Ballyjamesduff MD Minutes 25 04 10

Minutes of Ballyjamesduff Municipal District Meeting held in St Kilian’s’ Heritage Centre Mullagh 10^th April 2025

Presiding:

• Councillor S.P. O’Reilly, Cathaoirleach

Present:

• T.P. O’Reilly
• V Smith
• P. Brady
• N. Connell
• W Bennett

In Attendance:

• L McGavigan, Director of Services
• J Mc Gahern, Senior Executive Engineer
• B Smith, Assistant Staff Officer
• R.Hegarty, Clerical Officer

Confirmation of Minutes

1. To confirm Minutes of Monthly Meeting 4^th March 2025

Proposed by Councillor W. Bennett, seconded by Councillor T.P O’Reilly, and resolved “that minutes of meeting of Ballyjamesduff Municipal District Meeting 4^th of March 2025 be hereby approved".

2. To approve Municipal District Grants for Ballyjamesduff Municipal District 2025.

Mr. John Donohoe Senior Executive Officer, CEO & Tourism presented the Draft Roads Works Programme for 2025 for the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District

The councillors welcomed the grants. They all agreed that it was a fair and geography balance. They thanked John and his team for all the work involved in putting these grants together.

After a brief discussion it was Proposed by Councillor T Smith, Seconded by Councillor N Connell, and Resolved that “Municipal District Grants for Ballyjamesduff Municipal District 2025 were approved”

3.1       Councillor Noel Connell Safety measures on the L-7132 Ramonan.  Cllr. Noel Connell said that he had received representation from residence about the speed of cars on this slip road behind the Mart leading into Ballyjamesduff, it is used as a “rat run” for cars to avoid “speed cameras” on the hill on the main road into Ballyjamesduff. He enquired was there any way to curtail the traffic on this road as many residences don’t feel safe coming out of their houses or walking the road. The Councillors were unanimous in their show of support for this motion. Mr John McGahern Senior Executive Engineer said the Road Safety Authority (RSA) determines the location of the speed vans and he added that the council will be having its quarterly meeting with An Garda Siochana and he will relay their concerns.  He also suggested that the Councillors lobby the relevant Strategic Policy Committee to set a policy, fund the policy and then the MD can implement policy.

3.2       Councillor Trevor Smith. The need for new town signs in the Municipal District. Cllr. Trevor Smith highlighted that several signs throughout the towns and villages were looking rather shabby and asked was there a scheme for new signs for the County.  Mr John Donohoe Senior Executive Officer CEO & Tourism said there was a grant scheme for towns and villages being rolled out in the coming weeks for communities to have them manufactured, they could add their own town name and have a tag line added if they have one.  He asked that the councillors make the community groups aware of these grants.   All the councillors agreed that it would be a very positive visual for towns and villages across the County, and Cllr Winston Bennet added that it is very welcomed and anything that lifts demeanour within our communities is fantastic.

3.3       Councillor Trevor Smith.  An update on the Percy French Hotel project. Cllr Trevor Smith said he was aware that there was huge work behind the scenes on this project but that it was supposed to start in early 2024, he was seeking an update after people raised questions in the area, and he wanted to keep them informed. Senior Executive Officer CEO & Tourism Mr John Donohoe said the project had changed a lot and that the emphasis was on the community aspect as opposed to enterprise. He informed the members that prequalification tender was issued, assessed and contractors shortlisted in January 2025. Main Construction tender will be published in early May 2025. Contractor will be appointed in June/ July 2025   Works will commence in July/ August 2025. The programme of works is 22-24 months. The Facility hopefully will be opened in the summer of 2027.  The community council are very involved with each stage and working well with Cavan County Council, as they will be running it. Cllr Smith agreed that with an investment of circa €10 million the job had to be done right.

Condolences

Sympathy was extended to the family of:

Kieran Beard General Operative BJD MD, on the death of his Mother Janice Beard Ballinagh.

To all the families who have tragically lost family members to suicide recently in the area. 

A.O.B

Cllr Winston Bennet informed the members that the cameras on the Ballinagh by-pass are to do with the N55 project and not speed cameras. 

Cllr N Connell asked about Eir, saying he is getting a lot of feedback from people who are still waiting to be reconnected after storm Eowyn.  Eir, are blaming the Council using them as an excuse saying to customers that it is “The Council” that is holding the work up.  Mr John McGahern Senior Executive Engineer said that Eir do not require Council’s permission to put up a new pole.  The Council must pay Eir if we want a pole moved.  The members asked that the DOS ask Eir to a meeting in the chamber to clarify these issues. 

Senior Executive Officer CEO & Tourism Mr John Donohoe gave an update on CLAR Funding Scheme 2025 CLÁR is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small infrastructural projects that have experienced significant levels of population decline.

A project submitted under the TVRS must be located in the town and village centre. Funding will be made available for proposals which can be submitted under the following measures:
1) the Main Scheme where grant funding for projects will range from €50,000 to €500,000; and
2) applications made under the Project Development Measure with funding of up to €50,000 available per project.

Details of this scheme will be emailed to elected members and is currently open for expressions of interest from relevant groups

The date for AGM was set for Tuesday 13^th of May. The meeting concludes at 1pm.