Minutes of the Meeting of the Ballinamore Municipal District Held On
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Minutes of the Meeting of the Ballinamore Municipal District held on Monday, 20th June 2017 at 11:00am in the Meeting Room, Ballinamore Library, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim Members present: Councillor Paddy O’Rourke Councillor Caroline Mulvey Councillor Caillian Ellis Councillor John McCartin Councillor Gerry Dolan Apologies: Councillor Brendan Barry Officials Present: Mr Vincent Dwyer, Head of Finance Ms Ann Warnock, Administrative Officer, Finance Mr Darragh O’ Boyle, District Engineer, South Leitrim District Mr Shay O’Connor, Senior Engineer, Roads Ms Anita Flynn, Clerical Officer, Finance BMD/17/82 Deimhniu Miontuairisci 20/06/17 Proposed by Councillor Paddy O’Rourke, seconded by Councillor Caillian Ellis AND UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED: “That the Minutes of the Meeting of Ballinamore Municipal District held in Meeting Room, Ballinamore Library, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim on Monday 22nd May 2017 be adopted”. BMD/17/83 Presentation by Philip Delamere, Arts Officer 20/06/17 Philip Delamere, Arts Officer gave a presentation to the members on the Leitrim Arts Plan 2018 – 2022 (Appendix 1 to these Minutes). Councillor Gerry Dolan thanked Philip for his presentation. Councillor John McCartin advised that they have been successful in the bid to host the Connacht Fleadh in Ballinamore in 2018 and queried if there might be opportunities in this regard to partner with the Arts Office to raise funding for the Connacht Fleadh. He stated that parts of traditional arts such as ‘Lilting’ were dying out and that maybe something could be done around these areas in conjunction with the Arts Office to regenerate and incorporate them as part of the upcoming Connacht Fleadh in 2018. Councillor Paddy O’Rourke acknowledged the success of the arts programmes in Leitrim and stated that people who perform feel comfortable here. This is largely due to the welcome 1 Leitrim County Council has extended to musicians which isn’t always the case in other local authorities. The area of arts is very inclusive in Leitrim and this will strengthen participation. Councillor Caillian Ellis stated that anything that brings people to Leitrim is welcomed and noted that the recent festival in Ballinamore was a very worthwhile one, bringing with it a large number of visitors. BMD/17/84 Speed Limits 20/06/17 Mr Shay O’Connor, Senior Engineer, Roads gave an update to the members on the proposed Revision to Speed Limits Review 2016/2017 which was circulated to the members (Appendix 2 to these minutes). Councillor John McCartin asked if there could be a specific Byelaw for Ballinamore or would we have to wait until the ‘Speed Limit Bye Laws’ were adopted. Mr. O’Connor advised that these should hopefully be finalised by September and confirmed that the Greenway project in this area will have its own signage. Councillor Caillian Ellis enquired about amenity signs at Drumcong. Shay O’Connor stated that there is a Low Cost Safety Grant for this area and that discussions have taken place with the School and Crèche in Drumcong in relation to proposed traffic calming measures at this location. Shay confirmed that speed is a problem in this area but the new speed limits should sort this out and that a pedestrian crossing would not be considered to be the most suitable option in this area. The members agreed that funding for the proposed pedestrian crossing at this location could now be used for a crossing in Ballinamore. Councillor Paddy O’Rourke sought clarification on speed limits in rural areas. Shay confirmed that guidelines dictate the number of houses over a distance which constitutes an area suitable for a speed limit. Councillor Gerry Dolan stated that speed was a problem at Hillcrest in Drumshanbo and asked if speed cushions could be placed here. Shay O’Connor replied that a low cost safety scheme could be looked at for this location. Councillor Caroline Mulvey stated that a speed/traffic count was to be carried out at the Hilly Road in Drumshanbo and enquired as to whether this had taken place. Shay replied that he would check the position and revert back. BMD/17/85 Correspondence 20/06/17 1. Letter dated 24th May 2017 from the Office of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to agricultural educational requirements for applicants under the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme. 2 Councillor Caroline Mulvey noted that a report by Sinn Fein states that there is no eligibility criteria as regards appropriate skills, experience or education in respect of applicants under this Scheme. She proposed that a letter issue to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine again and request clarification on this. Proposed by Councillor Caroline Mulvey, seconded by Councillor Gerry Dolan AND UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED; “That Ballinamore Municipal District write to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine seeking clarification on the origin of the additional eligibility criteria as set out in their response letter”. 2. Copy of Notice of Motion from Councillor Des Guckian, supported by the Members of Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District for circulation to the Ballinamore Municipal District Members. Councillor Caillian Ellis enquired if there had been any response from Deputy Heather Humphreys in relation to funding for cutting of inland hedges. Ann Warnock informed the meeting that no reply had been received to date and undertook to issue a reminder to Minister Humphreys in this regard. PART 1 – NOTICES OF MOTION BMD/17/86 Bridge repair works 20/06/17 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Caillian Ellis: “I propose that Leitrim County Council rebuild walls on the following bridges: (a) Derrinkeher on the L1328 (b) Drumany, Foxfield on the R209 (c) Castlefore on the R209 (d) Drumarigna on the L1371 (e) Carrickavoher on the R201”. Report by Joseph Gilhooley, Director of Services "The current year’s budget allows us to carry out bridge repair work to the following bridges: 1. Booshill 2. Hilly Road 3. Castlefore Any other bridges on regional roads have been assessed by the TII and annual yearly funding will apply to these bridges. We can carry out an assessment on the bridges mentioned above and, if they are in dangerous condition we will seek additional funding or close the public road”. It was noted by Councillor Ellis that Derrrinkeher, as listed in point (a) of his original Notice of Motion, should read ‘Drumboy’. Mr O’Boyle advised that Drumboy can be looked at for 3 works next year and that it may be possible to do some temporary works in the meantime at this location. Councillor Ellis stated that Drumarigna needs to be given priority in any future approval for bridge works. BMD/17/87 Signage at Aughavas in Ballinamore, Fenagh and Mohill 20/06/17 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Caillian Ellis: “I propose that Leitrim County Council erect signage indicating Aughavas in Ballinamore, Fenagh and Mohill”. Report by Joseph Gilhooley, Director of Services "We will endeavour to erect signage at Mohill to indicate the location of Aghavas. There is no direct route from Ballinamore or Fenagh to Aghavas and would not be in line with the normal signage approach”. Mr O’Boyle advised that there is already a direct route to Aughavas from North Leitrim through Ballinamore but that additional signage, as requested, can be looked at for this location. BMD/17/88 Extension to Market Yard car-park, Drumshanbo 20/06/17 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Brendan Barry: “I request an update on discussions with Bank of Ireland regarding the possible extension of the Market Yard carpark Drumshanbo and ask that this project be shelf ready should funding be available under Town and Village Renewal 2018, Clár or other sources”. Reply from Seamus O’Connor, Senior Engineer, Roads "This council has made an offer to the Bank of Ireland to purchase this area for an extension to the car park. We will continue to liaise with the bank on this project”. BMD/17/89 ‘Children at Play’ signs and additional traffic calming measures 20/06/17 in Keshcarrigan To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Brendan Barry: “I request that Leitrim County Council provide permanent children at play signs in Keshcarrigan and additional traffic calming measures to improve pedestrian safety in the village”. Report by Joseph Gilhooley, Director of Services "We will endeavour to erect "children at play" signs within the village. We currently have no funding for traffic calming measures at Keshcarrigan”. 4 BMD/17/90 Waiting list for pre-planning meetings 20/06/17 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Caroline Mulvey: “I request that Leitrim County Council confirm how many people are on the waiting list for a pre-planning meeting and currently how long of a wait is there”. Report by Joseph Gilhooley, Director of Services "As of Friday 16th June, there are 9 applicants who have made requests for pre planning meetings with the Planning Authority for whom meetings have not yet been arranged. In addition, there are 3 meetings scheduled for next week. The longest application for which a meeting has yet to be scheduled is approximately 2 weeks. This adheres to our objective of striving to facilitate pre planning application consultations within 10 working days. There is one further request for a pre planning meeting (received 15th May) although this relates to an enforcement matter rather than a conventional pre planning meeting. The Planning Department also facilitate preplanning where it is felt having considered the matter that it can be dealt with through e-mail correspondence. At times, for example during the summer holiday period when operating with reduced resources, the Planning Department must prioritise firstly areas of work which have statutory deadlines eg planning applications, exemption certificates, etc”.