1.      Manorhamilton Municipal District Meeting held on 15th June 2020

2.      Manorhamilton Municipal District Annual Meeting held on 26^th June 2020

Minutes of Manorhamilton Municipal District meeting held on 15th June 2020 and Manorhamilton Municipal District Annual meeting were noted by the members.

Ms Mary Quinn, Director of Services, advised that amenities, the Tourist Office and Carrick-on-Shannon library have reopened. The Council is currently putting in place the necessary COVID-19 safety protocols to facilitate the reopening of Ballinamore and Manorhamilton libraries. Public offices are open on a restricted basis. Following advice from the Government today all visitors to the Council Offices are requested to wear face coverings. Staff will continue to work via a combination of remote working and scheduled attendance at the office. The situation remains under review.

Cllr Padraig Fallon advised he was looking to meet with staff recently and queried when Councillors will be able to visit the office on business.

Ms Quinn explained the movement in the offices is limited but advised a protocol for Councillors meeting staff may need to be put in place.

·        Letter of acknowledgement from the office of Minister Heather Humphrey’s regarding Local Improvement Scheme.

Letter from office of Minister Heather Humphreys, acknowledging receipt of correspondent regarding Local Improvement Scheme, was noted by members.

I propose flood relief and drainage works works be carried out on Bonet river and it’s tributaries. These works need to commence immediately and be resourced fully.

As motions no 4, 6 & 13 are relating to the same issue it was agreed to take these motions together.

Motion from Councillor Padraig Fallon:

"I propose flood relief and drainage works be carried out on Bonet river and its tributaries. These works need to commence immediately and be resourced fully."

Motion from Councillor Felim Gurn:

"There has been more frequent flooding over the last few years in areas such as Soxline, Sranacrannaghy, Corusconny, Drumlease and at the DARC development Astro turf/playground. This flooding is no longer a 1 in 10-year event. Housing and properties in these areas have been flooded and works needs to be completed by the OPW on the River Bonet immediately."

Motion from Councillor Mary Bohan:

"I propose that Leitrim County Council seek an urgent meeting with the O.P.W regarding the recent severe flooding in the Soxline/ Dromahair area caused by high water levels in the River Bonet."

Report by Roads - General

"We have met the OPW regarding the recent flooding event. We are in discussion them about possible minor flood relief schemes in this area. We are currently assessing the properties at risk and will be making an application to the OPW for funding which will include for a study to assess all options.

Please note the River Bonet is within an Arterial Drainage scheme and the management of this river is the responsibility of the OPW."

Cllr Padriag Fallon advised that the River Bonet has been an issue for a number of years and is a serious concern in the  North Leitrim area. He added that he is concerned that this won’t be dealt with in the near future and called for a meeting with the OPW to discuss the issue.

Cllr Felim Gurn expressed his concerns in relation to the impact of flooding in the area and on the development of the greenway, he added the issue of flooding needs to be dealt as a matter of urgency. There is a big cost implication for the community, homeowners are unable to get house insurance if their home is flooded and there is also a negative impact on the farming community.

He added that works have not been carried out on the Bonet river in recent years and he supported the call for a meeting with the OPW.

Cllr Mary Bohan informed the meeting she had visited the area including a home that was severely flooded. Cllr Bohan supported the call for an urgent meeting with the OPW and requested the meeting take place face to face. She added that it is of the upmost importance that the OPW take responsibility for the river Bonet, an assessment needs to be carried out and works commenced as a matter of urgency.

All members supported the motion.

I ask Leitrim County Council what measures it will take to address the landslide outside Drumkeeran and if it will outline proposed works to deal with with this matter, both by itself and other agencies.

As motions no 5, 10 & 12 are relating to the same issue it was agreed to take these motions together.

Motion from Councillor Padraig Fallon:

"I ask Leitrim County Council what measures it will take to address the landslide outside Drumkeeran and if it will outline proposed works to deal with this matter, both by itself and other agencies."

Motion from Councillor Justin Warnock:

"I ask Leitrim County Council have they ascertained what caused the landslide on Shass Mountain, who will pay for the damage done to farms, the Dawn of Hope Bridge, the preventive measures necessary to avoid another slide and all other clean up works needed from the mountain to Lough Allen."

Motion from Councillor Mary Bohan:

 "I propose that Leitrim County Council call on the Minister for Agriculture to put a special hardship fund in place for landowners affected by the landslide on Shass mountain and also that funding is made available to Leitrim County Council and the O.P.W for drainage and remedial works."

Report by Roads - General

"As the task of supporting the Dawn of Hope Bridge, is complex, Leitrim County Council has procured the services of a specialist engineering consultancy firm to prepare a design and appoint a suitably experienced contractor to buttress the Bridge. We are also working towards opening the Greyfield road, in conjunction with Inland Fisheries.

As regards the overall solution to this event, The Minister of State for Heritage has established a working group which includes representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Heritage, Department of Transport, Inland Fisheries Ireland and Leitrim County Council. This group will be chaired by the minister and the first meeting is scheduled for Monday 20th July. The purpose of the group is to arrange for an interagency response to addressing the landslide and its aftermath."

Cllr Fallon acknowledged the response and advised he visited the site today. He added the main concern at the moment is for farmers affected by this landslide and to have the road infrastructure back in place as soon as possible. He advised that farmers have lost meadows and a hardship fund should be put in place to support the farmers affected.

Cllr Justin Warnock expressed concern in relation to the number of stakeholders involved in this issue and queried who will compensate the farmers for loss of land and fodder for the winter. He added that the land should not have been planted in this area. He called for forestry and wind farm developments in the area be halted until the cause of the landslide is established. He supported the call for a hardship fund for the farmers who have been impacted.

Cllr Mary Bohan advised the meeting that she attended a task force meeting earlier in the day regarding this matter. She informed the meeting that Leitrim County Council are proactively looking at the situation to ensure the situation doesn’t get any worse and is trying to open the roads as soon as possible. There are concerns  ...  view the full minutes text for item MMD.73.20

With recent announcements of funding for Rural Historic Towns in Ireland, for towns with a populations under 1500 people, can Leitrim County Council look to propose heritage led regeneration for the town of Manorhamilton, as it is a town rich in heritage.

"With recent announcements of funding for Rural Historic Towns in Ireland, for towns with a populations under 1500 people, can Leitrim County Council look to propose heritage led regeneration for the town of Manorhamilton, as  it is a town rich in heritage."

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

"The Council had examined this scheme but would fail on eligibility.  A substantial regeneration project is in place for Manorhamilton along with other initiatives a local level to promote the heritage of the town."

Cllr Felim Gurn advised he was informed that Manorhamilton did not meet the criteria for funding for Rural Historic Towns in Ireland as it has a population under 1500. However he is aware that Rathmelton in Co. Donegal is of a similar size to Manorhamilton and have received funding under his initiative. He called for the Minister for Tourism, Sports Culture, Hertiage and the Gaeltacht to look at this funding again and see if Manorhamilton could avail of this funding as it is a town rich in heritage and could benefit greatly from this funding.

All members supported the motion.

Can we get clarity on the Programme for Government in relation to funding for the Greenway between Sligo and Enniskillen by contacting the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan.

"Can we get clarity on the Programme for Government in relation to funding for the Greenway between Sligo and Enniskillen by contacting the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan."

Cllr Sean McDermott advised the programme for Government referenced the greenway `subject to feasibility`. He stated that a cost benefit analysis has been completed previously and an application for planning and design was submitted for approval in January, and a response on same is being waited upon. 

Cllr Felim Gurn supported the motion advised that a lot of work has been carried out on this project and clarity is needed to move this project forward.

Cllr Sean McDermott advised the greenway is in the programme for government both here and in Northern Ireland  and it is important to keep momentum going to get this project completed. He called for this Municipal District to write to the Minister for an update on funding.

All members supported the motion.

I ask Leitrim County Council on compassionate grounds to repair the potholes on laneways as a temporary measure for the residents who are on the waiting list for the Local Improvement Scheme and have family members needing frequent medical and home help needs. People have to travel daily on these potholed laneways which is making their journeys hazardous and dangerous.

"I ask Leitrim County Council on compassionate grounds to repair the potholes on laneways as a temporary measure for the residents who are on the waiting list for the Local Improvement Scheme and have family members needing frequent medical and home help needs. People have to travel daily on these potholed laneways which is making their journeys hazardous and dangerous."

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

"The Council has no programme related to carrying out works to private roads waiting on Local Improvement Scheme funding. Due to the financial implications for the authority to carry out such works, lack of legal basis for the works on private property outside the LIS system it would not be possible to carry out this type of works."

Cllr Sean McDermott outlined a number of difficult situation where health care professionals need to gain access to people`s homes however their roads are in very poor condition.

Sean Rynn advised there is currently no funding for this and there is also a legal issue of carrying out works on private property when it`s not under and LIS.

Cllr Mary Bohan supported the motion and advised the Municipal District had written to the Minister previously for a one off funding to clear the waiting list for LIS. She advised in her opinion that this is the only way the situation will be rectified. 

Cllr Sean McDermott requested this Municipal District write to the Minster again seeking one off funding to clear the LIS waiting list.

All members supported the motion.

I ask Leitrim County Council to ask Irish Water why it took 5 days to have water restored to homes in the Tawley and Derriduff areas of North Leitrim at the beginning of July after the electrical breakdown at the Sracleighreen water treatment plant and to carry out works necessary that this does not happen again.

"I ask Leitrim County Council to ask Irish Water why it took 5 days to have water restored to homes in the Tawley and Derriduff areas of North Leitrim at the beginning of July after the electrical breakdown at the Sracleighreen water treatment plant and to carry out works necessary that this does not happen again."

Report by Head of Finance & Water Services

"Issues experienced with supply in the Kinlough Tullaghan water scheme were primarily due to a breakdown in the Electricity supply in the area of the Water treatment Plant at Sracleighreen, Glenade. This took approximately two days to rectify by the ESB. Water production was restored, and it took a further day to replenish the networks and reservoirs. Our information is that customers experienced maximum two days without water. We suspect that there are network issues in the Tawley area which may have restricted pressure and flow in this area further. These issues are not related to production at the treatment plant and we will investigate this and rectify”

Cllr Warnock advised there are a number of homes in the Tawley and Derriduff areas of North Leitrim that are severely impacted by water outages and no home should be left 4/5 days without water. He requested this Municipal District write to Irish Water to ascertain why this happened and request the necessary works are carried out to ensure this does not happen again in the future.

All members support the motion.

I ask that signage be erected at Drumkeel, Killargue on the R289 to reduce excess speed taking place on this stretch of road.

"I ask Leitrim County Council what is the up to date situation regarding the landslide that occurred at Conray, Glencar."

Report by Roads - General

"The landslide that occurred beside the Local Road L-41382, resulted in approximately 60m of the road being blocked off. A survey has been carried out by staff in the Area Office to quantify the works. Works to clear the road will be carried out shortly. The road is accessible from both sides via the N16."

Cllr Frank Dolan advised he is happy with the response.

All members support this motion.

I ask Leitrim County Council what is the up to date situation regarding the landslide that occurred at Conray, Glencar.

"I ask Leitrim County Council what is the up to date situation regarding the landslide that occurred at Conray, Glencar."

Report by Roads - General

"The landslide that occurred beside the Local Road L-41382, resulted in approximately 60m of the road being blocked off. A survey has been carried out by staff in the Area Office to quantify the works. Works to clear the road will be carried out shortly. The road is accessible from both sides via the N16."

Cllr Frank Dolan advised he is happy with the response.

All members support this motion.

The Members proposed the following vote of sympathy:

1.      Ms Mary McPartland, Drumkeeran, Co. Leitrim

2.      Mr Ben Lennon, kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim

3.      Rev John Quinn, Glenfarne

4.      Mr Jack Charlton

Cllr Justin Warnock commended the Council on the recent video that was launched showcasing the county.

All members supported Cllr Warnock’s comments.