Councillors Present : Cllr Annie May Reape

MEETING OF BALLINA ELECTORAL AREA COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, BALLINA CIVIC OFFICES, ON MONDAY 10th JUNE, 2013, AT 10:00am.

Councillors Present : Cllr Annie May Reape Cllr Jarlath Munnelly Cllr Seamus Weir Cllr John O’Hara Cllr Gerry Ginty, Cathaoirleach Cllr Willie Nolan, Méara, Ballina Town Council

Officials Present : Mr Paddy Mahon, Director of Services Mr Paul Benson, Senior Executive Officer Mr Paul Dolan, A/Senior Engineer Mr Eddie Munnelly, Senior Executive Engineer Mr John McMyler, Senior Planner Ms Theresa Durkin, District Executive Engineer Ms Mary Gordon, Senior Staff Officer

Apologies: Cllr Eddie Staunton Mr. Neil Sheridan, Community & Enterprise

Proposed by: Cllr. Annie May Reape Seconded by: Cllr. Seamus Weir AND RESOLVED:- “That Mayo County Council extend sympathy to the families of the late Mr Michael Morrell, serving Staff Member of Ballina Town Council for the past 35 years and also to the Burke family, Grieve, Breaffy, Castlebar, on the death of Mr Liam Burke, brother of Noel, a former Staff Member of Ballina Electoral Area, both of whom had died unexpectedly in recent days”.

Mr Paddy Mahon, Director of Services, echoed the sentiments expressed on behalf of the Management and Staff of Mayo County Council’s Ballina Office.

ITEM 1: Proposed by: Cllr. Jarlath Munnelly TO ADOPT THE MINUTES Seconded by: Cllr. John O’Hara OF BALLINA ELECTORAL AREA AND RESOLVED:- COMMITTEE MEETING HELD “That the Minutes of Ballina Electoral Area Committee ON 8th APRIL, 2013. Meeting held on 8th April, 2013, be adopted as circulated”.

ITEM 2: SECTION 183 REPORT CONCERNING DISPOSAL OF Mr Paul Dolan, A/Senior Engineer, provided Members LANDS AT CROSSMOLINA with a brief outline of the proposal, involving the INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, sale of 0.310 hectares of land at Knockalegan Td., Ballina TO Mr ANTHONY GILL. Street, Crossmolina, for industrial development. Proposed by: Cllr. Seamus Weir Seconded by: Cllr. Annie May Reape AND RESOLVED:- “That the Members of Ballina Electoral Area agree to the disposal of the lands concerned in this case to Mr. Anthony Gill, Allied Gear Services, in accordance with the terms set down in the Notice”.

ITEM 3: SECTION 183 REPORT CONCERNING DISPOSAL OF Mr Paul Dolan, A/Senior Engineer, provided Members LANDS AT CROSSMOLINA with a brief outline of the proposal, involving the sale of INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, 0.179 hectares of land at Knockalegan Td., Ballina Street, TO MG PRECISION & Crossmolina, for industrial development. AUTOMATION.

Proposed by: Cllr. Seamus Weir Seconded by: Cllr. Annie May Reape AND RESOLVED:- “That the Members of Ballina Electoral Area agree to the disposal of the lands concerned in this case to MG Precision & Automation, in accordance with the terms set down in the Notice”.

ITEM 4: BALLINA HARBOUR BYE-LAWS 2013. Mr Paul Benson, Sen. Executive Officer, provided Members with a broad outline of the new responsibilities bestowed by Government on Local Authorities concerning management and operation on Harbours.

The introduction of Bye-Laws for Ballina Harbour arose from the Council’s desire to regulate and enhance facilities for Boating enthusiasts, locals and tourists alike.

Following a consultation process whereby the draft Ballina Harbour Bye-Laws were on public display, submissions were received and a Report had been circulated to Members summarising the content of these submissions. On the basis of same, Mayo County Council were recommending that the draft Bye-Laws, with minor modifications, be adopted. Mr Benson informed the Meeting that no outright objection to the proposal to introduce these Bye-Laws had been received.

Following consideration of the content of the Report, Members welcomed the initiative and acknowledged the recent improvements which had taken place at the Harbour enhancing the amenity which Ballina Harbour provided to the area.

Proposed by: Cllr. Seamus Weir Seconded by: Cllr. Annie May Reape AND RESOLVED:- “That Ballina Electoral Area Committee approve of the introduction of Ballina Harbour Bye-Laws 2013, with modifications as outlined in Report dated 4th June, 2013”. Mr Benson advised that further development of the Harbour was proposed, pending funding becoming available. He informed Members of an Open Day which would be taking place on 19th or 20th June next, showing Plans for the future development of Ballina Harbour, and he encouraged the locals to engage and provide ideas for its future development.

He concluded his address by thanking Eddie Munnelly, Mark O’Donnell and Barry Ryan for their work on the Moorings this year, and also the sub- contractors who worked with them on the project. He also thanked Ballina Boat Club for their co-operation in their new role as Mooring’s Manager.

ITEM 5: PLANNING REPORT. Mr McMyler responded to Members queries concerning Planning Application Ref. P13/ 48.

ITEM 6: HOUSING REPORT. Mr Benson thanked Padraic Flanagan, S.E.O., for deputising for him in the performance of his housing duties during his re-assignment as Acting Director of Services, which had now concluded.

ITEM 7: ROADS REPORT. Mr. Paul Dolan A/Senior Engineer, advised Members that 7 No. applications had been submitted under the Community Involvement Scheme for Ballina Area but unfortunately none of these had been successful.

- He also advised that €12,000 had been allocated by the NRA for Footpath Improvement at Erris Street, Crossmolina;

- The R294 (Ballina/Bonniconlon route) was in need of signage upgrade and he expected this work would be done by end of this year; Notice of Motion allocations were specified in the Roadworks Scheme to be made by end of May 2013. While an extension of time could be allowed, it was imperative that members got their nominations in before the end of summer;

- Roadworks Scheme 2013 was underway presently and he was hopeful of seeing a lot of the works finished by the end of summer;

- Velocity Patcher would be arriving in the next month and Members would be given an opportunity to see it working.

While Members expressed their regret concerning the lack of funding allocated to Ballina Area via the Community Involvement Scheme, they welcomed and acknowledged the great works which had already been done in the area. Members complimented all Council sSaff involved in these works.

Mr Dolan reminded Members that the July Meeting would include an Item ‘Update on N26/N59’ for their information and consideration regarding further progress options.

ITEM 8: ESTATES - TAKING Mr Dolan advised the Meeting that the Council had undertaken a survey IN CHARGE. of all Estates within the Ballina Electoral Area. This survey revealed the fact that a large amount of these Estates were not in the charge of Mayo County Council. A Working Group had been set up involving Roads, Planning and Planning Enforcement Personnel as well as Directors of Services, to deal with this matter, and presently a datebase of these Estates was being prepared.

Excluding Ballina Town Council Area, Ballina had 45# Estates, 24 of which were not in the charge of Mayo County Council. Of these, a number of Estates (7) were deemed to be in reasonable condition but before M.C.C. could take them in charge, a request to do so must first come from either the Developer concerned or the residents. Mr Dolan suggested that the Members might relay this information to the residents concerned, if the matter was to progress further

The Estates concerned were as follows:-

Crossmolina (4) - River Wallk; Chapel View; Cois Abhainn, Deerpark; Bonniconlon (1) – Cois na hAbhainn; Ballina Area (2) - The Paddocks, Church Road, Ballina; Nephin Court,

Mr Dolan advised that this was just an initial listing and the Council intended to work down through the entire list, as takeovers advanced. He agreed to furnish Members with a list of the Estates concerned together with details of all the Estates in Ballina Electoral area.

ITEM 9: COMMUNITY & As apologies had been received from Mr. Neil Sheridan, Dept. of ENTERPRISE REPORT. Community & Enterprise, this Item was deferred to the next Meeting.

ITEM 10: NOTICE OF MOTION. “That Mayo County Council erect signs on the main approach road to Ballina indicating the existence of and direction to Ballina Arts Centre & Theatre”. Cllr. John O’Hara

Cllr. O’Hara mentioned also that there were no signs for Ballina Arts Centre evident outside of Ballina; there was no external lighting on the building. Given the exceptional facility, he felt more needed to be done to promote the Arts Centre. Cllr. Reape also requested that a designated ‘Disabled Setdown’ area be provided at Barrett Street.

Members unanimously supported the foregoing proposals.

ITEM 10 (b): “I am asking Mayo County Council for urgent funding under the ‘Low Cost Accident Scheme’ for alignment of road, removal of turn, and erection of wall at Knockbrendan, Ballina (on the Quay Road). A number of accidents occur annually at this section, especially during summer season”. Cllr. Annie May Reape

Cllr. Reape set out the reasons for seeking funding for re-alignment works at that location, given the fact this is a known accident site. She also believed that land was available to the Council to undertake these works. Cllr. O’Hara seconded this Motion, advising of receiving similar complaints by residents in the locality. As this is situated in such a scenic location, it was important that the safety of motorists be improved and signage and speed limit put in place.

Mr Dolan, A/Senior Engineer, confirmed that this work had been on the Council’s list for the past three years, but no funding had yet been forthcoming from the NRA.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Cllr. Weir acknowledged contribution made by all to the provision of the sculpture and its surrounds on Foxford Road (N26), which made a very positive impact on anyone driving into the town.

Cllr. O’Hara highlighted the inconvenience caused to householders and businesses in the Carrentrila area due to water mains leaks. He was informed that Deputy Michelle Mulherin had only this day announced funding of €5m for Mains Rehabilitation Works under the Water Conservation Scheme. The award of the contract for this work was imminent and the Council intended to expedite the Foxford Road line as soon as contract was signed.

Members noted with regret that Ballina had not been included in Fáilte Ireland’s list of 5 places to visit in Mayo.

Mr Paul Benson, Senior Ex. Officer, advised that this matter would be taken up with Fáilte Ireland at the next Meeting.

Mr Benson also advised Members that the Provincial Bank premises housing the extensive Jackie Clarke Collection, would be officially opening on Saturday next, 15th June.

This concluded the business of the Meeting.