Roscommon Municipal District “In Camera” Meeting – 27^th October, 2020

Roscommon Municipal District Budget Meeting – 27^th October, 2020

Roscommon Municipal District Meeting – 27^th October, 2020

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr McDermott

            SECONDED by Cllr Shanagher

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Roscommon Municipal District “In Camera” Meeting held on 27^th October, 2020.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES  

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Leyden

            SECONDED by Cllr McDermott

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Roscommon Municipal District Budget meeting held on 27^th October, 2020.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES  

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Leyden

            SECONDED by Cllr Dineen

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Roscommon Municipal District meeting held on 27^th October, 2020.

Cllr. Leyden requested an amendment to item number 45.20 of the Roscommon MD minutes of 27^th October, 2020 and asked that the reference to the “Town Team” be changed to “Roscommon Transition Town”.

The Members all agreed to this change.

Specified development:

Proposed residential development at Bri an Caoilinn traveller accommodation site, Harristown td., Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.  The proposed development will comprise of the conversion of 4 no. single storey one bedroom semi-detached units into 2 no. single storey five bedroom detached units. Works to include alterations to internal layout, demolition of existing chimney, alterations to front/rear elevations/services to suit, and all associated site development works.

Specified development by a Local Authority in accordance with section 179 of part XI of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 as amended and part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (S.I. No. 600 of 2001) as amended.

             Proposed residential development at Brí an Caoilinn traveller accommodation site, Harristown td., Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.  The proposed development will comprise of the conversion of 4 no. Single storey 1-bedroom semi-detached units into 2 no. Single storey 5-bedroom detached units. Works to include alterations to internal layout, demolition of existing chimney, alterations to front/rear elevations/services to suit, and all associated site development works.

Conor Fallon outlined the details of the project to the members including the procedure that was followed as outlined in the Chief Executive’s report (included with the Agenda).

The Members all welcomed the development and the benefits it will provide to the travelling community. 

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Dineen

            SECONDED by Councillor Shanagher

It was AGREED to proceed with the specified development without amendment as outlined in the Chief Executive’s report.

The following Notice of Motion and reply was read by Breeda Burke into the record.

Notice of Motion from Councillor Leyden – 1/21

“That Roscommon Municipal District supports the introduction of speed limits of 30 k.m. in Roscommon town to replace the 50 k.m. limit to improve conditions and ultimately make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists within the town boundary and that this proposal would inform the Roscommon Town Approaches and Movement Study and that the study would include the provision of additional pedestrian crossings at locations including St. Teresa’s Road, Lisnamult linking the Galway Road (N63) to the rest of the town for pedestrian safety and include a full assessment to identify locations that require improved pedestrian infrastructure”. 

REPLY

The introduction of a blanket 30km/hr speed limit in Roscommon Town is contrary to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport “Guidelines for setting and managing speed limits in Ireland”.   In addition to the above, the introduction of a 30km/hr speed limit on our National Roads in and around the Town of Roscommon would require consultation and approval from the TII.  Roscommon County Council has proactively introduced a 30km/h speed limit within housing estates and residential areas within Roscommon Town.  With regard to the Roscommon Town Approaches and Movement Study both pedestrians and cyclists have been considered within the study area. A draft study will be brought to the Roscommon MD for feedback before final publication. At that stage Councillor’s will have the opportunity to outline their concerns and observations. 

Cllr. Leyden stressed the need for public consultation regarding the study that is being undertaken. She referred to various areas of Roscommon town such as Antogher road, The Walk and Henry Street all of which are residential areas that merit a 30 km/hr speed limit similar to the housing estates in Roscommon town.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Leyden

            SECONDED by Councillor McDermott

It was AGREED that public consultation be built into the process regarding the Roscommon Town Approaches and Movement Study.  

It was further AGREED to write to the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D. to request that the “Guidelines for setting and managing speed limits 2015” be amended to reflect the need for reduced speed limits in the spirit of the governments smarter travel initiatives so that it is safer for road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. This would make it easier for all people to move around our towns and villages and that our vision of smarter travel is incorporated into such guidelines.

It was AGREED that an additional pedestrian crossing be provided at St. Teresa’s road, Lisnamult linking the N63 Galway road to the rest of the town for pedestrian safety.  It was also AGREED that other locations requiring improved pedestrian infrastructure be identified as part of the full assessment being carried out. 

The Members all supported the Notice of Motion and discussed the merits of lowering the speed limits around the town of Roscommon. 

Cllr. Waldron stated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.21

·         Acknowledgement letter dated 8^th January, 2021 from Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media regarding reference 44.20 (October, 2020)

·         Letter dated 18^th January, 2021 from Catherine Martin, T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media regarding reference 44.20 (October, 2020)

There were no votes of congratulations or sympathies.

The following items were raised-

·         Cllr. Shanagher requested an update on works required to footpaths in Roscommon town. Neal Geraghty explained that the contractor will start work probably after 5th March if the current restrictions are relaxed.  He confirmed that there is a list of footpaths requiring works and this work is being dealt with centrally by the Roads department. 

·         Cllr. Fitzmaurice enquired at what stage is the process of renaming the estates in the Knockroe area of Castlerea.   

Martin Lydon explained that the process was with the Corporate Services Unit and was delayed due to Covid-19.  A list will be prepared of householders eligible to participate in the renaming process and this will be cross-referenced with the current live register of electors and made available for inspection.  When the lockdown is over Roscommon County Council will deliver letters to the registered properties in the area which will be followed by a plebiscite. 

·         Cllr. Waldron requested information over a five-year period on the number of houses vandalised in halting sites, other local authority accommodation and the associated costs. He asked if Roscommon County Council employed a caretaker to maintain our halting sites and proposed that there should be an incentive or reward for tenants who maintained their accommodation to a good standard.  His proposal was not supported by the other members.

Martin Lydon responded and clarified that the abuse of local authority housing was not only confined to traveller accommodation.  He explained that the Caretaker of the Council’s halting sites worked in conjunction with the housing liaison officer on a wide range of issues.  He explained that it would require resources to compile figures and was reluctant to do so without a reason or outcome.  He confirmed that our job is to rent properties as soon as they become available and the Council is trying to stamp out vandalism.

Cllr. Waldron stated he would take up his query through the Housing SPC and only wanted to ensure best use of rate payers money and was not suggesting any distinction between housing tenants.

·         Cllr. Leyden requested an update on the Public Realm project.  

Neal Geraghty informed Members that the planned Public Realm works for Roscommon town are likely to exceed the projected timeframe of eight months.  It is hoped that the project will commence on 5^th March.  He explained that the Public Realm works will coincide with works being carried out by Irish Water on the town’s main sewer.  The works will commence in Goff Street moving up towards the Bank of Ireland and finishing off at the area from the post office to the rear of the Bank of Ireland. 

The members welcomed the information and all agreed that the Public Realm project will be an agenda item for MD meetings for the duration of the project.  Cllr. Leyden requested that if the public space behind the Bank of Ireland was not being used as intended could it revert back to public parking in the future if needed.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.21

It was agreed that thenext Roscommon MD Meeting will be held on Tuesday 23^rd March, 2021 at 10 a.m.