Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 15th November 2021,

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Felim Gurn 

SECONDED by Cllr Sean Mc Dermott

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

Members noted correspondence from OPW declining the invitation to appear before Manorhamilton Municipal District Meeting. Members agreed to give further consideration to the correspondence before responding. 

Ms. Mary Quinn, Director of Service, gave an overview of the Housing Action Plan 2022 – 2026. The plan has a target of providing 180 housing stock (including contingencies). The current housing list has a net need of 177 households. 

Cllr Sean McDermott queried whether Leitrim County Council will be increasing landbanks throughout the County. Ms. Quinn stated that it is the intention of Leitrim County Council to increase its landbank, while having regard with the demand throughout the county.

Cllr Justin Warnock queried how the target figures were arrived at, being cognisant of the increased need in housing stock that has been experienced over the past number of years. Ms. Mary Quinn, explained that figure is based on the current housing need, the ESRI modelling exercise, while also taking into account the projected movement in relation to the housing list i.e. intercounty movement etc. Ms. Quinn stated that the plan will be kept under review.

Cllr Padraic Fallon welcomed the annual review and stated that he expected there to be an increased demand for family dwellings in the future.

Cllr Sean McDermott queried whether Leitrim County Council will be acquiring vacant properties especially in rural areas. Ms Mary Quinn, Director of Services, said that the acquisition policy of the Council has yet to be confirmed but the Delivery Plan has moved away from acquisition towards building new housing stock, but outlined that all options will be considered.

Cllr Felim Gurn welcomed the Plan however stated that it must be mindful of larger families and their needs as well, especially considering the increased building costs. Ms. Quinn acknowledged same, and informed members that on a national level the Housing Plan has a budget of €20 Billion Euro.

I ask if the public lighting at the back of Mullin's Filling station Manorhamilton which lights up towards Arus Breffni and the lighting in front of the Primary Care Centre be repaired. A lot of lights in these areas are not working. Is the HSE or the Council responsible for the maintenance of these lights?

"I ask if the public lighting at the back of Mullin's Filling station Manorhamilton which lights up towards Arus Breffni and the lighting in front of the Primary Care Centre be repaired. A lot of lights in these areas are not working. Is the HSE or the Council responsible for the maintenance of these lights?"

Report by Roads - General

"We will investigate and follow up with our electrical contractor."

Cllr Mc Dermott welcomed the reply.

The brickwork has become loose on the pathway on several locations at Arus Breffni housing estate, located directly behind Mullin's Filling station, Manorhamilton. This is very dangerous for the homeowners in this area. I ask the area office to assess the pathway for repairs.

The brickwork has become loose on the pathway on several locations at Arus Breffni housing estate, located directly behind Mullin’s Filling station, Manorhamilton. This is very dangerous for the homeowners in this area.  I ask the area office to assess the pathway for repairs.

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

"The area will be assessed as requested."     

Cllr Mc Dermott welcomed the reply.

I ask that the problem with surplus water at the junction of the Carrickanurroo Road with the R286 be addressed, this is an ongoing problem that is affecting a property there.

"I ask that the problem with surplus water at the junction of the Carrickanurroo Road with the R286 be addressed, this is an ongoing problem that is affecting a property there."

Report by Roads - General

"Works have been carried out in the past on the L-8151 Carrickanurroo Road, to stop surface water flowing out onto the Regional Road R286. Drainage maintenance and extra measures will be carried out to address the problem."

Cllr Dolan noted the reply however he stated that he is not sure if it is in fact surface water and that the pipe installed is not adequate to take the water. Sean Rynn, Area Engineer, outlined that the matter will be investigated.

I ask if an application has been made to the National Transport Authority seeking funding for the installation of bus shelters in this Municipal.

"I ask if an application has been made to the National Transport Authority seeking funding for the installation of bus shelters in this Municipal."

Report by Roads - General

"The provision of bus shelters is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA). However, the NTA works closely with local authorities to co-ordinate the development and implementation of bus shelter programmes at county level rather than through piecemeal arrangements. Thus, a Co-operation Agreement between the NTA and the Local Authority deals with the provision of Bus Stop Infra structure, including Part 8 planning etc.

The Active Travel Unit that has recently been established in Leitrim County Council, is currently in discussions with the NTA regarding the provision of bus shelters and associated enabling works for towns throughout County Leitrim.

They are meeting with the Senior Project Manager from the NTA this week to advance the program and to go through the criterion involved i.e. (minimum 5 services per day, locations for School Bus services only is not eligible, etc.). Locations will then be short-listed, and a technical review will be carried out by the NTA. Then applications can be made in accordance with the NTA’s ‘Capital Project and Grant Application & Approval Procedures’ and once approved the phases in the ‘Project Approval Guidelines’ need to be followed. For the successful applications, the planning and execution of the preparatory works required will be undertaken by local authorities and the bus shelter structures are then installed by the NTA’s bus shelter contractor."

Cllr Fallon noted the reply stating there are only two bus stops for all of North Leitrim.  Sean Rynn, Area Engineer indicated that the active travel team will be looking at this situation, however the bus needs to stop five times a day to qualify for funding.

Cllr Mary Bohan and Cllr Justin Warnock supported the motion.

I ask what is the position regarding the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), for example where all required documentation for current review cannot be gathered, where a beneficiary named on application is away, for example in hospital.

"I ask what is the position regarding the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), for example where all required documentation for current review cannot be gathered, where a beneficiary named on application is away, for example in hospital."

Report by Roads - General

"The Roads Office has written to all applicants currently on the LIS Waiting List requesting that they submit specific documentation to verify the eligibility of their LIS Application in terms of the current eligibility guidelines, and also to ensure that applications are up to date in terms of beneficiaries, etc. We are taking this proactive approach to ensure that there will be no delay in processing applications when funding comes available. If anybody is having any difficulty with submitting the requested documentation, they should contact the Roads Office where every assistance will be provided to them to enable them to verify their eligibility and that of the application. Each application will be processed on a case-by-case basis and no application will be removed from the list, (unless it is deemed ineligible), where we have been notified of the particular circumstances and assured that the required documentation will be submitted at a later date. However, works cannot be carried out until all documentation is received and application deemed eligible."

Cllr Fallon welcomed the response but stated that the Council must be reasonable with people when documentation is delayed due to a genuine reason.

I propose that the Amenity/Play Area in Drumkeeran be resurfaced and that the public lighting be extended on the R280.

"I propose that the Amenity/Play Area in Drumkeeran be resurfaced and that the public lighting be extended on the R280."

Report by Roads - General

"The surface at and around the playground Area will be reviewed to see what works can be carried out. As desirable as it would be to extend the public lighting out as far as the speed limit/playground, a funding source would have to be found."

Sean Rynn, Area Engineer, stated that 3 or 4 lights would be required, and funding would have to be sought, and that surface area works would be reviewed shortly.

The tidy towns are doing their best and keeping the town tidy but there is an on going problem with over grown weeds coming up through the pavement all over the town.

Every year their marks in the national competition have gone up however for tourists and local people the over grown grass and weeds remain an eye sore for all. I ask the area office to review and see what actions can be carried out in this regard.

"The tidy towns are doing their best and keeping the town tidy but there is an ongoing problem with over grown weeds coming up through the pavement all over the town.

Every year their marks in the national competition have gone up however for tourists and local people the over grown grass and weeds remain an eye sore for all. I ask the area office to review and see what actions can be carried out in this regard."

Report by Roads - General

"There is no specific funding provided for dealing with weed control. It is covered under our general maintenance budget as well as all other road maintenance activities. Allocation of funding is made to the tidy towns, but this is relatively small. We endeavour to maintain our towns and villages within the constraints of the resources available to us. It was agreed with this council that we would stop using glyphosate weed killers. We have sourced alternative products, but not with the same results. The tidy towns have tried alternative weed control and cleaning, but this is very labour intensive. We will continue to work with the tidy towns for a solution."

Cllr Gurn welcomed the response. Sean Rynn, Area Engineer, stated that the Council is liaising with Tidy Towns to find a solution to the issue.

I ask the Senior Roads Engineer, Terry McGovern, if he could ask his counterpart in Donegal County Council if they carried out a Road Safety audit at Lennox's Bridge before erecting the Yield sign on the Bundoran side of the bridge considering there is a Stop sign on the Kinlough side. This sign is causing some confusion for motorists and could cause serious legal problems in the event of an accident on the bridge.

"I ask the Senior Roads Engineer, Terry McGovern, if he could ask his counterpart in Donegal County Council if they carried out a Road Safety audit at Lennox's Bridge before erecting the Yield sign on the Bundoran side of the bridge considering there is a Stop sign on the Kinlough side. This sign is causing some confusion for motorists and could cause serious legal problems in the event of an accident on the bridge."

Report by Roads - General

"Our Road Design Office discussed this issue with Donegal County Council.

In general terms, both signs are regulatory signs, and both have a different action for traffic to obey. The legal requirement for each is set out in the Traffic Signs Manual.

Prior to the Safety scheme, there was no sign on the Donegal side. Traffic on the Kinlough side had to stop and could only proceed when safe to do so (like a junction situation). When traffic proceeded to cross from the Kinlough direction and was on the bridge, traffic on the Donegal side, may have been approaching too fast and not yielding for the traffic approaching from the Kinlough direction.  The safety scheme has formalized what was happening on the ground with the introduction of signs and lines and reinforcement of the hazard ahead on the Donegal side.

Donegal County Council have confirmed that given the fact that this issue has been raised they will undertake an operational review of the safety scheme."          

Cllr Warnock noted the reply, and acknowledged that an E-Tender Selection Process has commenced for the repair work for the Lennox Bridge.

All members supported the motion.

I ask the Water Services Department in the Council what spare capacity is there at the waste water treatment plant in Kinlough?

"I ask the Water Services Department in the Council what spare capacity is there at the waste water treatment plant in Kinlough?"

Report by Head of Finance & Water Services

"The Waste Water Treatment Plant at Kinlough was constructed under the Leitrim Towns and Villages Sewerage Scheme DBO bundle 1 and was completed and handed over to the DBO operator Response Engineering Ltd on 13/8/2010. This WWTP has a design Capacity of 2,600 Population Equivalent (PE). The current average daily Load is estimated to be 1750 PE. Allowing for an additional 10% peak load the total load is about 1,975 PE which would give a current spare capacity in the treatment plant currently of 675 PE. This plant was transferred to Irish Water on 1st Jan 2014 and is now operated under contract by Ward and Burke Construction Ltd on their behalf."

Cllr Justin Warnock welcomed the response.

I ask if the access to the new proposed site for the Gaelscoil at creamery road is going to be on the creamery road or on the Sligo Road. It has to take into account the level of traffic, pedestrians crossing, residents on creamery road with traffic calming measures to facilitate traffic coming and going via the amorset roundabout

"I ask if the access to the new proposed site for the Gaelscoil at creamery road is going to be on the creamery road or on the Sligo road. It has to take into account the level of traffic, pedestrians crossing, residents on creamery road with traffic calming measures to facilitate traffic coming and going via the amorset roundabout"

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

"The extent of lands acquired by the Department of Education to provide a permanent school for Gaelscoil Chluainín is 1.2 hectares in extent with access off the R280 regional road (Creamery Road). It is not expected that pre application consultations will commence for a further 12 months based on correspondence with the Department. The planning application will be accompanied by the requisite level of Traffic & Transport Impact Assessment required for a national school of this scale."

Cllr Gurn noted the response, and Sean Rynn, Area Engineer, stated he would review the issue.

·         Cllr Mary Bohan raised the issue of falling trees at a Drumkeerin Housing Estate and queried could they be surveyed. Sean Rynn, Area Engineer, stated the matter would be reviewed.

·         All members thanked Outdoor Council Staff for their excellent work during the latest inclement weather.