·         Minutes of Plenary Meeting 23^rd July, 2018

·         Minutes of Special Plenary Meeting 5^th September, 2018

·         Minutes of Special Plenary Meeting 10^th September, 2018

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Fallon

            SECONDED by Councillor Connolly

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of Plenary Meeting held on 24.07.2018

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Dineen

            SECONDED by Councillor Kilduff

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of Special Plenary Meeting held on 05.09.2018

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Leyden

            SECONDED by Councillor Byrne

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of Special Plenary Meeting held on 10.09.2018

Grangemore Water Supply Scheme:

Cllr. Cummins referenced the presentation on Irish Water at the July Plenary meeting and the fact that the Grangemore Public Water Supply was placed on a Boil Water Notice just three days later. He asked what the position is with regard to the lifting of the Boil Water Notice and the status of the capital works planned to move the supply to the Boyle Public Water Scheme.

The A/Director of Services, Mr. Pat Murtagh informed Cllr. Cummins that an early date is being sought from the E.P.A. with regard to testing the supply and everything possible is being done to get the early removal of the Boil Water Notice. As regard the extension of the scheme to the Boyle WSS, the appointment of the contractor is imminent and work expected to commence in January 2019.  

·         July, 2018

·         August, 2018

The Management Reports for July and August 2019 were noted.

The Head of Finance, Mr. Martin Lydon informed the meeting that under Section 20 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012, as amended by section 5 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2013, a local authority may by way of reserved function resolve to vary the basic rate of the Local Property Tax (LPT) within its functional area by a maximum of +/-15%.  The LPT for Roscommon in 2019 has been notified in the sum of €10.2m of which €7m is received from the Equalisation Fund. A variation of 15% would generate/cost the sum of €589,000 (equivalent of €13.50 per household).

 No submissions were received during the public consultation period and the recommendation from the Chief Executive and the Corporate Policy Group is for no change in the rate.

It will also be necessary to make other budgetary adjustments for 2019, including the centralization of the heretofore GMA funding, which will be necessary to make provision for match funding and a loan to meet funding requirements for Central Government projects (Rural and Urban Regeneration and Development Funds, Town and Village and Outdoor Recreation).

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Cummins

                SECONDED by Councillor Doherty

 It was AGREED to that Local Property Tax Adjustment Factor remain unchanged for 2019.

Mr. Martin Lydon, Director of Service & Head of Finance, presented the Audit Committee Annual Report of 2017. The report is important in terms of the Governance Framework of Roscommon County Council and it is tasked with consideration of the Internal reviews undertaken by the Council including the Annual Financial statement and the Budgetary Process. There were a number of internal reviews carried out in 2017 as part of the Audit Committee’s report. They considered management reports provided on a quarterly basis, checked that best practices identified by NOAC are implemented. The committee are satisfied that they have carried out all activities as required by regulation and all information provided to them by senior staff has been supplied in an open and transparent manner.

The report was noted by the Members.

·         Section 22 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 (Circulated)

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

             SECONDED by Cllr. Callaghan

It was AGREED that whereas the making of appointments to the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (LTACC) is a reserved function under Section 22 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, it is now proposed to make the following appointments in accordance with the Act:

(1)    Officials of Roscommon County Council:

Martin Lydon, Director of Services

Patricia Cassidy, Administrative Officer

Greg O’Donnell,  A/Senior Executive Officer

Conor Fallon,  A/Senior Executive Engineer

Aisling Scahill,  Tenant Liaison Officer

(2)    Representatives of Local Travellers And Traveller Bodies:

Winnie Corcoran, Ballyforan, Co. Roscommon.

Anthony O’Donnell, Abbeytown, Boyle, Co. Roscommon.

Catriona Ward, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.

Helen Corcoran, Ballinacullia, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

Brian Mongan,  Lisnamult, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

Gerard Ward,  Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.

Gail Murray, Project Co-ordinator, Roscommon Traveller Health Project

Mr. Kieran Madden, Senior Engineer in Environment Unit gave an update to the Members on the River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021:

·         New governance structure with Local Authorities operating at Tier 3 level - Regional Co-Ordination & Public Engagement

·         Implementation Bodies at Tier 3 are Local Authorities, Regional Committees and the Local Authority  (LA) Waters Programme

·         LA Waters Programme is shared service of Tipperary & Kilkenny LA’s with Regional Co Ordinators, Community Water Officers (12), Catchment Assessment Managers (5) and Catchment Scientists (30). Staff working under Teagasc and the Dairy Co-Ops.

·         The River Basin Management Plan was published in April 2018 with 190 Priority ‘Areas for Action’ identified.

·         Collaborative approach with stakeholders, agencies and Local Authorities working with farmers and industry including best agricultural practice

·         Public meetings to be held in ‘Areas for Action’ in advance of further catchment assessments

o   Priority Areas in Roscommon are Carricknabraher, Tulsk, Jiggy/Hind, Clooneigh and Lough Key

·         Next Steps 2018-2021:

o   Public Meetings, River Surveys, Farm Engagement, Stakeholder engagement and Identification of suitable measures and implementation.

Members raised the following:

·         Importance of improving water quality in the coming years. Farmers will require funding and guidance to carry out what may be required of them

·         Is this related to CFRAM?

·         Is there funding to carry our ongoing maintenance ion the River Shannon and it’s tributaries?

·         Difficulty for farmers in spreading slurry on land due to recent bad summers and thankfully last summer gave some relief

·         Welcome appointment of officers with farming background from Teagasc and will be able to guide farmers and work with them.

·         Consultation with stakeholders needs sufficient time and proper agreement

Mr. Madden addressed the queries as follows:

·         This report is not directly related to CFRAM which deals primarily with flooding but there is some linkage due to changes to river structures and consequent flooding.

·         Not aware if grant funding will be available to farmers but simple fencing could achieve a lot.

·         The thirty officers appointed are for the entire country with seven in the West Region.

·         There are major problems with pesticides and water quality nationally and the use of MCPA for control of rushes will have to be tackled.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

              SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

It was AGREED that the Office of Public Works be invited to make a presentation to Roscommon County Council on the River Shannon and its tributaries in relation to CFRAM and maintenance of the rivers.

The Meetings Administrator, Ms. Patricia Bohan gave a presentation to the Members on the recent visit of Roscommon County Council to China:

·         The visit is the first step in consideration of developing a friendly relationship through a ‘twinning process’ to enhance mutual understanding between the two communities with a view to carry out exchanges and cooperation in the fields of trade, culture, tourism that would be of mutual benefit.

·         The Cathaoirleach Cllr. Ivan Connaughton, Martin Lydon (Director of Services) and Patricia Bohan (Meetings Administrator) travelled on the invitation of the Shanxi and Henan Provinces from 10^th to 18^th September.

·         The trip was at the invitation of the Shanxi Province and organised by Mr. Mark Jong of the Ireland China Friendship Association.

·         The group visited Beijing, the City of Zhengzho in Henan Province where they met with Shu Qing, Vice Governor and Government Officials and the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province where they met with Lou Yangsheng, Governor and Government Officials.

·         The Cathaoirleach signed a Friendship MOU with Shanxi province as a first step in establishing a relationship between the two.

·         A delegation from Henan Province is expected to visit Roscommon ant the end of October.

The Cathaoirleach said that this had been a great opportunity to represent the county and a once in a lifetime experience. This morning the Chinese Ambassador came to meet with the Cathaoirleach, Chief Executive and management team and this will help to further the friendship between the parties. The Cathaoirleach emphasised that this is the start of a process that will hopefully benefit both Roscommon and the Shanxi and Henan provinces with possibility of educational, tourism and trade links to be established in the long term. Delegations from China are expected to visit Roscommon over the coming months and the members will be kept informed of developments. The Cathaoirleach noted from his visit the amount of investment that the Chinese are putting into their infrastructural development and this is something we should be encouraging in our county and nationally.

·         Planning SPC

·         Economic Development and Enterprise Support (including Roads & Culture) SPC  (Circulated)

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Kilduff

SECONDED by Councillor Leyden

It was AGREED to appoint Cllr. Tony Ward to the Planning Strategic Policy Committee following the resignation of Cllr. Nigel Dineen.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Kilduff

SECONDED by Councillor Fitzmaurice

It was AGREED to appoint Cllr. Nigel Dineen to the Economic Development & Enterprise Support (including Roads & Culture) Strategic Policy Committee following the resignation of Cllr. Tony Ward.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Kilduff

SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

It was AGREED to appoint Cllr. Nigel Dineen as Chairperson of the Economic Development & Enterprise Support (including Roads & Culture) Strategic Policy Committee following the resignation of Cllr. Kathleen Shanagher.

(Circulated)

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Naughten

SECONDED by Councillor Creaton

It was AGREED to appoint Cllr. Liam Callaghan to the Local Community Development Committee(LCDC)  following the resignation of Cllr. Nigel Dineen.

As Chairperson of LCDC, Cllr. Fallon paid tribute to the work done on this committee by Cllr. Dineen during his tenure.

There were no items for discussion.

·         Letter from Kildare County Council dated 23^rd July, 2018, regarding a resolution that was passed  for Kildare County Council to write to the insurance regulator and all home insurance providers who offer policies within County Kildare, voicing their concern, disappointment and opposition to the apparent misinterpretation of the current Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Studies (CFRAMS) maps by the insurance industry and the fact that this misinterpretation is now affecting house sales within County Kildare.

·         Letter from Donegal County Council dated 26^th July, 2018 regarding a resolution that was adopted calling on all relevant Government Ministers to reconsider the current government policy regarding the bundling of public contracts.

·         Letter from Donegal County Council dated 26^th July, 2018 regarding a resolution that was adopted calling on the Minister for Education to address the discrepancies which exist in the rates of pay and benefits paid to ancillary staff in our schools and calls for an end to the precarious employment conditions Imposed on theses valuable staff members. Donegal County Council also calls on the Minister to increase the capitation grant paid to schools as outlined in the ‘Action Plan for Education’.

·         Letter from Limerick City and County Council dated 27^th July, 2018 regarding a resolution that was adopted calling on the Taoiseach and his Government to legislate to ensure that employees who have a recognised degree would be legally entitled to be paid a liveable wage and that their employers would not obstruct these graduates from being in pensionable and unionised jobs.

·         Letter from Limerick City and County Council dated 26^th July, 2018 regarding a resolution that was adopted calling on the Minister for Health, Mr. Simon Harris, TD and the Minister of State with Special Responsibilities for Disabilities, Mr Finian McGrath, TD, bring forward legislation that all Government Grants, Social Welfare Payments and all other State Supports be categorised as non-means tested Universal Payments for people with Disabilities.

·         Letter from Leitrim County Council dated 26^th July, 2018 regarding a resolution that was passed calling on the Department of Education and Skills and / or Department of Health to introduce a scheme to provide all teachers and Special Needs Assistants with Occupational First Aid training, encompassing CPR.

·         Letter from Minister Shane Ross, Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport dated 10^th August, 2018 regarding the substantial cutbacks in the funding available for State grants for national, regional and local road programmes during the recession.

·          Letter from Transport Infrastructure Ireland dated 17^th August, 2018 regarding proposals to upgrade the N61 between Athlone and Boyle, County Roscommon.

·         Letter from Waterford City and County Council dated 17^th August, 2018 regarding a Notice of Motion that was adopted calling on the Government, in line with a recent motion, unanimously adopted in the Dáil, to immediately abolish the ‘Loco Parentis’ clause in homecare nursing contracts for sick children.

·         Letter from Clare County Council dated 27^th August, 2018 regarding a Notice of Motion that was passed at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117.18

·         Circulated

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Cummins

                SECONDED by Councillor Creaton

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

Cllr. Callaghan proposed a vote of sympathy to the pupils and staff of the Community College in Castlerea on the recent sudden passing of Damian Carty, a teacher in the school. He was on the Board of Management of the School and very involved in all aspects of school life, including sporting teams. Cllr. Shanagher as Chairperson of the GRETB and Councillors Fitzmaurice, Creaton, Dineen, Leyden all asked to also be associated with the remarks.

Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD), Roscommon Hospital

Cllr. Byrne raised the issue of the proposal to move the Sterilisation Unit from the Hospital from 1^st October to Ballinasloe. This is purported to be a temporary measure but the fear is that if it is moved, it will not be returned. This should not be happening as the unit is safe and just because it is old, does not mean it is not doing its job correctly.

Cllrs, Connolly, Leyden, Creaton, Fallon, Doherty, Keogh, Kilduff, Mulligan and Shanagher all spoke in favour of the motion. Cllr. Creaton stated that he has put this question for discussion at the HSE forum tomorrow (Tuesday 25^th Sept).

Cllr. Connolly stated that the X-Ray unit is not working in the hospital at the moment and there is delay in receiving this service.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Valerie Byrne

            SECONDED by Cllr. Domnick Connolly

It was AGREED that a letter should be sent to Minister Simon Harris T.D., Minister Denis Naughten T.D., Michael Fitzmaurice T.D. and Eugene Murphy T.D requesting that the Government ensure that the Sterilisation Unit not be moved on a temporary basis from Roscommon Hospital to Ballinasloe Hospital on 1^st October and that the sum of €1.4million be provided in the forthcoming Budget to upgrade the sterilisation department in Roscommon Hospital.

Primary Care Centre, Boyle. 

Cllr. Doherty raised the matter of the recent opening of the Primary Care Centre in Boyle by Minister Harris and although this is a welcome development, the people have been kept in the dark as to what facilities will actually be available in the Centre.

On The PROPOSAL of Cllr. Doherty

              SECONDED by Cllr. Cummins

It was AGREED that a letter be sent to Mr. Tony Canavan, Chief Officer, HSE to outline the details of the facilities that will be available in the Primary Health Care Centre in Boyle and more specifically the timescale of the introduction of the facilities.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Kilduff

            SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED that a letter be sent to the HSE to inform them that when there is an official event taking place in the County (of Roscommon), that as the first citizen of the county, the Cathaoirleach be officially recognised at the event.

Area offices:

Cllr Mulligan asked the Chief Executive if the Area Offices in Ballaghaderreen, Castlerea and Strokestown are to be closed in the future. In the Ballaghaderreen Area there is no engineer and a reduction in outdoor staff.

The Chief Executive replied that there are no plans to close these offices at this point in time.

Castlerea Fire Station:

Cllr. Dineen asked for an update on the reopening of the Castlerea Fire Station. He said that there was a fire in the town environs two weeks ago and thankfully there was no loss of life or severe damage. He asked when will the new recruits be trained and when will the station open?

Pat Murtagh, Acting Director of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 120.18