Agenda and minutes

Minutes of meeting held on 21st March 2022.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Sean McDermott

SECONDED by Cllr Felim Gurn

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of meeting of 21st March 2022.

All members supported the proposed development.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Justin Warnock 

            SECONDED by Cllr Sean McDermott

It was AGREED that Leitrim County Council proceed with the works in accordance with the approved plans.

·         Members noted the acknowledgement from Seán Sherlock, T.D., with regards to the correspondence issued to him in relation to landowners having a right to know the identity of persons traversing their property.

·         Members noted the queries from Holly Cairns, T.D., with regards to the correspondence issued to her in relation to landowners having a right to know the identity of persons traversing their property. Members decided not to issue a response to the correspondence as Cllr Padraig Fallon informed members that legislation is currently being drafted addressing this issue. Members expressed their desire to see this legislation progress as a matter of urgency.

The issue of traffic coming up the Carrick Road onto the junction at the Brae to turn for Supervalu, or down the Main Street, or from Church Lane, or up to W8, is creating a bottle neck. Currently there is parking at the Library and Flower shop side, could alternatives for parking be considered and this traffic management issue has to be addressed as soon as possible.

This is accident waiting to happen and no one knows who has the right of way.

"The issue of traffic coming up the Carrick Road onto the junction at the Brae to turn for Supervalu, or down the Main Street, or from Church Lane, or up to W8, is creating a bottle neck. Currently there is parking at the Library and Flower shop side, could alternatives for parking be considered and this traffic management issue has to be addressed as soon as possible.

This is accident waiting to happen and no one knows who has the right of way."

Report by Roads - General

"There are double yellow lines and Yellow Box markings at the junction. Cars are illegally parking at this location, causing poor visibility for other motorists. No car should be within 5 meters of a junction. The Area Office will liaise with the Design Office to see if there is any alternative design that may be appropriate. We shall also bring the concern of illegal parking at this location to the attention of An Garda Siochana."

Cllr Felim Gurn outlined the issues with traffic flow within Manorhamilton and how a traffic management plan is required for Manorhamilton.

All members supported the motion.

The work the TII is doing on the N16 from Differeen to the shrine outside of Manorhamilton, has included a cycle lane. This cycling lane is short approximately 1 km in order to link with shrine verge. Once complete this would be of great benefit to cyclists who can then cycle safely from the shrine to Shanvaus Cross via Lurganboy safely into Manorhamilton. This needs to be looked at to see can the TII provide funding to complete the cycle way lane on the verge of the N16.

"The work the TII is doing on the N16 from Differeen to the shrine outside of Manorhamilton, has included a cycle lane. This cycling lane is short approximately 1 km in order to link with shrine verge. Once complete this would be of great benefit to cyclists who can then cycle safely from the shrine to Shanvaus Cross via Lurganboy safely into Manorhamilton. This needs to be looked at to see can the TII provide funding to complete the cycle way lane on the verge of the N16."

Report by Roads - General

"Leitrim County Council will take the matter up with the TII at the next steering group meeting."

Cllr Felim Gurn acknowledged the good work that is currently taking place and stated that addition of the 1km cycling lane to the project would be an excellent addition to the project and benefit the tourist amenities along the route e.g. Glencar Waterfall.

All members supported the motion.

With the consent of members, it was decided to address Councillor Fallon’s, Councillor Bohan’s and Councillor McDermott’s motions on Local Improvement Scheme together.

I ask the Area Engineer, the anticipated number of Local Improvement Schemes that will be completed by the end of this year in this Municipal District, its impact on the current list and numbers, and if an indication can be given when further applications will be accepted.

"I ask the Area Engineer, the anticipated number of Local Improvement Schemes that will be completed by the end of this year in this Municipal District, its impact on the current list and numbers, and if an indication can be given when further applications will be accepted."

Report by Roads - General

"The 2022 Allocation for LIS has been notified as €351,880. This will allow approximately ten to twelve Schemes to proceed across the County in the current year. Of these, there are approximately six Schemes in the Manorhamilton MD, including two large schemes will account for a significant proportion of this allocation. However, the exact breakdown of the Schemes per MD cannot be provided at this time as applicants have the option to defer on one occasion if they so wish, and in addition, we are awaiting for some applicants to submit the required documentation to confirm their eligibility. There are currently approximately fifty applicants on the LIS Waiting List countywide, and thus it will take approximately another three years to clear this backlog, based on this annual rate of funding. We have made requests to the Department for further funding to clear this backlog, and the re-opening of the LIS List to new applicants will be kept under review particularly if a second LIS Allocation was to be received later in 2022 which would allow further schemes to proceed in the current year."

With the current allocation of funds recently announced for Local Improvement Schemes in Leitrim, I request the following information:

1. How many schemes will be completed in 2022?

2. How long will it take to complete the current list?

"With the current allocation of funds recently announced for Local Improvement Schemes in Leitrim, I request the following information:

1. How many schemes will be completed in 2022?

2. How long will it take to complete the current list?"

Report by Roads - General

"The 2022 Allocation for LIS has been notified as €351,880. This will allow approximately ten to twelve Schemes to proceed across the County in the current year. However, it should be noted that this includes two large schemes which accounts for a significant proportion of the allocation. The exact number cannot be determined at this time as applicants have the option to defer on one occasion if they so wish, and in addition, we are awaiting for some applicants to submit the required documentation to confirm their eligibility.

There are currently approximately fifty applicants on the LIS Waiting List countywide, and thus it could still take another three years approximately to clear this backlog, based on this annual rate of funding. However, it should also be noted that we have made requests to the Department for further funding to clear this backlog, and if additional tranches for funding were made, this timeframe could reduce."

I ask the Area Engineer, what impact will the announced Local Improvement Scheme funding have on the current list, and is a second tranche of funding expected to be announced this year.

"I ask the Area Engineer, what impact will the announced Local Improvement Scheme funding have on the current list, and is a second tranche of funding expected to be announced this year."

Report by Roads - General

"The 2022 Allocation for LIS has been notified as €351,880. This will allow approximately ten to twelve Schemes to proceed across the County in the current year. However, it should be noted that this includes two large schemes which accounts for a significant proportion of the allocation. The exact number cannot be determined at this time as applicants have the option to defer on one occasion if they so wish, and in addition, we are awaiting for some applicants to submit the required documentation to confirm their eligibility. There are currently approximately fifty applicants on the LIS Waiting List countywide, and thus it will take approximately another three years to clear this backlog, based on this annual rate of funding. It should be noted that we have made requests to the Department for further funding to clear this backlog. Last year an additional tranche of funding was announced in late summer, but we do not know if there will be an additional funding announcement in the current year."

Cllr Padraig Fallon queried how the allocation will affect the current Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) list and whether the LIS will reopen to applicants. Cllr Fallon informed members of a situation that he was made aware of where a doctor had difficulty attending a household due to the bad state of the road to the house.  

Cllr Mary Bohan acknowledged the general good state of roads throughout Leitrim. Cllr Bohan outlined the importance of LIS to affected and waiting applicants. Cllr Bohan stated that a second allocation of funding should be sought.

Cllr Mary Bohan outlined how the current list of applicants is not a true reflection of the numbers seeking funding under LIS as the scheme has been closed to new applicants for a number of years. 

Cllr Sean McDermott agreed with the points raised by Cllrs Fallon and Bohan. Cllr McDermott outlined how a small number of roads will take up a large proportion of the received funding and that there is a great need for a second tranche of funding.

Cllr Felim Gurn queried how many applicants remain on the list. Mary Quinn, Director of Services, informed members there are approximately fifty applicants remaining on the list.

Sean Rynn, Area Engineer, informed members that two tranches of funding was received in 2021 and it is hoped that a further allocation of funding will be made again this year.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Mary Bohan

            SECONDED by Cllr Padraig Fallon

It was AGREED to write to Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, acknowledging that Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is not funding provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development, however due to the LIS’s great importance to rural communities could additional funding be made available to LIS from the  ...  view the full minutes text for item MMD.49.22

I propose that this Municipal District write to the leaders of all the parties in Dáil Éireann affirming our support for the right of householders to burn turf & wood as a means of heating households in this time of exorbitant energy costs.

"I propose that this Municipal District write to the leaders of all the parties in Dáil Éireann affirming our support for the right of householders to burn turf & wood as a means of heating households in this time of exorbitant energy costs."

Cllr Padraig Fallon outlined that with exorbitant energy costs, people should have the right to burn turf and wood as a source of heat. Cllr Fallon stated that recent announcement by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamonn Ryan, has caused confusion regarding people’s right to use turf.

Cllr Mary Bohan supported the motion and outlined how there is an increase in numbers of people looking to cut turf this year due to the increased fuel prices. Cllr Bohan acknowledged the importance of the environment, and stated that large scale commercial cutting of turf is not viable. Cllr Bohan outlined her opposition to the sale of “dirty coal” brought over the border from Northern Ireland and how more must be done to end this practice.

Cllr Sean McDermott supported the motion, especially with the upcoming carbon tax increase.

Cllr Frank Dolan supported the motion and stated that commercial turf cutting should come to an end but private individuals should not be affected.

Cllr Frank Gurn supported the motion and stated that the proposed ban would have a disproportionate impact on those already suffering from fuel poverty.

Cllr Justin Warnock supported the motion. Cllr Warnock stated with increasing costs in food and fuel it is the wrong time to for a turf ban to be considered.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Mary Bohan

            SECONDED by Cllr Padraig Fallon

It was AGREED to write to the leaders of all the parties in Dáil Éireann affirming their support for the right of householders to burn turf and wood as a means of heating households in this time of exorbitant energy costs.

I ask that when bus shelter locations are being considered, that the bus stops at Our Lady's Hospital and the local national school on the N16 be considered. Both locations are very open and bleak especially in bad weather conditions.

"I ask that when bus shelter locations are being considered, that the bus stops at Our Lady's Hospital and the local national school on the N16 be considered. Both locations are very open and bleak especially in bad weather conditions."

Report by Roads - General

"Both locations have been surveyed by the Active Travel Team and will be submitted along with other locations to the NTA for approval and funding. All locations will be subject to funding approval. It should be noted that the Hospital site will require land take."

Cllr Sean McDermott outlined the issue and welcomed the response.

I ask that Leitrim County Council contact Eir in relation to two poles on road No L4165 just past the entrance to the Forest Grove Estate in Dromahair. Both poles are actually outside the footpath.

"I ask that Leitrim County Council contact Eir in relation to two poles on road No L4165 just past the entrance to the Forest Grove Estate in Dromahair. Both poles are actually outside the footpath."

Report by Roads - General

"Leitrim County Council will liaise with EIR in relation to these two poles."

Cllr Frank Dolan outlined the issue and requested that contact be made with Eir to see if the poles could be relocated.

Cllr Sean McDermott and Cllr Felim Gurn supported the motion.

Sean Rynn, Area Engineer, agreed to contact Eir in relation to the issue.

I have received a number of complaints about parking on Park Road, and I ask the Area Engineer can the yellow markings be refreshed in an effort to keep peoples’ entrances clear.

"I have received a number of complaints about parking on Park Road, and I ask the Area Engineer can the yellow markings be refreshed in an effort to keep peoples’ entrances clear."

Report by Roads - General

"Will arrange to get road marking refreshed next time the road marking crews are in the area."

Cllr Frank Dolan outlined the issue and welcomed the response.

All members supported the motion.

I ask the Area Engineer to ask the Road Design Section to look at the junction of Main Street and the Mill Road in Kinlough to see what works could be carried out to improve this junction for motorists accessing the Mill Road.

"I ask the Area Engineer to ask the Road Design Section to look at the junction of Main Street and the Mill Road in Kinlough to see what works could be carried out to improve this junction for motorists accessing the Mill Road."

Report by Roads - General

"Road Design will review this junction."

Cllr Justin Warnock outlined the issue with the junction and stated that there is the possibility of an accident if the situation is not improved.

Cllr Mary Bohan supported the motion.

Over the past number of years some homes in Uragh and Tawley have been left without water for up to 3 days as a result of poor water pressure due to treatment plant malfunction, this is unacceptable. I ask Francis Gaffney, Senior Engineer, in Water Services could interconnections between District Metered Areas (DMA's) be made to boost water pressure for these areas when needed.

"Over the past number of years some homes in Uragh and Tawley have been left without water for up to 3 days as a result of poor water pressure due to treatment plant malfunction, this is unacceptable. I ask Francis Gaffney, Senior Engineer, in Water Services could interconnections between District Metered Areas (DMA's) be made to boost water pressure for these areas when needed."

Report by Head of Finance & Water Services

"The interconnection of the two District Metered Areas (DMA’s) is not programmed to take place this year, it does not form part of a current Irish Water work programme for this area so there is no identified budget to join up the two DMA’s. There is work planned to replace an aged pipe around Redbrae / Tullaghan, however this work does not extend to cover the linking up of the two DMA’s.

The pipes in this area are relatively small (2” in places), given this and the geographic nature of the land being mostly flat along with the larger populated areas having a higher demand when the network refills it takes time to fully recharge. Operations also clear any airlocks which may form which then allows the water to make its way to the furthest points of the network. Our Operations team are aware of the network refilling issues and are quick to react to any areas of concern following a plant outage."

Cllr Justin Warnock outlined the issues and expressed disappointment that the interconnection will not take place and stated the issue needs to be further explored.

All members supported the motion.

I propose that a special meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District be called to deal specifically with the taking in charge of estates in this area. I further propose that a detailed presentation be given to members with accurate information regarding timelines etc.

"I propose that a special meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District be called to deal specifically with the taking in charge of estates in this area. I further propose that a detailed presentation be given to members with accurate information regarding timelines etc."

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

"It is intended to facilitate a workshop with Councillors in regard to an update on Unfinished Housing Developments and related taking in charge matters in conjunction with a Municipal District meeting shortly."

Cllr Bohan welcomed the planned workshop and expressed her frustration with previous timelines issued for taking in charge were amended and changed when this information had been relayed to affected residents.

Ms. Mary Quinn, Director of Services, stated that the workshop would take place on the day of the May Municipal District Meeting.

·         A discussion took place in relation to the Arroo Trail, and members agreed to submit a joint motion at the next Municipal District Meeting requesting that Leitrim County Council “take in charge” the access road to the Arroo Trail.

·         Members outlined their disappointment and frustration with the granting of two prospecting licences for base metals, gold and silver by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, T.D. Members outlined their opposition to the granting of the prospecting licences. Members agreed to discuss submitting a joint motion outlining their opposition to the next full Council meeting.

·         Cllr Felim Gurn queried whether there was any funding/grants available to renovate accommodation for Ukrainian Refugees. Mary Quinn, Director of Services, stated that the Council has not been notified of any such funding.

·         All members condemned the recent atrocities in Sligo Town which resulted in the murder of two people and one person severely injured.

·         On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Mary Bohan

            SECONDED by Cllr Padraig Fallon

It was AGREED to hold the May Municipal District meeting in Kinlough.