There were no Disclosures of Conflict of Interest declared by Members.

·        Minutes of Plenary Meeting 25^th November 2024

·        Minutes of Budget Meeting 4^th December 2024

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Scahill

            SECONDED by Cllr. Connolly

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Plenary Meeting of 25^th November 2024.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Moylan

            SECONDED by Cllr. Connolly

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Budget Meeting of 4^th December 2024.

There were no matters arising.

·         Report for November 2024

·         Management Report for November noted.

·        021 Ha Monksland, Co. Roscommon to KDM Contracts Limited.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Ward

SECONDED by Cllr. Connolly

It was AGREED that the Council consent to the disposal of property pursuant to the provisions of Article 206 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, Section 211 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) and Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001 of particulars of property which it is proposed to dispose of at the location in County Roscommon and to the persons set out in the schedule hereunder.  Particulars of the property which the County Council proposes to dispose:

The Property:  Site comprising 0.21 hA at Monksland, Co. Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: Roscommon County Council

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of: KDM Contract Limited

The consideration proposed in respect of the disposal: €100,000

Director of Services Caitlín Conneely advised members that approval is being sought of the Draft Corporate Plan 2024-2029, and introduced Senior Executive Officer Declan Dolan to give the presentation.

Senior Executive Officer Declan Dolan welcomed members and management to the presentation of the Draft Corporate Plan for 2024-2029. He explained that the Corporate Plan sets out the strategic framework for all of the services for the people of County Roscommon. It sets out a vision and mission statement for Roscommon County Council, supported by values, goals, priority objectives, supporting strategies and activities. The Draft Corporate Plan was developed in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

Declan Dolan presented the Vision and Mission to the members:

·         Vision: “Working together to make Roscommon your County of choice.”

·         Mission: “Making Roscommon a welcoming, sustainable, inclusive, prosperous, and vibrant place of choice to live, invest, work, and visit.”

·         The Vision and Mission Statements reflect our commitment to the community and inform our strategic direction.

Declan Dolan presented the Core Values to the members:

·         Integrity: Act honestly, openly, and fairly in all our dealings.

·         Accountability: Be accountable and responsible for all our actions.

·         Transparency: Be open and transparent, acting ethically and with integrity in all decision-making.

·         Innovation: Continually seek to deliver services in a progressive and creative manner.

·         Support: Support and represent all people in County Roscommon.

·         Equality: Treat all people equally, inclusively, and with respect.

Declan Dolan presented the key goals to the members:

1.       Quality of Life and Wellbeing for All. The priority objectives are:

1.1   Protect our Natural Environment

1.2   Support Cultural and Community Development

2.       Economic and Social Infrastructure. The priority objectives are:

2.1   Develop and Promote Sustainable Enterprise and Job Creation

2.2   Dynamic Promotion of the County

2.3   Develop Sustainable Infrastructure to Cater for the Future Needs of the County

3.       Quality Service for All. The priority objectives are:

3.1   Inspire Leadership

3.2   Value our People and our Communities

3.3   Efficient Use of Resources

3.4   Digitalisation of our Services

3.5   Good Governance

Members broadly welcomed the plan and discussed the following points:

·         Recommended the approval of the Draft Corporate Plan.

·         Recurring issues need to be considered; caring and supports for the elderly, lack of childcare spaces, support of tourism and enterprise, further enhancement of the Local Link buses.

·         Praised extensive engagement with external bodies and online consultations with the general public.

·         Praised that specific projects and goals were mentioned and the feedback given was considered.

Chief Executive Shane Tiernan thanked the Cathaoirleach, the CPG, and elected members, for being proactive in the development of the Corporate Plan. He mentioned that this in an important document which sets the vision for the next 5 years, and he acknowledged the level of public engagement in preparing this plan for the development of the County. He mentioned that the Corporate Plan covers the full service delivery of Roscommon County Council. The plan will drive the Annual Service Delivery Plans which will be measured through KPI’s nationally available for public inspection. He thanked the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 171.24

·         Noted by members.

Sean Mullarkey, Director of Services presented the Audit Committee Work Programme 2025.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

            SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

It was AGREED to adopt the Audit Committee Work Programme 2025

Chief Executive, Shane Tiernan thanked members for adopting this work programme, and noted that it offers governance and transparency on the work of the Council, and that the information is publicly available.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Scahill

            SECONDED by Cllr. Connolly

It was AGREED to Adopt the Audit Committee Charter.

Director of Services Caitlín Conneely reminded members that the Civic Reception was commencing at 5.30pm in the Arts Centre 16^th December. The Civic Reception is the elected members recognition of people in the County that have had significant achievements in the year.

·        Correspondence was circulated to members in advance of the meeting.

Isolation has become a chronic problem in rural Ireland, particularly since covid and the enforced lockdowns. I propose that Roscommon County Council writes to the incoming Minister regarding a national initiative to address this issue and promote a dedicated week highlighting  the importance of visiting people to promote care in the community.

Isolation has become a chronic problem in rural Ireland, particularly since covid and the enforced lockdowns. I propose that Roscommon County Council writes to the incoming Minister regarding a national initiative to address this issue and promote a dedicated week highlighting the importance of visiting people to promote care in the community.

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

This Motion requires a Resolution of the Council.

Members welcomed the motion and discussed the following points:

·         Isolation is an issue in every village in Ireland, particularly for older people.

·         A transport system needs to be put in place to offer a service for more than one day a week.

·         Cllr. Frain proposed that the motion is extended to include urban isolation in the letter to the Minister.

·         It was suggested that young people could visit older people, and organising small gatherings at particular times of the year to involve older people.

·         A Minister needs to be appointed to focus on dealing with isolation and loneliness.

·         It is vital to have facilities in a community to engage with people and make them feel included.

·         Rural isolation was highlighted in the aftermath of Storm Darragh, particularly among older people.

·         This issue has a knock on effect to national health services.

·         Cllr. Keogh proposed that the motion is extended to write to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to consider that in advance of the formation of the incoming government, that this matter is directly allocated to a Ministry.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Waldron

            SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED to write to the incoming Minister for Health regarding a national initiative to address the issue of rural and urban isolation and promote a dedicated week highlighting the importance of visiting people to promote care in the community.

It was AGREED to circulate this motion to all Local Authorities.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

            SECONDED by Cllr. Waldron

It was also AGREED to write to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to consider that in advance of the formation of the incoming government, that this matter is directly allocated to a Ministry.

It was AGREED to circulate this motion to all Local Authorities.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

            SECONDED by Cllr. Scahill

It was AGREED to adopt the list of payments for training and conferences as circulated.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fitzmaurice stated that this had been circulated to members.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fitzmaurice and other members extended their sympathies to the family of the late Cllr. Naughten.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fitzmaurice wished the staff, elected members, and members of the press, a very happy Christmas.

Cllr. Moylan raised the issue of fallen trees effecting power lines.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fitzmaurice recommended that this issue be raised as a Notice of Motion at the next meeting of Roscommon County Council.

Cllr. Moylan agreed to bring forward the issue as a Notice of Motion at the January Plenary meeting.

Cllr. Keogh raised the issue of wheelchair accessible taxis with regard to the service not being available. He proposed to write to the relevant Minister and An Taoiseach, Simon Harris and An Tánaiste, Michéal Martin highlighting the experience of wheelchair users being refused taxi services by taxi operators and requesting that the Programme for Government will include provisions to amend legislation to significantly increase the fines payable by taxi operators who are found to be in breach of their operating licences and/or the Equal Status Act.  He stated that it is clear that the current fine system does not act as a deterrent. 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

            SECONDED by Cllr. Moylan

It was AGREED to write to the relevant Minister and An Taoiseach, Simon Harris and An Tánaiste, Michéal Martin highlighting the experience of wheelchair users being refused taxi services by taxi operators and requesting that the Programme for Government will include provisions to amend legislation to significantly increase the fines payable by taxi operators who are found to be in breach of their operating licences and/or the Equal Status Act.