Proposed by Councillor Padraig Fallon, seconded by Councillor Frank Dolan and UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:

“That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District held in HSE Offices Manorhamilton on Monday 9th December 2019 be adopted.”

·        Correspondence from Office of the Taoiseach acknowledging letter regarding Children in Climate Change Campaign.

·        Correspondence from Office of the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht regarding afforestation and the destruction of biodiversity.

·        Councillor Mary Bohan, Cathaoirleach, welcomed Ms Fiona O’Shea, Transport Manager, Local Link Services, to the meeting.

·        Ms O’Shea gave a presentation on Local Link Services in County Leitrim, following which the Cathaoirleach invited comments from the members.

·        All of the Councillors expressed their appreciation for the service that is being provided and acknowledged how important it is for local communities and tourism in Co. Leitrim. They highlighted there are gaps in service provision such as a night time service at the weekends and the availability of a community car service.

·        Ms O’Shea advised she would welcome an opportunity to work in partnership with Leitrim County Council to formulate a transport delivery strategy and that the provision of bus shelters and pull in spaces would be of great benefit to the Local Link Service. Ms Marie Mulligan, Area Engineer, advised there is currently no resources for bus shelters, however that funding for this could be sought through a CLÁR grant application later this year. 

·        Councillor Mary Bohan advised that she will ask other Municipal District meetings to compile their comments and issues in relation to Local Link and that they will submit in writing to Fiona O’Shea.

When does the council see the date that the new area office will be open in W8 complex and what services will be offered at the new office. It is important to get definite date as the tourism season is upon us in March and we want to get the North of the county to have foot fall in the year ahead with Brexit on the horizon.

"When does the council see the date that the new area office will be open in W8 complex and what services will be offered at the new office. It is important to get definite date as the tourism season is upon us in March and we want to get the North of the county to have foot fall in the year ahead with Brexit on the horizon."

Report by Director of Services, Housing and Community, Corporate Services, Cultural and Emergency Services

"Occupation of the building will take place as soon as the legal process is completed."

Councillor Felim Gurn queried if a date could be provided, Ms Mary Quinn advised members will be notified of the date as soon as it is available.

The members paid tribute to Mr Shane Kerrigan, W8, on being awarded the John and Sally McKenna National Guides 2020 Megabites Award for being one of Irelands’ Top 100 best places to eat, for visits and to stay.

"In Dromahire, at the school and crèche area, the issue of getting a car park is a major issue to facilitate parents collecting and dropping of kids in safe environment. Can the council accommodate this by acquiring land suitable for a car park?"

Report by Roads - General

"The parking needs in Dromahaire are currently being assessed, with the town centre being the priority. The matter will continue to receive attention."

All members supported the motion.

"I propose that an examination of Local Authority housing facilities at Aras Breffni Manorhamilton be undertaken, as there are a number of issues, complaints, arising here which I believe will require works."

Report by Director of Services, Housing and Community, Corporate Services, Cultural and Emergency Services

"The Housing maintenance team have a number of planned maintenance works scheduled for the springtime. Leitrim County Council deal with any reported issues that arise on a case by case basis."

Councillor Fallon advised he welcomed the reply and thanked the housing maintenance team. All members supported the motion.

"That this Municipal explore the possibility of extending water services & supply on the Dowra road Drumkeeran."

Report by Head of Finance & Water Services

"Irish Waters network upgrade programme is confined to the upgrade of existing pipelines only. At present there is no facility to apply for new water or wastewater networks. For extending the network on the Dowra road out of Drumkeeran the most suitable avenue would be to apply for funding as a group scheme under the Rural Water department"

Councillor Padraig Fallon stated that a group water scheme is not possible in this instance. Councillor Mary Bohan supported the motion.

"I ask Leitrim County Council to consider adopting Fowley's Fall, Rossinver as a twin waterfall with Glencar Waterfall, which has worldwide recognition. I believe this would encourage tourists to explore more of North Leitrim."

Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.

"There is need firstly to redevelop this waterfall to an acceptable level as a recreation or tourist attraction. Leitrim County Council is collaborating with Coillte as part of joint Working Group to develop recreational infrastructure in and adjacent to Coillte forests in the county. Fowleys Falls has been identified as a key potential project for development. In this regard, through the Recreation Forum we are working with the Ballagh Centre and Leitrim Development Company to secure the progression of a design for reinstating the walk at the Falls where subsidence has occurred and developing an adjacent looped walk and trail head.

It is anticipated that an application will be made to the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for funding in Summer 2020."

Councillor Sean McDermott highlighted the importance of tourism for Co. Leitrim and the development of the county’s resources. He recognised that this is work in progress and was happy to see that there are project development plans in place. All members supported the motion.

"I ask that road number L2219 in Glenboy be repaired where the edge on this road has sunken and broken up. This area of road is located on the Manorhamilton side of the Irwin homestead."

Report by Roads - General

"This road will be inspected and routine maintenance works will be undertaken as necessary."

Councillor Sean McDermott stated he was happy with the response.

"What contingency plan will be in place between our Local Authority and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council for water quality issues in Lough Melvin after Brexit on the 31st of January?"

Report by Head of Finance & Water Services

"Under the Water Framework Directorate, Leitrim County Council will continue to sample Lough Melvin in 2020 as laid out in the EPA WFD Sampling Programme. All samples will be sent to EPA accredited laboratory for analysis. There will be no change here post Brexit as this work will continue. Lough Melvin was selected as a Priority Area of Action by EPA and other Statutory bodies namely Leitrim County Council, Inland Fisheries Ireland, National Parks & Wild Life Services , Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and others under the 2018 – 2021 River Basin Management Plan.

The Local Authority Water Programme office comprising the Local Authority Water Community office and the Catchment Assessment Team was set up a couple of years ago and they hold Border Regional Operational Group Meeting on a quarterly basis and also Border Regional Water and Environment Management Committee Meetings also held on a quarterly basis. All Cross border agencies are present at these meetings.

Furthermore, the EPA Catchments Unit have commenced carrying out the pressure-impact assessments for the 3rd Cycle River Basin Management Plan which is due to be published in draft at the end of 2020. There will be extensive workshops held by EPA/LAWPRO for this new Draft 2020. The final Plan under the 3rd cycle will be produced by December 2021. There will be workshops and public Consultation periods for all agencies North/South to input into this plan regards Water Quality concerns on Lake and river water Bodies. This will include our neighbouring colleagues from Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and also Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. Both Leitrim County Council, LAWPRO Staff and EPA engage on a regular basis with our colleagues at the various working Groups as highlighted and will continue after Brexit as Lough Melvin is a cross Border shared water resource."

Councillor Justin Warnock advised he has concerns regarding what is being discharged at the Garrison side of Lough Melvin. The Environment Department have taken samples of the foam to examine it. Lough Melvin is a source of water and Councillor Warnock queried who would police it after 31stJanuary 2020. Ms Mary Quinn advised she will raise this issue again with the Environment Department.

"I ask the Senior Engineer Terry McGovern in the Roads and Infrastructure Department if design works and costings have been undertaken for the realignment of the R280 and the facilitation of a walk / cycle way between Kinlough and Bundoran? If not, I would ask to progress these works so that the project is shovel ready when a suitable funding stream becomes available."

Report by Roads - General

"Funding for Road Realignment Schemes on Regional and Local roads is sought through The Specific Improvement Grant Program. In making these applications, a Project Appraisal Report and a Multi Criteria Analysis is completed together with an estimate of cost and an analysis of accident data on the road section in question. Following a call from the department, applications for Specific Improvement Grants were made in 2019, for 10 schemes for the current year, five of which are in the Manorhamilton MD, namely R280 Gubinea, R280 Erriff, R280 Lennox Bridge, R281 at Gorteendarragh and L2075 Kinlough.

While it would be desirable to have detailed design works undertaken in advance of all applications being made, we do not have adequate resources to have full designs completed prior to funding being allocated. In any event, it is not a requirement of the Department of Transport to have detailed designs completed at funding application stage.

When we are submitting Specific Improvement Grant applications, later in the year for works in 2021, the section of road between Kinlough and the Donegal County boundary can be considered."

Councillor Justin Warnock advised he would like to see all the works carried out at the same time. Councillor Mary Bohan and Councillor Felim Gurn supported the motion.

"I propose that Manorhamilton MD run an advertising slot on local radio reminding people of their responsibility to cut and maintain roadside hedges, and also the period that is left for doing so."

Report by Roads - General

"This was previously considered in 2019, and it was determined that a more cost effective method to heighten awareness of the landowners responsibility and of the availability of the grant scheme for hedge cutting, would be to run and advertising campaign in local papers, on our website and also to circulate it for inclusion in the all parish newsletters within the county. This campaign resulted in a major increase, (fourfold), in the grant applications for the scheme, in the latter part of 2019 than in the full previous year. We now propose to extend the deadline for these applications until mid-February 2020, and in order to publicise this, we will again advertise it in local press, on our website and through the parish newsletters. We will also notify the IFA of the responsibility of the landowners with regard to roadside hedges and of the availability of the grant."

Councillor Frank Dolan advised this is a very important issue as hedge cutting season will soon be over. Councillor Padraig Fallon suggested that the hedge cutting contractors should also be informed of the grant as from his experience some contractors are not aware it is available. Ms Marie Mulligan, Area Engineer, advised that she would review. All members supported the motion.

"I ask that Leitrim County Council put in an underground pipe outside Doon Lodge (at the edge of Lough Doon) to remove the continuous flow of surface water at this point."

Report by Roads - General

"The issue of surface water flowing onto the R287 at this location has been investigated. The problem is that water from the property is flowing onto the public road. The property owner has been contacted and was issued with a letter under the Roads Act 1993 to address this hazard. The Council will assist the property owner by providing drainage material when he arranges to undertake these works, however works must be undertaken immediately."

Councillor Dolan stated he was happy with the response.

"I propose that Leitrim Co Council provide public lighting at the amenity area on the R280 in Drumkeerin."

Report by Roads - General

"While the provision of public lighting at this location is desirable, the Council does not have funding available for the extension of the public lighting network. However, there is a measure under the CLÁR grant scheme that provides funding for public lighting. We can assist a local community group with an application under this measure, when a Call for the CLÁR Projects is announced, later in the year."

Councillor Mary Bohan expressed dissatisfaction that there is no funding available for these additional lights and that a CLÁR application would have to be submitted.

"What is the current position regarding the provision of street refuse bins in our towns and villages? Some bins have been removed recently."

Report by Roads - General

"The Council's approach to litter management is to encourage litter prevention and control as a response to litter problems rather than an over-reliance on the provision of bins to solve all litter problems.

An annual review of the use, quantity and location of public bins is undertaken to ensure adequate functioning.

A number of litter bins have been removed, prior to removal these bins were monitored and it was noted that their contents was household waste and not street litter.

Monitoring of the areas from where the bins were removed will continue to identify if a street litter problem emerges."

Councillor Mary Bohan enquired if it would be possible to reinstate bins close to the College in Drumkeeran. Ms Marie Mulligan, Area Engineer, advised the area can be monitored to see if there is a litter issues. Following review, if a bin is required in the area, a bin with a smaller opening could be put in place to deter the dumping of household rubbish. Councillor Padraig Fallon supported the motion.

·        Councillor Sean McDermott wished to acknowledge the works carried out by Leitrim County Council on the footpaths in McDermott’s Terrace.

·        Councillor Felim Gurn recognised all of the hard work that was done in relation to the SLNCR greenway.

·        Councillor Padraig Fallon gave a letter of representation to the Area Engineer from business owners in Manorhamilton that will be affected by the proposed change to parking near the old post office. Ms Marie Mulligan advised when the parking is being addressed, that any changes will be in accordance with the parking by-laws and there will be a consultation process.

·        It was agreed with the members that the next meeting of Manorhamilton MD will take place on Monday 17th February at 3:00pm in ÁRAS an Chontae, Carrick-on-Shannon.