Agenda and minutes

Proposed by Councillor Sean McDermott, seconded by Councillor Felim Gurn and UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:

“That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District held in HSE Offices Manorhamilton on Monday 20th January 2020 be adopted.”

Mr Terry McGovern, A/Senior Engineer, Roads Department gave an overview on the Schedule of Municipal District Works 2020 (Appendix 1 to the Minutes of the Meeting in the Minute Book) including the Area Programme for 2020 (Appendix 2 to the Minutes of the Meeting in the Minute Book).

Councillor Padraig Fallon enquired if work could be carried out on the link road between the L21251 and L6101, at Maheramore, Glenade, as it is in poor condition. Cllr Fallon added he felt this road should be taken in charge by the Council, as it is an important link road used by locals and tourists. Councillor Justin Warnock added that members were previously advised that this work could be carried out under the Local Improvement Scheme. Ms Marie Mulligan, Area Engineer, advised the LIS is not open to applications at the moment.

Councillor Mary Bohan welcomed the additional funding for bridges. She expressed disappointment that Annagherra Bridge was not on the list for repairs. She stated that emergency services vehicles cannot cross the bridge in its current condition. Mr Terry McGovern advised a consultant has been appointed to carry out a detailed design, and preparation of tender documentation for widening of this bridge structure. There is no funding allocation in this year’s budget for the construction costs; however, an application will be made for funding for this construction contract in 2021.

Cllr Bohan proposed writing to the Department and requesting funding as a priority. The proposal was supported by Councillor Padraig Fallon and Councillor Sean McDermott.

Councillor Frank Dolan welcomed the announcement of the provision traffic calming works on the R288 Sligo approach to Dromahair.

Councillor Fallon raised the issue of insufficient drainage along roadsides, he highlighted due to extreme weather conditions that roads can become flooded very quickly. He added that extra funding will need to be secured for these works.

Councillor Justin Warnock welcomed improvements that will be made at the junction R280 & R281 in Kinlough.

Councillor Sean McDermott advised that the Community Involvements Scheme is not sustainable, as Community Groups will not always be in a position to provide a 15% contribution. Councillor Mary Bohan supported Cllr McDermott’s in this regard.

Councillor Mary Bohan enquired about extending the footpath on the R280 in Drumkeeran towards Manorhamilton.  Although an application could be submitted under Clár funding for this footpath, she feels it is unfair that the communities have to provide match funding for these works which were previously carried out by the Local Authority. 

Councillor Mary Bohan thanked the Area Engineer for moving the bring centre in Drumkeeran, she reported it is in a more suitable location now and queried if CCTV could be installed there to prevent littering.

Proposed by Councillor Justin Warnock, Seconded by Councillor Felim Gurn AND UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED;

“That the allocation of funding under the Schedule of Municipal District Works, to include the Area Programme 2020 as circulated to the meeting be approved”

A report was circulated to the Members at the meeting.  (Appendix 3 to the Minutes of this meeting in the Minute Book).

Proposed by Councillor Padraig Fallon, Seconded by Councillor Justin Warnock AND UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED;

“That the Arts Festivals Support Scheme 2020 as circulated to the meeting be adopted”

Ms Mary Quinn outlined the Festival/events Evaluation and recommended grants for 2020.

Councillor Justin Warnock outlined his disappointment with the lack of funding in North Leitrim and in particular the Tullaghan Pony Drive. Councillor Padraig Fallon supported Councillor Warnock in this regard. Ms Mary Quinn advised their application form was incomplete and therefore could not be considered for funding on this occasion. Ms Quinn advised Councillor Warnock to follow up if further clarification is required with the Tourism Officer.

Proposed by Councillor Sean McDermott, Seconded by Councillor Felim Gurn AND UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED;

‘“That allocation of funding under the Arts Festivals Support Scheme 2020 as circulated to the meeting be approved”

The new demonstration stretch of SLNCR from Ramooney to over the railway bridge on the old R280 and onto Boggaun Community Pitch will be a great asset to the town with an emphasis on cycling/walking as means of physical exercise.

Can the council look into putting down the ducting for future lighting of the walkway to the bridge on this new section. This is going to be a major asset with people walking back and forth from St Clare’s Hall to the bridge.

"The new demonstration stretch of SLNCR from Ramooney to over the railway bridge on the old R280 and onto Boggaun Community Pitch will be a great asset to the town with an emphasis on cycling/walking as means of physical exercise. Can the council look into putting down the ducting for future lighting of the walkway to the bridge on this new section. This is going to be a major asset with people walking back and forth from St Clare’s Hall to the bridge."

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

"The SLNCR walkway to Boggaun is currently under construction and will be a great outdoor amenity to North Leitrim when complete. However this greenway is a rural walkway and it is not current Council policy nor is it practical to light rural walkways."

Councillor Felim Gurn advised he was not satisfied with the response, he is aware of budget constraints however this would be of great benefit to the town and would encourage people walk more.

Councillor Sean McDermott supported the motion.

Councillor Justin Warnock questioned the suitability of this road as an access route to the football pitch and he felt that using the main road was a safer option. Councillor Frank Dolan supported Councillor Warnock in this regard.

There was an issue of cars coming to standstill and sliding on the brae last Monday week because of the heavy snowfall which fell over a period of 1 hour. There need to be a great emphasis on trying to come up with solution for the brae from Commons entrance and old Church Street (locally known as Monkey Row) for cars that could not get a grip and sliding up and down the brae. If the Council is doing works on it can a solution for grip on the surface of the road be provided.

"There was an issue of cars coming to standstill and sliding on the brae last Monday week because of the heavy snowfall which fell over a period of 1 hour. There need to be a great emphasis on trying to come up with solution for the brae from Commons entrance and old Church Street (locally known as Monkey Row) for cars that could not get a grip and sliding up and down the brae. If the Council is doing works on it can a solution for grip on the surface of the road be provided."

Report by Roads - General

"Unfortunately severe weather during the winter occasionally presents difficulty for road users. On Monday 27th January very heavy snow fell in the Manorhamilton area between 5pm and 6pm. The snow quickly compacted on the roads and presented difficulty for all vehicles but particularly vehicles trying to ascend or descend hilly roads such as the Brae in Manorhamilton.

The only solution to preventing vehicles for skidding and sliding on compacted snow is to remove the snow from the road surface, as on compacted snow vehicles have no contact with road surface and hence no grip when travelling on snow.

On the evening in question the Council immediately mobilised the snow ploughs and salting lorries and all snow was cleared from the Brae by 7.45pm. The lorries than proceeded to spend most of the night salting all routes and ploughing snow off all national and regional roads and again salted all route the next morning at 5am."

Councillor Felim Gurn noted the response and advised that any future development of the road should take into account a non-slip surface.

I propose that this Municipal write to the Dept of Finance, Bank of Ireland and AIB urging that the proposed sale of ATMs by the aforementioned banks does not proceed.

"I propose that this Municipal write to the Dept of Finance, Bank of Ireland and AIB urging that the proposed sale of ATMs by the aforementioned banks does not proceed."

Councillor Fallon advised he has concerns that the sale of the ATMs will have a negative impact on commerce in our towns and villages and that less used ATMs could be removed over time. The motion was supported by all members.

I propose that signage be erected on the back line Dromahair asking drivers to drive carefully due to limited view and of crest on road at recycling facilities.

"I propose that signage be erected on the back line Dromahair asking drivers to drive carefully due to limited view and of crest on road at recycling facilities."

Report by Roads - General

"The road has been surveyed and a warning sign will be erected advising road users of a concealed entrance ahead."

In a County which is leading the way in Slow Adventure Tourism and North Leitrim being an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which has over 1000 km of a good standard local road network, through some of the most breath taking scenery in Ireland, I ask that Leitrim's Tourism officers facilitate a workshop with Marie Mulligan the Area Senior Engineer and her staff and the elected members on mapping walking and cycling holiday routes across this Municipal District.

"In a County which is leading the way in Slow Adventure Tourism and North Leitrim being an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which has over 1000 km of a good standard local road network, through some of the most breath taking scenery in Ireland, I ask that Leitrim's Tourism officers facilitate a workshop with Marie Mulligan the Area Senior Engineer and her staff and the elected members on mapping walking and cycling holiday routes across this Municipal District."

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

"The establishment of walking or cycling routes to national standards requires assessment and a strategy around the scale of experience that would warrant identification as such.  Currently the Council is engaging through the REDZ team in regard to tourism development for the north Leitrim region and this concept will be included for discussion and the selection of priority actions going forward."

Councillor Justin Warnock expressed his concerns that engaging with the REDZ teams in regard to this development will be a slow process.

Ms Marie Mulligan advised that full mapping and details of routes would be required to illustrate the gradient, distance, ability level etc. and this process would take time, she added that there is already website with some cycle routes mapped for North Leitrim.

I ask Water Services to engage with Irish Water and seek funding to complete the final section of water mains along the R281 between Breffini Pier and the Church in Rossinver.

"I ask Water Services to engage with Irish Water and seek funding to complete the final section of water mains along the R281 between Breffini Pier and the Church in Rossinver"

Report by Head of Finance & Water Services

"Irish Water has not approved of any new watermain upgrades in County Leitrim for 2020. We have submitted a priority list of over 20km of old trunk mains in County Leitrim which are failing on a regular basis and are in need of major funding to rectify. None of these have been approved in 2020. The provision of this watermain from Rossinver out the R281 towards Kinlough will be well down the priority list but we will include it in any future discussions with Irish Water."

Councillor Justin Warnock expressed disappointed with the response. Ms Mary Quinn advised it is a matter for Irish Water and will be included for discussion with Irish Water.

I ask that Leitrim Co Co contact the Court Service in relation to the court house in Manorhamilton. It's a shame to see such a historic building standing idle and going into dereliction. As Manorhamilton has now been granted funding under the regeneration scheme would the Court Service consider bringing this building into use as a Heritage Centre or other such public amenity.

"I ask that Leitrim Co Co contact the Court Service in relation to the court house in Manorhamilton. It's a shame to see such a historic building standing idle and going into dereliction. As Manorhamilton has now been granted funding under the regeneration scheme would the Court Service consider bringing this building into use as a Heritage Centre or other such public amenity."

The motion was supported by all members

I propose that Leitrim Co Council seek funding for the Annagherra Bridge in Drumkeerin as a matter of urgency.

"I propose that Leitrim Co Council seek funding for the Annagherra bridge in Drumkeerin as a matter of urgency."

Report by Roads - General

"A consultant has been appointed to carry out a full detailed design and for the preparation of tender documentation for widening of this bridge structure. This work is ongoing at present. There is no funding allocation in this year’s budget for the construction costs, however, an application will be made for funding for this construction contract in 2021."

Councillor Mary Bohan thanked the Council staff for their work in submitting applications for funding however reiterated her disappointment that Annagherra Bridge will not be part of this year programme of works and requested the council write to the Department seeking funding as a matter of urgency.

I propose that repairs/resurfacing be carried out on Road no L4232 Fenagh/Corratavey, Killargue as soon as possible.

"I propose that repairs/resurfacing be carried out on Road no L4232 Fenagh/Corratavey, Killargue as soon as possible."

Report by Roads - General

"The L4232 Corratawy to Fenagh road is 1.3km long and 770m of this road was strengthened under the 2016 programme, this being the stretch of road that abuts all of the houses on the road. The road is not on the current programme or the programme for 2021.  The remaining 500m of road is in reasonable condition; however routine maintenance works can be undertaken as required."

Councillor Mary Bohan requested that repairs are carried out as soon as possible.

I ask if an old steel sewer vent pipe can be removed from the village in Kiltyclogher. This pipe is located near the library and is very unsightly.

"I ask if an old steel sewer vent pipe can be removed from the village in Kiltyclogher. This pipe is located near the library and is very unsightly."

Report by Head of Finance & Water Services

"We will investigate the matter and we will report with our recommendation in due course."

Councillor Sean McDermott noted the response.

Can the Council check out the bottle bank at the Fair Green in Kiltyclogher. The containers are located close to a wall that leads on to a flat roof, this is a safety hazard, should anyone go on to this roof.

"Can the Council check out the bottle bank at the Fair Green in Kiltyclogher. The containers are located close to a wall that leads on to a flat roof, this is a safety hazard, should anyone go on to this roof."

Report by Roads - General

"The Bring Banks in Kiltyclogher has been inspected and their location does not pose a safety concern."

Councillor Sean McDermott advised he did not agree with the response and felt the location of the bottle bank did raise safety concerns. Ms Marie Mulligan, Area Engineer, advised she has inspected this area twice and could not see a safety issue.