Ballymote-Tubbercurry Minutes 2022

Minutes Of The Meeting Of The Municipal District Of Ballymote-Tubbercurry Held On Monday 11th July, 2022 At 2.00 Pm In Teach Laighne, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo.


COUNCILLORS PRESENT:

  • Councillor Martin Baker (Cathaoirleach)
  • Councillor Michael Clarke
  • Councillor Dara Mulvey
  • Councillor Paul Taylor
  • Councillor Martin Connolly

 

APOLOGIES:

  • Councillor Joseph Queenan
  • Councillor Gerard Mullaney

 

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Ms Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services
  • Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer
  • Jimmy O’Brien, A/Head of Information Systems
  • Dorothy Gillen, Technical Support Officer
  • David Golden, Assistant Engineer
  • Dessie Sloyan, Executive Engineer
  • Joseph Devaney, Executive Engineer
  • Sarah McNamara, Staff Officer

 

CATHAOIRLEACH:

In the absence of the Cathaoirleach, Councillor Martin Connolly, Leas Cathaoirleach presided and welcomed those present to the meeting.

 

1.MINUTES OF MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BALLYMOTE-TUBBERCURRY HELD ON 16th MAY 2022:

PROPOSED BY: COUNCILLOR M. CLARKE
SECONDED BY: COUNCILLOR D. MULVEY

AND AGREED

 “To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on 16th May, 2022”.

 

2.MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF

BALLYMOTE-TUBBERCURRY

HELD ON 20TH JUNE 2022:

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR D. MULVEY

AND AGREED

“To confirm the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tubbercurry held on the 20th June, 2022”.

 

3.MATTERS ARISING:

No matters raised.

 

Cathaoirleach Councillor M. Baker resumed the Chair.

 

4.REQUEST FOR FURTHER ALLOCATION OF CIS FUNDS:

PROPOSED BY: COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR
SECONDED BY: COUNCILLOR M. CONNOLLY

AND AGREED

“To ask that Sligo County Council request a further allocation of funds to the CIS schemes, due to the significantly reduced allocation in 2022 & the high volume of applications approved & enquires to the Scheme.” Mr. Hughes, SEE reported that Sligo County Council forwarded priority lists for schemes valued at €1.6m approx. to the Department of Transport for 2022. The CIS grant received for 2022 is €473 k. 

The Department committed a grant of €860 k for 2022 and 2023 combined and are aware of the additional schemes that would be carried out if funding was available. 

Sligo County Council wrote to the Department of Transport requesting extra funding and received a reply on 2/3/2022 stating that “the Department is not in a position to agree an extra grant allocation of €258,950 in the current year at this time”.

It was further agreed that the Municipal District write again to the Department of Transport requesting an increase in funding.

 

5. UPDATE ON N17 ROUTE:

PROPOSED BY: COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR
SECONDED BY: COUNCILLOR M. CONNOLLY

AND AGREED

“To ask for an update on the New N17 Route.”

  1. Hughes, SEE reported that the N17 Knock to Collooney [Atlantic Economic Corridor] is continuing to be progressed through the Option Selection Process. A draft Emerging Preferred Corridor has been established and is currently being reviewed and refined. A draft Option Selection Report has also been prepared and underwent a review process in early July. Actions arising from this review are currently being compiled and shall be dealt with over the months of July and August. The Sligo Regional Design Office hope to be in a position to display the Emerging Preferred Corridor for Public Consultation in September.
  2. A public right of way must exist prior to commencing the process.
  3. The financial implications of declaring a road to be a public road must be considered. This includes the cost of bringing the road up to a satisfactory standard, the ongoing cost of maintenance and the potential cost of any legal liability for losses incurred by members of the public using the “new” public road.
  4. Any road proposed to be taken in charge must be to a satisfactory standard prior to being taken in charge, as determined by the Roads Department.The Council has limited resources for maintenance of its existing extensive local road network. 
  5. The general public utility of the roads must be considered also.
  6. The Council consider the following roads not to be of general public utility:
    • Cul de sac roads that do not access amenities which are used by the general public except in exceptional circumstances e.g., a significant number of houses served.
  7. The Council will consider the following types of roads:        

 

6.PROPOSED INFORMATION PROGRAMME RE WASTE DISPOSAL/RECYCLING/

DOG FOUL/ CIGARETTE BUTTS:

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLORS MULVEY, MULLANEY AND TAYLOR:
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR M. CONNOLLY

AND AGREED:

“We call on Sligo County Council to launch an information programme about correct waste disposal giving options on recycling and the importance of dog owners picking up after their dogs.

Also, can Business premises be assisted to provide bins outside their buildings for cigarette butts which are a litter problem to assist Ballymote Tidy Towns group.”

Mr. Hughes, SEE reported that Sligo County Council are currently preparing information for a social media campaign in conjunction with WEEE Ireland in relation to e-recycling options and will broaden the scope of the information out to include correct general waste disposal and recycling options. The County Council will also roll out information regarding responsible dog ownership during July and August. Sligo County Council is also a partner of, and has been promoting, the national Leave No Trace Campaign since the beginning of June and there are many very informative messages being sent out as part of that campaign each week over the Summer. 

The Anti-Litter, Anti-Graffiti Grant Scheme is an option for Ballymote Tidy Towns group to apply for funding for cigarette butt holders. The closing date for the scheme is the 15th July.

 

7.JUNCTION AT CARRAUN, CLOONACOOL ROAD:

 PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR DARA MULVEY
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR MARTIN CONNOLLY

AND AGREED:

“To ask Sligo County Council to make safe the junction at Carraun, Cloonacool Road Tubbercurry for traffic exiting from the Carrowreagh Knox Road.” 

Mr. Hughes, SEE reported that there is no funding in place at present to carry out road improvements at this junction at present. It was agreed that Mr. D. Golden, Tubbercurry Area Engineer provide an estimate to improve sightlines and costings to have the pole relocated.

 

8. N17 JUNCTION AT L4601 & L1603:

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR D. MULVEY
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR

AND AGREED:

“To ask Sligo County Council to again contact TII regards yet another recent accident along the N17 at junction L4601 & L1603.  Have the TII surveyed this junction to make it safe for motorists in light of the regular accidents at this junction?  It is only a matter of time before a fatality occurs here.” 

Mr. Hughes, SEE reported that Sligo County Council have, in recent years, reviewed this junction and have reconfigured the approach and exit from the L1601 onto the N17 to improve safety. The Council has also, in recent years, endeavoured to improve visibility towards Ballinacarrow.  However, to date, the Council has been unable to acquire the necessary small area of ground to carry out the necessary works. 

It was agreed that Councillor D. Mulvey contact the landowner in question to ascertain if adequate lands could be sold to Sligo County Council to improve sightlines towards Ballincarrrow at Templehouse/N17 junction.  Otherwise, a CPO to be considered.

 

9.  LANDS AT DRIMRUE CROSSROADS POWELLSBORO:

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR M. CONNOLLY
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR

AND AGREED:

“To ask Sligo County Council is there any update on finding the owner of lands at Drimrue crossroads Powellsboro with a view to improving the sight line to Tubbercurry approaching from the Leitrim South Road.” 

Mr. Hughes, SEE reported that Sligo County Council is aware of the registered landowner’s details. Land acquisition is required to improve this junction, but this has not been achieved so far.

There is no funding in place at present to carry out road improvements at this junction. If the land was acquired, funding options could then be sought. Mr. Hughes added that failing agreement with the landowner, CPO to be considered to acquire the land required.

 

10. 64 BUS FROM SLIGO TO GALWAY:

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR M. CONNOLLY
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR

AND AGREED:

“To ask Sligo County Council to contact Bus Eireann for an explanation as to why seats at the front of the 64 bus from Sligo to Galway are still not available for passengers and why passengers are told there are no seats available when clearly there are.” 

Mr. Hughes, SEE reported that Sligo County Council contacted Bus Eireann about this issue and all seats should be available at present. The driver may not allow people to use these seats if they are booked at a forward stop. There were restrictions when covid was more prevalent and the seats beside the bus driver were kept vacant for social distancing rules. 

Complaints in relation to the service can be emailed to customercare@buseireann.ie.

 

11. BUS SHELTERS AT TUBBERCURRY AND CURRY BUS STOPS:

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR:  M. CONNOLLY
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR

AND AGREED:

“To ask for an update on the progress with bus shelters at the Tubbercurry and Curry bus stops.” 

Mr. Hughes, SEE reported that Sligo County Council are collaborating with the NTA to roll out a programme of bus shelter installations throughout County Sligo over the coming years. Bus shelter schemes included for County Sligo in 2022 are: 

2no. Bus Shelters in Grange 

2no. Bus Shelters in Cliffoney 

1no. Bus Shelter in Cartron at Classiebawn Drive 

1no. Bus Shelter in Cairns Rd 

1no. Bus Shelter on the Mall outside Sligo University Hospital which is replacing the existing bus shelter. 

The provision of bus shelters in Tubbercurry and Curry will be included for consideration in future programmes. 

 

12. PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN MD:

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR M. CONNOLLY

AND AGREED:

“Due to the Rising costs of Living & More emphasis being put on Public transport, I call on this Council to help make appropriate facilities available in Our Towns & Villages in this Municipal District e.g., Bus Shelters & associated Works.” 

Mr. Hughes, SEE reported as above Item 11.  It was noted that all 2022 Bus Shelters approvals are in the Urban/Sligo Drumcliffe MD.  It was agreed that the NTA be contacted so that areas such as Tubbercurry, Curry, Ballinafad, Gurteen and Bunninadden be prioritised in the roll out of Bus Shelters in future programmes.

 

13.LOCAL LINK BUS BUNNINADDED:

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR D. MULVEY

AND AGREED:

“To Ask that Sligo County Council support efforts to have A local link bus service for the Village of Bunninadden.“ 

Mr. Hughes, SEE reported that Sligo County Council contacted the Local Link bus service office and were informed that there is a local link bus service from Bunninadden to Sligo on Fridays and on every second Monday. 

There is a Bus Eireann service going to Boyle and Tubbercurry from Bunninadden on Wednesdays. 

 

14. TAKING IN CHARGE ROAD AT BUNNINA DROMARD: ROUTE:

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR M. CLARKE
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR J. QUEENAN

AND AGREED:

“To call on Sligo County Council to start the process of taking in charge one kilometre of road at Bunnina Dromard there are 9 residential houses and 5 farmers on this road. and road at one kilometre from Ballinphull to Lugdoon Templeboy, this a strategic road of importance to the Council, on the occasion of the main N59 been blocked this a diversion route.”  

Mr. Hughes, SEE reported as follows.  Sligo County Council adopted a policy on the creation of public roads recently. There are a number of conditions attached, which include the following:

  1. Roads accessing amenities for use by the general public, and 
  2. Roads connecting two public roads with through traffic volume that is comparable to the surrounding public roads.

Road At Bunnina

  • This is a cul de sac road serving 7 houses approx. and accesses to landholdings.
  • An application was made for an LIS in 2019 and was offered but it was not accepted.
  • The road is approx. 860 m long and approx. 3.4m - 3.5m wide.
  • The road needs to be surfaced to bring it up to a reasonable standard. The PSCI rating of the western 700m of the road is in the range of 4-6 and the PSCI rating for the end section is 2-3 (very poor surface). A newly surfaced road would have a PSCI rating of 9-10.
  • The cost of surfacing the road with asphalt concrete and surface dressing is €90k approx.

The road does not comply with the conditions to start the process for making it a public road at present. 

Road between Ballinphull and Lugdoon-  

  • This is a narrow road linking 2 public roads (with a low volume of traffic) The road is approx. 2km. long and approx. 3.2m - 3.5m wide.
  • The private section of road serves approx. 5 houses and landholdings.
  • Some sections of the road need to be strengthened with some drainage also required.
  • The full road needs to be surface dressed to bring the road up to a good standard if it was being considered suitable for making it a public road in the future.
  • The estimated cost is €60k.
  • It is in a reasonable condition with a PSCI rating of 6-7.
  • The main beneficiaries would be the houseowners/landholders along the road rather than the general public.
  • This is not a strategic road of importance for Sligo County Council and would not be suitable as a traffic diversion route if N59 got blocked. 

 

15: ACCESS TO CORKAMORE GRAVEYARD:

The road does not comply with the conditions to start the process for making it a public road at present. 

Councillor M. Clarke expressed his disappointment with the report as presented by Mr. P. Hughes and requested this item be deferred until the next Municipal District meeting when Councillor J. Queenan is also present.

At the request of Councillor M. Clarke this item was deferred to the agenda of the next Municipal District meeting.

 

16.  VOTES OF SYMPATHY:

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR M. CONNOLLY
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR

AND AGREED:

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Thomas and Catherine Maye, Moylough, Tubbercurry on the death of their son Aidan.”

 

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR M. CONNOLLY
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR M. BAKER

AND AGREED:

“that a vote of sympathy be extended to Mrs. Kathleen Moore, Drumfad, Grange on the death of her husband Seamus.

 

17.  VOTES OF CONGRATULATIONS:

PROPOSED BY:  COUNCILLOR P. TAYLOR
SECONDED BY:  COUNCILLOR M. CONNOLLY

AND AGREED:

“That a vote of congratulations be extended to the organising Committee of the South Sligo Summer School wishing them well for the coming week.

 

18.  CORRESPONDENCE:

No correspondence to note.

 

19. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

19th September 2022 at 2.00pm in Teach Laighne.

 

20. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

Ms. E. Concannon, A/DOS informed the meeting that Swim Ireland, together with Sligo Sports and Recreation Partnership and Sligo County Council were erecting a portable swimming pool at the OPW site beside the Garda Station in Tubbercurry between September and December 2022.  Ms. Concannon to circulate a date for a proposed photograph of the launch.

 

The business of the meeting concluded at 3.30pm.


Meeting Date 11/07/2022