Agenda and minutes

Subject to formal approval at the statutory meeting at a later date.

Minutes of Manorhamilton Municipal District meeting held on 18^th May 2020 were noted by the members.

Letter from Mr Eoghan Murphy TD, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government in connection with tenant purchase scheme query was noted by the members.

Ms Mary Quinn provided an update to the members in relation to the current operating procedures of Leitrim County Council arising from the Covid 19 pandemic. Ms Quinn further provided an overview of existing service provision and the funding streams that have been announced recently.

I ask if the programme of upgrading public lighting will continue, as it has improved the lighting in many of our towns and villages.

"I ask if the programme of upgrading public lighting will continue, as it has improved the lighting in many of our towns and villages."

Report by Roads - General

"By the end of 2020, all public Lighting along the national routes in the county will be changed to energy efficient LEDs improving lighting in any towns and villages along these routes. In addition, as part of the public lighting maintenance contract, small scale replacement will continue to happen throughout the county on an ongoing basis.

Furthermore, plans for a National Retro program for public lighting is progressing on a regional basis. County Leitrim is taking part in this program of works as part of the Connacht/Ulster region and it is envisaged that these works will be advertised for tender next year, with the works being completed over a two year period throughout the region"

All members supported the motion.  

I am asking Leitrim County Council to continue ongoing discussions on broadband connection points around the county. This issue is very relevant at the moment with increased usage as more people are work from home. There are many community facilities in North Leitrim where people could work from if the broadband was improved.

"I ask Leitrim County Council to continue ongoing discussions on broadband connection points around the county. This issue is very relevant at the moment with increased usage as more people are working from home. There are many community facilities in North Leitrim where people could work from if the broadband was improved."

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

"Leitrim County Council's Broadband Officer is continuing to engage with the various contacts for the selected Broadband Connection Points in Leitrim to ensure that through National Broadband Ireland, these premises are connected as soon as possible to high speed broadband. All of the premises have already been surveyed and it is hoped to connect them very soon."

Cllr Sean McDermott enquired if all community centres in North Leitrim have been surveyed and requested a further update for the next council meeting.

All members supported the motion.

I propose that manhole / service covers in front of dwellings 29 - 32 Sheena Drumkeeran be replaced as required.

"I propose that manhole / service covers in front of dwellings 29 - 32 Sheena Drumkeeran be replaced as required."

Report by Roads - General

"I have requested the Housing Department to replace the service covers to the front of these houses."

Councillor Padraig Fallon welcomed the response and advised these covers need to be replaced as quickly as possible for safety.

I propose that a lane be marked on the N16 for turning off on to L4141 Glencar, similar to what exists at L4142 turn off for church. This has been raised with me by a number of locals.

"I propose that a lane be marked on the N16 for turning off on to L4141 Glencar, similar to what exists at L4142 turn off for church. This has been raised with me by a number of locals."

Report by Roads - General

"We can examine this location for the requirement of a Right Turning Lane. However, as per the national road design guidelines, this will be based on such parameters as the volume of Traffic movements at the junction, the AADT on the minor road, the collision / recorded accident history etc. etc. If such a Right Turning can be justified we will liaise with the Safety section of the TII. However it should be noted that the introduction of a full Right Turning lane will reduce the overtaking opportunity on the national road significantly and this will be another factor that will also be considered."

Councillor Padraig Fallon noted the response and expressed his safety concerns.

Councillor Frank Dolan supported the motion.

Ms Marie Mulligan, Senior Executive Engineer, advised the right turning lane will reduce the overtaking opportunity and will interrupt the flow of traffic. However junction in question will be examined in consultation with the TII.

Councillor Fallon requested the members be updated on this matter in due course.

I ask Leitrim County Council to write to the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan TD to seek funding for a feasibility study for RSES Regional Policy Objective 5.3 for the development of North Leitrim as a National Park.

"I ask Leitrim County Council to write to the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan TD to seek funding for a feasibility study for RSES Regional Policy Objective 5.3 for the development of North Leitrim as a National Park"

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

"The wording of the Regional Policy Objective 5.3 in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy is as follows:

The Assembly supports the consideration of the zone of: (i) North Sligo/North Leitrim (Benbulbin and its hinterland); and (ii) The area surrounding and including Lough Arrow/Lough Key. As potential National Parks/National Recreation Areas. It supports collaboration in this regard with stakeholders including NPWS, Local Authorities, Dept. of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

The Planning Department would advise that what is supported in this objective is the "consideration" of these areas as potential National Parks/Recreational Areas. The area included in this objective is not just North Leitrim, it is also the adjoining area in North Co. Sligo collectively described as ‘Benbulbin and its hinterland’. It is also considered broader in its scope than a national park, hence reference to recreational area in the objective.

It is respectfully considered that as a first step in this process, it would be appropriate to ask the Regional Assembly if it would take the lead in activating the consideration and agreeing the structures with the constituent Local Authorities concerned. It is then a matter of the Regional Assembly to engage with the necessary stakeholders, define the boundaries and explore the opportunities to advance this consideration. It is therefore considered that it is premature to write to the Minister as suggested to seek funding at this time for the reasons outlined above. The Planning Department would instead advise that a letter should issue to the Regional Assembly requesting it would take the lead in activating the consideration and agreeing the structures required to commence this consideration with the constituent Local Authorities concerned."

Councillor Justin Warnock advised he is disappointed with the response and added a great opportunity exists to develop a National Park in North Leitrim. He called upon Mr Lar Power, Chief Executive, Mr Joseph Gilhooly, Director of Services and Mr Bernard Greene, Senior Planner, to meet with David Minton, Denis Kelly and Conan McGettigan from the North West Regional Assembly to examine what could be achieve.

Councillor Mary Bohan supported the request for the meeting to explore the idea of a National Park. She added that she has concerns that it could restrict the opportunity to build houses in the area.

Councillor Frank Dolan welcomed further discussion on the idea of a National Park and how it would impact on planning in the area.

All members supported the call for a meeting between Senior Management in Leitrim County Council and the North West Regional Assembly and welcomed the opportunity to examine the benefits and drawbacks to a National Park in North Leitrim.

I ask Leitrim County Council to contact the developer of Lough Melvin Forest Park to have the right of way through this development reopened which has been closed to the people of Kinlough for the past 15 years.

"I ask Leitrim County Council to contact the developer of Lough Melvin Forest Park to have the right of way through this development reopened which has been closed to the people of Kinlough for the past 15 years."

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

"Whilst it is desirable that this route be reopened it is considered that the practicalities involved are such as to prevent this from occurring in the immediate future and it can only occur as part of a full site resolution plan for the unfinished housing development through which the route traverses. While the route was originally closed by the Developer of the housing development the current closure was undertaken by the Council when the entire site was fenced off using powers available to the Council under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1964 after the Council declared the entire site a dangerous place that contained dangerous structures and was also a derelict site. The Council considers that the entire site retains these designations and so the reopening of this route in the absence of a full resolution to the unfinished housing development site would be contrary to public safety. The Council will continue its engagement with the Owner of the site in respect of achieving a full site resolution plan for the entire development including the reopening of this route as soon as is practicable whilst ensuring public safety is protected."

Ms Mary Quinn, Director of Services, advised that this route is not recorded as a public right of way.

Councillor Just Warnock advised he was informed previously that they only way to reinstate the right of way was to bring this issue before a Council meeting.

All members supported the motion and request it be investigated further to clarify.

How many L.I.S schemes are on the current list in the Manorhamilton Municipal District and how many will commence this year?

"How many L.I.S schemes are on the current list in the Manorhamilton Municipal District and how many will commence this year?"

Report by Roads - General

"There are a total of 124 No. Applications on the LIS Waiting List at present. Of these approx. 47 Applications relate to the Manorhamilton Municipal District.        Leitrim County Council have been notified of an Allocation of €250,000 in respect of LIS’s for 2020.            It is expected that this Allocation will allow approx. 10 LIS’s to be completed in 2020. The LIS Waiting list is processed in Chronological order and we have written out to the first 10 on the LIS Waiting List requesting them to update their Application Details and supporting Documentation in order to verify their eligibility for this Scheme in accordance with the T & C’s of this Scheme.    Documentation Submitted by these applicants is currently being reviewed to assess their eligibility and depending on the outcome of this, further applicants on the LIS Waiting List may be written to requesting updated documentation.  At present of these 10 Schemes from whom we have requested updated applications and documentation, 2 of them are located in the Manorhamilton MD."

Councillor Mary Bohan expressed concern length of time it will take to complete the current list. She proposed writing the new Minister, when they are appointed, requesting a special allocation be made and Leitrim is given priority to address the current list.

Councillor Frank Dolan supported the motion and queried of there has been a change to the criteria recently.

Ms Mary Quinn advised she has not received any correspondence from the Department regarding a change to the criteria.

What is the current position regarding the Councils actions in relation to the Abbey Hotel building in Dromahair, and what recent contact has been made with the owners?

"What is the current position regarding the Councils actions in relation to the Abbey Hotel building in Dromahair, and what recent contact has been made with the owners?"

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

"A series of works to prevent the former Abbey Hotel, a Protected Structure, from becoming endangered were carried out by the owners of the property in spring 2018. This followed the serving of a Section 59 Notice on the owners of the property by the Planning Authority (Endangerment of a Protected Structure) and a notice of our intention to include the property on the Derelict Sites Register. The property is being inspected on regular intervals on behalf of the owners to ensure that the windows and doors remain boarded up / security fencing intact. The property is the subject of persistent and organised vandalism. The Planning Authority is not therefore of the view that any action is required at this time having last inspected the property in March of this year. The property is not the subject of any Notices at present.

The nature of recent discussions with the owners of the property or their representatives relate to the identification of a suitable and feasible project which would seek to reuse the hotel building."

Councillor Mary Bohan queried how advanced are the discussions with the owner of the property and enquired if this has been listed as a derelict site. She added this is a prominent building in the village and its condition is regrettable. She added it is a source of great concern for residents and the people who are working to develop the village of Dromahair.

Ms Mary Quinn, Director of Services advised she will get an update from the Planning Department.

The access road to Cloonlogher graveyard has not been resurfaced in last 20-30 years and is in poor condition for relatives visiting the graveyard. Can it be included in the next road programme.

"The access road to Cloonlogher graveyard has not been resurfaced in last 20-30 years and is in poor condition for relatives visiting the graveyard. Can it be included in the next road programme."

Report by Roads - General

"The Cloonclogher road, the L21691 will be consider for inclusion in the 2021 road maintenance programme, in the mean time routine maintenance will be undertaken on this road."

Councillor Felim Gurn advised he was happy with the response.

Al members supported the motion.

Due to the recent dry spell of weather, the N16 from Shanvaus to the Shrine has suddenly deteriorated with major potholes developing. These potholes are causing damage to cars going from Manorhamilton to Sligo. Can this road be repaired as soon as possible?

"Due to the recent dry spell of weather, the N16 from Shanvaus to the Shrine has suddenly deteriorated with major potholes developing. These potholes are causing damage to cars going from Manorhamilton to Sligo.     Can this road be repaired as soon as possible?"

Report by Roads - General

"Routine maintenance works are currently being carried on this section of the N16. A full pavement overlay will be undertaken along this section of road in the coming months."

Councillor Felim Gurn advised he was happy with the response.

Can some repairs be carried out on a short stretch of the Barnes road near Dromahaire where it has become very bumpy. Road no L-4157 from Dromahaire.

"When a housing estate is taken in charge by the Council who is responsible for the maintenance of the green area in the estate? There seems to be some confusion amongst the residents of Mill Hill Lawns as to who is responsible"

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

"The responsibility for maintenance of open spaces in housing estates once the estate is taken in charge by the Council is a matter for the residents and/or homeowners in the estate to resolve either through a Residents Association or some other management/maintenance arrangement. The taking in charge process under Section 180 of Planning and Development Acts, 2000-2019 does not create any maintenance responsibility on the Council to maintain any estate. Whilst the Council assumes responsibility for the maintenance of the roads within such estates, this responsibility does not arise from the taking in charge provisions of the planning code but from the obligation to maintain public roads under the Roads Act, 1993, following the declaration of the estate roads as public roads through the taking in charge process. A similar situation arises for water mains and sewers, now maintained by Irish Water, where the obligation to maintain these arises under the Water Services Acts."

Councillor Frank Dolan advised he is happy with the response.

When a housing estate is taken in charge by the Council who is responsible for the maintenance of the green area in the estate?  There seems to be some confusion amongst the residents of Mill Hill Lawns as to who is responsible.

"Can some repairs be carried out on a short stretch of the Barnes road near Dromahaire where it has become very bumpy. Road no L-4157 from Dromahaire."

Report by Roads - General

"Routine maintenance works will be undertaken on this road in the coming weeks."

Councillor Frank Dolan advised he is happy with the response.