Roscommon Municipal District “In Camera” Meeting – 20^th January, 2020

Roscommon Municipal District Meeting – 20^th January, 2020

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Fitzmaurice

            SECONDED by Cllr McDermott

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Roscommon Municipal District “In Camera” Meeting held on 20^th January, 2020.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr McDermott

            SECONDED by Cllr Fitzmaurice

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Roscommon Municipal District Meeting held on 20^th January, 2020.

Fiona Ni Chuinn outlined that village plans for Ballinlough, Cloonfad, Ballintubber and Kilteevan will be progressed through the RIDC in 2020.  The villages of Loughglynn and Lisacul do not fall under the RIDC umbrella for 2020.  Fiona explained that it is an RIDC run project and that Leader are recruiting a consultant to hold workshops and engage with the communities.

The members thanked Fiona and made the following comments –

·         Loughglynn has a very strong Tidy Town’s group and would like to see efforts continued to put a plan in place for them also

·         Lisacul has a very active community and put forward a very good Pride of Place application last year

·         Groups should join together within their communities and put a strong pitch together

Cllr. Leyden enquired if drainage works at the Walk commenced.  John Mockler explained that they had not commenced due to the ongoing emergency drainage works that were required as a result of the recent flooding.

Brian Farragher outlined the details of the project to the members including the Part VIII procedure as outlined in the Chief Executive’s report (included with the Agenda).  This development is the second part of a two-part project and involves the lighting of Roscommon Castle.  Roscommon Castle is a protected structure and a recorded monument. 

The members welcomed the development and the importance of it for tourism.  A general discussion followed regarding signage and the specification of the lighting.  The project is consistent with the Local Area Plan and the Roscommon County Development Plan. 

A discussion took place regarding the naming of the roundabouts around Roscommon Town and

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Leyden

            SECONDED by Councillor Shanagher

It was agreed by all the members that the process should commence with the appointment of a subcommittee that will consult with the Town Team and then report back to the Roscommon MD for consideration.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Leyden

            SECONDED by Cllr Shanagher

It was AGREED to proceed with the Part VIII development without amendment as outlined in the Chief Executives report.

Councillor Waldron PROPOSED that the roundabout at Casey’s be named after the late Dermot Earley R.I.P. and his proposal was SECONDED by Councillor Leyden.  However, it was not agreed by all the members and instead it was decided that the initiative will also be considered by the subcommittee.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Shanagher

            SECONDED by Councillor Fitzmaurice

It was agreed by all the members to approve the recommendations under the Cemetery Improvements Grants Scheme for the Roscommon Municipal District for 2020. 

The members welcomed the funding and complimented all the volunteers on the work they carry out with such limited resources.

John Mockler presented the Draft Roscommon MD Funding Guidelines for 2020 and outlined the important changes.  A minimum of 50% of the overall fund will be set aside for Council projects and the minimum amount of funding that a group can apply for is €5,000.  Martin Lydon also explained that the draft guidelines are based on the model in place in the Boyle Municipal District and that the members will still retain discretion on how the 50% for council projects will be spent. He defended the draft guidelines and outlined the difficulties in measuring the impact of the previous funding due to the number of small scale grants involved.  He outlined that projects not covered by other grants may need to be considered under this fund.  A discussion took place and the following concerns were raised by the members –

·         query as to why the draft guidelines were not brought before the Corporate Policy Group

·         the guidelines are too restrictive and they are not happy with the proposal to set aside 50% for council projects

·         the members gave a commitment to the public that the MD Fund would return in 2020 based on an increase in the local property tax and the current restrictions in the draft guidelines are not acceptable.  The fund was also introduced to promote social inclusion as communities lead the way and therefore members need to support their communities.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Shanagher

            SECONDED by Cllr Leyden

It was AGREED to recommend the removal of section 3.1 of the draft guidelines and if a good council project was proposed that it would receive consideration by the members.

Martin Lydon confirmed that he would revert back to Community & Enterprise with their comments.

“To be circulated”

John Mockler introduced the Draft Schedule of Municipal District Works for 2020 including the Roads Programme 2020. 

The following points were raised by the members-

·         OPW scheme on the Galway road.

·         Enquiry if Irish Water have resolved their issues at Knockroe, Castlerea and timescale for the works.  In the interim could the tar patching unit repair the road?

·         Requirement to secure a minimum of €25,000 to extend the drainage on the Ardeevin Road and deposit stone and 804 on turlough side to widen the road and then erect the white markers again.  

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Fitzmaurice

            SECONDED by Cllr McDermott

It was AGREED to allocate €25,000 from drainage works fund to allow the first phase of planned works to commence on the Ardeevin road.

·         Request for works to be done on Ardass bridge this year

·         Query as to why the old bridge at Adragoole is not included in the draft scheme and if it could be inspected as some of the bridge has fallen into the river and is not safe

·         Query relating to the small allocation of €15,500 for 2 low cost safety schemes in Castlerea

·         Query as to why the flashing lights at the C.B.S. were never repaired

·         Enquiry as to what works were planned at Lisliddy

·         Request for high PSV chips to be used on Fairymount road

·         Request to consider installing a pedestrian crossing on the Galway road to allow safer access to Lisnamult, Gael Scoil and other secondary schools

·         Request for pedestrian crossing also at Molloy’s as you head down towards the train station

·         A low cost safety application for Killinaratty did not secure funding and a stop sign is urgently required

·         Query regarding surfacing works at Lisnamult

·         Enquiry regarding 30km speed signs for Henry Street

John Mockler responded to the issues raised

·         The Roads Department prioritise the low cost safety funding applications and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport decide on allocations based on our submissions

·         The works at Lisliddy is recorded as a recycling project at Emlagh

·         John explained that our Energy & Assets Management Department were working on a design for the lights at the C.B.S. and then they will secure a price for the works.

·         The Walk is included in the 2020 Roads Programme.

·         John confirmed he would look at installing a stop sign at Killinaratty

·         John confirmed that the works at Lisnamult will be road surfacing only but he will consider placing additional road markings on the road to slow the traffic down

·         The review of the speed limits will take place later this year

A general discussion regarding the Draft Roads Programme took place and following that;

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Leyden

            SECONDED by Councillor Shanagher

It was AGREED by all the members to adopt the Schedule of Municipal District Works including the Roads Programme for the Roscommon Municipal District for 2020 with the amendment to transfer €25,000 of the drainage funding for Roscommon town to Ardeevin on the basis that it could be transferred back  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.20

There was no significant update from the Town Teams since the last meeting.

There were no votes of congratulations/sympathies

The following items were raised-

·         Water Safety Awareness day & ways they could link in with the grants for Festivals

·         Heritage week in August and an upcoming training day in Portlaoise on 30^th March

·         Thoughts and prayers for people affected by the Corona Virus

·         Gratitude expressed to everyone involved in the recent tractor run in aid of Mayo Roscommon Hospice and in honour of Tracey Brennan R.I.P.

·         The success of the Roscommon Community Challenge was highlighted and the funds raised for the Roscommon Community Sports Park.

·         An update was sought on the ongoing issue of the pot holes at the Centre Point Retail ark in Roscommon Town.  John Mockler explained that the car park and the access road is owned by a public limited company. 

·         Cllr. Shanagher sent best wishes to Cllr. Leyden & Cllr. Dineen on their campaign to the Seanad.