 2022 will be sorely disappointed that so little progress has been made since.

I request that Ballinamore Municipal District resurface the local road between Fenagh Village and Aghoo Bridge. The section in Mough and Drumraine is getting particularly bad.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Brendan Barry;

“I request that Ballinamore Municipal District resurface the local road between Fenagh Village and Aghoo Bridge. The section in Mough and Drumraine is getting particularly bad.”

Report by Roads

"The District Office has expended a number of Road Improvement Grants in this area. This is a short section that requires a final pavement and we can include it in the next 3 year Roadworks Programme.  In the meantime, we will carry out general maintenance on the road surface."

Councillor Barry noted the reply and commented that this road is part of the main road.  He hoped that the works would be carried out next year adding that after another winter the surface is going to be in very poor condition.

Councillor Ellis supported the motion.  He said that this road has needed work for the past six years and this road has been done in different sectin and should have been all done together. There is a small piece remaining and he proposed that it is completed this year as there is a huge volume of traffic on that road. 

All members supported the motion.

Mr. O'Boyle responded that the Roadworks Programme is approved by the Elected Members and added that the road from Aghoo to Fenagh has already had two grants on it in the last three years; the side roads off that each had a grant; in that area alone there have been five grants.  The road is around 3.5km in length the options available are:

•             To take one road off this year’s Roadwork’s Programme and replace it with

               this road.

•             Place this road on the start of next year’s Roadwork’s Programme.

Either decision will require approval from the Elected Members.

Mr. O’Boyle advised the Members that the cost of Blacktop has gone up 20% from last year and this will have an effect on the length of roadway which can be done.

Councillor McGloin enquired if additional funding was received at the end of the year could this road be considered and Mr. O’Boyle responded that if funding was received it would be given priority.

I propose that Ballinamore Municipal District put in place a pipe across the R202 in the townland of Glostrim, Fenagh to take the water off the road.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Caillian Ellis;

“I propose that Ballinamore Municipal District put in place a pipe across the R202 in the townland of Glostrim, Fenagh to take the water off the road.”

Report by Roads

"The R202 at Glasdrumman is currently on the 2024 Roadworks Programme. We are carrying out drainage works and have identified areas where drainage is an issue. We are hoping to clean the surrounding road drainage with the support of the local landowners. This action, along with repairing damaged culverts, will alleviate the drainage issue."

Councillor Ellis noted the reply and said that the road is saturated and suggested that if a pipe was put in at an angle the water would go to the drain on the far side and take it away down to the lake.

Mr O'Boyle said there is a solution but that the permission of the landowner was needed but it is proving difficult to make contact with them and if we can get in to clean out the drain the existing system will work. 

I propose that Ballinamore Municipal District erect a plaque with the history of when "The Junction" was a school in Ballinamore.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Caillian Ellis;

“I propose that Ballinamore Municipal District erect a plaque with the history of when "The Junction" was a school in Ballinamore.”

Councillor Ellis said that he would like to see a plaque erected referring to the historic use of the building as a former school.

Councillor O’Rourke commented that this was probably an oversight at the time.  He also noted that in the video shown in “The Junction” there is also no reference made to its former use as a school.

All Councillors supported this motion.

Ms. Sharkey informed the Members that she would write to the Capital Projects Office regarding this matter.

I ask that Ballinamore Municipal District would engage with Uisce Eireann with a view to repairing road no L54981 at Ardrum, Ballinamore.  This road serves their  reservoir along with a good number of family homes who have seen their road taken quite a hammering due to the increase in traffic which is associated with the reservoir.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Paddy O’Rourke;

“I ask that Ballinamore Municipal District would engage with Uisce Eireann with a view to repairing road no L54981 at Ardrum, Ballinamore.  This road serves their reservoir along with a good number of family homes who have seen their road taken quite a hammering due to the increase in traffic which is associated with the reservoir.”

Report by Roads

"The L-54981 has little Irish Water traffic. The road has HGV traffic associated with agriculture. This is a public cul de sac and is currently on the CIS list for restoration. As it is a public road, we will carry out routine maintenance."

Councillor O’Rourke noted the reply and said that there is only light traffic on this road now. 

Mr. O’Boyle responded that it was unfair to blame Irish Water for the damage on the road and that Irish Water constructed a lot of valves on this road and if there is a problem resulting from these works, Irish Water have an obligation to rectify them.

Councillor Barry supported the motion and enquired if it was possible to contact Irish Water to ask them to make a contribution towards a Community Involvement Scheme.

Mr. O’Boyle said he will have a look at the damage caused to the road and assess it if was due to the works by Irish Water and in the meantime routine maintenance will be carried out on it.

I ask that Ballinamore Municipal District carry out the necessary repairs to road no L15522-0 and road no L15489-0 in townlands of Arderry and Drumlea.  The bad winter has taken its toll on these roads which serve several families.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Paddy O’Rourke;

“I ask that Ballinamore Municipal District carry out the necessary repairs to road no L15522-0 and road no L15489-0 in townlands of Arderry and Drumlea.  The bad winter has taken its toll on these roads which serve several families.”

Report by Roads

"The local road L-5522 at Keenheen is on this year’s Roadworks Programme and it is envisaged that we will complete 2km of full restoration during the summer months. The L-5489 is not on this years programme but can be considered for the next 3 year plan."

Councillor O’Rourke noted the reply and said that the families living on this road feel there is very little work being done on it.

Councillor Reynolds Flynn supported the motion.

Congratulations

Councillor Gerry Dolan wished to congratulate the many people who voted “No” in both recent referendums.  He said that it was a great result.

Location – Bus Stops – Ballinamore Town

Mr. O’Boyle gave an update on two proposed locations for bus stops in Ballinamore Town.  He said they were looking at either looking at the New Line (Ring Road) or on the Newtowngore Road.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday 22nd April 2024 at 11.00 am in The Community Hall, The Island Theatre, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim.

This concluded the business of the meeting at 11.40 am.