Minutes of Municipal District Meeting held in the HSE Offices, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim on Monday 22nd January 2018 at 2.30 p.m.

Members Present: Councillor Mary Bohan Councillor Justin Warnock Councillor Felim Gurn Councillor Sean McDermott Councillor Padraig Fallon

And Councillor Frank Dolan, Cathaoirleach of Manorhamilton Municipal District presiding

Officials Present: Ms. Mary Quinn, Director of Services, Housing, Corporate, Cultural and Emergency Services Mr Bernard Greene, Senior Planner, Planning Department Mr. Padraig MacShera, Senior Executive Engineer, North Leitrim Area Office Ms Joan Lowe, Administrative Officer, Corporate Services Ms Stephanie McCabe, Clerical Officer, Corporate Services

MMD 18/1 22/01/2018 Deimhniu Miontuairisci

Proposed by Councillor Sean McDermott seconded by Councillor Felim Gurn and UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:

“That the Minutes of the Manorhamilton Municipal District held in HSE Headquarters, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim on Monday 11th December 2017 be adopted.”

MMD 18/2 22/01/2018 Correspondence

1. Letter dated 19th December 2018 from the Minister for Rural and Community Development regarding ESB Compensation. The reply was noted by Members. Councillor Mary Bohan requested that a follow up letter be sent.

2. Letter dated 4th January 2018 from Minister for Justice and Equality acknowledging receipt of correspondence dated 20th December 2017 regarding grants for Community Based CCTV Scheme.

MMD 18/3 22/01/2018 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Padraig Fallon;

"To ask Leitrim County Council the number of households - individuals on the housing list in North Leitrim and the number of those three years or more."

Report by Director of Services, Housing and Community, Corporate Services, Cultural and Emergency Services "Area Mid 1 (Dromahaire/Killargue/Drumkeerin//) - 26 households on the Housing Waiting list of which 4 households have been on the waiting list for over 3 years. North 1 (/) - 49 households on the Housing Waiting list of which 4 households have been on the waiting list for over 3 years. Area North 2(Manorhamilton//Kiltyclogher//Lurganboy/Glencar)- 75 households on the Housing Waiting list of which 18 households have been on the waiting list for over 3 years."

Councillor Padraig Fallon stated that he considers there is currently inadequate stock to meet demand particularly family houses.

Ms Mary Quinn, Director of Services stated that additional housing units at Taobh Tire will be coming on stream midyear and will address some of the demand issues. She said that a full Housing Needs Assessment will be carried out in March and further analysis will determine the work programme for the next year. Other options such as leasing, working with voluntary bodies, house purchases, and construction of further housing units are under constant review.

Councillor Mary Bohan supported this Motion particularly in relation to issues with shortage of family houses in the area.

MMD 18/4 22/01/2018 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Padraig Fallon;

"I propose that works be carried out and an examination of gullies so as to remove surface water from on front of houses 19 - 24 Sheena Drumkeeran."

Report by Roads - General "The road gullies in this area at Sheena, Drumkerran will be examined and cleaned out if required."

MMD 18/5 22/01/2018 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Frank Dolan;

"I ask that some roadside works and drainage works be carried out on the old Larkfield road No 62031. This road condition has deteriorated greatly and two cars cannot meet without one going well into the grass margin."

Report by Roads - General "Drainage works will be carried out on local road L62031 at Larkfield when labour resources allow"

Councillor Frank Dolan said that the surface of the road is fine with the exception of a couple of spots but the road has narrowed due to lack of maintenance and he felt works are needed to push back the grass margin.

Councillor Mary Bohan seconded this Motion.

The Area Engineer confirmed works will be carried out in the next couple of months.

MMD 18/6 22/01/2018 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Frank Dolan;

"It has been brought to my attention that while many of our local roads are numbered there also remains quite a number of roads which have not. I ask why this is so, and if it is possible to have a road number erected where the residents request it."

Report by Roads - General "Local roads were numbered as part of the signage programme a number of years ago. All local roads who have a junction with a regional road are numbered. It is not proposed to extend this signage to other local road junctions at this time."

Councillor Frank Dolan stated the road in question has a junction with a Regional Road and is not numbered.

The Area Engineer confirmed that the matter will be reviewed and a sign with the road number on it will be erected if this is the case.

MMD 18/7 22/01/2018 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Sean McDermott;

"I ask if water tables can be opened on the R283 road in the townland of Loughaphonta Barr, Glenfarne, where there is a lot of water running on to the roadway."

Report by Roads - General "Drainage works along the R283 between the junction of the N16 and Kiltyclogher Village will be carried out when labour resources allow."

MMD 18/8 22/01/2018 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Sean McDermott;

"Can I ask, if hedges can be cut on the R281 road between Kiltyclogher and Rossinver. This road is very narrow and dangerous."

Report by Roads - General "The cutting of hedges adjacent to the public road is the primary responsibility of landowners. While Leitrim County Council carry out substantial hedge cutting every year included on our National Primary routes and on all our Regional roads at junctions and in advance of signage we do not have a budget available to cut back hedges on all our road network. The landowners along the R281 between Kiltyclogher and Rossinver where hedges are a hazard to road users will be established and notified of their responsibility."

Councillor Sean McDermott stated that there is a lot of forestry along this road and the owners whether Coillte or private farmers should also be made aware of their responsibility.

Councillor Justin Warnock supported this Motion.

The Area Engineer confirmed that communications have issued recently to Coillte. He also stated that the identity of the landowners needs to be established but this can prove difficult at times.

MMD 18/9 22/01/2018 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Justin Warnock;

"I ask the Chief Environmental Officer, what level of waste water discharge is accepted by the EPA from waste water treatment plants in the towns and villages of ?"

Report by N/A "The EPA operates a Waste Water Discharge Authorisation system which is a system for the licensing or certification of waste water discharges (WWD) from areas served by Local Authority sewer networks. This was brought into effect on 27th September 2007. The licensing and certification authorisation process was introduced on a phased basis for existing plants, commencing on 14th December 2007 and completing on 22 June 2009 in accordance with the requirements of the Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007 as amended.

All discharges to the aquatic environment from sewerage systems owned, managed and operated by Water Services Authorities require a waste water discharge licence or certificate of authorisation from the EPA. Water Services Authorities are required to apply for a Waste Water Discharge Licence for any agglomeration with a population equivalent of over 500. For agglomerations with a population equivalent of less than 500, a Water Services Authority is required to apply for a certificate of authorisation.

In Leitrim there are a total of 23 plants certified or licensed. These are: Kiltyclogher, , Tullaghan, , Drumkeeran, , Fenagh, , Jamestown, Aughnasheelan, , , Ballinagleragh, , , , Manorhamilton, Carrick on Shannon, , Leitrim Village, , Kinlough, .

Each licence or certificate issued by the EPA is based on the unique characteristics and assimilative capacity of the receiving water with the parameters required and the frequency of sampling set out in the licence/certificate. No discharge from the waste water works is permitted unless it meets with the permitted discharge requirements in accordance with the Certificate of Authorisation or the Licence."

Councillor Justin Warnock noted the reply and as no actual figure was given to his reply he queried what figure is actually acceptable. Discussion subsequently ensued in relation to one off houses in County Leitrim and requirements in relation to T90. Members referred to solution that have been implemented in neighbouring counties.

All Councillors supported this motion.

MMD 18/10 22/01/2018 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Justin Warnock;

"I ask the Director of Services for Roads and Infrastructure Shay O'Connor to raise again with Donegal County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Road Safety Authority, the lack of proper exit lanes for the R280, Kinlough road from the N15 at Bundoran which has a 100km speed limit."

Report by Roads - General "As requested we will take this matter up with Donegal County Council and the TII again."

Councillor Justin Warnock urged that this matter be raised as a matter of urgency.

MMD 18/11 22/01/2018 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Felim Gurn;

"The Main Street and part of New Line and Upper Main Street was re-laid in the last 2 years and it has been brought to my attention that the amount of gum been disposed of and sticking to the street had already ruined the look of relaying the Street. Can the Council work with tidy towns or business people to remove the gum of the street."

Report by Roads - General "We will investigate the options available to us to remove gum from our footpaths. We will work with the local community groups on this. It will require specialist contractors and will be dependent on the costs involved." Councillor Felim Gurn acknowledged that a lot of work has been done in recent years however gum on footpaths is unsightly and remains an issue.

Councillor Sean McDermott supported this motion.

The Area Engineer confirmed that they will engage with the tidy towns and also look into what funding might be available for the provision of signage and education in this area.

MMD 18/12 22/01/2018 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Felim Gurn;

"The site has been chosen to provide housing for people with intellectual disabilities called houses for life and what is the timetable for getting funding with Council and HSE to have these houses provided in the Taobh Tire Manorhamilton area and the social houses in the area that are nearly completed."

Report by Director of Services, Housing and Community, Corporate Services, Cultural and Emergency Services "Leitrim County Council is working with an approved Housing Body to provide a group home for people with intellectual disabilities on a site at Taobh Tire, Manorhamilton. The Council awaits support by the HSE before a project appraisal can be submitted to the DHPLG for funding. Once funding approval is received from the DHPLG an Architect Led Design Team will be appointed. The design, planning, tendering and appointment of contractor process typically take 1 year and construction will take a further 10 months. The 7 no. houses currently under construction at Taobh Tire will be complete in June/July 2018."

MMD 18/13 22/01/2018 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Mary Bohan;

"I purpose that Leitrim County Council take legal action to compel the owners of the Abbey Manor Hotel to carry out the necessary remedial work on the building as required by law. The building is being used for antisocial behaviour, is unsightly and unsafe."

Report by N/A "The Council have previously served legal notices on the owners of the Protected Structure seeking the undertaking of certain specified works to prevent it from becoming further endangered. These notices were not acted upon by the owners. There were also discussions held at that time with an interested party who was seeking to become involved with the current owners with a view to re-establishing commercial uses within the former hotel. These discussions however have not resulted in a planning application being lodged with the Planning Authority. The Planning Authority was hopeful that this would have led to an amicable resolution regarding this matter.

The next prudent course of action at this stage would be for the Council to seek a prosecution for the non compliance with the notices served and to seek an undertaking from the owners in court to the carrying out of said works. Unfortunately, there is no provision in the legislation which can seek to compel an owner of a Protected Structure to undertake works to prevent it from becoming endangered. Failure to comply with the notices is an offence. The Executive will review this case with our legal advisors and revert back to the Municipal District Members in due course."

Councillor Mary Bohan stated the building is unsightly and unsafe and there are issues of anti social activity. She highlighted the efforts of tidy towns and local businesses in Dromahair. Councillor Bohan again called on Leitrim County Council to take legal action against the owners to carry out remedial works required.

Councillor Frank Dolan and Councillor Padraig Fallon supported the motion.

Mr Bernard Greene, Senior Planner advised that the Council had previously issued two notices to the owner of the hotel, one in relation to endangerment of protected structure in relation to the old part of the building and a derelict site notice in relation to the new part of the building. Neither notice has been acted upon and both parts of the structures are continuing to deteriorate. Mr Greene stated that the Council will seek to pursue the two surviving owners for non-compliance with the previous notices.

MMD 18/14 22/01/2018 To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Mary Bohan;

"What is the current situation regarding the provision of the high speed broadband in Leitrim and particularly in the Manorhamilton Municipal District."

Report by N/A "A report on high speed Broadband rollout across the County through commercial providers and under the National Broadband Plan will be presented at the February MD meeting."

Councillor Padraig Fallon supported this motion and stated that he knew of three small enterprises that were interested in doing business in the north of the County but the speed of Broadband in the area was holding them back.

Director of Services, Ms Mary Quinn advised that on foot of a request at the last meeting of the Manorhamilton District Meeting, Mr Shane Tiernan and Mr Joe Lowe will attend the next meeting of the Manorhamilton Municipal District to discuss broadband and jobs in North Leitrim.

Any Other Business

Ms. Mary Quinn advised that the next meeting of Manorhamilton Municipal District will take place in the HSE Offices, Manorhamilton on Monday 19th February 2018.

This concluded the business of the meeting.

SIGNED: Signed:______Councillor Frank Dolan Mary Quinn Cathaoirleach, Manorhamilton Director of Services Municipal District

Date: 22nd January 2018