March 2013 Council Meeting
Vote of Congratulations to the Breffni Players
At the March meeting of Leitrim County Council, I proposed a vote of congratulations to our local drama group, the Breffni Players who won the All-Ireland One Act Drama Finals in Ballyduff, Co. Waterford. The Breffni Players, who took first with their performance of the play “Scarecrow” by Don Nigro should be recognised for their achievements, and I would like publically to congratulate all those involved for their continued success and particularly to the Directed Valerie Traynor.
Notice of Motion for the March meeting of Leitrim County Council in the name of Cllr Sinead Guckian.
At the March meeting of Leitrim County Council, I asked for the support of members in calling on the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources to immediately address the serious concerns previously advised to him, by this Council, regarding the lack of consideration, funding and planning for Group Water Schemes which are served by a public mains, under the Governments new water policy, Water Authority and directives.
This is a very serious matter of concern for every Member of Leitrim County Council.
“In December my colleague Cllr O Rourke, in a report from his SPC meeting, highlighted concerns for Group Water Schemes under the Government’s proposed new Water Authority. With 50% of Water supply in this County serviced by Group schemes and nearly all of these group schemes receiving their water from a public mains, we as members need clarification from the Irish Water Authority as to what would be their role with regard to Leitrim’s Group water schemes.
In January members received correspondence from the Irish Water Authority (Bord Gais) saying they will have no impact on Group Schemes. Again members raised concerns as to where this would leave all the group schemes throughout Leitrim supplied by a public mains. In February we still had no clarification from the Minister and it is extremely disappointing that Group Schemes within the County are still left without knowing how they will be treated with the introduction of the new authority and if they will be expected to pay a higher price for their water than everyone else.” “Therefore I am looking for the support of members in calling on the Minister to immediately address the serious concerns previously advised to him, by this Council, regarding the lack of consideration, funding and planning for Group Water Schemes which are served by a public mains
I outlined that it was my understanding, with correspondence the Council have received to date and lack of same, that there are no clear plans for what will happen to Group Water Schemes supplied by a public mains, under the newly proposed Water Authority.
The Director of Services advised to-nights meeting that it is expected that Group Schemes served by a public main will have a bulk meter attached to the scheme and will be billed by the new water authority based on this bulk meter. The Director also advised, when questioned, that this process would mean that group schemes would incur a higher cost for their water as they will have to absorb the scheme costs as well as the public water cost biled by the new water authority, when introduced. I outlined that this is unacceptable and extremely worrying, “families are already struggling. It is also extremely worrying that the Director has advised that there is no funding for the Council to “Take in Charge” any group schemes and therefore they will remain outside of the public network going forward”.
“Houses all over the County received a little blue brochure in the post, since our last meeting, which tells us that “Water provision is undergoing radical reform in order to conserve it, improve its quality and cut delivery costs.” but there is no mention of who will maintain the schemes to 50% of our users in Leitrim and if they will be paying twice for it.
I welcomed the support from all the members in calling on the Minster to rectify and clarify this unacceptable situation. She also welcomed members acknowledgement that this is a very serious issue that effects our County.
QUESTIONS
At the March meeting of Leitrim County Council, I asked the Director of Services, Infrastructure
have the forestry Authorities adhered to the Hedge cutting notices issues by the Council last September and completed hedge cutting on their lands. There were a number of locations identified by Elected members were forestry hedges were overhanging roads and considered dangerous to motorists and pedestrians. There is a huge obligation on private land owners to adhere to the rules and notices, the same should apply to the forestry Authorities.
REPLY Notices continue to be served on landowners where hedges are considered to constitute a danger to public safety. The Council is experiencing difficulties in identifying the legal owners of some Forestry lands. Unfortunately the relevant Department has been unable to provide the Council with the necessary details due to Data Protection issues. The Council will continue to pursue this matter. Any information on the ownership of such lands would be useful.
I raised this question under correspondence and requested that this matter needs to be pursued to ensure actions are taken.
