BBCH MD Minutes 25 03 24

Minutes of Meeting of Bailieborough-Cootehill Municipal District held in The Station Masters House, Railway Station Building, Kingscourt on Monday 24th March 2025 at 4pm

Presiding:

• Councillor Stiofán Conaty, Cathaoirleach

Present:

• Councillor C Kelly
• Councillor N Smith
• Councillor V Smith
• Councillor C Brady 

In Attendance:

• Paddy Connaughton, Director of Services  
• Clinton Mulligan, A/Senior Executive Engineer  
• John Donohoe, Senior Executive Officer
• Martin Quigley, Senior Executive Engineer
• M. Conroy – Minutes Administrator 

Cathaoirleach S Conaty welcomed all to the meeting.

1. Confirmation of Minutes

1. To confirm Minutes of Monthly Meeting held on  20th January 2025.

Proposed by Councillor N Smith, seconded by Councillor C Kelly and resolved “that minutes of meeting of Bailieborough-Cootehill Municipal District held on 20th January 2025 be hereby approved”.

Cllr C Kelly proposed that Cllr S Conaty take over from Sarah O’Reilly as Chair. This was seconded by Cllr C Brady. Cllr S Conaty accepted and thanked the members.

Matters Arising from Previous Minutes

N/A

2. Disclosure of Interests

There were no disclosures of Interest.

3. Correspondence

It was noted by Cathaoirleach S Conaty that a reply had been received from the NTA regarding designated bus stops along the R170 Bus Eireann route. Reply requesting further information has been received. Mr C Mulligan advised that there are a lot of factors to be considered e.g. safe location etc. He said that Road Design would liaise with the NTA in relation to same. Cllr C Kelly enquired as to who would pay for these works. Mr P Connaughton advised that it would be NTA  funded.

4. Condolences

Cathaoirleach S Conaty proposed a vote of sympathy to John McCormack, Foreman, Outdoor staff, on the recent death of his mother.

5. Part VIII Planning Application – Kingscourt Railway Station: Greenway Trailhead and Hub

Mr J Dohonoe advised that this Part VIII would be submitted for funding by Friday of this week. If approved, funding should be available within 12 months for this outdoor recreation scheme. Mr M Quigley outlined the application in detail to all present. Cathaoirleach S Conaty thanked Mr Donohoe, Mr Quigley and all involved for the good work and asked the members if they had any additional comments.  Cllr C Kelly remarked that this is wonderful news for Kingscourt and will enhance the area and increase the number of visitors to the town. He also thanked everyone for attending the meeting in the Railway Station building today and endorsing it. Cllr C Brady seconded the proposal, saying that young people need facilities like this. She noted that it was well thought out and expressed her thanks and congratulations to all involved.

It was proposed by Councillor C Kelly and seconded by Councillor C Brady and resolved “that Part VIII Application for Kingscourt Railway Station: Greenway Trailhead and Hub be hereby approved”.

6. To approve the MD Discretionary Grants 2025

It was proposed by Councillor C Kelly and seconded by Councillor C Brady and resolved “that Discretionary Grants 2025 be hereby approved”

7. To approve the Road Works Programme for 2025

Mr C Mulligan summarised the Road Works Programme for 2025 (see table below). He explained that we work off a three-year programme. Last year we received 3.5 million in funding. This has increased to €3,814,999 this year. We have also received additional own resource funding of €176,000.  Due to these additional funds, we propose to bring two roads forward from the 2026 programme, i.e. the L7589 Seefin Moylet Link Road and the R165 Kingscourt Rd Main St to Tesco Roundabout.

See above image of approved Roads Work Programme for 2025 

Cathaoirleach S Conaty welcomed the additional money but highlighted that we all know we need more money. He emphasised that, while welcome, the current funding is simply not enough. He thanked the Executive and MD and Roads teams and acknowledged that their hands are tied in this regard. Cllr V Smith agreed that we need more funding. Patching is not lasting. He thanked Mr C Mulligan and the MD team for the good work we are doing but said that the Members need to organise a meeting with the Department to relay their concerns and push for more funding for roads.

Cllr C Kelly conveyed that he was happy to see the additional funding and roads being brought forward but agreed that we need more money from the Department. He remarked that the work Cavan County Council have carried out in relation to drainage and surfacing is top class.

Cllr N Smith thanked the Executive on bringing the two roads forward.  He mentioned the poor condition of Shercock Main Street, especially around the school area. Cllr C Kelly agreed with him on this. Cllr Kelly requested that we get the patcher out to it while we wait for the work on Shercock Main St. to commence.  Mr C Mulligan appreciated that people want something done now but work will be starting within the next two months anyway.  He hoped that if resources are available, we may be able to patch it in the meantime.

It was proposed by Councillor C Brady and seconded by Councillor C Kelly and resolved “that the Road Works Programme 2025 be hereby approved”

8. Members' Items

1. Councillor N. Smith asked the Municipal District who is responsible for removing trees cut by Fire Brigade after Storm Eowyn, at Drumbannon, Bailieborough, in order to reopen main Road at that time.  Bottoms of many trees are sticking out along the Main Road, causing difficulty for drivers, while tops of trees removed, have been dumped on the open Green Area, in front of Drumbannon Housing Estate, to the dismay of the Residents living there. Could the MD organise to have this matter addressed with those responsible for this clear up: Mr C Mulligan advised that the landowner is responsible.  They have been written to requesting them to remove the trees within a specified timeframe. Mr C Kelly mentioned two trees in the Cabra View estate which need to be removed, and he asked who was responsible for this. Mr C Mulligan replied that resources are tied up in the Road Works Programme so this may be lower in priority but if on the footpath we will get them removed.

2.  Councillor N. Smith asked the MD whether recent 'Active Travel Funding' provided, specifically for Bus Stops, if some funds could be allocated to erecting a Bus Stop on the Bailieborough to Lavey Inn Road, Bus Route 170, to facilitate the safe pick up and drop off of passengers using this Bus Service: It was noted that this item was previously addressed under Correspondence. Cllr N Smith again reiterated the importance of this bus route especially for people attending hospital appointments in Cavan. 

3.  Councillor N. Smith asked the MD is there any Funds available under 'Active Travel' to fund Pedestrian Crossings in Bailieborough: Cllr N Smith stated that elderly people have nearly been knocked down at the Kingscourt road corner and that it is a very busy and dangerous location.  If there was a pedestrian crossing it might slow down traffic. Cllr C Kelly enquired as to the cost of installing a pedestrian crossing. Mr P Connaughton replied that it depended on the type of crossing etc. Cllr C Brady agreed that a crossing is needed. Mr C Mulligan advised the meeting that €3million in funding was granted this year by the NTA under Active travel grants, but the money is allocated to specific approved active travel schemes and there is no discretionary funding provided by the NTA to local authorities to spend on smaller scheme such as a pedestrian crossing. Mr P Connaughton advised that there has been an application for major funding for Bailieborough town, similar to Kingscourt town and this may be looked at as a whole.

4.  Councillor Carmel Brady asked for an update on the damage bridge repairs in Tullyvin Village & on the Old Bridge Road: Mr C Mulligan advised that both bridges have been assessed by our Bridge asset management section. Both bridges themselves are structurally sound with damage to the parapet walls only. He further advised that the funding the bridge asset section receive from the department goes on approved bridge structures that are structurally unsound. Repairs to parapet walls is seen as the responsibility of the Municipal District, but like many things it comes down to a lack of funding. He estimated that the Clements bridge alone could cost over 5k to repair, this would have to come out of the M/D’s own resources or discretionary funding which, as the members are aware, is very limited. Cllr C Brady replied that there were accidents at both bridges and enquired if we can follow the people responsible through their insurance. Mr C Mulligan asked 
Cllr Brady to let him know who was responsible and she replied that she would.

5.  Councillor Carmel Brady asked for a list of the dates the street sweeper will be in Cootehill: Cllr C Brady stated that other towns in the county know when they will be swept and asked if we can be made aware of same. Mr C Mulligan advised that we don’t have fixed schedule days for the sweeper to be in Cootehill.  We share the sweeper contract between this M/D and the Ballyjamesduff M/D. We have it for approximately two weeks every month, but we change what towns it goes to first depending on the need at the time. 

Cllr Brady then enquired about a mower which was removed from the Drumnaveil Estate after the recent retirement of our worker there. She said there is a man willing to do this work (grass cutting) on a voluntary basis if they can have the lawnmower returned to them. Cllr S Conaty supported this also. He said the work that has been done by residents is a credit to them and we should support them in maintaining this now. He also requested that we organise to return the mower to the residents. Mr C Mulligan advised that he would establish the owner of the mower. Mr P Connaughton said that the resident’s association would have to organise insurance themselves. Cllr C Brady reiterated the great work that has been done and that they now want to maintain it going forward.

6.  Councillor Carmel Brady said the railing at the top of the town and the poles (without signs) in the town are a health & safety issue at the moment and need immediate attention: Cllr C Brady noted that the railing has been sawn off but that there is still some sticking out and this is a hazard, especially with students at the Holy Family school using this path on a regular basis. Mr C Mulligan advised that in relation to the barrier at the bottom of Market Street, we removed the section that was impeding the footpath, and we are in the process of procuring a specialist contractor to replace the damaged handrail at this location.  The poles within the town are on our task list for repairs. It was planned to action this at the start of the year, but we had to deal with a lot of issues following on from the recent storm and the change in speed limit signage involved a significant volume of work. It is something that needs to be done and as soon as resources are available it will be prioritised. Cllr S Conaty mentioned signs outside Colm Smith dental that also need attention, and it was noted that they would be included as part of this.

7.  Councillor S Conaty asked what role the MD plays in the rollout and maintenance of public-use electrical vehicle charging points in towns and villages, and to provide an account on the number so far installed and plans for future installations: Mr C Mulligan advised that the roll out of EV chargers is managed centrally through the roads department with the M/D’s being actively involved in determining the locations of all charge points to date. There is currently an EV charge strategy being developed for our county in conjunction with Leitrim & Monaghan. Cavan is the Lead authority. The Plugshare website provides details of all Electric vehicle charge points from all operators for the entire country. Mr Mulligan mentioned charging points at the White Horse in Cootehill and the Courthouse in 
Cavan. We are also in partnership with Easygo and have fast chargers installed in various 
locations. Cllr C Kelly enquired as to when one would be installed in Kingscourt. Mr P Connaughton stated the Cavan County Councils role is limited.  We are not the first provider but rather fill ESB/Easygo gaps. He stated our role may be further down the line i.e. finding suitable sites etc. but at present we are just facilitating charging points. Cllr C Kelly said that promised spots in Kingscourt never materialised. Mr P Connaughton appreciated where he was coming from but stated that our primary responsibility is roads. Cllr S Conaty said we should be encouraging people to charge, and that lack of charging points shouldn’t deter people. He said that just two charging points (Cootehill & Balileborough) was not enough within the MD. Mr P Connaughton reiterated that this is not our primary role, and whilst Cavan CC can provide the space someone needs to come in and run it.

8.  Councillor S Conaty asked for an update on the response from Coillte re CCTV at Shantemon: Cllr S Conaty stated that he brought this up at his first MD meeting. He said this monument is one of the jewels in the crown of that area, full of history and mythology. He mentioned fly tipping taking place and antisocial behaviour and said the least Coillte could do is reinstall CCTV in the area. It is not acceptable that Coillte have not responded to our correspondence he stated and he requested that the MD reissue a letter to them seeking a response. Mr C Mulligan confirmed that there had been no response from Coillte to date and stated that we would reissue a letter to them regarding same.

9.  Councillor S Conaty asked for an update on the proposal for increased investment into Redhills village: Cllr S Conaty advised the meeting that a survey was completed over Christmas and a report is due on lack of investment in Redhills village. There is no community hub in place and we need to put pressure on the relevant agencies in relation to same. Mr C Mulligan advised that he has spoken again to the Active travel Section on this matter. It remains their intention to submit an application to the Department seeking funding for an active travel scheme. However, they have noted there are a number of large existing active travel schemes already in the pipeline to be progressed over the next few years and the department have indicated that priority will be given to these, hence there may not be funding provided for any additional schemes. Cllr S Conaty remarked that it is very unfair that Redhills has been forgotten. Mr C Mulligan replied that there was work completed on lights and footpaths in the village but that significant upgrades need NTA funding. Cllr S Conaty enquired if there could be consultation between Cavan County Council and the Development Association in Redhills. Mr P Connaughton remarked that the NTA might not be the best avenue, with other areas e.g. C & E possibly being more appropriate avenues to explore for funding.

10.  Councillor C Kelly asked for an update on request for safety measures at various road junctions in Kingscourt: Mr C Mulligan advised that since our last meeting we have received the list of approved Low Cost Safety schemes from the department, however, there is no scheme approved in Kingscourt town. He stated that without specific funding the MD is very limited in what it can do but he is liaising with Road Design safety section to see what measures maybe suitable. If there are none available, we can look at the MD’s own resources funding towards the end of the year. Cllr C Kelly mentioned that the entrance from creche and one from St Mary’s Road could be rectified for a relatively small amount of money. Mr C Mulligan stated that the other junctions need big investment. Cllr C Kelly requested that we keep this on the agenda please.

A.O.B

Cllr Val Smith asked when the signage in Stradone village would be rectified and requested that we have an update for him for the next MD meeting.

Cllr S Conaty enquired as to the possibility of getting the agenda of future Municipal District meetings set out in both Irish and English. He mentioned that there are certain legal requirements for state/local authority documents to be bilingual. Even if the legal requirement does not technically apply to the agenda, he proposed that we could and should still do it.

The new full-time Irish language officer in the council, when appointed, will be able to provide translation services. Mr P Connaughton confirmed that he would speak to the Director of Services in CorporateandwillbringthisproposaltotheProtocolCommitteetoensurethatpolicyisconsistent in all MD areas.

It was agreed that the next MD meeting would beheld on 9^th May 2025 at 3pm in Ballyhaise Community Centre.

The meeting concluded at5.30pm.