·         Minutes of Plenary Meeting on 22^nd July 2019

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

            SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Plenary Meeting of 22.07.2019

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Ward

                SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED to amend the minutes to change the name Caulfield to Lennon in reference to Casual Trading Bye Laws.

Cllr. Leyden asked why a presentation from a 5G expert was not facilitated on the agenda of this meeting, despite it being agreed at the last plenary meeting.  She referenced the reply received from the Minister with regard to the letter sent asking for a moratorium on 5G as agreed by the Members and expressed her disappointment that this request would not be forthcoming. 

Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services explained that the Local Authority has no statutory or legislative function with regards to mobile technology transmissions and only has a function under planning legislation with regard to the siting of telecommunications masts and equipment where such masts or equipment are not exempted development. ComReg’s role in relation to Non-Ionising Radiation emitted by mobile telephony transmission equipment is solely to ensure that licensed operators comply with the conditions of the General Authorisation and do not exceed the exposure levels established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) is responsible for policy relating to the health effects of non-ionising radiation including electromagnetic fields. The EPA has a number of functions under S.I. No. 190 of 2019 - RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION ACT 1991 (NON-IONISING RADIATION) ORDER 2019. These include advising the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment on standards and regulations relating to NIR and providing information to the public on matters of public exposure in relation to NIR.

In conclusion he stated that in this regard Roscommon County Council has requested the EPA as advisors to the Minister on these matters, to present impartial information with regards to 5G technology to the plenary meeting of Roscommon County Council and is awaiting confirmation of availability of a suitably qualified official.

·         Management Report July 2019

·         Management Report August 2019

·         The Management Reports for July 2019 and August 2019 were noted.

·         Consideration of Local Property Tax Variation in accordance with provisions of Section 20 of the Finance (Local Property tax) Act 2012

Mr. Martin Lydon, Director of Services presented the Chief Executive’s report to the Members on the Local Property Tax (Local Adjustment Factor) 2020:

He advised the Members in making a decision to vary or maintain the level of LPT, they must take into account the following and make a decision by 30^th September:

·         An estimation of income and expenditure for the coming year

·         The current financial position of the Council

·         The financial effect of a variation to the LPT rate and

·         Feedback from public consultation

He outlined the following:

·         The budgetary position for 2020 shows a shortfall of €1.4m with pressures of €2.585m including funding roads from own resources, filling of vacant posts and pay increases, reinstatement of GMA and reduced NPPR, expenditure on public lighting efficiency, match funding for village schemes, fund for purchase of derelict sites and reduced FSAI income offset to a certain extent by removal of maximum rent cap, reduction in loan payments and reduced insurance premium

·         In 2018 the Council recorded a revenue surplus of €189k

·         The Department have notified the Council of the 2020 allocation of €10.2m from the Local Property Tax Fund which is the same as 2016 – 2019 and included a net equalisation of €7m

·         The value of each 1% variance is €40.1k with 15% yielding €601k. The annual cost to the property owner will vary from €13.50 to €33.57 for 92% of the houses in Roscommon

·         No submissions were received from the public consultation process

·         The recommendation is for an increase of 15% in order to ensure a progressive budget and the need for additional funding in a climate where the current LPT fund is adequate to cover the costs of services provided.

The Members debated the proposal as follows:

·         The Corporate Policy Group agreed with the Chief Executives recommendation on the understanding that 5% would be ring fenced for vital local services

·         Important to not fall behind in improving services for the county

·         We cannot collect enough money locally to provide services and need equalisation fund

·         It is important to avail of all the funding available under the many different scheme including rural and urban regeneration, outdoor recreation town and village renewal etc. and we have to lever match funding

·         Why is funding not provided from Central Government?

·         This is not a good time to raise tax when Brexit is in the offing in the next month.

·         What is the position if the properties are revalued in 2020?

·         We have to reinstate the Municipal fund under new guidelines

·         We are not getting our share of the Motor tax funding and we need to send a message to Government

·         The increase is reasonable and if we do not agree to an increase locally, we cannot go to Government for more funding

·         No-one wants to increase the tax but at this stage it is a necessity just to stand still.

·         We do not want to be in a position of not being able to give grants to community groups etc.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 128.19

To fix the dates for the following meetings:

·         Municipal District Meetings to consider draft Budgetary Plan 2020.

·         Roscommon County Council statutory meeting to consider 2020 Budget.

The following dates have been agreed with regard to the Municipal District Budget Meetings:

·         Roscommon will take place on Monday 14^th October at 10am

·         Boyle will take place on Tuesday 15^th October at 2.30pm

·         The date and time of the Athlone meeting will be fixed this week

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED that the Plenary Budget Meeting of Roscommon County Council take place on Monday 18^th November at 10am as recommended by the Corporate Policy Group.

·         Presentation by Eugene Dwyer, Senior Engineer and Malachy Walsh & Partners, Consulting Engineers.

Mr. Eugene Dwyer, Head of Roads and Transportation outlined details of the flooding event in November 2015 at Lough Fuinshinagh whereby houses were cut off and hundreds of acres of farmland were submerged and what has transpired since.

Works carried out to date include raising of roads, building of a mound to protect one of the houses, investigation works at a swallowhole in Lisphelim. He noted that the levels are currently and the lake at the lowest since 2015 having decreased two meters.

Sean Doyle from Malachy Walsh & Partners, Consulting Engineers, gave a presentation to the Members on the findings of their report. They were commissioned by Roscommon County Council to carry out an analysis of the hydrological regime in Lough Funshinagh following an exceptional rise in the levels of the lake during the winter 2015/2016. The report was to establish the cause of the flooding around Lough Funshinagh and Lough Cup and make recommendations on possible remedial works.

Their conclusions were as follows:

·         There were exceptionally high levels of rainfall in particular over a 60-day period from early 2015 and the highest cumulative rainfall in the area since 1952 (one in one-hundred-year event)

·         No evidence to suggest flooding was due to abnormal decrease in outflow rate other than seasonal variation

·         The flood risk could be alleviated by providing over flow to the East (Kiltoom) or South (Cross River) but the cost is excessive and could be considerably higher if rock excavation is required

·         The Lough is designated as county geological site and SAC and wildlife sanctuary and any interference should be avoided

·         Specific flood control measures at Ballagh and Lysterfield have highest benefit to cost ratio at 0.7 and 0.5 respectively, both well below the 1.35 required for OPW funding. Further investigation required at Ballagh to see if works are feasible. In the absence of a solution to the houses at risk, is relocation

·         At Srahauns only means of eliminating flood risk from Lough Cup is overflow pipe 1,200 m to existing stream only if there is low hydraulic continuity between the two lakes but the BCR is low

·         There is no overland outlet and the main outlet appears to be to the south.

In order to satisfy the criteria for funding, a cost benefit analysis must reach a certain threshold and none of the solutions come close to this as laid down by the Office of Public Works.

 The Members welcomed the report but expressed their dissatisfaction with the conclusions:

·         There is an ongoing loss of income to the farmers affected through loss of single farm payment and unable to farm the lands affected

·         A pipe will have to be put in to drain away the water

·         This area was designated as an SAC in 1974 but now that all of the wildlife, flora and fauna have been destroyed it should be decommissioned as such to enable works to be carried out

·         Have to question the one in one-hundred-year event data even if you have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 130.19

·         In accordance with the Road Traffic Act 2004 & the DTTAS Guidelines issued under Section 9(9) of the RTA 2004 Guidelines for Setting & Managing Speed Limits in Ireland

The Head of Roads and Transportation, Mr. Eugene Dwyer presented a report on the Road Traffic (Special Speed Limits Regional & Local Roads) Bye-Laws 2019 that were prepared in accordance with Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 including statutory public consultation in 2016. In 2018 the County Roscommon Road Traffic (Special Speed Limit Housing Estates) Bye-Laws were adopted with the introduction of 30km/hr speed limits in housing estates. The default speed limit on regional and local roads is 80km/hr and can only be changed by making special speed limit bye-laws which are now for the members to consider as per the maps and scheduled as outlined.

The Members welcomed the proposals but raised the following issues:

·         It is disappointing that there has been no progress with the TII in respect of introducing periodical speed limits outside schools on the National Primary roads

·         Has there been any progress with the TII with regard to ongoing issues on the N61 including speeding and volumes of traffic?

·         There is an ongoing issue all around the county with regard to speeding on local roads and accepting personal responsibility by drivers, and enforcement by the Gardaí, perhaps the Council can highlight this problem. Flashing signs to warn about speed have been very successful but if too many are installed they will lose their effectiveness.

·         Can the road diversions on the N60 at Oran be more extensively highlighted?

·         When will the infrastructure for the new signs be installed?

·         Can funding be ring-fenced to install pedestrian crossings/ traffic management initiatives on the N5 in Tulsk, Tarmonbarry and Strokestown?

·         Issue with speeding in Mount Talbot on the N61

·         Can the speed limit be extended from Four Roads to Curraghboy?

It was PROPOSED by Cllr. Crosby that the traffic management system on the N5 through of Tulsk, Strokestown and Tarmonbarry be prioritised.

It was PROPOSED by Cllr. Naughten that a meeting with the TII be sought within one month to finalise the speed limit issues

In response to the issues raised, Mr. Dwyer confirmed he will seek a final response from the TII with regard to the speed limits on the National Primary Roads in question and other outstanding issues including the N61 where they agreed in 2017 to assess. It is hoped to have the signage in place by February 2020. A pedestrian count will have to be done in the villages on the N5 but the minimum requirement for a crossing in 100 pedestrians and 1,000 vehicles per hour.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

                SECONDED by Cllr. Leyden

It was AGREED to adopt the County Roscommon Road Traffic (Special Speed Limits Regional & Local Roads) Bye-Laws 2019

The Director of Services and Head of Finance Mr. Martin Lydon outlined the statutory regulations with regard to the appointment of external members of the Audit Committee. He stated that the Corporate Policy Group had endorsed the following who have put themselves forward to become member of the committee - Sinead Devine (Accountant), Willie Murphy (Head of Operations at Aurivo) and Michael Hegarty (former Bank Manager).

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. Connaughton

It was AGREED to appoint Sinead Devine, Willie Murphy and Michael Hegarty to the Audit Committee of Roscommon County Council.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED to extend Standing Orders after 5.30pm

Mr. Liam Bergin, Director of Services presented the Draft Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024 to the Members for consideration as required by Department regulations.

The Strategy sets out specific goals, actions and objectives, which will see the Counciladapting its policies, procedures, functions and business operations to account for the impacts associated with Climate Change. The development of a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy is intended to commence shortly with completion due in early 2020. Both Strategies will aid Roscommon County Council in adapting to and mitigating against the effects of climate change.

Cllr. Leyden requested that the Roscommon County Council Biodiversity Emergency be included in the plan and that a budget will need to be secured to fund measures required.

Cllrs. Naughten, Ward and Kilduff welcomed the strategy as a step in the right direction and look forward to the implementation starategy.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

SECONDED by Cllr. Byrne

It was AGREED to adopt the Draft Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024.

·         Updated Guidelines for Local Authorities in the preparation of the Corporate Plan 2019 to 2024

Director of Services Liam Bergin informed the Members that the Guidelines have been issued from the Department in respect of the compilation of the Corporate Plan 2019 -2024. Consultation with Elected Members will be facilitated in the coming months and there is a statutory requirement to complete the Plan within six months of the election of the new Council.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

            SECONDED by Cllr. Leyden

It was AGREED to appoint Cllr. Liam Callaghan to the Board of Longford, Westmeath Roscommon Local Link Board.

Cllr. Callaghan thanked the Members for the appointment and in response to the request of Members agreed that he would raise the matter of deficits in the service in certain areas of County Roscommon including the Athlone area.

·         19.19 – Cllr Donal Kilduff – Regularise Annual Allocation Funding Date for Rural Water Projects;

·         20.19 – Cllr Tony Ward – Carers Allowance

There were two Notices of Motion submitted for discussion

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Kilduff

SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council calls on the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to regularise the annual allocation funding date for rural water works early each year in order to ensure that Council management and staff can design, procure and execute rural water projects at the most appropriate times each year in accordance with best practice project management.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Ward

                SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED to  call on the Government, the Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr. Paschal Donohoe T.D. and the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Ms. Regina Doherty T.D., to bring forward legislation in the Dáil which will exempt Carers Allowance from a means assessment if the person who is being cared for has a full detailed medical report in support of their condition. It was further agreed to send a copy of the letter to the Minister for Health.

·         Letter dated 24^th July, 2019 from Waterford City and County Council – Resolution – “That Waterford City and County Council in keeping with the objectives of making Waterford a fair employment area agrees with and endorses the right of all employees to be represented individually and/or collectively by a trade union if they so wish. We would expect and encourage all Employees and their representative organisations in Waterford City and County to fully recognise this basic fundamental human right and so not intimidate, harass or threaten the continued employment of those exercising this right”;

·         Letter dated 6^th August, 2019 – Acknowledgement from Office of the Taoiseach;

·         Email dated 8^th August, 2019 – Acknowledgement from Minister Ross office;

·         Letter dated 8^th August, 2019 – Acknowledgement from Minister Ring office;

·         Letter dated 7^th August, 2019 – Acknowledgment from Minister Zappone office;

·         Letter dated 6^th August, 2019 – Acknowledgment from Minister Murphy office;

·         Letter dated 6^th August, 2019 – Acknowledgment from Minister Creed office;

·         Letter dated 8^th August, 2019 – Acknowledgment from Department of Justice and Equality;

·         Letter dated 12^th August, 2019 from Minister Ring

·         Email dated 14^th August, 2019 from Mathew Cunningham, Area Manager, ESB Networks;

·         Email dated 15^th August, 2019 – Acknowledgment from Minister Humphrey office;

·         Letter dated 15^th August, 2019 – Acknowledgement from Minister Creed office;

·         Letter dated 19^th August, 2019 from the Office of the Minister Creed, Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine;

·         Letter dated 20^th August, 2019 from Minister Richard Bruton T.D., Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment

·         Letter dated 21^st August, 2019 from Minister Richard Bruton T.D., Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment

·         Letter received 27^th August, 2019 from Minister Heather Humphreys T.D. Department for Business, Enterprise and Innovation;

·         Letter dated 23^rd August, 2019 from Minister Zappone T.D., Department of Children and Youth Affairs;

·         Letter dated 30^th August, 2019 from Minister Creed T.D., Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine;

·         Email dated 23^rd August, 2019 from Minister Eoghan Murphy T.D., Minister for Housing. Planning and Local Government;

·         Letter dated 10^th September, 2019 from Sligo County Council – Resolution – “That Sligo County Council delay (1) the testing of 5G and the roll-out of 5G in County Sligo (2) call on ComReg to delay the licensing of its roll-out and (3) calls on the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment to establish the facts about the radiation impact of 5G and to delay the roll-out across the country until a full assessment of the health and environmental implications are carried out with a report compiled and presented to the Oireachtas”;

·         Email dated 10^th September, 2019 from Minister Paschal Donohoe T.D., Department of Finance and Public Expenditure;

·         Email dated 11^th September, 2019 from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII);

·         Letter dated 12^th September, 2019 from Minister Eoghan Murphy T.D., Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government;

·         Letter dated 12^th September, 2019 from Minister  ...  view the full minutes text for item 138.19

·         Attendance at approved conferences and training

1.       Approval of Payments for Elected Members that attended Training and Conference Events;

There were no Elected Members payments for approval;

2.    Approval of Attendance for Elected members at upcoming Training and Conference Events.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

            SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED the Following Courses on the list below were approved for members to attend:

·         A Vote of congratulations was recorded to Aoife O’Rourke, European Elite Women’s Boxing Senior Champion.

·         The Cathaoirleach expressed his sympathy on behalf of the Members to the Chief Executive Mr. Eugene Cummins on the recent death of his mother Peggy Cummins R.I.P

·         Votes of sympathy were recorded for the following:

o   Catherine Walsh and family Cornaseer, Kiltoom on the death of her husband Ger Walsh

o   The Callaghan Family, Mockmoyne, Boyle on the death of Gerry Callaghan

o   The Collins Family, Roscommon town, on the death of Pauline Collins

o   The Cull Family, Arigna on the death of James Cull

o   The Brophy and O’Connor Family from Ardeavin, Castleplunkett, on the death of Fidelma Brophy (nee O’Connor)

o   The Donnelly Family, Rahara, on the death of Liam Donnelly, brother of the late former Councillor Gerry Donnelly.

·         Cllr. Anthony Waldron informed the meeting about ‘Make Way Day’ that is being organised by the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Roscommon event will take place on Thursday 26^th September at the Leader Offices in Roscommon from 11 to 12 noon and all are welcome. 

·         The Meetings Administrator informed the Members that they will be contacted in the coming days regarding membership of the four Strategic Policy Committees.