That we, Cllrs, condemn the secretive and untruthful way the CEO, Mr Lar Power, and his senior staff have gone about seeking Department funding, under URDF Call 2 Request for Funding, last May, to alter and rejig houses on Main St, Carrick-on-Shannon, opposite the church, as there was no consultation with us Cllrs or the most detrimentally affected parties such as the Geraghty family and others. We stand opposed to any attempt that may be made, on any pretext, to forcibly take the Geraghty family home and business. We urge the CEO and senior staff to apologise to the Geraghtys and the others and to immediately drop this entire ill-conceived scheme which they are pleased to call a “concept”.
Minutes:
"That we, Cllrs, condemn the secretive and untruthful way the CEO, Mr Lar Power, and his senior staff have gone about seeking Department funding, under URDF Call 2 Request for Funding, last May, to alter and rejig houses on Main St, Carrick-on-Shannon, opposite the church, as there was no consultation with us Cllrs or the most detrimentally affected parties such as the Geraghty family and others. We stand opposed to any attempt that may be made, on any pretext, to forcibly take the Geraghty family home and business. We urge the CEO and senior staff to apologise to the Geraghtys and the others and to immediately drop this entire ill-conceived scheme which they are pleased to call a “concept”."
Report by Director of Services for Economic Development, Planning, Environment and Transportation.
"In the first instance the reference to a secretive and untruthful approach by the Executive in relation to this matter is categorically refuted, and we take exception to it. The position is that it is the remit of the Executive to make funding bids under the various funding streams as they arise and to seek to secure as much funding as possible for the County with the objective of making Leitrim the best possible place to live work invest and visit. In terms of such funding applications there is no requirement to, nor would it be practical to, brief the Council on each and every application being made. The executive of this council could deal with over a hundred applications for funding in a year. At the appropriate time, the executive always briefs Council. Furthermore, it is not a requirement, nor can it ever be that affected parties are briefed before concept proposals are submitted to government departments for funding. As referenced in the previous item the council executive will endeavour to brief pertinent affected parties on project concepts that may ultimately involve the acquisition of their home or business before any external party discussions take place.
The Executive does not consider that this concept proposal is ill-conceived. Town centres throughout Ireland are under immense pressure from a retail perspective and are in decline, and the position is that Carrick on Shannon is no different. These pressures include, inter-alia, pressure from out-of-town retail, a transition to trading online and the existence of retail destination centres. The objective of this concept proposal is to arrest that decline in Carrick on Shannon and to construct a 3,000 sqm destination centre in the heart of the town, thereby ensuring Carrick on Shannon’s sustainability and viability as a retail town centre into the future. It is considered that this concept proposal has the potential to have a transformational impact on the economy and sustainability of Carrick on Shannon and will be pursued. Finally, the Executive has already clarified the position and conveyed regrets for any misunderstandings."
Councillor Des Guckian said he recognized the need for the Chief Executive and staff to apply for funding for projects for the County and he objected to the concept proposal.
Councillor Guckian called on the Chief Executive to call off the “dogs of war” in relation to the project and noted that over 9,000 signatures have been collected on a petition by the Geraghty family against the proposed development. He called on the Chief Executive to withdraw the concept proposal and he said that he should be asked to consider his position given the way this matter was progressed.
Councillor Brendan Barry said that he supports the Geraghty family but did not want to be associated with any of the remarks made by Cllr Des Guckian on the motion.
Councillor Padraig Fallon said he had no doubt what has happened is wrong and it is important to remember that a family home is affected by the proposal. Cllr Fallon said he didn’t support the motion as he had difficulty with some of the language used in the motion and with the personal attack on individuals.
Councillor Fallon suggested that the proposed project be moved to Bridge Street where there are a number of vacant properties for sale and queried if this location could be considered.
Councillor Padraig Fallon further queried where the concept and plans that were drawn up originated from.
Councillor Enda Stenson said he fully supported of the Geraghty family but he did not want to be associated with language used in this motion.
Councillor Sean McGowan said he was not happy with the thrust of the motion put forward and he could not support it. Councillor Sean McGowan said people directly involved should be approached first.
Mr Lar Power, Chief Executive said as Chief Executive he has responsibility for the economic viability and social and community development of County Leitrim and he has to sweat every possible funding opportunity. There are in excess of 100 projects a year where funding is sought, yielding millions of euros back to the County. He clarified the concept for the project came from himself as Chief Executive. He outlined that all towns and villages are under pressure for retail and therefore, destinations of this nature are very important. The objective of this is to create a destination just off the N4 which would attract people into the town centre. Conditions such as location with access onto the Main Street and access to a carpark suitable for buses is critical, and therefore this location was proposed. He shared the concept with his colleagues and an architect was subsequently engaged. He outlined that he does not have to discuss concepts with any stakeholder, as all stakeholders are protected by due process and procedures which will take place if funding is granted and the project moves to design and planning stages. He acknowledged that there has been a misunderstanding and said that the Council has apologised for this. The concept had been brought before the Town Team to see if the project would be of value and if they were of a mind to support it and write a letter of support.
Mr Power contacted one of the affected landowners who was surprised at the concept and had no knowledge of it at that time but following consideration reverted to advise that they wouldn’t object to the concept and offered a letter of support. Mr Power said he was aware Mrs Geraghty was an older lady and he asked this neighbouring property owner for advice on how best to approach Mrs Geraghty as he didn’t want to upset her particularly as it was only at concept stage and might not get approval to proceed. This landowner kindly undertook to meet Mrs Geraghty and introduce the concept to her. Mr Power outlined that he was subsequently informed by this neighbour a number of days later that Mrs Geraghty, whilst possibly amenable to the use of the back garden was wholly opposed to the concept using her building. However, Mr Power outlined that notwithstanding the feedback that the application would be submitted as it remained a concept only and may not be approved and therefore he did not propose to discuss the concept further with Mrs Geraghty so as to avoid unnecessary upset at that time.
Arising from correspondence from the Geraghty family in July 2020 and a subsequent telephone call Mr Power met Mrs Geraghty and members of her family at their premises as arranged. At this meeting Mr Power was asked to withdraw the project but he advised that he was not prepared to withdraw the concept proposal.
Mr Power said he took exception to the comments made by Cllr Des Guckian.
Cathaoirleach, Cllr Mary Bohan said she has spoken with Mrs Geraghty and the Geraghty family on this matter. Councillor Mary Bohan paid tribute to the staff of Leitrim County Council who are one of the best counties for drawing down funding. Councillor Bohan said this is a difficult position for the Council and she acknowledged the various sentiments that have been expressed around the table.
Cathaoirleach, Cllr Mary Bohan called for a seconder to Councillor Des Guckian’s motion which didn’t secure any and she outlined that members had expressed reservations with the wording of Councillor Guckian’s motion.
Councillor Padraig Fallon asked Councillor Des Guckian to amend the wording of his motion. Councillor Des Guckian outlined he could not amend his motion.
Councillor Sean McGowan pointed out that this proposal will come back before the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District members in due course.
Councillor Enda McGloin agreed this discussion is a matter for the Carrick on Shannon Municipal District and queried if the full Council will have any say on whether the project proceeds or not.
Mr Lar Power clarified that this will be a matter for Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District if it proceeds to the next stage and this will not be coming back to the full Council. If it gets approval for funding it will go to full design and it could be the end of next year before planning will be a consideration for the Municipal District and, if granted, it could be 2022 before any work could start.
Councillor Sean McGowan proposed that the matter is for the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District and the full concerns of the Geraghty family be taken into consideration at this point.
Councillor Enda Stenson supported this proposal.
Cathaoirleach, Cllr Mary Bohan said that this was a very sensitive issue and it is important that it is discussed at the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District.