Agenda and minutes

Proposed by: Cllr. Justin Warnock

Seconded by: Cllr. Finola Armstrong-McGuire

Terry McGovern, A/Senior Engineer in Roads gave a presentation on our Hedge Cutting Scheme which first came into effect in 2017/18 and to date has grown considerably.  Our current grant is €75 p/k with a minimum of 2km continuous hedgerow.  It is proposed to make the scheme more beneficial and open it up to more applicants by changing the policy on hedge cutting by reducing the 2km requirement to a minimum distance of 1km.

Proposed by: Cllr. Brendan Barry

Seconded by: Cllr. Justin Warnock

Cllr. Brendan Barry thanked Terry for his presentation and asked it there would still be a condition in the scheme that it must go from junction to junction or junction to a significant landmark to a make sure the whole length of road is done.  He welcomed the scheme and the success it would have. Cllr Barry also asked if applicants could reapply each year.

Terry McGovern replied no issue with people reapplying and Kathryne Bohan added that they have a lot of repeat applicants.

Cllr. Justin Warnock welcomed the scheme.  He queried had the length of hedgerow to be 500m on each side of the road going back down from a km each side.

Terry McGovern stated 1km must be done.

Hugh McGurrin – asked if this scheme is for Private landowners along a public road.  Where do we stand with Forestry where there is an extensive length along a roadside are they not accountable to anyone?  Can neighbours join up together?

Terry McGovern stated that where there is a safety issue the Forestry are issued with a notice.  Neighbours can join up but can only nominate one person to be a point of contact.

Terry McGovern, Senior Engineer, gave an update on works carried out on our National Roads.  The Transport Infrastructure Ireland are responsible for the National Roads Network in Ireland with increased investment. In Leitrim we have 3 National Roads the N4, N16 and N15.  Works on our National Roads are broken up into the following;

·         Strategic Routes - one major scheme is the Carrick on Shannon to Dromod Bypass.  Strategic Routes take up to 4 phases up to CPO and the Carrick on Shannon is currently at phase 2

·         Re-alignment Schemes – minor improvements: These are 1-2km realignment of poor sections of road. There are currently a few ongoing in the County.

·         Pavement Schemes: These have been re-introduced in the past few years.  This scheme involves replacing road pavements.

·         Smaller Works – this covers ordinary maintenance 100-300m.

·         Vehicle Restraint Systems:  This takes the form of discussions with the TII to provide crash barriers/replacement barriers.

·         Fencing Schemes: These are carried out on our National Roads.  TII have now replaced the old concrete post and wire with post and mesh.  This is from a safety aspect.

·         HD17 Road Safety Inspections:  Inspections carried out by the TII to identify hazards.

Hugh McGurrin queried the road works being carried out at Drumshanbo. Terry McGovern stated the Council had 2 options either to dig it out or settle it out. The area was preloaded over 12 months and had consultants monitoring and it has now settled that you can build a road on it now.

Cllr. Brendan Barry asked could the Council secure funding from the TII to purchase a larger gritter.  Terry McGovern has spoken to the TII in relation to plant and the need for a full time gritter.  The council are currently looking at all the salting routes and composing a report on their findings and looking to add additional routes.  Terry McGovern will bring this to the next Council meeting before the Winter Maintenance season starts.

Cllr. Justin Warnock welcomed this news for all the funding received for these National Primary Routes.

John O’Neill of Venture I gave a presentation to the SPC Members. He outlined the progress to date, on the Dromahair Development Framework plan and set out the steps involved in the process going forward. Venture I will hold a youth consultation event after which the framework will bereissued, and a final review will be completed.  Work will then commence on bringing people together that have an interest in leading and coordinating the implementation of the framework plan, facilitated by Venture I to help facilitate the community in starting the implementation process.

Cllr. Frank Dolan stated the village of Dromahair has huge potential and a lot to offer.  Traffic between the hotel and supermarket is a serious concern for everyone. On a positive note, investment by Leitrim County Council in property in the centre of the village for a library and possible social housing and a meeting with the junior minister in relation to the conversion of the old Garda Barracks is all positive.  Great work has been done at the Community Park and the footpath leading to the park is a huge advantage. 

Seán Ó Conláin welcomed the report.  He was involved in the2006 plan, and a number of the issues were raised then e.g. re access to the river and issues around rights of way and how you would focus the village.  15 years on this issue is being raised again with access to the river haven gotten worse. At the end of the 2006 plan a group got together and talked about a Community Council to implement it and it never came together.  His concern with the plan as it needs strong leadership and or the weight to draw in the County Council.  How will this team come together and are there phases of implementation?  The Hotel is going up for sale it’s not clear what is going to happen it’s out of the community’s hand – any control exerted over what can happen to it as it’s the main building in the village?

Cllr. Frank Dolan stated there are plenty of people willing to invest but the cost to bring it back to good standard would be enormous

Cllr. Frank Dolan also stated to John that a village with population of 800 and no Community Centre is a big loss.  Perhaps the Barrack sit could be looked at to provide facilities for young people.

John from Venture I agreed with consistency around community hub/multi use space and the 2 sites of the hotel and garda barracks.  He stated there is always the challenge with going from the writing of a plan to the actual implementation of it. This very often falls to a hand full of motivated volunteers because of their interest in it.

Cllr. Justin Warnock – Thanked John for the presentation and wondered why the last plan hadn’t been implemented.  He wished them well saying there was huge potential in North Leitrim and that he fully backed the plan as a local representative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

This agenda item did not go ahead  

Cllr. Enda McGloin – asked if casual trading could be part of our work programme.  If an overview could be given on where trading spaces are,  and if  they are being used and number of licences.

Seán Ó Conláin - Asked if any answer back from the Department on the report the PPN produced on Forestry.  Johanna Daly stated a 2^nd reminder has been issued by Bernard Greene.

Cllr. Frank Dolan welcomed our new member Mr. Hugh McGurrin to the SPC.  Hugh takes up the Social Enterprise seat.

Date of next meeting to be decided at a later date.