April 13, 2016/in Council Meetings /by Sinead

Notice of Motions in the name of Cllr Sinead Guckian
At the April meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District, I will ask the Senior Engineer what is contract lead time to have newly installed public lighting connected by electric skyline and what is the expected lead time to have reports of faults addressed and bulbs replaced under the terms of their contract.

REPLY FROM THE SENIOR ENGINEER:
Under the terms of the public lighting maintenance contract our contractor does a patrol of all public lights every month to ascertain which lights are not working. Repairs must be carried out within 10 working days. This time period can be extended if the fault is a major one and it is not reasonable to repair the lights within 10 working days. Any faults reported directly to the contractor must be repaired within 10 working days. With regard to new installations the time for connections is dependent on the particular circumstances for each individual connection. Faults can be reported to our contractor using the following methods Phone – 087 1955076/1890 328587 e mail - faults@electricskyline.ie Web Site - www.electricskyline.ie

RESPONDING TO THE REPLY
Cllr Sinead Guckian thanked the Senior Engineer for his response but outlined that that was not the process or time frame that she had experienced. She requested that there would be a review of the lead time to repairs and requested all elected members to participate in this review by documenting their experiences to date. This was agreed by members and welcomed as a process that might resolve delays in repairs, new connections etc.. Cllr Guckian also requested that the Council would clearly advertise the contact details for Electric Sklyine, so members of the public would know where to report faults etc..in the first instance.

Notice of Motions in the name of Cllr Sinead Guckian

At the April meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District, I will ask the Director of Services what progress has been made to date on proposed areas of co operation in regard to Carrick on Shannon since our meeting with officials and Councillors from Roscommon County Council in May last year.

REPLY FROM THE DIRECTOR

Contact has been ongoing on items of mutual concern at offical level and in particular the matter of a taxi rank at the Carrick on Shannon Railway station has been the subject of a number of discussions. This matter is now progressing well and it is expected that relevant bylaws will be prepared in the shortterm.

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Feb 2016 Meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District Meeting

February 16, 2016/in Council Meetings /by Sinead

Notice of Motions in the name of Cllr Sinead Guckian
I will ask the Senior Executive Engineer what is the up to date status for the provision of public lighting on the N4 at the junctions to the villages of Drumsna and Jamestown. Over the past years I have raised this issue and requested that the NRA’s (now the TII’s) policy of treating these locations as rural areas would be challenged by the executive and this has received support from members. Further consideration should be given to the provision of public lighting by the TII, as both junctions are entrances to villages.

REPLY FROM THE SENIOR ENGINEER:
This matter was raised with the TII again in 2015. There policy is that they will only consider providing public lighting at rural junctions where there is a history of accidents at night time and where the provision of public lighting will improve the situation.

RESPONDING TO THE REPLY
Cllr Sinead Guckian requested the support of members, in her proposal that this treatment of both junctions as “being rural junctions” would once again be challenged with the NRA/ TII. She outlined that it was not acceptable that previously the NRA had introduced large 8×8 signage in the village of Drumsna, saying that it was part of an N4 junction and now they were saying it was a rural junction. She said on the previous occasion the Tidy towns committee had successfully challenged the NRA on their inappropriate large signage being a visible eye sore and unnecessary in the village and they were removed, but it now made no sense that the NRA/TII were refusing to acknowledge the proximity of the village to the N4. Cllr Sinead Guckian welcomed the support of all members and requested that the matter was treated with urgency.

Notice of Motions in the name of Cllr Sinead Guckian

I will ask the Director of Services what action has taken place, to date, to address the derelict industrial site at Corrascoffey. In March 2015, following my motion, members were advised that the Council would continue to find a resolution to this site and would be considering the issue of a notice under section 11 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 on the registered owner.

REPLY FROM THE SENIOR ENGINEER
The Council has issued the registered owner of the property with notices under section 3 (dangerous structures) of the Local Government(Sanitary Services) Act, 1964, and sections 8 (intention to recorded in Derelict sites Register) and 11 (requiring works to remove dereliction) of the Derelict Sites Act, 1990. Unfortunately the registered owner has not complied with the terms of the notices, requiring works to render the property safe and address its derelict state. In light of the non-compliance with the notices we are now reviewing the matter before determining an appropriate course of action.

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January 2016 Meeting of Leitrim County Council

January 14, 2016/in Council Meetings /by Sinead

Notice of Motions in the name of Cllr Sinead Guckian

At the January meeting of Leitrim County Council, I will ask the Chief Executive if the Council’s full costs for dealing with the flooding in the county, both material and manpower costs, will be met by the Government. I will also ask for the support of Members in requesting that the OPW includes as a priority, under their CFRAM project (Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management project) areas where agricultural lands and public infrastructure are affected by flooding. Following the recent public consultation process, it is evident that clusters and urban centres of domestic and commercial buildings are being given priority and consideration, under the Risk Assessment reports and maps, but little regard is given to farmlands, public infrastructure (such as roads, bridges and amenities) and less densely populated communities susceptible to flooding.

REPLY FROM THE CEO:

The Government, having sought estimated costs of exceptional costs incurred by Local Authorities that could not be met from their existing resources during the response to the flooding and in the post flooding clean up, has put in place funding of €8m in this regard. Leitrim County Council is engaging with the recoupment claims process and expect that all such exceptional costs will be covered through this fund. In addition Local Authorities have also been asked to submit estimates for any damage caused to public infrastructure in their administrative area during this period

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January 2016 Meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District Meeting

January 14, 2016/in Council Meetings /by Sinead

Notice of Motions in the name of Cllr Sinead Guckian

At the January meeting of the Carrick on Shannon Municipal District I will ask the South Leitrim Area Engineer to install an additional drain gulley, into the existing public drainage system, at Belmount Drumsna. The installation of this additional gulley was previously agreed, as water lodges along the road causing flooding adjacent to Duignan’s and O Dowd’s houses in Belmount. The footpath in this area has also been damaged and eroded due to the ongoing flooding and it requires immediate attention and repair too.

REPLY FROM THE SENIOR ENGINEER:

The drainage layout at this location will be examined and additional gully provided as necessary.

RESPONDING TO THE REPLY

Cllr Sinead Guckian advised the senior engineer that this had been previously investigated and agreement was given that the work would be carried out in conjunction with other works being carried out in the village. She advised that this had not happened and requested that the work would be scheduled without further delay. She welcomed the support of other members

Notice of Motions in the name of Cllr Sinead Guckian

At the January meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District I will ask the Director of Services, Planning & Infrastructure, to investigate the possibility of providing traffic calming and/or relevant signage, on the R299 Drumsna / Kiltoghert road, to address road safety concerns on the road. The volume of traffic has increased considerably on this road and there are high volumes of large vehicles also travelling on this route. Over the years the Council has increased the width of the road to allow two vehicles to pass safely but in doing so, most of the grass margins have been removed and incorporated into the road width, leaving little or no room for pedestrians or persons moving farm animals to stand in for safety, from passing traffic.

REPLY FROM THE SENIOR ENGINEER:

This is a busy regional road, similar in alignment and width to most other regional roads in the county. If there are particular warning signs requested these will be considered.

RESPONDING TO THE REPLY

Cllr Sinead Guckian welcomed the response and requested that the appropriate Animal warning road signs would be erected as soon as possible to give advance notice to drivers of the movement of agricultural animals and horses.

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Nov 2015 Meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District Meeting

November 10, 2015/in Council Meetings /by Sinead

At the November meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District, I will ask the Directors of Services, Planning & Infrastructure, what progress there has been to date for the proposed undergrounding of cables on Main Street, Drumsna, from the fair green towards the bridge. It was agreed last year and in March this year that Leitrim County Council would progress this work following the unacceptable practice by ESB contractors of hacking the mature trees on Main Street in order to protect their cables. The mature trees along this streetscape are a very important feature of the village.

REPLY FROM THE SENIOR ENGINEER:

The ESB have provided a scheme design and cost estimate of €15,000 for the Undergrounding of the cables in the vicinity of the playground where the initial concerns were raised. We will ask the ESB to provide a scheme and cost estimate for the Main Street as requested. There is presently no funding to undertake any such works in Drumsna.

RESPONDING TO THE REPLY

Cllr Sinead Guckian outlined that last year contractors for the ESB cut large sections out of most of the mature trees on Main Street, Drumsna. She said it was an unacceptable practice and had a negative impact on the visual appearance of the streetscape. She advised the meeting that she had raised this matter with the council when it happened on behalf of the Tidy towns committee, Drumsna Development, and she had requested that the Council would investigate the possibility of undergrounding the cables on Main Street to ensure that this kind of damage was never done again. She welcomed the work on the cabling in and around the playground, but reiterated that the Trees on Main Street should be protected. She suggested that given the limitations of funding available to the Council that they would work with the Tidy towns group to see if a viable solution could be agreed. She welcomed the Senior Engineers agreement to same.

Notice of Motions in the name of Cllr Sinead Guckian

At the November meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District I will ask the Director of Services, Planning & Infrastructure, what proposals are there in place to protect and/or develop the natural spring on the Castlecarra road, Carrick on Shannon.

REPLY FROM THE SENIOR ENGINEER:

The area of ground where the spring is located is now in the ownership of Leitrim County council. The area is fenced off and an access gate is provided to allow access to the land. There are no plans to undertake further works at this location.

RESPONDING TO THE REPLY

Cllr Sinead Guckian said she had highlighted the natural spring. as a number of people had raised concerns about work in that area. She advised the meeting while in the first instance the natural spring should be protected from any works, she also asked that consideration would be given to developing a more suitable “surround” and access to same. She highlighted that the spring has a long history of servicing the community and that the Carrick on Shannon Historical Society had expressed an interest in discussing the development of the spring as an asset for the town. She welcomed the support of members and the agreement of the Senior Engineer to investigate the potential of the spring further.

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June 2015 Council Meeting

June 8, 2015/in Council Meetings /by Sinead

Notice of Motions in the name of Cllr Sinead Guckian

At the June meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District, I will ask the South Leitrim Area Engineer to investigate the possibility of realigning or removing the kerbing on the N4, from the Carrick on Shannon side of the junction with the L-1475-0(“Duignans Mills”), towards the junction of the link road to houses at Fearnaught Aughamore. The road markings on this section of the N4, have been realigned, leaving no hard shoulder on the approach to the junction of the L-1475-0, from houses on the link road at Fearnaught. With the added limitations of the kerbing along the edge of the N4, all vehicles exiting the link road making a left towards the L-1475-0 are immediately in the passage of the existing fast traffic flow on the N4. The road markings have made the left lane very narrow and with the added restriction of the 300m of kerbing and lack of hard shoulder it is particularly dangerous for agricultural vehicles exiting the junction.

REPLY FROM THE SENIOR ENGINEER:

I have inspected the location and there is no hard shoulder at this location for approximately 150m. It would be beneficial for the traffic exiting this junction turning left if a hard shoulder was present. However we need the approval of the National Roads Authority before we can alter any section of the national primary road. I have arranged for an inspection to be carried out with the local NRA safety inspector. I will keep all members informed of the position with regard to this junction.

RESPONDING TO THE REPLY

Cllr Sinead Guckian welcomed the Engineer’s speedy reaction to the issue being raised and she noted that the Council had now met with the NRA to discuss same. She requested that the matter would be prioritised and that the appropriate work would be completed as soon as possible.

Notice of Motions in the name of Cllr Sinead Guckian

At the June meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District, I will ask the South Leitrim Area Engineer to immediately address the previously raised concerns regarding the improper levels and condition of the public footpath at Alma C’s Beauty Salon, Quay street, Drumsna. The footpath in front of the entrance to this business premises has a considerable “bump” in it, which is very challenging to customers who have any mobility issues. This issue was inspected last year by the Council upon my request and it was agreed that the levels were very inappropriate and that work should be carried out to address the problem. Unfortunately to date no work has been completed and I would request that this would be addressed without further delay.

REPLY FROM THE SENIOR ENGINEER:

There is presently no funding available for the works requested. Improvements at this location can be considered for inclusion in future works programmes.

RESPONDING TO THE REPLY

Cllr Sinead Guckian expressed her disappointment with the reply and outlined that this work was committed to, by the Council, on two previous occasions. How in ever, to move the issue forward Councillor Guckian advised that she had a solution to the lack of available funds. She requested that consideration would be given to completing the work on this footpath, in conjunction with the work under a “low cost safety measure grant“, which was already funded, in place and scheduled for later this year on Crowhill, Drumsna. She advised that the local development group, Drumsna Development Association and their RSS scheme could work with Council to assist with the restructure of the footpath and given the fact that the appropriate equipment and expertise would already be near the site and joined up approach would be the solution.

Cllr Guckian welcomed the agreement by the Engineer to investigate this possible solution and she thanked the members for their support.

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May 2015 Council Meeting

May 18, 2015/in Council Meetings /by Sinead

Cllr Sinead Guckian calls for the introduction of VAT rebate zones to rejuvenate our town centres.

Notice of Motion at the May Meeting of Leitrim County Council in the name of Cllr Sinead Guckian.

“At the May meeting of Leitrim County Council I will ask for the support of the members in calling on the Minister of Finance to introduce a new VAT Rebate scheme for Local Authorities, to incentivise the rejuvenation of our town centres. The proposed scheme would give County Councils permission to introduce VAT rebates to incentivise new businesses and encourage the redevelopment of our towns. The council could adopt terms and conditions about where and who is eligible to apply, types of businesses and the zones/areas to be covered. The plan could take into account the unique culture and interests of the individual towns.

Speaking at the May meeting of the Council, Cllr Sinead Guckian outlined that this new policy recommendation and scheme is designed to rejuvenate and reenergise our town centres. She said the recommendation and proposal had stemmed from discussions with party colleagues around the country who are seeking ways to address the lack of Government action to sustain rural towns and villages.

“If the Ministers accepts this proposal, the council would adopt a scheme of terms and conditions, deciding eligibility, deciding what types of businesses could apply and deciding which areas, main streets etc that could be zoned for the VAT rebate.”

“With a VAT rebate scheme, elected members, in conjunction with local business groups could put in place a clear plan for their areas and therefore incentivise businesses back into the hearts of our towns and villages. “

Cllr Sinead Guckian advised that by giving this responsibility to Local Authorities, members would be best placed to focus on the future development of their towns and to take into account the unique culture and interests of each area to be zoned for a VAT rebate.

Cllr Guckian outlined that Leitrim County Council was one of the first Councils to call on the Government to introduce an incentive to kick start the building trade, when the Council passed her motion in 2012 calling on the Minister for Finance to introduce a new tax credit scheme for participants who want to carry out improvement works on their primary residence. “this home refurbishment scheme was then introduced by Government, now we need a scheme to assist us build back up our main streets and support local business”

“I believe in the future of town centres and a VAT rebate scheme could assist in putting the life back into them, this scheme would be cost neutral and see local democracy working at its best”

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Carrick on Shannon Municipal District Meeting

February 9, 2015/in Council Meetings /by Sinead

Notion of Motion in the Name of Cllr Sinead Guckian

At the February meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District, I will ask the South Leitrim Area Engineer, when will the public lighting be installed on the link road/route from the Summerhill housing estate towards the Glen Carrig estate and Aura Leisure centre. It was discussed and agreed at October Municipal meeting that the provision of lighting in this area would be considered, as the Council had previously committed to installing same on numerous occasions and the ground works are in place for a number of years.

REPLY ON BEHALF OF LCC

The public lighting requested will be put in place as part of the current years works programme.

In response to the reply Councillor Sinead Guckian welcomed this reply and advised that this work was long overdue. She requested that the light would be installed in the coming weeks-

09/02/2015 (Municipal District Meeting (CK))

Carrick on Shannon Municipal District Meeting February 9^th 2015

Notion of Motion in the Name of Cllr Sinead Guckian

At the February meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District, I will ask the Director of Services, Roads and Infrastructure, to include a provision in the 2015 Road Works Programme, for extension of the existing footpath out of Mohill (on the R202-11 ), to the speed limit signs. This footpath, on the Fenagh road out of Mohill, currently stops short of the speed limit zone. There is an adequate margin to continue it further and therefore ensuring pedestrian safety in this area.

REPLY ON BEHALF OF LCC

The footpath on this approach road extends as far as the occupied houses within the speed limit; the 60kph speed limit is located at Cappagh Bridge. Extending the footpath to this point would lead to a situation where the footpath ends at the start of a sharp bend in the regional road; this would not be desirable from a road safety perspective.

In response to the reply Councillor Sinead Guckian outlined that last year when she requested this work be considered, she was advised that the work could not be carried out due to lack of funds, she expressed her frustration that this year she was being told that work wouldn’t be carried out due to the nature of the bend. She outlined to the meeting that extending the footpath to the speed limit signs would insure a safer pedestrian passage not just for the residents in the immediate area but also for the many residents beyond the speed limit zone. She advised that many families walk and cycle on this route and they continue onto the link road (L5450) back into Mohill.

Following a further debate, the Area Engineer advised that given the proximity to the sharp bend, it would be more suitable to continue the pedestrian footpath to meet the link road rather than stop at the speed zone. Cllr Sinead Guckian welcomed this suggestion as being acceptable and she requested that it would be included for consideration under this year’s road works programme. She received the support of all members- 09/02/2015 (Municipal District Meeting (CK))

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Carrick Municipal District Meeting

November 10, 2014/in Council Meetings /by Sinead

With Special permission of the Chairperson Cllr Sinead Guckian also raised concerns over the future of the An Post Office in Carrick on Shannon.

Cllr Sinead Guckian, advised the meeting that she had been contacted by a number of businesses and concerned persons regarding the future of the An Post Office and service in Carrick on Shannon. Cllr Guckian informed the meeting, that while she had written to An Post’s operations manager she had not received any clarification yet as to what the future for the Office would be. She sought clarification because it was her understanding that possible discussions were underway to contract out the services of An Post for the town of Carrick on Shannon and she advised that she shared the concerns being expressed by people. “The An Post Offices in Carrick on Shannon are very much in the heart of the town, it is one of the busiest premises. We have sat here at many meetings trying to address concerns raised by business owners within the town centre regarding the decrease in footfall and how the Council could assist in attracting more visitors and shoppers into the town centre. The last thing that we now need is that a current crucial service is withdrawn or relocated. Cllr Guckian requested the support of the members in contacting An Post and outlining the critical part their offices play in the overall sustainability of the town centre. She requested that the Council would also request An Post to clearly outline to the Council their plans for the Carrick on Shannon Offices. Cllr Guckian welcomed the support of all members.

Motion of Motion in the Name of Cllr Sinead Guckian

At the November meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District. I will ask for the support of Members in calling on the Director of Services to ensure that provision is made in the 2015 Budget for the funding of works adjacent to Leitrim Village National School. The works proposed would replace the grass verge, on the left side of the entrance to the National School, with a pedestrian footpath or at a minimum the area would be kerbed. The green area in question is not kerbed and therefore it lends itself to vehicles pulling in onto it and parking, this makes its maintenance difficult for the voluntary tidy towns group. Providing a pedestrian footpath would also improve road safety for pupils attending the school.

REPLY FROM LCC: The cost of the works requested will be estimated and they can be considered when the works programme for 2015 is being prepared. Improvements at this location will be contingent on finding the necessary funding.

In response to the Council Councillor Sinead Guckian requested that the costing’s would be completed as soon as possible and that she would receive a copy of same. She requested that given the importance of this issue, from a pedestrian safety point of view that it would be given priority consideration under the 2015 road works programme.

Motion of Motion in the Name of Cllr Sinead Guckian

At the November meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District I will ask the South Leitrim Area Engineer to immediately address the serious subsidence of the pedestrian footpath at Kingston Terrace, Carrick on Shannon. The footpath in this area is in a very dangerous state of collapse.

REPLY FROM LCC: The footpath will be examined and necessary repairs undertaken.

In response to the Council Councillor Sinead Guckian acknowledged that some work had been carried out on the footpath in recent day, but requested that additional work would be completed as there was still an area of subsidence to be addressed. She welcomed the response from the Area Engineer that this additional work would be completed within the next week.

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November 2014 Council Meeting

November 2, 2014/in Council Meetings /by Sinead

Notice of Motion in the Name of Cllr Sinead Guckian at the November meeting of Leitrim County Council.

At the November meeting of Leitrim County Council I seek the support of the Members to amend Leitrim County Council’s Household Waste Bye-Laws 2013 to address a number of concerns that have been highlighted previously.

The specific area for amendment is the current inflexible legally binding registration method. I am proposing that the bye-law be amended to include an additional alternative method for households, who are on a serviced route, to register. In addition to the current registration process with a permitted waste collector, I am proposing that the bye law includes an option for households, to alternatively, register annually with Leitrim County Council, where householders need to complete a self- declaration of their waste disposal methods. I also believe that it should be the Council that provides the registration method for households that are not on a serviced waste collection route, not private companies and the bye-law should be amended to include this.

Reply from the Director of Services:-

“Kerbside collection is the most cost efficent means of collecting waste and minimises the amount landfilled. In Leitrim the system is privatised with a legal contract formed between householder and collector. The registration system as provided for in the byelaws requires a householder in the first instance to make contact with the waste collection contractor to register for the provision of the service. If the contractor determines that they cannot provide the service then the customer must put in place a reasonable and documented alternative for the disposal of their refuse in a manner that will satisfy waste management legislation such as taking the refuse to a permitted waste facility. The purpose of the registration as set out is to ensure that in all cases the householder has made a reasonable effort to avail of a kerbside service in the first instance, which in turn provides the basis to put in place an alternative acceptable solution to their waste disposal. Therefore it is recommended that the byelaw is not amended in this regard. The process as adopted also identifies where services are deficient or problematic and our resources can then be employed only where they are most beneficial in the further development of the waste management service in the County.”

Councillor Sinead Guckian speaking at last nights meeting outlined that the restrictive nature of the registration process in the current bye-law, means that households who either, do not have a waste collection service available to them or households who dispose of their household waste through alternative legal methods, were being forced to give their details to a private contractor, in order, not to be in a position where they could be fined under the terms of the bye-law. She advised that since the “birth of this bye-law” at (Strategic Policy Committee ) SPC stages she has continuously raised concerns with the terms being adopted regarding how households would register. She advised that in Sligo County Council, an authority who has also adopted new bye-laws for the implementation of Pay-By-Weight, households registered directly with the Local Authority and therefore the Council had within its knowledge base all the details of households within the County, with or without serviced routes. She outlined that it was in the Council’s interest to have direct access to this information. She also advised that the amendment, as proposed, would allow households who are genuinely disposing of waste legally but who did not require a regular bin-lift, to make a declaration of their method of disposing, either online or manually to the Council. “The ultimate purpose of the bye-law and moving to a pay-by-weight system was to reduce waste and particularly reduce waste to landfill, the bye-law also had an important purpose, in providing the Council with a method of identifying households that are illegally disposing of their waste. The amendments as proposed, to include an alternative registration method directly with the Council, would protect the benefits of the bye-law without potentially causing difficulties for households who don’t have a service to their door or don’t need a service to their door.”

Following on from the Directors reply, Councillor Sinead Guckian welcomed the support from members and proposed the amendment, this was seconded. Although the Director requested that the matter be given to the SPC for further consideration, Councillor Guckian asked for full agreement for the proposal to be carried and for the process of amending the bye-law to commence. This was agreed by all members and Councillor Sinead Guckian thanked them again for their support.