Councillors Present : Cllr. Gerry Ginty, Cathaoirleach

Cllr. Jarlath Munnelly

Cllr. Annie May Reape

Cllr. Eddie Staunton

Cllr. John O’Hara

Cllr. Seamus Weir

Officials Present : Mr Paul Benson, A/Director of Services Mr Paul Dolan, A/Senior Engineer

Ms Theresa Durkin, D.E.E.

Ms Mary Gordon, Senior Staff Officer

Apologies : Cllr. Johnnie O’Malley, Méara, Ballina Town Council

Item 1:

Adoption of Minutes of Proposed by Cllr. Jarlath Munnelly

Meeting held on 11th Seconded by Cllr. Annie May Reape

SEPTEMBER, 2013. AND RESOLVED:-

“That the Minutes of Ballina Electoral Area Committee

previously held on Wednesday, 11th September, 2013,

be adopted as circulated”.

ITEM 2:

Adoption of Minutes of Proposed by Cllr. Jarlath Munnelly

SPECIAL Meeting held on Seconded by Cllr. Eddie Staunton

11th OCTOBER, 2013. AND RESOLVED:-

“That the Minutes of Ballina Electoral Area Committee Special

Meeting previously held on Friday, 11th October, 2013, be

adopted as circulated”.

ITEM 3:

HOUSING REPORT. Mr. Paul Benson, advised that while he had taken up position

as Acting Director of Services, no replacement had been

appointed as Acting Senior Executive Officer.

However, he informed the Meeting that Mr Padraic Flanagan,

S.E.O. in Castlebar area, would be signing off on all Housing

matters, effect immediately. Business would operate as normal,

as was the case in the previous 12 month term.

Mr. Benson continued to respond to miscellaneous housing queries raised by the Members.

ITEM 4 :

ROADS REPORT. Mr. Paul Dolan, A/Senior Engineer, advised that there was nothing

to report on roads at this current time, as all works had effectively

been completed for 2013.

Members proceeded to raise various roads queries to the Road

Road personnel; each of which was addressed in detail.

In the matter of Roads for Take-over, Members were advised to

submit lists of possible roads for assessment, with a view to

takeover; but caution was urged due to the financial implications

for the Council once these roads were in charge.

Item 6:

COMMUNITY & In view of Mr. Neil Sheridan’s busy schedule, Members agreed to
ENTERPRISE suspend “Standing Orders” to allow Mr Sheridan deal with Item 6 on
REPORT. the Agenda, and release him to attend to other business

Neil proceeded to outline to the Meeting details of proposed Mayo

Community Futures plan for which the deadline was imminent, and

he encouraged people & local community groups to contact his

Department for assistance in preparing their Plans / Presentations.

He also advised Members of the upcoming Annual GMIT Science

Week, which had been well attended in previous years, and encouraged students to attend as it ‘s programme contained

many interesting items.

Item 5: “Standing Orders” were restored, and the Agenda proceeded

NOTICES OF MOTION. accordingly.

[A] “I am calling on Mayo County Council to set up plans and costings for an extended Sewerage Scheme in the Rehins, Cloonturk and

Ballynaraha area so that the Council can seek funding from

Government. There are over fifty house owners, two commercial businesses and Rehins National School, with over two hundred

children, that has expressed their interest by signing a form stating

they will join the Scheme”.

Cllr. Seamus Weir

Cllr. Weir’s Motion was unanimously supported by his colleagues on Ballina Electoral Area Committee. However, Mr Benson

advised this was a Sanitary Services issue and was thus about

to become a matter for Irish Water, who will have control of

such matters with effect from 1st January, 2014.

Mr Dolan, A/S.E., advised that making a business case for this

issue with Irish Water was the best means of achieving success.

[B] “I request that Mayo County Council enforce Bye-Laws on Lacken

Strand to control the use of Quad Bikes”.

Cllr. Jarlath Munnelly

This Motion was supported by Cllrs. Weir, O’Hara and Staunton.

Mr Benson advised that due to limited resources, nobody had been

appointed as Authorised Officer to deal with this issue, anywhere in the County. The Council’s budget would have to include provision for such appointment next year, if the problem is to be addressed.

[C] “I request that Mayo County Council carry out a road survey of the junction of Mountpalmer National School, with the intention of

improving the safety of this section of road”. Cllr. Jarlath Munnelly

While acknowledging the role of the Gardai in monitoring such junctions, Cllr. Munnelly requested the Council to undertake minor

improvements (on the hill outside the school), which would

significantly improve the existing situation. Mr. Paul Dolan, A/S.E.,

committed to site survey and design works being undertaken at

this location.

This concluded the business of the Meeting.

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