Agenda and minutes

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Sean McGowan

             SECONDED by Cllr. Paddy Farrell

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of Annual Meeting of 14th June 2021.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Enda Stenson

             SECONDED by Cllr. Des Guckian

 It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of Meeting of 14th June 2021.

Councillor Des Guckian expressed his disappointment with the closing date for the public consultation on the Carrick-on-Shannon to Dromod project and also with the pedestrianisation of Main St. Carrick-on-Shannon.

The Meetings Administrator said there was no meeting correspondence.

That, in the interests of safety and in light of recent incidents, we bring in a by-law banning all jet-skis and speed boats on the River Shannon. That this motion be forwarded to Roscommon County Council, Boyle Municipal District and the National Parks & Wildlife Services seeking their support.

"That, in the interests of safety and in light of recent incidents, we bring in a by-law banning all jet-skis and speed boats on the River Shannon. That this motion be forwarded to Roscommon County Council, Boyle Municipal District and the National Parks & Wildlife Services seeking their support."

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

"The vast majority of the River Shannon is under the navigational control of Waterways Ireland who have operational bye laws in place for these areas. Any specific areas of concern can be communicated to Waterways Ireland for their consideration."

Councillor Des Guckian gave the background to his motion, and said the Shannon must be reserved for peaceful, calm, enjoyment of all users. Speeds should be kept to a maximum that is comparable to the speed of cruise boats.  Councillor Guckian proposed that this motion be referred to the Roscommon County Council, Boyle Municipal District and the National Parks & Wildlife seeking their support.

Councillor Sean McGowan supported the motion.  Councillor McGowan and agreed that some form of regulation is needed either in the form of byelaws by Leitrim County Council or Waterways Ireland. 

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan also supported the motion and he sought clarification on if there are specific areas for the use of jet-skis along the river or is the entire length of the river open to use in this regard.

Mr Joseph Gilhooly stated the vast majority of the River Shannon is under the control of Waterways Ireland and they have operational bye laws in place.  These bye laws are general in nature.  The speed limit is 5kmph within 200 metres of a bridge or jetty.  Mr Gilhooly said he was not aware of any designated areas on the river, and he said if there are areas of concern to relay them to Leitrim County Council and they will bring then to the attention of Waterways Ireland.

Councillor Des Guckian said he did not want to see any deaths as a result of this type of activity and he is seeking some solution to the issue.  Councillor Guckian asked that the content of his motion be forwarded to Roscommon County Council, Boyle Municipal District and the National Parks & Wildlife Services.

The Meetings Administrator asked Councillor Guckian to forward the wording to him for referral to the bodies outlined in his motion.  Councillor Guckian agreed to this.

Councillor Thomas Mulligan said the policing of this is difficult.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Des Guckian

             SECONDED by Cllr. Sean McGowan

It was AGREED that, in the interests of safety and in light of recent incidents, we bring in a by-law banning all jet-skis and speed boats on the River Shannon. That this motion be forwarded to Roscommon County Council, Boyle Municipal District and the National Parks & Wildlife Services seeking their support.

That a survey be done of all road junctions in the Carrick Municipal area, checking out the deposits of loose grit that are building up at many of them. These deposits of loose grit are capable of causing accidents when vehicles skid on them and they go flying out on to the larger road.

"That a survey be done of all road junctions in the Carrick Municipal area, checking out the deposits of loose grit that are building up at many of them. These deposits of loose grit are capable of causing accidents when vehicles skid on them, and they go flying out on to the larger road."

Report by Roads – General

"The district office carries of sweeping on the roads that are constructed or surfaced during the year. This amounts to approximately 60 schemes within South Leitrim MD's. Some of these schemes may be swept twice, depending on need and road priority.

We employ roads weeper contracts to carry out these works along with occasional towns and village clean ups. Once a stop sign is painted on the road or erected on a pole our requirements are fulfilled. There are hundreds of minor junctions in each MD and therefore we would not have the capability or resources to carry out a full county wide clean up at each junction. However, if the elected members have certain concerns regarding specific minor junctions, we shall endeavour to carry out an inspection and carry out sweeping where necessary."

Councillor Des Guckian said a survey should be carried out on all road junctions in the Carrick-on Shannon Municipal District to ensure the deposits of grit that are building up are dealt with. Deposits of loose grit can be very dangerous and cause accidents. Councillor Guckian referred to the following locations that need attention in this regard.

1.         Augahmore above Rooskey L1601

2.         Faulties Bridge 

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan said that where surfacing works have taken place on roads, the issue of loose grit is addressed with good signage and if there is an issue with loose grit at a particular junction, this should be reported to the Roads Section of the Council to address

Mr Joseph Banks, Assistant Engineer said sweeping is carried out on the roads that are constructed or surfaced dressed during the year. This amounts to approximately 60 schemes within South Leitrim MD's. Some of these schemes may be swept twice, depending on need and road priority. Leitrim County Council would not have the resources to carry out a full county wide clean up at each junction and if members have certain concerns regarding specific minor junctions, Leitrim County Council shall endeavour to carry out an inspection and carry out sweeping where necessary.  Leitrim County Council will look after the 2 junctions mentioned by Cllr Guckian.

I seek the support of members in calling on the HSE Manager for Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan Mr. Damien McCallion to attend the September meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District to explain the rationale about the withdrawal of day care services in Mohill Community Hospital & how the NowDoc operates in Leitrim.

It was agreed by the Members that Motion No 5 in the name of Councillor Sean McGowan and Motion No 11 in the name of Councillor Thomas Mulligan be taken concurrently as they relate to the same issue.

"I seek the support of members in calling on the HSE Manager for Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan Mr. Damien McCallion to attend the September meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District to explain the rationale about the withdrawal of day care services in Mohill Community Hospital & how the NowDoc operates in Leitrim."

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Thomas Mulligan – Day Services in Mohill

"That we call on the HSE to meet with the Councillors from the Carrick on Shannon area to outline their plans with regard to Day Services in Mohill."

Councillor Sean McGowan said people using this service are from a wide geographical area and are very disappointed in having to move to Ballinamore for services.  Councillor Sean McGowan proposed that a representative from the HSE attend a meeting of Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District to explain the rationale in withdrawing day care services from Mohill and he called for these services to be reinstated.  Councillor Sean McGowan acknowledged that the covid pandemic has had a significant impact on services.

Councillor Thomas Mulligan expressed his concerns with the removal, by the HSE, of day care services from Mohill to Ballinamore.  Councillor Mulligan said he believed that the problem can be rectified at a small price. Regardless of cost, some very elderly people have to undergo 1 hour of a journey to Ballinamore and 1 hour return to avail of services.  Councillor Mulligan said this service has been in Mohill for many years and many families have benefited from this and it is an absolute shame if this service could not be justified in Mohill. He proposed that a representative from the HSE come to a meeting of the Municipal District to discuss Mohill Day Care services. 

Councillor Enda Stenson supported the Motion. 

Councillor Des Guckian agreed with both motions and proposed that an online meeting be arranged with a HSE Manager to meet the members of Carrick-on-Shannon MD. Councillor Guckian said travel is very demanding on ill and elderly people.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire said this is a small community service being lost and it is a big step for people to travel to Ballinamore to avail of services that were previously provided in Mohill. Cllr Armstrong McGuire said this matter should be referred to Mr. Frank Morrison of the HSE who has responsibility in this regard.  Councillor Armstrong McGuire said as a Member of the HSE Forum, she will raise this issue through the pathways available to Members on the HSE Forum as there are no meetings taking place currently.

Councillor Paddy Farrell said he will be calling on the HSE to reverse this decision.

Councillor Sean McGowan also referred to the NowDoc service and highlighted a recent incident where NowDoc referred a person  ...  view the full minutes text for item CMD.94.21

I ask Mr Joseph Gilhooly Director of Services Infrastructure, to give an update on the application by a number of the residents to have the Lock Estate in Rooskey taken in charge? There is no public lighting in the estate and it is extremely dark for the residents who live there.

"I ask Mr Joseph Gilhooly Director of Services Infrastructure, to give an update on the application by a number of the residents to have the Lock Estate in Rooskey taken in charge? There is no public lighting in the estate, and it is extremely dark for the residents who live there."

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

"As advised at the Council meeting of March 2021, due to the delays caused by COVID, the Council is unlikely to be in a position to take any further estates in charge this year and it will likely be 2022 before the next tranche of estates can have the processes required to be taken in charge finalised. The Lock estate in Roosky is a relatively recent applicant for taking in charge, having only requested same in late July 2019. Whilst the Council normally prioritises taking in charge requests based on the date a request was made, in the case of The Lock, as it is a small development that has been completed for over 20 years, and where no works to complete the development are required, it has decided to include this estate in the next tranche that will be considered for taking in charge.

With regard to the issue of the lack of street lighting in this estate, it should be noted that the development sought planning permission without any street lighting being proposed, with permission being granted on that basis: it would be assumed that the purchasers of any properties within this development were cognisant of what they were purchasing. As the estate was not intended to have street lighting provided as an integral part of the development, the Council will not be providing any street lighting as part of the taking in charge process and any street lighting at this location will have to be included as part of the Council’s street lighting programme where it will be subject to the usual budgetary and priority considerations."

Councillor Sean McGowan gave the background to his motion and acknowledged that no estates are being taken in charge currently due to the delays caused by COVID.  Councillor Sean McGowan said 3-4 lights should be sufficient to address the lighting issue and he asked that this work be carried out.  Councillor McGowan noted some ducting was provided for lighting when the estate was being built.

Councillor Sean McGowan referred to a deposit that was lodged when the estate was being built and queried if this could be used for the provision of public lighting in the estate.

Councillor Thomas Mulligan and Councillor Des Guckian supported the motion. 

Mr Joseph Gilhooly said he will revert to Councillor McGowan in relation to the deposit. Mr Joseph Gilhooley stated that The Lock is a small development that has been completed for over 20 years and the development sought planning permission without any street lighting being proposed and planning permission was granted on that basis.  There are no works required to complete  ...  view the full minutes text for item CMD.95.21

May I have an update as to when new signage will be installed on Main Street guiding pedestrians to and from the new car park.

"May I have an update as to when new signage will be installed on Main Street guiding pedestrians to and from the new car park."

Report by Roads – General

"Signage for the new car park will be erected as part of the urban renewal works in Carrick on Shannon"

Mr Shay O’Connor, Senior Engineer said temporary signage will be put in place until the urban renewal works are complete.

May I ask that road markings on the road (Yet to be named) from the Court house to the car park and medical centre are put in place so as to avoid possible collisions.

"May I ask that road markings on the road (Yet to be named) from the Court house to the car park and medical centre are put in place so as to avoid possible collisions."

Report by Roads – General

"We will endeavour to get centre line road marking on the L-3401 in Carrick on Shannon from the Courthouse junction to the new car park entrance"

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire proposed that road markings be put in place from the Courthouse to carpark and medical centre as the traffic layout is confusing.

Mr Joseph Banks said the provision of road markings is outsourced to contractors and is done in batches and this road will be included in the next batch of road markings.

I call on Leitrim County Council and Irish Water to investigate and explain why their is such a bad odour and smell coming from sewerage plant in Leitrim Village and what can they do to sort this problem as soon as possible.

"I call on Leitrim County Council and Irish Water to investigate and explain why there is such a bad odour and smell coming from sewerage plant in Leitrim Village and what can they do to sort this problem as soon as possible."

Report by Head of Finance & Water Services

"We are not aware of any odour emanating from the Wastewater Treatment Plant at Leitrim Village. However, there is possibly odour emanating from the foul sewer network which we are going to investigate further. We have recently had some sections of the foul sewer network cleaned by the jetting contractor under the Irish Water jetting Framework due to blockages caused by Fats, Oils and Grease.  We will also be getting the Foul Sewer Wastewater Pumping Stations that we manage cleaned as part of our Annual Programme in the near future.  Odour may also be emanating from private Wastewater Pumping Stations but this is not under our control, but we will establish this as part of the survey work.  It should also be noted that by the very nature of foul sewers there are going to be odours from time to time and households/premises that experience these odours should also have their own plumbing checked to ensure it has been installed correctly and is operating satisfactorily."

Councillor Paddy Farrell said people living in the Village has been highlighting this problem.  Councillor Farrell said that as it is the height of the busy tourist season and only outdoor dining allowed, the current situation it is not nice.

Councillor Sean McGowan, Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire and Councillor Des Guckian   supported the motion.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire commended the people for bringing this to the attention of the Local Authority.

I call on Leitrim County Council and District Engineer Darragh O Boyle to seek funding to improve the dangerous bend at Liskea, Drumsna, known in the area as the very dangerous Lisduff Bend. There have been several incidents here over the years.

"I call on Leitrim County Council and District Engineer Darragh O 'Boyle to seek funding to improve the dangerous bend at Liskea, Drumsna, known in the area as the very dangerous Lisduff Bend. There have been several incidents here over the years."

Report by Roads – General

"The district Office will submit these works for a low-cost safety scheme. Once there are recorded incidents on this public road, the scheme will gain traction under this funding stream."

Councillor Paddy Farrell gave the background to his motion and said several accidents occur on this road.  The landowner in question is agreeable to having the ditch removed and he has cut the grass to improve visibility.

Councillor Farrell called on Leitrim County Council to seek funding to improve the dangerous bend at Liskea, Drumsna, known in the area as the very dangerous Lisduff Bend.

Councillor Enda Stenson supported the motion and said he had raised this issue before for a low-cost safety scheme.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire supported the motion.

Councillor Des Guckian said he also had a motion on this previously, and that the landowner was agreeable to having the ditch removed and this is well known as a dangerous bend.

Mr Joseph Banks said in the short-term a contractor will carry out hedge-cutting on this bend and in the long-term this bend will be considered for a low-cost safety scheme.  Mr Banks said it is good the landowner is agreeable for remedial works to be carried out at this location. The Department sanction low-cost safety schemes and once there are recorded incidents on this public road, the scheme will gain traction under this funding stream.

"That we ask for a meeting with a representative of the HSE to discuss what work can be done to improve the appearance of Arus Carolan when viewed from Bridge Street Mohill"

Councillor Thomas Mulligan said the appearance of Arus Carolan when viewed from Bridge Street in Mohill is very untidy and he calls on a HSE representative to come and talk to the Carrick on Shannon Municipal District members in regard to getting work done on the area and to synchronise this work with the public realm works.

It was agreed that this issue and the issue on the Day Care Services would be addressed to a HSE representative at the same meeting.

Councillor Sean McGowan and Councillor Enda Stenson supported the motion.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Thomas Mulligan

             SECONDED by Cllr. Sean McGowan

It was AGREED that Leitrim County Council ask for a meeting with a representative of the HSE to discuss what work can be done to improve the appearance of Arus Carolan when viewed from Bridge Street Mohill.

May I ask Darragh OBoyle, am I correct in thinking that during discussions at a meeting in Mohill Graveyard regarding the paths etc that it was agreed that a contractor would lay a water line from the new cemetery down to first entrance opposite National School. This work has not done.

"May I ask Darragh OBoyle, am I correct in thinking that during discussions at a meeting in Mohill Graveyard regarding the paths etc that it was agreed that a contractor would lay a water line from the new cemetery down to first entrance opposite National School. This work has not done."

Report by Roads – General

"Unfortunately, all connections to sewers and water are the charge of IW.

If the graveyard committee or parish committee commence a connection notice with IW, we can facilitate the committee with materials to do so. The original tender did allow for works for connect but a connection licence was not obtained from IW."

Councillor Enda Stenson said a meeting had already taken place on site with the Local Engineer and a representative from the Parish Committee and it was agreed that the contractor would lay a water pipe from the new cemetery down to old cemetery to first entrance opposite National School and that a tap would be in place at each gate and this work did not happen.

Councillor Stenson said there is a connection already in place and a pipe needs to be laid down along the wall.

Councillor Thomas Mulligan supported the motion, and he complimented the local community who do a brilliant job at the moment and because the cemetery is so inviting, more people are visiting. 

 Mr Joseph Banks said if an existing connection is in place the Council will work with the parish committee in putting in place a pipe.  Mr Banks said he will talk to Mr O’Boyle in this regard.

Councillor Des Guckian also supported the motion.

Councillor Thomas Mulligan said a new connection should be put in place beside the old gate or at the convent as there are a lot of graves right up to the wall.

May I ask have we received full agreement to complete the greenway to Sheemore, and to include a car park at this location.

"May I ask have we received full agreement to complete the greenway to Sheemore, and to include a car park at this location."

Report by Roads – General

"The district office can confirm that all affected landowners were advised of the scheme and written to. We have met with the affected landowners on the scheme and am very grateful for their valued co-operation in this matter. The local community in Leitrim Village have put a lot of effort into getting this scheme across the funding line and we hope to commence this work in October this year."

Councillor Enda Stenson said he was happy with the reply received in this regard.

Councillor Thomas Mulligan supported the motion.