·         Minutes of Boyle MD meeting on 26^th March, 2021

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Tom Crosby

             SECONDED by Councillor John Cummins

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Boyle Municipal District meeting of 23^rd March ,2021

Cllr T Crosby asked whether an application had been made in respect of lights and footpaths on the Ballytoohey Road, Tarmonbarry.  Cllr Crosby also asked for an update on the revised Casual Trader Byelaws.  Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services replied stating that there was no further update re traffic management in Tarmonbarry and with regards to the Ballytoohey road as stated previously, the best option would be to pursue this matter under the Active Travel Progarmme for 2022.  Cllr. Crosby stated that it is critical that something would be done on the Ballytoohey Road as there is a large area of residential development and a school in the vicinity.

 Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services also stated that it was his understanding that the Environment Department would review the Casual Trader Byelaws later this year as outlined at a previous Municipal District Meeting.

Ms. Majella Hunt, Director of Services introduced the update on the Ballaghadereen Public Realm Plan.  Ms. Majella Hunt, Director of Services stated that the plan is now at Category 2 Stage of Rural Regeneration Development Funding (RRDF) which means that a detailed scheme is being prepared which will then be lodged as a Part 8 Application in readiness for the application being progressed for Category 1 Funding.   It is hoped to get planning by the end of November 2021   Ms Nollag Wyte, Administrative Officer praised the Ballaghadereen Town Team for their involvement in the project stating there would be further consultation and information sessions including on line webinars in the coming week

MsNollag Whyte introduced consultant Mehron Kirk.  Mr Kirk presented the design brief for the plan.  He stated that the objective of the plan is to create a new public square which will support the functioning of the town, encourage businesses to thrive and enhance the streets and spaces for the people.   Mr. Kirk informed the elected members that the feedback from the consultation which has taken place has  highlighted concerns over parking availability in the town and on the street.  Mr. Kirk added that consultation is ongoing with public webinars taking place in the next week, a public display of the plan to increase public awareness and keep them updated on progress.  

 Cllr Liam Callaghan thanked Mr. Kirk for the presentation.  Cllr Callaghan asked that a copy of the plans would be circulated to the Councillors to look at more closely.  Cllr Callaghan stated that the plan would enhance the town but that the issue of car parking would be hard to resolve.  Cllr M. Mulligan stated that the removal of parking spaces would impact on customer parking and on deliveries.  Cllr Mulligan stated that the plan was not practical, over 60 car parking spaces would be lost and the car park at@ the Plots’ is not a viable solution.  Cllr Mulligan stated he would not be supporting the plan.  Cllr Crosby concurred with Cllr Mulligan on the importance of adequate parking and stated that if this issue is addressed he would support the project

Mr. Kirk responded to Cllr Mulligans concerns stating that the area called ‘the Plots’ is a short walk and the 35 parking spaces which will be displaced by the plan will be balanced out by the creation of 72 spaces at ‘the Plots’.  Mr Kirk stated that having spoken to traders the consensus would seem to be that they would prefer a turnover of cars using the spaces available rather than cars which would be parked for the duration of the day.  He also stated that loading and disabled spaces will be reinstated in a similar location to the existing ones.

Cllr V Byrne complimented the plan but queried how restaurants and shops would be able to receive deliveries.  Cllr Murphy welcomed the plan but agreed with Cllr Byrne about the difficulty in relation to deliveries.  Cllr Murphy emphasized the importance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.21

There are two Notice of Motion:

4.21 – Cllr. Crosby -  Footpath Improvement Works in Cortober

5.21 – Cllr Murphy - Flashing Warning Lights on the Strokestown to Tulsk Road

4.21                       Notice of Motion from Cllr. Crosby

Would the Director of Services inform the meeting of the proposed locations and the type of works for the footpath improvements in Cortober Village which were funded from the recent announced of €50,000 allocated from the Active Travel Investment Program 2021 and confirm that the €30,000 that has already been granted to Cortober will make a total investment in the footpath infrastructure to €80,000

I understand that agreement was in place with the Cortober Residents Association for footpaths extensions from the Railway Station to join the existing footpaths at the Shannon Gael Estate and that the widening of the existing footpaths out from the railway station would be a priority, an approximate date when the works will commence.

REPLY

The €50,000 allocated from the Active Travel Investment Program 2021 is essentially an approval in principle and is subject to a detailed application which will be deemed to satisfy the criteria and constraints of the Active Travel Scheme.  The preparation of this application is currently in progress.

It is likely that the entirety of the €50000 will be spent on the provision of a footpath on the Croghan Road R370.  The provision of a footpath on the entirety of the R370 as far as Shannon Gael Estate is contingent on acquisition of lands under compulsory purchase but we would envisage providing a footpath along the frontage of ESB lands opposite the railway station with the €50000 and completing the works when compulsory purchase is determined. 

The €30000 which was previously allocated under the Low Cost Accident Remedial Measure scheme was spent on the provision of a pedestrian crossing and ancillary works on the R368 at Lunney’s garage.

We anticipate that the detailed Active Travel application will be prepared in the next three weeks.

Cllr Crosby stated that more clarity is required as to where the €50000 will be spent if it is approved.  Cllr Crosby asked if there is a proposal to widen the footpath at the railway station in Carrick on Shannon as far as Shannon Gael estate.  Mr. Michael Conlon, Municipal District Co-Ordinator responded by stating that the process had begun 3 years ago with an application under the LCARM scheme.  At that time the acquisition of land did not proceed and following a meeting with residents and limited by the constraints of the scheme it was decided to reroute €30000 to install a pedestrian crossing.  The figure of €50000 is an allocation, in principal only, and an application for this funding will be prepared over the next number of weeks.  It is proposed to carry out works in front of the ESB compound with a footpath from the junction at the R368.

Cllr Valerie Byrne noted that she made representations on this and the Council have said previously that they would look into the work required on the footpaths near Shannon Gael and that the residents have been informed.

Cllr Crosby stated that Councillors had received notice of an accident  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.21

There are two questions

3.21 – Application for Rural Regeneration and Development fund for Strokestown and Elphin.

4.21 – Structural Report for the Magnet Ballroom, Strokestown.

3.21                   Question from Cllr. Murphy

After the unsuccessful application for funding for Strokestown and Elphin, when can there be an application put in again for Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and is there any particular part of the application that we can make it better?

                               Answer

We are currently awaiting a response from the Department in relation to feedback on the unsuccessful applications for Strokestown and Elphin. Once this is received it will give us an opportunity to assess likely future applications.

4.21                   Question from Cllr. Murphy

                              Is there any update from planning re. carrying out a structural report   the Magnet Ballroom on Elphin st. Strokestown Eircode F42EW63.

Answer

                                          A Section 3 notice under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1964 was this week served on the owner of the dangerous structure requiring him to board up the building and secure all access into the building and onto the site. The County Council has determined that the building is dangerous and we will not be undertaking a structural report of the building. The owner is responsible for all repairs necessary to the building.

Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services stated that the Municipal District Fund is being reintroduced.  Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services stated that there is a sum of €73000 for the Boyle Municipal District Fund in 2021.  The Scheme will be circulated to the members in the next few weeks, applications can then be made by local community groups and decided upon by the MD Co-Ordinator in consultation with the members of Boyle Municipal District .  Applications for this funding will be looked at by the elected members and Cllr John Cummins proposed that should the Municipal District Co-ordinator have a proposal then this should be looked at in conjunction with applications lodged.

Cllr John Cummins raised the matter of Casual Trading Bye-Laws.  Cllr Cummins stated there over the past few weeks a number of traders without licences had set up on non- designated trading days in Boyle.  Cllr Cummins stated that this matter needs to be addressed quickly.  Cllr Mulligan agreed with Cllr. Cummins that the matter needed attention but noting that Ballaghadereen has had good compliance with the Casual Trading Bye-laws.

Cllr Crosby stated that a revision of the Casual Trading Byelaws is critical.  Cllr Crosby stated that  towns should have a designated area for the traders which is not in the centre of the town.

Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services thanked Cllr Cummins for raising the matter and stated that Mr. Pat Murtagh, A/Director of Services has informed him that a review of the Casual Trading Bye laws will be taking place following a bedding down period of the bylaws on their introduction to the county.  Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services informed the members that the Council want to be fair to the licencees who are legitimately licenced and ensure they receive a good service.  Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services informed the members that the Enforcement Officer dealing with non -compliance on casual trading is based in the Environment Section and has been rostered for spot checks on Saturday and Sunday.  He reminded the members and illegal traders of the penalties enforceable under the Casual Trading Acts 1995

Cllr Crosby raised the issue of anti-social behavior in an amenity area in Cortober and asked in what manner it can be addressed.  Cllr Valerie Byrne informed the meeting that the Mr. Michael Conlon, Municipal District Co-Ordinator had investigated the matter and it was decided that it would detract from the amenity if the area is cordoned off.  Cllr V Byrne and Cllr Callaghan concurred that An Garda Siochana may have a role to play in policing the area.  Cllr Crosby suggested that signage may act as a deterrent.  Mr. Michael Conlon, Municipal District Co-Ordinator felt such signage would be futile and might motivate vandalism of the sign.  He felt An Garda Siochana are best placed to deal with anti-social behavior as and when it occurs in public areas.

Cllr Murphy asked if any work could be done to improve the condition of the road between Scramogue and Rooskey.  The road is narrow for the size and speed of the lorries which are travelling on it.

Cllr Valerie Byrne asked where the TII are in relation to speed limits throughout the county.  Mr. Shane Tiernan Director of Services informed the members that the Council had adopted speed limits for estates and local and regional roads.  Mr. Shane Tiernan said that there had been no progress in relation to speed limits for National Primary and Secondary routes as the proposals by the elected members were not acceptable to Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the pre-existing speed limits remained in place until such time as proposals are acceptable.

Cllr Crosby asked for an update on the progress of work in Rooskey.  Cllr Crosby and Cllr Murphy commended the Municipal District Co-Ordinator on the work which has taken place.  Mr. Michael Conlon Municipal District Co-Ordinator informed the members that lighting of the improved section is imminent and other areas will be updated as the works progress.

Cllr Callaghan commended the progress of the Roads Program and outlined that it would be preferable if areas in front of dwellings could be surfaced where adjacent roads are being improved.

Cllr Byrne asked if the TII could look at the reduction of the speed limit on the section of road North of Tulsk stretching to  Killina church.  Cllr Callaghan stated that there is a need to have off road parking at Killina church and school.  Cllr Callaghan queried whether a CLAR Scheme would solve the problem.  Mr. Michael Conlon, Municipal District Co-Ordinator stated that there is a CLAR Scheme available but there are constraints with the TII.  Mr Michael Conlon, Municipal District Co-Ordinator said he would keep the members informed

All of the elected members wished to be associated with wishing Mr. Tom McDermott, Executive Engineer well in his new position as Acting Senior Executive Engineer.

Cllr Liam Callaghan extended sympathy to the family of the late Mr. Tom Callan, Solicitor and former Councillor .  Cllr Callaghan acknowledged Mr. Callans service to his county.