Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Kieran Brett  Meetings Administrator

Items
No. Item

MMD.137.20

Adoption of Minutes

Manorhamilton Municipal District Meeting of 30th November 2020.

Minutes:

Minutes of meeting held on 30th November 2020

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Mary Bohan

SECONDED by Cllr Frank Dolan

 

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of meeting of 30th November.

MMD.138.20

Vote of Sympathy

Minutes:

The members extended a vote of sympathy to the family of Mr Tommy McPartland RIP.

MMD.139.20

Meeting Correspondence

Minutes:

No items of correspondence were received since last meeting.

MMD.140.20

Motion from Councillor Sean McDermott:

When will the work under the Minor Flood Scheme commence on the Glenaniff River?

Minutes:

"When will the work under the Minor Flood Scheme commence on the Glenaniff River?"

 

Report by Roads - General

"OPW had advised a scheduled commencement date for this work in the new year, but have now revised this date due to work demands in other areas. This been the case the Council will now make alternate plans to progress this work in early 2021."

 

Cllr Sean McDermott quired when the project will start?

 

Ms Marie Mulligan, Executive Engineer, advised OPW have informed her it will be February before they commence work on this project. She added this area is within an SAC therefore OPW have approved method statements and procedures for working in SAC areas. She added it is advisable to wait for the OPW to carry out these works. 

MMD.141.20

Motion from Councillor Sean McDermott:

I ask for the Japanese Knotwood that is growing at the new graveyard in Rossinver to be treated.

Minutes:

"I ask for the Japanese Knotwood that is growing at the new graveyard in Rossinver to be treated."

 

Report by Roads - General

"The Local Committee are responsible for the on-going upkeep and maintenance of the graveyard and thus should arrange for the Japanese Knotweed to be treated."

 

Ms Marie Mulligan advised it is the responsibility of the local committee to treat the Japanese Knotweed, however she can offer advice to the committee as to how to treat this invasive species.

MMD.142.20

Motion from Councillor Padraig Fallon:

I ask Leitrim County Council what if any correspondence has been received from central Government with regard to Brexit and its impacts, implications, commitments , expectations from us as a Local Authority or Municipal DIstrict.

Minutes:

"I ask Leitrim County Council what if any correspondence has been received from central Government with regard to Brexit and its impacts, implications, commitments, expectations from us as a Local Authority or Municipal District."

 

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

"The Government has engaged with Leitrim County Council over the past two years in relation to Brexit. The highest level of activity is with the Local Enterprise Office who are the lead agency in assisting businesses to respond to the challenges posed by Brexit.

The following correspondence was directed to Leitrim County Council:

·         Letter to Chief Executive dated 26/02/19 from the Department of Housing and Local Government regarding Data Protection

·         Letter from Department of An Taoiseach in response to a request from the elected members of Leitrim County Council detailing the government response to Brexit, presented as correspondence at the Leitrim County Council meeting on 7th May 2019

·         Circular BC09 2020 issued 08/12/20 to Chief Executive in relation to construction materials and the requirement of the local authority for market surveillance post Brexit.

·         Correspondence in relation to the Border Stimulus Package for Leitrim, with initial receipt of €200,000 for the delivery of LEO training programmes in 2021.

Border Stimulus Package

In January 2020, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, TD announced a special €28 million economic stimulus package for the Border region to help the counties most impacted from Brexit; Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth.

The main objective of the €28m stimulus package is to support businesses across the region to strengthen their resilience and capabilities and drive economic activity.

Enterprise Ireland is responsible for the administration of:

·         A €15 million competitive Border Enterprise Development Fund

·         A €8.5 million Brexit Transformation Fund

The package also includes the allocation of €3 million to the six Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) located in the border counties to establish development programmes for ambitious micro and small firms.

Border Enterprise Development Fund

In June 2020 the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD 11 successful projects under the Border Enterprise Development Fund 2020 including the following project which attracted €3.7m

Manorhamilton Innovation & Development CLG

This project is an Innovation and R&D Centre for the Quarry and Construction industry under Industry 4.0 focusing on robotics and cobotics, artificial intelligence and smart data, virtual reality, augmented reality, 3 D industry Printing, software development to develop new prototypes or products and upskill staff, within both industries.

The project is a collaboration between W8 Centre, Enterprise Ireland, Sligo IT, South West College Enniskillen, Irish Manufacturing Centre Mullingar, Irish Concrete Federation, Irish Construction federation, Leitrim County Council and 40 Industry companies that support 10,000 jobs in the Border region.

Leitrim LEO will deliver the following training programmes in 2021 funded under the Border Stimulus Package:

·         Financial Capability Programme

·         Green for Micro Programme

·         Retail Programme

·         New Market Development

·         Innovation

 

Local Enterprise Office Brexit Supports

Leitrim LEO offer a range of grant and training supports to clients  ...  view the full minutes text for item MMD.142.20

MMD.143.20

Motion from Councillor Padraig Fallon:

That this Municipal District examine the possibility of the installation of outdoor recreational equipment at sites throughout North Leitrim.

Minutes:

"That this Municipal District examine the possibility of the installation of outdoor recreational equipment at sites throughout North Leitrim."

 

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

"Funding for items such as outdoor recreational equipment could be considered under funding streams such as Clar M2 which was made available in 2020 in response to Covid 19.  If this funding stream continues in future years and a community group submit an application for same then the application could be considered at that time. In addition to this the Sports Capital funding stream is currently open to February 2021 and  all Sports Clubs and Community and Voluntary groups are eligible to apply."

 

Cllr Padraig Fallon advised the sites he had in mind for outdoor recreational equipment belong to the local authority and therefore asked if the Local Authority could make an application for funding instead of a community group. He requested that the matter be reviewed.

 

Ms Mary Quinn advised this request will be reviewed in the overall context of the Council’s Play and Recreational policy.

MMD.144.20

Motion from Councillor Justin Warnock:

With the rollout of the New LocalLink bus services across North Leitrim early in the New Year, I ask Marie Mulligan the Senior Engineer for this Municipal Area to seek funding to develop or widen, where possible, pull in bays on the narrow sections of our Regional roads to facilitate the safe delivery of this new service.

Minutes:

"With the rollout of the New LocalLink bus services across North Leitrim early in the New Year, I ask Marie Mulligan the Senior Engineer for this Municipal Area to seek funding to develop or widen, where possible, pull in bays on the narrow sections of our Regional roads to facilitate the safe delivery of this new service."

 

Report by Roads - General

"This Council will consult with LocalLinks and the National Transport Authority in relation to funding and design standards for pull in areas, to facilitate the safe delivery of the bus service throughout the county."

 

Cllr Justin Warnock outlined his concerns in relation to pull in bays for buses on certain roads in the County. He advised this needs to be addressed to facilitate the new Locallink service in North Leitrim. Cllr Felim Gurn and Cllr Mary Bohan supported the motion.

 

MMD.145.20

Motion from Councillor Justin Warnock

With Brexit only weeks away and to acknowledge the many friendships and relationships which have been formed over the past 22 years between the border communities of Garrison and Cashel in Fermanagh with those of Askill, Rossinver and Kiltyclogher in Leitrim, I ask that the Manorhamilton MD send a Christmas cards to the Garrison Community Group and to the Cashel Community Association to show our commitment to them in the years ahead.

Minutes:

"With Brexit only weeks away and to acknowledge the many friendships and relationships which have been formed over the past 22 years between the border communities of Garrison and Cashel in Fermanagh with those of Askill, Rossinver and Kiltyclogher in Leitrim, I ask that the Manorhamilton MD send a Christmas cards to the Garrison Community Group and to the Cashel Community Association to show our commitment to them in the years ahead."

 

Cllr Justin Warnock outlined the importance of maintaining the friendships and relationships that exists between the communities in the border region especially with the imminence of Brexit.  All members supported the motion.

MMD.146.20

Motion from Councillor Felim Gurn:

Manorhamilton is one of the only towns in Leitrim that does not have a river walk. Can the Council look at the possibility of creating a river walk from Hamilton’s Castle down to the Courthouse area within the town and investigate possible funding streams to progress such a project.

Minutes:

"Manorhamilton is one of the only towns in Leitrim that does not have a river walk. Can the Council look at the possibility of creating a river walk from Hamilton’s Castle down to the Courthouse area within the town and investigate possible funding streams to progress such a project."

 

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

"If a proposal is put forward by a local community group for such a project it could then be examined as a potential project possibly under the Town and village funding scheme.  For any such projects issues such as land ownership/leases/planning permissions would all have to be in place if required and in line with the terms and conditions of the funding stream available at the time."

 

Cllr Felim Gurn outlined that a river walk would be a large project for a community group to undertake as there would be landownership and planning permission issues to be overcome. He added it is difficult for community groups to provide match funding and enquired if the Local Authority could develop this project.

 

Cllr Justin Warnock agreed with Cllr Gurn that the Local Authority should take the lead on such a project. He advised it is very difficult for community groups to raise the funds required for match funding.

 

Cllr Mary Bohan advised the terms of the various funding streams require community groups to make the application for funding, not the Local Authority.

 

Cllr Frank Dolan supported the motion stating such a project would be of benefit to  Manorhamilton.

 

Ms Mary Quinn reiterated the requirement for community groups to lead on projects of this nature in order to comply with funding requirements and advised the matter could be reviewed in terms of technical support.

 

Ms Marie Mulligan advised such a project would require access through private lands and any funding becoming available would not cover land acquisition.

 

MMD.147.20

Motion from Councillor Felim Gurn:

Dromahair is a village that has increased in population dramatically in the last 15 years and yet does have a Community Centre. Can the council consider the Garda barracks as a potential source to provide a Community Centre in the future?

Minutes:

"Dromahair is a village that has increased in population dramatically in the last 15 years and yet does have a Community Centre. Can the council consider the Garda barracks as a potential source to provide a Community Centre in the future?"

 

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

"The former Garda Station is owned by the OPW.  Previously there was engagement between the OPW and a local group regarding the handover of the property for community use, however this did not materialise. The Council has written to the OPW in support of their request for the property to be made available for community purposes."

 

Cllr Felim Gurn outlined the need for a community centre for the people of Dromahair. He advised he sees potential for a community group to develop a community centre in the old Garda Barracks.

 

Cllr Frank Dolan supported the motion. He advised this is a large project and it requires a strong community group to develop this project. He added that a number of years ago a survey was carried out and this building was deemed unsuitable however the site is in an ideal location.

 

Ms Mary Quinn advised that a letter of support on behalf of the local development group has been sent to the OPW to enquire if there is any possibility the property could be handed over for community use.

 

All members supported the motion

MMD.148.20

Motion from Councillor Mary Bohan

I propose that the Council examine the possibility of providing traffic calming measures on the Dowra Road on the approach to Drumkeeran village.

Minutes:

"I propose that the Council examine the possibility of providing traffic calming measures on the Dowra Road on the approach to Drumkeeran village."

 

Report by Roads - General

"A traffic survey was undertaken at this location and excessive speed was not observed. At the Dowra approach to the village there is currently school flashing lights, advance warning signage and road markings highlighting to road users that a school is ahead. Under the low cost safety scheme 2021 funding has been sought for further improvement works at this location."

 

Cllr Mary Bohan outlined her road safety concerns for the young families living on the Dowra Road. She advised traffic calming that was installed in other areas of the town have had a positive impact and traffic calming is required on the Dowra road also. Cllr Padraig Fallon supported the motion.

MMD.149.20

Motion from Councillor Mary Bohan

I propose that the Council contact the Minister for Agriculture again in relation to a compensation package for farmers affected by the Dawn of Hope landslide.

Minutes:

"I propose that the Council contact the Minister for Agriculture again in relation to a compensation package for farmers affected by the Dawn of Hope landslide."

 

Cllr Mary Bohan stated it is difficult to see why there is such a delay in rolling out a compensation programme to the affected landowners. She advised the RPS report states there is a high risk to land, property and infrastructure in the area from another landslide. She added that the residents in the are very worried and it is unlikely the affected land will ever be used for farming again. Cllr Bohan complimented the engineering staff in the Council and contractors that were involved in the works carried out so far. She has requested this municipal write to the Minister again asking the Minister and the Department to deal with this as quickly as possible. She also asked that this motion be forwarded to all TD’s representing the area 

 

All members supported the motion and it was unanimously resolved,

 

that the Council contact the Minister for Agriculture again in relation to a compensation package for farmers affected by the Dawn of Hope landslide”

MMD.150.20

AOB:

Minutes:

·         Cllr Justin Warnock advised that there are numerous well-known and famous  people with Leitrim heritage and we should be reaching out to these people to recognise their achievements and ask them to act as ambassadors for the County to showcase Leitrim.

 

Cllr Mary Bohan supported the suggestions and proposed that it be discussed by the relevant SPC in the new year.

 

·         Cllr Felim Gurn acknowledged the work that has been done on the demonstration stretch of the greenway and the car park in Manorhamilton. He expressed thanks to the Council staff for completion of these projects during covid-19 restrictions.

 

Cllr Justin Warnock supported the comments and paid tribute to Ms Marie Mulligan and the staff for the exceptional work they have carried out during a tough year.  All members supported the comments.

 

·         Cathaoirleach Cllr Sean McDermott wished all members a happy and safe Christmas.

 

·         Ms Mary Quinn thanked the Members, Council staff and the press for their work throughout a challenging year.