On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

            SECONDED by Cllr. Cummins

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Plenary Meeting of 23^rd September 2019

§  There were no matters arising.

§  Q3 Report 2019

§  Management Report for Quarter 3 was noted.

Members requested updates/clarification in relation to the following:

§  The homeless figures and the housing waiting list figures to include those on the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)

§  The lack of building of social housing

§  The inequity of the HAP Scheme where tenants under this scheme find it difficult to meet the difference between the assistance offered under the Scheme and the rent that the landlord is requesting

§  Will the replacement of storage heaters be included in the Energy Retrofit Programme?

§  What groups will have access to the 3D printer which has been purchased by the Library?

§  The recent IDA visit to Roscommon and the potential for foreign direct investment into the county

§  The Sustainable Transport Study should be brought to the Roscommon Municipal District Meeting

Directors of Services Martin Lydon, Majella Hunt and Shane Tiernan provided the following updates/clarification relevant to their Directorate:

§  A breakdown of the homeless and housing waiting list figures were provided.  The housing list figures for Q3 i.e. 364 excludes transfer applications

§  The level of refusals is quite high indicating that many people are happy to remain in private rented accommodation

§  Construction of 53 houses at the Walk in Roscommon town, due to commence in January 2020, will provide a significant amount of social housing

§  The Council has purchased land in Monksland for housing

§  There will be a number of Part 8 applications coming before the respective Municipal Districts allowing Members to have their input into social housing policy

§  The replacement of storage heaters will be included in the Energy Retrofit Programme.  It is very expensive to replace storage heaters and it is planned to put a pilot scheme in place

§  The Council met with the executive of the IDA with the view to develop more engagement with the IDA at local level and in the county.  At this stage the Council is carrying out an audit of the spaces in the county for industries within the county, a data analysis of the skills group, what lands (whether Council owned or privately owned) that may be available for development within the county.  Once this process is complete, the Council will have a further meeting with the IDA

§  Training is to be provided to staff with regard to the 3D printer which was purchased by the Library.   It is hoped to have a programme in place with schools as an exhibit product to show what can be done. With regard to extending it out to other groups, we will have to wait until 2020 to see what the demand is and the ability to meet that demand and if there will be charges

§  With regard to the Sustainable Transport Study, Consultants carried out a study and the Report is currently being reviewed by the Roads Department.

§  0.017 ha in Carrownderry, Kiltoom, County Roscommon

§  0.042 ha at Carrownderry, Kiltoom, County Roscommon

§  0.124 ha at Carrownderry and Carnagh West, Kiltoom, County Roscommon

§  0.104 ha at Ballinagard, Roscommon, County Roscommon

§  0.130 ha at Ballypheasan, Roscommon, County Roscommon

§  0.0437 ha at Ardsallagh More, Roscommon, County Roscommon

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

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 0.017 ha at Carrownderry, Kiltoom, County Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: John O’Brien

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of: Michael O’Brien

The consideration proposed in respect of the disposal: €10

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Ward

SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

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 0.042 ha at Carrownderry, Kiltoom, County Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: John O’Brien

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of: Mary O’Brien

The consideration proposed in respect of the disposal: €10

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Kilduff

SECONDED by Cllr. Connaughton 

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 0.124 ha at Carrownderry and Carnagh West, Kiltoom, County Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: John O’Brien

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of: Noel Harney

The consideration proposed in respect of the disposal: €10

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Dineen

SECONDED by Cllr. Leyden

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 0.104 ha at Ballinagard Roscommon, County Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: David Hynes

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of: Irish Water

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Shanagher

SECONDED by Cllr. Leyden

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 0.130 ha at Ballypheason, Roscommon, County Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: Not available

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of: Irish Water

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen 

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 0.0437 ha at Ardsallagh More, Roscommon, County Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: Martin and Philomena Kelly

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of: Irish Water

The total consideration proposed in respect of the three disposals, as outlined above, to Irish Water: €72,000

·         0.29 ha in the townland of Clogher Upper, in the Barony of Castlereagh

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Dineen

SECONDED by Cllr. Cummins

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 0.29 ha at Clogher Upper, in the Barony of Castlereagh, County Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: Frank Gannon

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of: Thomas Kelly and William Kelly

The consideration proposed in respect of the disposal: €22,500

Mr. Liam Bergin presented the Draft Strategic Policy Committee Scheme for approval.  The Draft Scheme was approved at the July Plenary Meeting.  Following public consultation, three submissions were received and noted.  The approval of the Scheme will allow for the appointments of the Elected Members and the Sectoral Members to the Strategic Policy Committees.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

            SECONDED by Cllr. Cummins

It was AGREED to adopt the Draft Strategic Policy Committee Scheme 2019-2024

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

            SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED to approve the appointment of the Elected Members to the Strategic Policy Committees as circulated.

§  Roscommon County Council approve the making of a loan of €147,150 pursuant to the provisions of Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous provisions) Act 1992 and in accordance with the terms of Circular/Memorandum VHU2/02 to Roscara Housing Association Limited in respect of the purchase of one dwelling house at 125 River Village, Monksland, Athlone, County Roscommon

Martin Lydon, Director of Services, informed the Members that the Department provides capital funding for the delivery, through either construction or acquisition, of housing accommodation to cater for the priority groups under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) including the elderly, homeless persons and people with a disability.  It is necessary for the Council to pass a Resolution approving the making available of a loan to allow the project to proceed.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

            SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council approve the making of a loan of €147,150 pursuant to the provisions of Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992 and in accordance with the terms of Circular/Memorandum VHU2/02 to Roscara Housing Association Limited, Lanesborough Road, Roscommon Town, County Roscommon for the purchase of one dwelling at 125 River Village, Monksland, Athlone, County Roscommon for the provision of two units of social housing accommodation for disabled person(s).

1.       Letter dated 26^th September 2019 from Leitrim County Council – Resolution – “That Leitrim County Council call on the Minister for the Environment to introduce a moratorium on the granting of planning permission for new wind farms until such time as the long overdue new guidelines are issued by the Minister”

2.       Letter dated 26^th September 2019 from Leitrim County Council – Resolution – “That Leitrim County Council calls on the Minister of Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD, to reverse the decision he made in June 2019, when he agreed to a proposal from the Central Bank to substantially increase the current industry levy on Credit Unions up to 50% by 2022.  This increase can be regarded as a tax on Credit Union member’s loans and savings.  Credit Union Directors are fully aware of the need for the current regulatory environment however an increase in the levy off this magnitude threatens the very existence of Credit Unions in County Leitrim”.

3.       Letter dated 26^th September 2019 from Leitrim County Council – Resolution – “That Leitrim County Council call on the National Transport Authority, The Minister for Transport and his Department to extend the area of operations for Local Area Hackney licenses from 5-7 kilometres to 16-20 kilometres”.

4.       Letter dated 26^th September 2019 from Leitrim County Council – Resolution – “That Leitrim County Council unanimously support The Beef Plan Campaign in seeking to get its members and all producers a much fairer percentage share of the income from the livestock they are producing.  In particular, we want to see all thirteen of their key grievances, concerning policy and technical issues, addressed in full by the meat factories.  Also, that this motion is forwarded to the Minister for Agriculture and to all other Councils seeking their full support”

“That Leitrim county Council call on the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and the Government to reject the Mercosur Trade Deal in light of the threat that is posed to our main industry and more specifically to our beef industry which is already experiencing great difficulty in the marketplace with diminishing returns to the primary producer.  The Mercosur deal coup-led with the proposals coming from the National Climate Change Council which is proposing to terminate beef production via the suckler herd has potential to shut down rural Ireland particularly the Northwest where the land type does not lend itself to any other type of production”.

“That Leitrim County Council supports The Beef Plan Movement and farmers in their campaign for a fair share of profits that are being made from beef and lamb sales, and calls on the Minister for Agriculture to help free farmers from the beef baron’s shackles of slavery”.

“That Leitrim County Council calls on the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed T.D. to take some positive action to alleviate the crisis that is looming in the beef sector at the moment”.

5.       Letter dated 3^rd October 2019 from Monaghan County Council – Resolution – “That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 151.19

§  Mr. John McAuley, from Compliance Engineering Ireland

Mr. Shane Tiernan, Director of Services, welcomed Mr. John McAuley from Compliance Engineering International. CEI provide services to various international organisations and government bodies including COMREG. Services include Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) compliance and pre-compliance testing. They are accredited to EN ISO/IEC 17025 and an accredited INAB member ensuring world-wide acceptance of their reports. They have Notified Body status for the EMC and Radio Equipment Directives – granted by ComReg. John McAuley is currently Chairman of the National Standard Authority of Ireland ElectroTechnical Committee which is responsible for the Irish support to IEC, CENELEC and ETSI.  IEC is the International Electrotechnical Commission who prepare and publish International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. CENELEC is the European committee for electrotechnical standardisation and ETSI is the European Telecommunications Standards Institute and the standardization body for the European telecommunications industry.

John McAuley outlined his presentation to the Members which covered the following:

§  Evolution of mobile phones

§  Radiofrequencies

§  700 MHz 5G has good range – good for rural areas (100 Mbps) (4G will provide about 10Mbps)

§  26 GHz 5G has poor range but high bandwidth (1 Gbps) and good capacity

§  To implement rural broadband using 26 GHz would require many new basestations

§  For rural areas 5G will be nothing new – the frequency ranges are already in use for 2G, 3G and 4G

§  In urban areas 26 GHz will require many small cells mounted on walls and poles

§  Most of the recent concern about health has been around 26 GHz which is “new”

§  International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)

§  Irish government policy is to adopt ICNIRP

§  Basestation emissions are typically 100,000 times below ICNIRP limits

§  5G will be no different

§  5G – 700 MHz –vs – 26 GHz

o   700 MHz - signal penetrates body to 15mm. Gives good range for rural areas similar to 900 MHz which has been in use in Ireland since 1986

o   26 GHz - signal penetrates to 0.2mm - absorbed by skin. Very poor penetration into buildings. Very poor range, easily blocked by foliage

§  Exposure levels from 5G basestations will be thousands of times below the ICNIRP limits

§  As 26 GHz only penetrates to 0.2mm the allegations of harmful effect relate mostly to possible effects on the surface nervous system

§  There has been no evidence of low level harmful effects accepted by ICNIRP in spite of hundreds of millions having been spent on research

§  It is highly unlikely that the alleged surface effects of 26 GHz signals are going to be demonstrated to be harmful.

The Members thanked Mr. McAuley for his presentation and raised the following questions/observations:

§  Why do so many people and also the medical professionals still raise concerns?

§  Health concerns are the key issue, the depth of penetration of the skin, effects on the eyes, stress, damage to DNA and cancer

§  There should be public consultation regarding the installation of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 152.19

§  There was no Chief Executive business

§  21.19 Cllr Leyden and Cllr Naughten - Eurostat define Northern and Western Region a ‘Region in Transition’

There was one Notice of Motion submitted for discussion.

Eurostat has confirmed that the Northern and Western Region, which includes Roscommon, has moved back from a ‘Developed Region’ to a ‘Region in Transition’ Cllr. Leyden and Cllr. Naughten (21.19)

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

            SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council write to the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, T.D., to ask how the Minister is proposing to address this:

§  Is there opportunity for positive discrimination?

§  Can the Minister also confirm that European Regional Development Funding will continue to be delivered in the regions post 2020.

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

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

1.       Approval of Payments for Elected Members who have attended training and conference events

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Ward

            SECONDED by Cllr. Shanagher

It was AGREED to approve the payments for Elected Members for attendance at training and conference events as circulated.

2.       Approval of Attendance for Elected Members at upcoming training and conference events.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Dineen

            SECONDED by Cllr. McDermott 

It was AGREED to approve the attendance for Elected Members for attendance at training and conference events as listed below:

§  That the attendance of Cllr. Murphy at Celtic Conference ‘Emerging Threats and Persistent Conservation Challenges for Freshwater Biodiversity’ held in O’Donovan’s Hotel, Clonakilty, County Cork on 8^th-10th November, 2019 be approved;

§  That the attendance of Cllr. Callaghan, Cllr. Waldron and Cllr. Dineen at Celtic Conference ‘Entitlement to Health Services’ held in O’Donovan’s Hotel, Clonakilty, County Cork on 15^th -17^th November, 2019 be approved;

§  That the attendance of Cllr. Connaughton, Cllr. Keogh, Cllr. Kilduff, Cllr. Naughten, Cllr. Byrne, Cllr. Cummins, Cllr. Crosby, Cllr. Callaghan, Cllr. Mulligan, Cllr. Fitzmaurice, Cllr. Leyden, Cllr. Shanagher at AILG training on ‘Climate Change – Local Authorities in The Front Line’ held in Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, County Roscommon on 21^st November, 2019 be approved.

A vote of congratulations was recorded to the following:

§  Ballinameen GAA Club for winning the Junior Championship

§  To the County Tidy Towns winners in the National Tidy Towns Competition 2019

§  To the Volunteers who were nominated and won awards in the Roscommon Volunteer Awards 2019

A vote of sympathy was recorded for the following:

§  The Bruen Family, Castlerea, on the death of Mary Bruen

§  The McGann Family, Ballintober, on the death of Bernie McGann

§  Cllr. Ward informed the meeting that it is it had come to his notice in recent weeks that there was no longer a representative of Roscommon LEADER Partnership working in their offices in Curraghaboy. He had sought clarification from Roscommon LEADER Partnership but had not received a response to date.  Cllr. Ward stated that it was imperative that this office remain open. He stated that Roscommon LEADER Partnership has a presence in Arigna, Ballaghaderreen, Castlerea and Roscommon town and if this office closes, Roscommon LEADER Partnership will have no presence in south Roscommon. Cllr. Ward sought the support of the Members in relation to this matter.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Ward

            SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council write to the CEO, Roscommon LEADER Partnership and seek clarification on the matter.

Majella Hunt, Director of Services, stated she will establish the facts in relation to this matter while taking cognisance of the right of the Members to seek clarification from Roscommon LEADER Partnership.

§  Cllr. Crosby informed the meeting that it had come to his attention that General Practitioners in the region are referring their patients to hospitals outside the area and not to Roscommon University Hospital.  Cllr. Crosby sought the support of the Members in relation to this matter.  He stated that the service at Roscommon University Hospital is as good, if not better, that other hospitals in the region.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Crosby

            SECONDED by Cllr. Byrne

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council write to the Health Service Executive requesting that they notify the General Practitioners that in future, where possible, that they refer their patients to Roscommon University Hospital.

§  Cllr. Mulligan referred to a meeting which took place today (21^st October) in Roscommon with regard to the fire brigade in Castlerea and requested an update.

In response, Eugene Cummins, Chief Executive, stated that any meetings between the Executive and members of staff is an Executive matter.  Mr. Cummins stated that he had made no decision on whether or not he will re-open the station in Castlerea. He is awaiting the outcome of another report.

Cllr. Fitzmaurice thanked the Chief Executive for his response and stated that as a Councillor in Castlerea he hopes that the station will re-open at some stage.