On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Valerie Byrne.

             SECONDED by Councillor Rachel Doherty.

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Boyle Municipal District meeting of 18^th May 2018 and the minutes of the AGM of the same date.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Rachel Doherty.

             SECONDED by Councillor Joe Murphy

It was AGREED to adopt the amended Minutes of the Joint Carrick on Shannon/Boyle Municipal District meeting of 18^th May 2018.

Mr Pat Murtagh outlined to the meeting details of applications which had been submitted for the various towns for funding under the Towns and Villages Rural Funding Scheme as follows -:

Boyle €200,000.00

Ballaghadarreen €100,00.00

Strokestown €100,00.00

Rooskey €100,00.00

Frenchpark €100,00.00

Elphin €100,00.00

He stated that in the event of these applications being successful it was important to note that for each €100,00.00 granted there would have to be local contributions of €25,000.00 and this would naturally have implications for funding.

Cllr Cummins welcomed the proposals and in the Boyle instance in particular he pointed out how vital it is to enhance the links between the town and Lough Key.

He suggested that smaller villages should be considered for inclusion in future funding applications.

Cllr Mulligan welcomed the information and thanked the County Council for the work carried out to date in the Ballaghaderreen area.

Cllr Byrne stated that such funding would be essential for Elphin which relies heavily on tourism. In response to an enquiry by Cllr Byrne, Mr Murtagh replied that voluntary labour would be accepted as part of the local contribution.

Cllr Callaghan expressed confidence that Minister Michael Ring would ensure delivery of the funding. He also appealed for villages to be included in applications for funding in the future.

Cllr Callaghan requested information for the next meeting on when the overlay work in Frenchpark would commence.

Cllr Doherty agreed with the sentiments expressed regarding the inclusion of villages in funding applications. She referred to the new Hidden Heartlands Tourism initiative and pointed out that the villages e.g. Cootehall were the cornerstones of the rural areas and were important to the Municipal Districts potential for the development of tourism.

Cllr Murphy welcomed the wide spread of projects and stressed the importance of providing the link between attractions that all areas have to offer so as to extend the period tourists spend in the area and thus benefit the local economy.

Cllr Byrne requested information on when improvement works would be carried out on the N61 North of Tulsk.

Cllr Mulligan requested that more verge-trimming would be carried out, especially at junctions in the interest of road safety.

Cllr Mulligan raised his concern at the poor standard of Mental Health care being provided in the County and referred to the closure of St Joseph’s Care centre which was so distressing for the service users.  He sought support from members for improved services and called on the Mental Health Commission to address the alarming deficit in services for people with mental health issues.

Councillors Doherty, Byrne and Murphy agreed with Cllr Mulligan and supported his call for improved services.

Cllr Byrne referred to the proposal to transfer dental services from Elphin to Boyle and condemned it as another attack on small rural towns.

 Cllr Callaghan acknowledged the difficulties involved but highlighted the substantial sums allocated to such services and questioned whether value for money was being achieved by Management of the Health services.

Cllr Cummins agreed that the shortcomings referred to merited more prudent use of funding in the health services.

Congratulations

Councillors complimented the Boyle MD Co-ordinator and staff on the efficient delivery of the roadworks programme 2018.

Boyle Arts Festival 2018

Councillors complimented Boyle Arts Festival Committee on the success of the 2018 Arts Festival which was regarded as the most successful to date and wished them luck with the 30^th Anniversary Festival for 2019.