Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 15th March 2021

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Felim Gurn

SECONDED by Cllr Mary Bohan

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of meeting of 15th March 2021.

The following correspondence was circulated to the members:

1.      Correspondence from Frank Feighan TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being & National Drugs Strategy in relation to funding allocations for cycling and walking infrastructure. All members noted and welcomed the funding announcement.

2.      Correspondence from Antoinette O’Donnell, Branch Manager, AIB - Manorhamilton Branch, in relation to the provision of an on-street ATM

Cllr Felim Gurn outlined dissatisfaction with the reply and stated that any reference to a lack of footfall by the banks can be attributed to the Covid-19 restrictions. Cllr Gurn also outlined the need for a Government fund to purchase disused bank buildings and bring them under community control.

Cllr Sean McDermott noted the contents and stated that the language used by AIB is not encouraging in the context of providing an ATM.

Cllr Padraig Fallon supported Cllr Gurn’s comments and stated that the increase in online usage of bank facilities has been forced on consumers due to Covid-19 restrictions and has not been by choice.

Cllr Justin Warnock outlined the large amount of cash that went through the Bank of Ireland ATM prior to the Covid-19 restrictions and that some elderly people are more comfortable using cash rather than card facilities.

Cllr Frank Dolan agreed with Cllr Warnock’s comments and outlined that banks are withdrawing from the market leaving the remaining banks in a monopoly position in smaller towns, and they need to provide ATM services.

Cllr Mary Bohan agreed with the comments and stated that banks owe their profits to the communities that they are based in and should provide an ATM service in Manorhamilton.

I propose to ask when dog fouling bins will be installed in Tullaghan and Drumkeeran and that they are installed as soon as is possible.

"I propose to ask when dog fouling bins will be installed in Tullaghan and Drumkeeran and that they are installed as soon as is possible."

Report by Head of Finance & Water Services

"Dog waste bins and bag dispensers have been obtained and are in storage. Installation of dog waste bins, bag dispensers and appropriate signage in the above locations has been included in the North Leitrim Small Works Programme and will be installed in 2-3 weeks."

Cllr Padraig Fallon welcomed the response and outlined he hoped it would address this ongoing issue.

All members supported the motion and called for the public to use the bins provided.

At a previous Municipal District Meeting, dates were given for repairs to lighting at back lane, Lugmeen, Drumkeeran, I was told lighting would be in place by November, December 2020. When will the lighting be operational here?

"At a previous Municipal District Meeting, dates were given for repairs to lighting at back lane, Lugmeen, Drumkeeran, I was told lighting would be in place by November, December 2020. When will the lighting be operational here?"

Report by Roads - General

"The lighting in this area was erected as part of the Lough Meen and Breffni Court estates. These estates have not been taken in charge. Electric Skyline, the Public Lighting Contractor, have carried out works on behalf of Leitrim County Council on the Lights along the road, and are waiting on a ESB connection. After this is done, the lights along the road will be on and will be maintained by Leitrim County Council."

Cllr Padraig Fallon welcomed the response.  Cllr Mary Bohan supported the motion.

Can Leitrim County Council look at the possibility of providing a new car park for the community of Dromahair, where parking is identified as an essential necessity for the community?

"Can Leitrim County Council look at the possibility of providing a new car park for the community of Dromahair, where parking is identified as an essential necessity for the community?"

Report by Capital Projects Office

"This council is currently looking at options to provide extra parking in Dromahair. We will keep the members updated."

Cllr Felim Gurn outlined the current issues with parking within Dromahair and stated that a solution is required.

All members supported the motion. Cllr Frank Dolan and Cllr Mary Bohan outlined the difficulty in finding a suitable site for a potential carpark that allows people easy access to retail within Dromahair.

Coillte are the biggest landowners in Co. Leitrim it is essential to have a look at providing mountain bike trails and walkways through our forestry and to identify funding streams to enable outdoor activities to take place in the Manorhamilton Municipal District Area.

"Coillte are the biggest landowners in Co. Leitrim it is essential to have a look at providing mountain bike trails and walkways through our forestry and to identify funding streams to enable outdoor activities to take place in the Manorhamilton Municipal District Area."

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

"Leitrim County Council are engaging on a regular basis with Coillte by means of a working group which was set up between the two parties to pursue joint projects to improve the outdoor recreation offerings throughout the County and including the Manorhamilton Municipal District. Many potential opportunities to work together are being explored and progressed currently. The Glenfarne Woods project is the most recent example of this. Having collaborated successfully on the Glenfarne Woods Study to further develop this Leitrim County Council and Coillte successfully applied for funding under Measure 1 of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme 2020 to develop a Thematic Area Masterplan which will allow informed development of Glenfarne Woods. The Masterplan will exam the development of trails to ensure all visitors are motivated to get out, explore and enjoy the natural and built heritage of Glenfarne Wood and its environs via its trails and pathways.

Leitrim County Council and Coillte will continue to collaborate to identify future projects and pursue various avenues of funding to increase the availability of outdoor activities throughout North Leitrim and the entire county."

Cllr Felim Gurn outlined the potential for walkways/pathways and mountain bike trails that could be located within Coillte Forests especially around the Ballyboy and Milltown Woods area.

Cllr Sean McDermott supported the motion.

Can we alleviate fears that the smaller libraries might not reopen when the lockdown ends?

"Can we alleviate fears that the smaller libraries might not reopen when the lockdown ends?"

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

"In line with the plan set out in ‘Covid-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021: The Path Ahead’ the current situation regarding the reopening of public libraries is that they are “Under consideration from May 4th subject to prevailing public health situation”. In this regard, Leitrim County Council will be adhering to guidance which will be issued by Libraries Development at LGMA to all 31 library authorities in the country. This guidance is expected by the end of April but the timing remains uncertain at this point.

Over the past twelve months Leitrim Library Service has been reviewing and re-examining all service delivery methods to address the impact of Covid-19 on our physical library buildings in order to ensure that a level of service has been consistently available to all library users. The library service has been supporting communities in new ways over the past year with the introduction of the ‘Contact and Collect’ service and virtual programming as well as the assistance provided in terms of accessing the wide range of online services.

In terms of the reopening of our library buildings, there will be a number of factors to be considered such as the physical size of the space in question and maximum capacity levels. Health and Safety Risk Assessment requirements are likely to include direction in relation to ventilation, social distancing, face coverings and good hygiene practices as well as the need for additional cleaning and public hand sanitizer stations.

Leitrim Library Service, as always, is committed to supporting individuals and communities in terms of access to library materials and will continue to work hard to achieve this. The service provided by libraries goes beyond the physical library building as witnessed over the past year. We may need to look at employing additional models of service delivery and we may have to manage a different approach depending on what level of public health restrictions and guidelines are in place going forward but our commitment is to ensuring that all those wishing to avail of a library service are facilitated in whatever way possible."

Cllr Sean McDermott welcomed the response but relayed members the disappointment of library users that the click and collect service of the libraries was halted.

Ms. Mary Quinn, Director of Services, acknowledged the disappointment and informed members that the click and collect service was cancelled at a National Level.

Can an update be given on the proposed new council office space in Manorhamilton?

"Can an update be given on the proposed new council office space in Manorhamilton?"

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

"We are awaiting finalisation of the legal process in this regard."

Cllr Sean McDermott welcomed the update and stated he is looking forward to the opening of the new Leitrim County Council Manorhamilton office space. All members supported the motion.

I ask Leitrim County Council to identify how many private houses are listed as vacant in the most recent data available to them, for the Manorhamilton Municipal District Area and how are these measured, for e.g. would properties which have been unoccupied for more than 30 years continue to be counted?

"I ask Leitrim County Council to identify how many private houses are listed as vacant in the most recent data available to them, for the Manorhamilton Municipal District Area and how are these measured, for e.g. would properties which have been unoccupied for more than 30 years continue to be counted?"

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

"Leitrim County Council have a vacant homes officer employed and over the last 18 months he has surveyed the towns/villages of Manorhamilton, Dromahair, Kinlough and Tullaghan in the Manorhamilton Municipal District. The surveys carried out to date include an external visual examination of each property followed by a determination of the property as either potentially vacant or occupied. All properties that have the potential after major or minor refurbishment works, to provide a home, are included as potentially vacant irrespective of building age or the period the building has been unoccupied.

To date 315 properties in the Manorhamilton Municipal District have been identified as Potentially Vacant. The Vacant Homes Officer has issued 77 letters by registered post or letter drop to the owners of vacant properties in Manorhamilton outlining the options for the owner to either sell or lease the property to Leitrim County Council. Leitrim County Council has received only 5 replies to date. The vacant homes officer will be issuing letters to the owners of the vacant properties in Kinlough, Dromahair and Tullaghan in the coming weeks. The most recent CSO Figures from 2016 put the percentage of vacant homes at 20% or 3,589 dwellings for the whole of Co. Leitrim."

Cllr Justin Warnock outlined the changes that has taken place in the last five years in regards to the availability of housing for renting/buying in North Leitrim and the difficulties the public face in trying to secure housing. Cllr Warnock welcomed the response from Leitrim County Council and that there is a Vacant Homes Officer working on this issue.

Cllr Padraig Fallon supported the motion, and outlined that the number of people seeking housing in North Leitrim has only increased over the past twelve months. Cllr Fallon stated that a pilot scheme is required within Leitrim to tackle the difficulty in securing planning permission within County Leitrim due to the T-Test.

Cllr Frank Dolan supported the motion and stated that a solution is required for the difficulty in securing planning permission within the county.

Cllr Felim Gurn supported the motion. Cllr Gurn outlined the difficulties of redeveloping commercial buildings within towns for residential use, and that building costs have significantly increased.

Cllr Sean McDermott supported the motion and the comments made by Cllr Gurn. Cllr McDermott outlined that a solution is required to the current difficulties surrounding planning permission within the County.

Cllr Mary Bohan supported the motion and outlined her concerns in relation to the planning permission difficulties and the adverse effects this is having on families trying to secure planning permission on family land. Cllr Bohan stated that this  ...  view the full minutes text for item MMD.55.21

I ask the Area Engineer, Sean Rynn, to have the surface of the footpaths in Millbrook Estate, Kinlough assessed to determine what works are necessary to be undertaken and to seek funding to repair and leave them safe for the residents.

"I ask the Area Engineer, Sean Rynn, to have the surface of the footpaths in Millbrook Estate, Kinlough assessed to determine what works are necessary to be undertaken and to seek funding to repair and leave them safe for the residents."

Report by Roads - General

"The footpaths in question will be surveyed and assessed. We will place the footpath repair works on our schedule and will endeavour to repair during the road works programme, subject to funding availability."

Cllr Justin Warnock welcomed the response.

I ask that further traffic calming measures be put in place at Mill Hill Lawns in Manorhamilton in order to address the speeding and reckless driving that is taking place in this estate presently.

"I ask that further traffic calming measures be put in place at Mill Hill Lawns in Manorhamilton in order to address the speeding and reckless driving that is taking place in this estate presently."

Report by Roads - General

"The traffic at Mill Hill Lawns will be observed and an assessment as to what traffic calming measures are required, will be undertaken. Funding for any required safety measures can be sought from the TII for a possible Low-Cost Safety scheme."

Cllr Frank Dolan outlined that speeding in the estate is an issue of concern to the residents.

All members supported the motion. 

What progress has been made by Leitrim County Council regarding the provision of a walkway from Drumkeeran village to Spencer Harbour amenity area.

"What progress has been made by Leitrim County Council regarding the provision of a walkway from Drumkeeran village to Spencer Harbour amenity area."

Report by Capital Projects Office

"This project was included in our application for funding under the Active Travel Scheme. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in obtaining funding at this time. We will continue to seek funding for this scheme."

Cllr Mary Bohan outlined how this walkway would be a great addition for the area and to highlight Spencer Harbour as an attraction for the area.  Cllr Bohan welcomed the recent planning permission received for a slipway at Spencer Harbour.

All members supported the motion.

What is the current position regarding the provision of traffic calming measures in the village of Dromahair?

"What is the current position regarding the provision of traffic calming measures in the village of Dromahair?"

Report by Roads - General

"Road markings at the school were renewed last year – including pedestrian crossing, zig zag lines and centre line either side of the crossing. Further measures will require substantial funding. An application for funding was made under the Active Travel for this year. It was not granted funding this year but can be resubmitted next year."

Cllr Mary Bohan welcomed the improvements that have been made at the school, however other works are required on both approaches to Dromahair.

Cllr Frank Dolan expressed his support for the motion and outlined his understanding that funding been allocated for traffic calming measures at the Community Park in Dromahair.

Cllr Mary Bohan requested a report for the next meeting on the funding that was applied for and if there had previously been funding allocated to the traffic calming measures within Dromahair. Mr. Sean Rynn, A/Senior Executive Engineer, agreed to provide the report.

Cllr Felim Gurn queried when the outdoor workers will return to work. Mr. Sean Rynn, A/Senior Executive Engineer, stated that all outdoor workers will return to work on the week beginning 26th April 2021.

Cllr Felim Gurn queried when the Manorhamilton Public Realm Works will commence. Mr. Sean Rynn, A/Senior Executive Engineer, stated that the Capital Projects Office is managing the Public Realm Works, but it is expected that the works would commence over the summer. Ms. Mary Quinn, Director of Services, stated that a report could be provided at the next meeting outlining the schedule of works for Manorhamilton Public Realm Works.

Cllr Padraig Fallon queried as to how the Covid-19 restrictions will affect the delivery of the Roads Programme 2021. Mr. Sean Rynn, A/Senior Executive Engineer, stated that it is the intention to complete the Roads Programme as has been outlined.

Cllr Mary Bohan thanked the Area Engineer and outdoor staff for attending to emergency works that were referred to them. This was supported by all members.