Agenda and minutes

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Enda Stenson

             SECONDED by Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the 13th September 2021

Councillor Des Guckian asked if the Garda Report as referred to under Minute No CMD 107.21 is available and that it be circulated. Mr Kieran Brett agreed to circulate the report when available to him.

Councillor Des Guckian sought confirmation if the Carrick-on-Shannon Public Realm

completion date is a realistic deadline, as he noted a lot of work is still ongoing on the project.

Mr Shay O’Connor, Senior Engineer said Leitrim County Council is constantly in contact with the contractor and they have been advised that extra resources are working on the project to have it complete by mid-November.

1.         Letter received 27th September 2021 from OPW acknowledging receipt of letter issued to Minister of State, Patrick O’Donovan TD in relation to funding package to clean and dredge all rivers which flow into the main rivers and lakes within Carrick on Shannon Municipal District.

Councillor Des Guckian said this issue does not relate only to minor flooding but to all sorts of flooding, both major and minor.

Mr Shay O’Connor, Senior Engineer said all works with a value of less than €750,000 is classified as minor works.

Councillor Sean McGowan said an injection of €500,000 every year for the next 5-6 years is needed to get the necessary works carried out.

2.         Letter received 5th October 2021 from HSE acknowledging receipt of Resolution passed by Leitrim County Council regarding Day Services in Mohill Community Nursing Unit.

Councillor Thomas Mulligan welcomed that the HSE has agreed to come to a meeting of the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District as there are a number of issues to be discussed in relation to Mohill.

Councillor Paddy Farrell said he raised this issue at the HSE Forum, and he has received a response to same which he is not happy with and agreed to circulate the response to the members.

Councillor Des Guckian welcomed any monies in the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District and other areas. Councillor Guckian said there was some good and bad points to the proposal, and he referred to the poor quality of the maps and said they were not very clear.  Councillor Guckian expressed his concerns regarding the narrowing of the streets and widening of the footpaths and he queried how much is the cost of the design fees.

Mr Joseph Gilhooly said professional fees are standard approximately 10 to 12% down to construction.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Sean McGowan

            SECONDED by Cllr. Enda Stenson

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

Mr Vincent Dwyer, Head of Finance, Water, Environment, Climate Action and Emergency Services gave a report on the Budget 2022 process and the General Municipal District Allocation for the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District as set out in Appendix 1 to the minutes of this meeting.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Finola Armstrong McGuire

SECONDED by Cllr Sean McGowan   

It was AGREED that the General Municipal District Allocation for the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District in accordance with Section 102(4A)(a) of the Local Government Act 2001 (as amended by the Local Government Reform Act 2014) be approved.

Councillor Des Guckian said he did not see that €31,071 would do much for the morale of this area and he queried the value of is the ‘Love Where You Live’ and the ‘Adopt a Road/Bring Bank’ programmes and said this expenditure may be more useful in other areas.

Councillor Enda Stenson welcomed the report and acknowledged that more funding is necessary. Councillor Stenson said the Adopt a Road programme is worthwhile and he would like to see more funding in this area, as it important to keep our rural areas and communities as tidy as our towns.

Councillor Sean McGowan supported this, and he referred to the community litter picking that takes place in his area every year.

Councillor Thomas Mulligan supported the comments in relation the 2 schemes and said these schemes are very worthwhile.

Mr Terry McGovern, Senior Engineer welcomed that a total of 2,300 submissions have been received on the Public Consultation on the Carrick to Dromod project. The consultants and sub consultants will be going through every submission and a report will be ready on this in the first quarter of 2022 when it will proceed to Phase 3.   

Mr Terry McGovern said the Multi Annual Programs for Road Restoration Improvement Projects are funded through the Restoration Improvement Grant (RIG), from the Department of Transport, which is provided to meet expenditure on surface restoration works, road overlays and road reconstruction works in accordance with the Memorandum on Grants for Regional and Local Roads. The Department has also directed that the multi-year program for 2022, 2023 and 2024 must have an annual budget estimate of 100% of our 2021 Restoration Improvement Grant allocation.

Mr Darragh O’Boyle, Senior Executive Engineer said the projects included must be prioritised across the county taking account of the condition of the pavement (and associated drainage), traffic levels and with an emphasis on early intervention before major structural deterioration of the pavement takes place.

The roads proposed for the program in rural areas should have a Pavement Surface Condition Index (PSCI) rating of between 1 and 6 and those in urban areas to have a rating between 1 and 8 (because surface dressing may not be appropriate in urban areas and alternative materials may have to be used). In addition, Restoration Improvement works on regional roads must account for a minimum of 15% of the total annual expenditure in the list and 85% on local roads. Mr O’Boyle said with the increase in the length of the RIG’s as previously approved this will help to reduce the council’s carbon footprint. Over the 3 year plan the same amount of road coverage will be carried out.  Mr O’Boyle said all the representations made by Councillors have been considered in the programme.

Mr Darragh O’Boyle said the RIG is similar to last year and he said the cost of black topping roads in 2021 year was very cheap. This was due to the fact that his staff had put material tenders together in good time, a new supplier entered the market and due to the global availability of  bitumen.  Mr O’Boyle envisages that black topping will not be as cheap in 2022.

Councillor Enda Stenson queried if there was a ‘Rainy-Day’ fund for emergency works.

Mr Terry McGovern said there was no specific fund, but Leitrim County Council have got funding for catastrophic events in the past.

Mr Darragh O’Boyle said Leitrim County Council can seek funding from the Climate Action fund and in the event of an emergency, funding will come out of local roads funding. 

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire sought clarification if Leitrim County Council liaise with other Local Authorities in the upkeep of roads.

Mr O’Boyle confirmed that Leitrim County Council do liaise with neighbouring local authorities.

Councillor Sean McGowan said the road from Antfield  ...  view the full minutes text for item CMD.122.21

Mr Kieran Brett, Meetings Administrator said the next Carrick MD Meeting would take place on Monday, 15th November 2021 instead of the 8th November 2021 as this conflicts with the date of the Budget meeting and 6th December 2021 will be the date for the December Carrick MD meeting.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Finola Armstrong McGuire

             SECONDED by Cllr Enda Stenson

It was AGREED that the November Monthly Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District Meeting take place on Monday, 15th November 2021 and the December Monthly Meeting take place on Monday, 6th December 2021.

That Mary Quinn, Director of Housing, be asked to attend the 18^th October Municipal Meeting, in person, to explain in detail, the reasons why a native of Carrick-on-Shannon, who went to school in Carrick, is being refused emergency accommodation and subsequent housing accommodation by County Leitrim officials.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Des Guckian;

"That Mary Quinn, Director of Housing, be asked to attend the 18th October Municipal Meeting, in person, to explain in detail, the reasons why a native of Carrick-on-Shannon, who went to school in Carrick, is being refused emergency accommodation and subsequent housing accommodation by County Leitrim officials."

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan asked Cllr Guckian to be conscious of the provisions of GDPR and not to identify or discuss the personal circumstances of any individual.

Councillor Des Guckian said he was aware of GDPR and said he would refer to the person as M.

Councillor Des Guckian gave the background to his motion.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan said it was for the Local Authority to discuss policy and for the departments within the Council to deal with individual and operational issues.

Councillor Des Guckian said he was presenting the harsh facts of the case.

Councillor Des Guckian sought clarification if there is a hostel available for temporary emergency accommodation for homeless persons, is it up to standard and is there funding available to the council to help people who present as homeless.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan said he was not aware of a homelessness issue in Carrick or through the County.

Mr Joseph Gilhooly, Director of Services, Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructural Services said Leitrim County Council are not in a position to discuss an individual’s circumstances.  Protocols are in place for dealing with homelessness and if the Director of Housing is requested to attend a further meeting in relation to the housing policies generally, she will be glad to do so.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan asked if there was a seconder to the motion and as there was no seconder to the motion, the motion was not carried.

That we contact Iarnród Éireann and request that they direct the parking management company that they employ at Dromod Railway Station to reduce their charges and also to change the red tape approach they have of, insisting that all who want to park vehicles in the car park there must use an app and that they must pay 4-50 euro. It would be far better and more convenient for users if they installed a cash machine which would issue a ticket and that this ticket could be put on display on the vehicle’s dashboard.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Des Guckian;

"That we contact Iarnród Éireann and request that they direct the parking management company that they employ at Dromod Railway Station to reduce their charges and also to change the red tape approach they have of, insisting that all who want to park vehicles in the car park there must use an app and that they must pay 4-50 euro. It would be far better and more convenient for users if they installed a cash machine which would issue a ticket and that this ticket could be put on display on the vehicle’s dashboard."

Councillor Des Guckian gave the background to his motion and asked the Minister for Transport also be contacted in this regard.

Councillor Des Guckian said this is discriminatory as it does not suit 90% of the people as they do not have an app and don’t know how to use it and as a result people are going elsewhere and this is a loss of revenue to Iarnród Éireann.

Councillor Sean McGowan said he would love if there was no charge in Dromod and he paid tribute to the excellent facilities available at Dromod Station.   Councillor McGowan said there is a machine at Dromod Station for issuing parking tickets which is €4.50, if you use the App, it is €3.50.  Councillor McGowan appreciated that older persons may not be able to access online services.

Councillor Enda Stenson queried as to what age group is being referred to and people need to educate themselves into the IT way.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan acknowledged the work done at Dromod Station but said it seems a high level of a charge to pay for parking.

Councillor Des Guckian said he was not aware it was €3.50 to use the app and he would not be-grudge to pay €2.00

I call on district engineer Darragh O’Boyle to investigate the poor state of the bridge on L-3052-2 between Oghil cross and Funshinagh cross in the townland of Breandrum, known as Eslin river bridge and seek funding to carry out repairs as soon as possible.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Paddy Farrell;

"I call on district engineer Darragh O’Boyle to investigate the poor state of the bridge on L-3052-2 between Oghil cross and Funshinagh cross in the townland of Breandrum, known as Eslin river bridge and seek funding to carry out repairs as soon as possible."

Report by Roads – General

"This year we carried out de-vegetation works and investigation of the bridge structure. Next year, subject to funding, we hope to carry out the necessary repairs to the bridge structure"

Councillor Paddy Farrell gave the background to him motion and asked that more attention be given to this bridge.

Councillor Enda Stenson, Councillor Des Guckian and Councillor Sean McGowan supported the motion.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan called for the bridge at Lurga to be assessed. 

Mr O’Boyle asked Councillor Mulligan to email details of the road number to him.

Mr O’Boyle said de-vegetation works have been carried out, the bridge has been assessed and works will be carried out next year on the bridge.  Mr O’Boyle said there are lots of issues with old bridges and a number of bridges are assigned funding each year.

I call on Leitrim County Council to investigate and look for funding to tackle the very dangerous entry and exit point to Attirory on the N4 at Carrick-on- Shannon, as there has been numerous incidents with vehicles at this junction.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Paddy Farrell;

"I call on Leitrim County Council to investigate and look for funding to tackle the very dangerous entry and exit point to Attirory on the N4 at Carrick-on- Shannon, as there has been numerous incidents with vehicles at this junction."

Report by Roads – General

"Following discussions with An Garda, there is no recorded incidence at this location. Signage, antiskid and sight distances are all within regulations for this 50kph zone."

Councillor Paddy Farrell said it is only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs at this location and he said the footpath also needs attention.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire supported the motion

Councillor Enda Stenson said traffic calming measures were previously discussed at this location and said they should be put in place, and he said he was aware it is an TII issue.

Councillor Paddy Farrell said a lane going onto the N4 should be provided.  Mr O’Boyle said this would not be allowed by the TII.

Councillor Sean McGowan said tabletops should be put in place to slow down the traffic as it is very dangerous.  Mr O’Boyle said this would not be allowed on the N4.

Mr O’Boyle said that the footpath can be looked at under Active Travel and this would encourage people to walk.

I ask Mr. Shay O’Connor, Senior Engineer Capital Projects, when are the Disabled Parking bays going to be reinstated along Main Street Carrick on Shannon and are there plans to provide an additional Disabled Parking bay near the Market Yard area of the Town as this has been requested by some disabled drivers & the Irish Wheelchair Association.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Sean McGowan;

"I ask Mr. Shay O’Connor, Senior Engineer Capital Projects, when are the Disabled Parking bays going to be reinstated along Main Street Carrick on Shannon and are there plans to provide an additional Disabled Parking Bay near the Market Yard area of the Town as this has been requested by some disabled drivers & the Irish Wheelchair Association."

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

"We are preparing new bye laws for the parking arrangements in Carrick on Shannon at present. These bye laws will also regularise the arrangements for disabled parking spaces and taxi ranks etc. We note the councillors suggestions. The new bye laws will be presented to the Planning, Economic Development and Infrastructure Strategic Policy Committee meeting before going on display for the public to comment later."

Councillor Sean McGowan asked when disabled parking bays are going to be re-instated on Main Street and are additional Disabled Parking bays to be provided near the Market Yard.

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire said disabled parking bays should be put in place immediately as the dark evenings are now coming in.

Councillor Paddy Farrell said these Disabled Parking Bays should be put place in key areas i.e., banks, post office.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan welcomed the reply in this regard.

I ask Mr. Darragh O’Boyle when does he plan to carry out repairs to the damaged footpaths, broken kerbs, trip hazards around manholes, and repair channels that were cut to provide ducting/piping and that have subsided in recent times in and around the Mohill town area. There are a number of areas that were highlighted to me where these problems are and there are genuine concerns that someone could get hurt as a result.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Sean McGowan;

"I ask Mr. Darragh O’Boyle when does he plan to carry out repairs to the damaged footpaths, broken kerbs, trip hazards around manholes, and repair channels that were cut to provide ducting/piping and that have subsided in recent times in and around the Mohill town area. There are a number of areas that were highlighted to me where these problems are and there are genuine concerns that someone could get hurt as a result."

Report by Roads – General

"The proposed urban renewal works will cater for the main street and adjoining junctions footpaths. Leitrim County Council have carried out extensive works to footpaths and pedestrian crossings on the Ballinamore Road and on the Dromod Road. We recently resurfaced the footpath on the Carrick Road and we are currently creating a new footpath from the Lough Rynn Amenity to link up with the existing footpath to Mohill town. Any other areas which can be identified for new footpath links can be submitted to the active travel programme for consideration."

Councillor Sean McGowan gave the background to his motion and referred to the footpath in Treanmore and to the Lough Rynn footpath where there are cracks of approximately 2 metres in length that need attention.  Councillor McGowan acknowledged that extensive works have been done on the footpath in Treanmore.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan said that one or two landowners need to be notified along the footpath to Lough Rynn to cut their hedges, and he said minor expenditure is required to maintain this stretch of footpath.

I ask that the new marking of Taxi Ranks is given further and informed consideration. I ask that a meeting is arranged with Leitrim County Council staff, Local Councillors and representatives of the taxi and hackney trade to ensure the best use of sites. Agreement from the outset should lead to best outcome for the user.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Finola Armstrong-McGuire;

"I ask that the new marking of Taxi Ranks is given further and informed consideration. I ask that a meeting is arranged with Leitrim County Council staff, Local Councillors and representatives of the taxi and hackney trade to ensure the best use of sites. Agreement from the outset should lead to best outcome for the user."

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

"We are preparing new bye laws for the parking arrangements in Carrick on Shannon at present. These bye laws will also regularise the arrangements for disabled parking spaces and taxi ranks etc. We note the councillors’ suggestions. The new bye laws will be presented to the Planning, Economic Development and Infrastructure Strategic Policy Committee meeting before going on display for the public to comment later."

Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire said she has had calls from taxis drivers to get this put in place.

Councillor Paddy Farrell, Councillor Sean McGowan, and Councillor Thomas Mulligan supported the motion.

That the local roads around Mohill which were damaged as a result of recent “detours” be reinstated as they were designated walking routes.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Thomas Mulligan;

"That the local roads around Mohill which were damaged as a result of recent “detours” be reinstated as they were designated walking routes."

Report by Roads – General

"The L-1451 at Cappagh link road has shown pavement stress and failure due to the diversion caused by the recent diversion in Mohill town. This road is not on the 3-year plan, however, we can include this road within of surface dressing grant application early next year. In the meantime, we will maintain this public road with our maintenance crew."

Cathoirleach, Councillor Thomas said thankfully not much structural damage was done to roads during the recent diversion in Mohill town, but the grass margins suffered, and he asked that these be reinstated as these roads are used as walking routes.

Councillor Sean McGowan and Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire supported the motion and said it is important to keep walking routes safe.

I propose that one of the steel speed ramps in Shannagh, Mohill be removed as three ramps are not required to control speed.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Thomas Mulligan;

"I propose that one of the steel speed ramps in Shannagh, Mohill be removed as three ramps are not required to control speed."

Report by Roads – General

"The existing speed ramps were installed after discussions with elected members and local estate communities (Sliabh View and Shannagh Grove). We do not intend to remove these ramps. The existing ramps are working effectively and have removed the "rat run" into the town of Mohill along the public road (l-1451). If the estate communities wish to remove the ramps and replace with a pedestrian crossing system, they will need to apply through the town and villages for appropriate funding."

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan said that this is a busy road, there are currently 3 steel ramps very close to each other and he said it was not warranted.  He said they are hard on vehicles crossing over them with 3 bumps after each other.  Councillor Mulligan said it is unnecessary and one could be easily removed, and he acknowledged they were put there with an objective of slowing down traffic and the objective has been achieved.

Councillor Des Guckian supported the motion and asked that ramps be made of a softer material as he has received representations from residents living close to these ramps saying they are very noisy.

Councillor Sean McGowan supported the motion and supported Cllr Des Guckian’s comments in relation to the noise from the ramps.

Councillor Enda Stenson said that it is important that the traffic is slowed down before it approaches the national school.  Councillor Stenson asked that An Garda be called upon to advise people about the parking beside the school and to advise people about the ample parking that is available nearby. 

Mr Darragh O’Boyle said he met the residents in this area and the ramps were put under the streetlights for safety reasons.  Mr O’Boyle agreed to remove the centre ramp and advised that a tabletop ramp could be put in place.  Mr O’Boyle said ramps would not be hard on vehicles if they were not travelling so fast.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan asked for an update regarding the Judicial Review on the Public Realm Scheme for Mohill.

Mr Joseph Gilhooly advised that a judicial review is being sought against the decision of An Bord Pleanala in regard to the Mohill Public Realm Scheme. Leitrim County Council is a notice party in the proceedings.

The court hearing has been adjourned by the High Court until 23rd November. The outcome of the proceedings in November will determine if it is to go to judicial review or not. If the case proceeds to judicial review it is possible that there will be a delay of some months which will impact the progress of the public realm scheme.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Thomas Mulligan said this will take several months and it is such a pity and that the scheme may be jeopardized.

Councillor Sean McGowan said he hoped it will be resolved.

Councillor Sean McGowan referred to a recent Prime Time television programme on the closure of Bank of Ireland branches and the impact the loss of bank branches is having on rural Ireland.  Councillor Sean McGowan said this was raised at the full Council meeting previously and he said when the Bank of Ireland closed in Drumshanbo they removed the ATM also.  The closest ATM to Drumshanbo now is Carrick-on-Shannon or Ballinamore and in the case of Manorhamilton, it is Sligo.

Councillor Sean McGowan proposed that a letter issue to Bank of Ireland and the Department of Finance seeking the decisions to close these branches to be reconsidered. Councillor Paddy Farrell supported this proposal.

Councillor Paddy Farrell asked if the replies to Notices of Motions could be issued to Members on a either the Sunday or Friday before the meeting.

Mr Kieran Brett, Meetings Administrator said the earliest possible time replies can be issued is 8.30 am on the morning of the meeting. Leitrim County Council have invested significantly  in the Modern Gov application which meets the innovation and transformation agenda of the council.

This was noted by the members.