·         Plenary Meeting of 26.02.2018

Cllr. Shanagher informed members of correspondence received from Roscommon LEADER Partnership in response to her resolution seeking additional help for community groups to apply for funding. 

Cathaoirleach Orla Leyden thanked everyone for the response by Roscommon County Council to the severe weather event (Storm Emma) that occurred earlier this month and resulted in many impassible roads due to huge snow drifts, especially in the south of the County.  She commended the emergency co-ordination team, all Council Staff especially outdoor workers and engineers, the civil defence and fire brigade. She paid special tribute to the farming community and volunteers for their extraordinary efforts to help clear the roads. Cllr Ward also asked to be associated with the Cathaoirleach’s remarks.

·         February 2018

·         Schedule of Uncollected Rates at 31st December 2017

Members noted the Local Community Development Committee Annual Report 2017.

·         “Roscommon Women’s Manifesto Group”

The Cathaoirleach introduced Tara Farrell, Chairperson of Roscommon Womens Network and Philomena Hourigan from Roscommon Women’s Manifesto Group.  She also welcomed members of the Manifesto group in the public gallery, a momentus day for the group that encourages women to become more politically aware and involved in local decision making.

Tara Farrell gave the background to the movement - The Manifesto Group was founded in 2009 in Longford to address the disconnect between women and local decision making and now has a number of groups across the country.  Local Government Reform has allowed this group to increase their influence through the PPN and SPC membership.

Philomena Hourigan outlined the aims of the Group as follows:

-       Diverse group of women who meet and learn more about how decisions are made that affect them and their family lives.

-       Encourages more women to take part in decision making and to become more politically aware.

-       Barriers to involvement include lack of confidence and often feelings of isolation with no voice

-       Women are responsible for the majority of child and eldercare in Ireland (CSO Stats 98%)

-       Structural reforms are necessary to facilitate such groups such as times of meetings etc.

-       More informed decisions mean better decisions for all of the community

-       How can Roscommon County Council and Roscommon Womens Manifesto Group work together?

o   Ensure information is accessible

o   Working relationship at grassroots level

o   Enhance a more balanced consultation process

o   Empower women

o   Promote Roscommon PPN and encourage women to become involved in local decision making.

The Cathaoirleach thanked the group for their presentation and said that this is a historic day for the group to address the Council.

The members all warmly welcomed the presentation and noted as follows:

-       Acknowledged the great work done in Castlerea where the Womens Network was established a number of years ago. They have great training programmes and work with great enthusiasm everyone can learn from their efforts. Their education models are wonderful and benefit all of the community, not just women.

-       Four women who attended Womens Network training in 2014 were elected to local Councils.

-       The members paid tribute to the groundbreaking contribution by its founder Nora Fahy.

-       Sense of pride in having the group address the Plenary Council of the county

-       Significance of the presentation in light of the Votáil 100 commemoration. The Cathaoirleach outlined the commemorative lectures that will take place on 25^th April in King House in Boyle.

-       Its over 40 years since there was a female TD in the Roscommon Constituency

-       Women should have equal rights in all aspects of life

The Chief Executive welcomed the speakers and the representatives. He would like to see more involvement of women in committees and to make sure that every part of society is included in everything the Council does as everyone’s voice is important. He encouraged the group to let the Council know if there are things that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.18

·         Anti-Dumping Initiative

·         National Inspection Plan

Mr. Kieran Madden, Senior Engineer in the Environment Section gave the Members an update on Environmental issues as follows:

Anti Dumping Initiative 2017:

·         Nationally €1.5m budget with €53,250 to County Roscommon in 2017.

·         Under Phase 1 Roscommon undertook the clean-up of five sites at Salmon Lane, Ballyleague; Cuillagh, Strokestown; The Oaks, Ballaghaderreen; Kilteevan Bog; Suck Valley Way.

·         Used local contractors for the cleanups and got excellent value for money.

·         Total of 89 tonnes of litter gathered.

·         CCTV and dummy cameras installed at numerous locations.

·         Increasing use of technology including the purchase of drone and the uploading of information on site.

·         Working with probation services included litter picking in Roscommon, Castlerea and Ballaghaderreen.

·         Phase 2 commenced at cost of €30,500 with clean-ups at Drumharlow lake, Suck Valley Way, Tarmon Castlerea, Brooklawn Ballaghaderreen and Rockhill in Arigna.

·         Made adverts for cinema screening involving six secondary schools and a youth group.  The adverts will be premiered on 19^th April in Roscommon cinema and the winning advert will be shown free for period of 3 months.

·         Collaboration with IRadio on social media (500k Facebook followers).

·         Installation of Audio devices at bottle banks.

·         Use of probation Service is at minimum cost.

·         Ongoing monitoring of all sites.

·         In 2018 there will be a national fund of €2million and Roscommon’s allocation expected to be confirmed shortly. Sought funding for 13 projects in sum of €56,000.

National Inspection Plan – Septic Tanks

·         The 2017 target for inspections in county Roscommon is 28 and a total of 34 were inspected.

·         In 2018 the target is 35 and the inspections are expected to commence before the end of April.

·         The sites are selected randomly based on a risk matrix.

·         The failure rate in Roscommon for 2017 is 56% - nationally the figure is 49%. In 2016 the rate was 65%.

·         Nationally the failures were categorised as follows: 29% Operation and Maintenance issues; 24% due to lack of desludging and 29% due to risk to human health or environment. Roscommon figures also tally with this.

RMCEI (Recommended Minimum Criteria for Environmental Inspections) – Roscommon received an excellent report in 2016 and hope to continue this.

The members discussed the presentations as follows:

·         The way forward for improving environmental awareness is through the youth and focusing on more education.

·         Disappointing and disheartening to have to spend money on cleaning up other peoples’ waste. There are four amenity sites in the county and also a bulky goods collection so there is no excuse for this behaviour.

·         Illegal dumping should be highlighted at every opportunity.

·         This scheme for targeted clean up is very positive and working well but it is important that the sites at risk are being monitored.

·         Cannot understand goods that can be recycled for free are being dumped - the council facilitate this at civic amenity sites.

·         Need to get tougher on those that dump – ‘Name and Shame’ otherwise illegal dumping will continue.

·         Most responsible people will do the right thing and Roscommon County Council have been very proactive.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.18

·         Presentation from NSAI to Roscommon Fire Service

The Cathaoirleach introduced Mr. Fergal O’Byrne from the N.S.A.I. who came to the meeting to award the Occupational Health and Safety Certificate (OHFAS 18001) to Roscommon Fire Service. She complemented the Chief Fire Officer John Keane, Assistant CFO Jonathan McGinty, Health and Safety Officer Ann Conneally and all of their staff on working to achieve the award.

Mr. O’Byrne addressed the members and thanked them for the opportunity to make the presentation today. He said that an increasing number of organisations are striving to achieve this award of excellence that is an international standard award and commitment to put Health and Safety at the top of everything they do. What is of most importance is that systems have been put in place to embed health and safety in every aspect of work and a goal set of continual improvement to ensure all firefighters return from incidents safely.

The Chief Executive said it was a significant day for the Fire Services in the county and a great honour to receive the award. He wanted to recognise the work put into this achievement not only by the Chief Fire Officer and his staff but also the Station Officers and firefighters around the county with the assistance of the health and safety staff. As CE he is very proud of our fire services and their achievements – and the importance and reassurance that systems are in place to help and protect the service cannot be underestimated.

·         Nollaig Feeney, Heritage Officer

Ms. Nollaig Feeney, Heritage Officer made a presentation to the members about the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage:

·         Research has shown that people interested in attending cultural and heritage events in their local community with the natural environment of greatest interest

·         In Ireland the Heritage Council will coordinate and manage the events of European Year of Cultural Heritage and the Local Authority Heritage Officers are requested to act as ‘ambassadors’ for the year. Their role is to encourage groups to apply for the EYCH label for their events and help implement programme.

·         The European theme is “Past meets the future”  while the Irish events will concentrate on “Making a Connection” thus deepening the connection between people and heritage

·         Key messages are to promote sustainable approaches to heritage management, build awareness of opportunities through new technologies and raise awareness of contribution of cultural heritage to economic growth.

·         Invitation to groups and individuals to take action and respond to call “Making a Connection”

·         Existing festivals and events and Creative Ireland projects may fit the necessary criteria to be awarded the label.

·         Devising projects specifically aimed at younger people

·         The Heritage Council run an “Adopt a Monument Scheme” and groups may be interested in exploring this.

The Cathaoirleach complimented the many events that take place in Heritage Week throughout the county and mentioned that County Roscommon is well placed to take advantage of the EYCH label with its rich cultural status and encouraged groups planning events this year to look for this European status. She also mentioned the towns and villages in Europe that are twinned with Roscommon and keeping those connections.

Members welcomed the presentation and mentioned:

·         Annals of Elphin – keeping the European connections alive

·         App for heritage walking tour of Roscommon Town funded by Heritage Council to be launched shortly

·         All of County Roscommon has a rich heritage

·         Heritage in Tulsk including Rathcroghan, the Tain March, planned €3m improvement works at Strokestown house.

·         We should keep contact with the towns we are twinned with, both nationally and internationally especially this year.

·         We need to look at our own original heritage.

·         Need more funding to help preserve our heritage and monuments

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Kilduff

           SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

It was AGREED to write to the Minister of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to request an update on the proposal for State Intervention in the care and conservation of Rinn Dúin Castle, Warren, Co Roscommon submitted on behalf of the Rinn Dúin Implementation Group in June 2017 and the subsequent site visit by the Chief Archaeologist and Senior officials from OPW in January 2018.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Kilduff

            SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED to extend Standing Orders after 5.30pm

There was no Chief Executive Business.

·         Compliance with Condition No. 8 of An Bord Pleanála Ref. PL.20.239743 (RCC Planning Ref. No. PD/10/507 also refers)

Mr. Martin Lydon, Head Of Finance and Director of Services gave the members an update on the Sliabh Bawn Windfarm Noise Monitoring Report:

·         As per Condition 8 of the planning permission for the Sliabh Bawn windfarm, a Compliance survey was prepared by Noise and Vibration Consultants Ltd. and presented to the Council.

·         The report is a public document .

·         The analysis was carried out using best practice as per the Wind Energy Development Guidelines 2006. The report looks at Baseline data taken before and after the construction of the windfarm.  The operational noise compliance monitoring was carried out at seven receptors around the perimeter and one location beside a walking trail. There was difficulty in obtaining landowner permissions at certain locations and alternative sites were used.

·         The data shows that all locations were operating within the 43 decibels level, thus the windfarm is in compliance with its planning permission.

·         There is currently a live enforcement file with the Environment Section who will examine this report and will also carry out their own monitoring once the equipment has been calibrated and returned.

The members asked the following questions:

·         How long was the testing done for  - a week/month and when wind blowing from different directions?

·         When will the Environment Section be out on site to test?

·         The problem is with the winds from the South West – were tests carried out when the wind was blowing from this direction?

·         What was the spectrum of level of noise results recorded, especially at night time.

·         As some individuals would not allow testing, has this hindered the study and were they able to monitor outside the boundaries of the windfarm.

·         Are the results average figures?

·         Residents still maintain there is a problem – noise occurs at different times on different days

·         Can the results be received from the Consultants for the next meeting?

Mr. Lydon said that some of the questions are very technical and can be found in the report that can be made available to the members. The monitoring took place between 19^th December 2014 – 16^th January 2015 and for a month after the windfarm was constructed. The report mentions down winds and also that some of the noise levels were higher before the farm was constructed. Road noise were just as apparent as wind turbines.

Cllr. Leyden said that it would be useful to get the answers to the questions raised by the members from the Consultants for the next meeting as it could not be expected that the members or Director would go through the 1,000 page report of technical data. The testing by the Environment Section should be done under all wind conditions and for a specific period of time and proposed Mr. Lydon revert to the consultants and this was seconded by Cllr. Dineen but not agreed.

Mr. Lydon said that from reading sections of the report, he is satisfied that that all permutations and conditions were taken into account when carrying out the noise  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.18

·         Letter from Leitrim County Council regarding resolution passed by member regarding Disabilities Tax Relief Scheme

·         Letter from Limerick City & County Council regarding resolution passed by members in relation to Drug Payment and Medical Card Schemes.

·         Letter from Clare County Council regarding resolution passed by members in relation to Micro plastic being ingested by deep water fish in the North West Atlantic Ocean.

·         Letter from Clare County Council regarding resolution passed by Members in relation to financial incentives for companies will to employ apprentices.

·         Letter from Clare County Council regarding resolution passed by Members in relation to a scheme to provide financial support to purchasers of houses and apartments that were non-compliant with Building Regulations.

·         Letter from Clare County Council regarding resolution passed by Members in relation to publicly-funded higher education.

·         Letter of acknowledgement from the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar T.D.

·         Letter of acknowledgement from Mr. Michale Ring T.D., Minister for Rural nad Community Development, in relation to Resoltuion from Members.

·         Letter of acknowledgement from Mr. Eoghan Murphy, T.D. Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. 

·         Letter from Boyle Courthouse Development seeking an extension of the terms of the lease of Boyle Courthouse from 10 years to 20 years.

·         Letter of acknowledgement from Minister for Justice and Equality, mr. Charlie Flanagan, T.D., regarding the ratification of the Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs.   

·         Motion No. 04.18 from Cllr. Naughten

04.18    IRISH WATER

                Notice of Motion from Councillor Naughten

That Roscommon County Council request an update from Irish Water as to the investment requirement for upgrade of Monksland Waste Water Treatment Plant and when this investment will take place.

Reply: 

An assessment of the Monksland Wastewater treatment plant is being undertaken as part of the Monksland Drainage Area Plan. The Drainage Area Plan which encompasses a Wastewater Source Control Study will ascertain both the condition of the existing networks and the flow and load arriving to the Monksland Wastewater Treatment works.

The scope of the upgrade works approved for Monksland WWTP includes the provision of new Inlet Works, a new stormwater tank, a stormwater overflow chamber and also includes for a telemetry upgrade. A Site Investigation contract is currently underway with final reports to be furnished in April 2018. A planning application for the treatment plant upgrade works was submitted in January 2018. Draft tender documents for the upgrade works have been reviewed with the final set of tender documents to be completed in March 2018. It isanticipated that Main Construction Works will commence Q3 2018 and have a construction time frame of nine months.

It is envisaged that further upgrade and rehabilitation works will occur on substandard sections of the sewerage network and at the outlying pumping stations under other investment programmes.

Cllr. Naughten welcomed the detailed response. He said that the treatment plant is servicing an ever-growing community and industrial development and the proposed investment is an endorsement of the growth of the area going forward.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Murphy

SECONDED by Councillor Kilduff

It was AGREED to adopt the list of payments for attendance at conferences as circulated to the members. 

Freedom of the County

The meetings administrator notified the members that the presentation of the Freedom of the County to Mr. Brian O’Doherty will take place on Thursday 26^th April in IMMA in Dublin in conjunction with the opening of his exhibition. The event would take place from 12 noon to 3.00pm with the freedom ceremony fixed for 2pm.

The Cathaoirleach said that it was important that all members were available to attend this prestigious event on behalf of the council.

Local Improvement Scheme 2018

The Chairperson of the Economic Development and Enterprise Support (Including Roads and Culture) SPC, Cllr. Kathleen Shanagher updated the members on the scheme:

In January 2018 Roscommon County Council advertised for expressions of interest in relation to Local Improvement Schemes for the improvement of local non-public roads in anticipation of funding by the Department of Rural and Community Development, DRCD. Over 200 applications were received. The Grant Allocation for Roscommon County Council is €370,290.

Eligible Roads under the scheme must be:

·         Non-public roads open to the public and serve two or more landholders.

·         Non-public roads providing access to parcels of land or access for harvesting purposes (including turf) for two or more persons.

Roscommon County Council will ensure as far as practicable that priority is given to projects most requiring attention in the county as a whole. The existing LIS Scheme of Priorities was approved by the members in 2010 and updated in 2011. The SPC Draft LIS Policy 2018 for the selection of Projects on a Priority Basis outlines the basis upon which the list of projects will be selected for County Roscommon. The proposed amendment to the 2011 policy reverses the priority for roads listed under 2.3 and 2.4.

The 2018 LIS list of projects within the allocation of €370,290 must be returned to the DRCD in line with the Department’s memo before 28^th March 2018. In addition, Roscommon County Council must compile a second list of suitable roads projects which could be undertaken should additional funding become available later in the year or where substitution may become necessary if, for any reason, roads on the primary list cannot go ahead.

The Roads and Transportation Section will write to all selected applicants. LIS guidelines specify the local contribution from the landowners / local residents of between 10% and 20% of the overall cost due before work commences. All works must be completed and funding claimed from the Department by 29^th July 2018.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Shanagher

              SECONDED by Cllr. Byrne

It was AGREED to adopt the 2018 Local Improvement Scheme as recommended.

Changes to Directorates:

Cllr. Fallon congratulated Mr. Pat Murtagh on his position of Acting Director of Services for Roads and Transportation, Water Services, Fire and Emergency Services and Boyle Municipal District.  He complemented the work done by Mr. Murtagh for the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and requested that a replacement be appointed as soon as possible.

Castlerea Fire Station:

Cllr. Dineen asked for an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.18