The Cathaoirleach paid tribute to the late Josephine(Josie) Connaughton, mother of Cllr Ivan and wife of former Cathaoirleach Martin Connaughton. A former postmaster in Athleague, she will be sadly missed by her family and all of the people of Athleague

Cllr. Crosby, Cllr Leyden, Cllr Byrne, Cllr Naughten, Cllr Mulligan, on behalf of their groupings, all spoke warmly of Mrs Connaughton and her contribution to her native parish and expressed their sympathy to Cllr. Ivan and former Cllr. Martin and the extended Connaughton and Fannon families on their loss.

The Chief Executive on behalf of the management team and staff expressed his sympathy to the Cllr. Ivan and the Connaughton family at this sad time.

Cllr. Ivan Connaughton thanked everyone who had sent messages of sympathy since his late mothers passing and thanked all of the members for their kind words.

A minute’s silence was then observed.

·         Minutes of Plenary Meeting held on 27.07.2020

·         Minutes of Plenary Meeting held on 28.09.2020

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Mulligan

            SECONDED by Cllr. Shanagher

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Plenary Meeting of 27.07.2020

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Crosby

            SECONDED by Cllr. Cummins

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Plenary Meeting of 28.09.2020

Cllr. Leyden enquired if there was an update on letter sent on behalf of the members to the Minister for Communications for a meeting to discuss the Just Transition fund.

The Meetings Administrator confirmed that all correspondence received to date is included in the Agenda Pack but will follow up with the Department on the matter.

It was PROPOSED by Cllr. Ward

SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

That a letter be sent to the OPW to allocate  the necessary funding to carry out a survey on the cost of the works required to alleviate flooding at Lough Fuinshinagh.

-       Management Report for September 2020

·         Management Report for September 2020 noted.

·         0.41 Ha in the Townland of Grange Beg, Barony of Boyle, Co. Roscommon

·         0.14 Ha in the Townland of Killappoge, Barony of Boyle, Co. Roscommon

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Cummins

SECONDED by Councillor Byrne

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 0.41 hA at Grange Beg Td., Boyle, Co. Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: Kathleen O’Rourke, Grange Beg Boyle, Co. Roscommon

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of: Francis Harrington, Grangemore, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

The consideration proposed in respect of the disposal: €83,000

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Crosby

SECONDED by Councillor Murphy

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 0.14 hA at Killappoge Td., Boyle, Co. Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: Anthony Lee, Portabello, Croghan, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of: Anthony Beirne, Portabello, Croghan, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

The consideration proposed in respect of the disposal: €7,250

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED to appoint the following community nominees to the Roscommon Local Community Development Committee:

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED to appoint the following nominees to the Roscommon Local Community Development Committee:

·         To confirm date of meeting

In accordance with Section 11(4)(d) of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) the Elected Members may issue directions to the Chief Executive regarding the preparation of the Draft Development Plan.

It has been agreed with the Cathaoirleach that a Special meeting will be held on 12^th November in the Council Chamber.

Resolutions from other Local Authorities:

·         29th Sept, 2020 – Copy of letter from Louth County Council

Letter written to the Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage to state Council’s concerns around the impact the Covid-19 crisis has had on the financial position of the Council and will continue to have with the follow on impact on the provision of essential services. The Minister is urged to ensure financial support is made available to all Local Authorities to compensate for the impact of Covid 19 and protect the provision of essential services.

·         2^nd Oct, 2020 – Resolution from Galway County Council

That Galway County Council calls on Debenhams to grant their former Debenhams employees an additional two weeks’ redundancy payment, in addition to the statutory two weeks’ payment, in recognition of the years of loyal service they have given the company. 

·         7^th Oct, 2020 – Notice of Motions from Meath County Council

o   Motion 9.7 – "That Meath County Council calls on the Minister for Health, the Department of Health and NPHET to make available weekly or bi-monthly, details of confirmed COVID-19 cases on a townland basis. This would ensure further compliance with COVID-19 measures and encourage the principle of "We are all in this together" bringing communities together to reduce the spread of the virus locally."

o   Motion 9.8 – "Meath County Council calls upon the Departments of Communications, Climate Action and Environment & Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine & Health to introduce a remunerated DUMP [dispose of unwanted medicines properly] scheme, through pharmacies to promote the safe and appropriate disposal of animal & human medicines, to reduce pharmaceutical waste in the environment."

·         9^th Oct, 2020 – Notice of Motions from Wexford County Council

“That Wexford County Council call on the Government to amend the remit of Irish Water to fund County Councils to allow them to deal with, increase capacity in and manage rural waste water systems in our rural villages with a population of less than 3,000, to protect the survival and growth of rural Ireland.”

Other Correspondence:

12^th Oct, 2020 - Details of successful projects in Roscommon under Accelerated Measure - Round 3, funded by the Department of rural and Community Development.

·         12^th Oct, 2020 - Report on the latest IBAL Survey – Nationwide and Roscommon.

Mr Shane Tiernan, Director of Services updated the members on the Roads Capital Schemes as follows:

All projects subject to compliance with Covid-19 Health and Safety regulations and restrictions. This has implications for contractors and it is intended to carry out as much work as possible on all projects subject to restrictions.

N5 Scramoge to Ballaghaderreen: 33.4km in length and extends from the east tie-in point of the N5 Ballaghaderreen By-pass to Scramoge and bypasses Frenchpark, Bellanagare, Tulsk and Strokestown.  Archaeological testing and resolution is ongoing.  Fencing, topographical proof survey and geotechnical investigations are ongoing.  Advance diversion of Authority & Utility apparatus is ongoing. The main construction contract tender documents were issued to the pre-qualified candidates on 22 July 2020.  The tender process in respect of the main construction contract is ongoing.

N60 Oran Road Realignment Project involves the realignment of approximately 3.4 km of the N60 National Secondary route including 1.7 km of offline construction and 1.7 km of online widening to Type 1 single carriageway standard.  The land acquisition process is currently ongoing, to date approximately 90% of the land cases have been settled.  To date approx. 98% of the works have been completed.  The Certificate of Substantial Completion was issued to Wills Bros Ltd. on the 18^th September 2020.  There are some minor works ongoing comprising accommodation works, signing & lining and snagging. The completion of the works also includes the implementation of necessary alterations to the local road network including the Donamon Junction. 

N61 Ballymurray to Knockcroghery Upgrade: This project comprises the improvement of the N61 Road between Ballymurray and Knockcroghery which will incorporate a bypass of Knockcroghery village.  Work continued throughout 2020 on the assessment of the route corridor options.  It is anticipated the emerging preferred route corridor will be identified in Q4 2020.

N61 Coolteige Phase 1 Road Project involves the realignment and improvement of approximately 2.9km of a section of National Secondary Road on the northern outskirts of Roscommon Town predominately to Type 1 single carriageway standard and is now substantially complete.

N61 Tulsk to Clashaganny Road Realignment Project involves the realignment of approximately 4km of the N61 National Secondary route from a location immediately north of Tulsk village to Clashaganny.  The identified emerging preferred route corridor has been identified and is currently available to view on Roscommon County website.  The Design Team is currently undertaking technical and environmental surveys within the Preferred Route Corridor and is developing the road design to a level of detail sufficient to identify the land take requirements.

N4 Carrick on Shannon to Dromod Project involves the provision of a transport solution, which may include a new bridge crossing of the River Shannon, to relieve the significant traffic congestion on the N4 through Carrick on Shannon.  The extents of the project include a 21 km section of the N4 national primary route extending from Drumharlow townland in County Roscommon to Faulties townland in County Leitrim.  Under the Section 85 Agreement in place Leitrim County Council is the Lead  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.20

Ms. Majella Hunt, Director of Services presented a report on the projects that are being delivered by the Regeneration Unit:

·         The initiatives commenced in 2017 with funding available from Government under various schemes to regenerate towns and villages

·         2017:

·         Seven town and Village Scheme with approved cost of €850k

·         CLAR Funding projects continued with 20 projects at a cost of €605k

·         Outdoor Recreation Scheme (new) for smaller projects at cost of €118k

·         All projects now completed.

·         2018:

·         Funding increased for Outdoor recreation Projects

·         Town and Village Projects – 8 projects funded at a cost of €1.1M

·         CLAR – 11 projects funded at cost of €313k

·         URDF and RRDF Scheme introduced for the period 2018 – 2027 with significant funding for large projects – 2 projects approved to commence in Roscommon under the RRDF scheme in Boyle and Castlerea at a total cost of €4.3m. These projects have reached the final stage of approval with detailed design completed and awaiting approval from the Department to go to construction stage.

·         Under the RRDF Scheme two projects approved for Roscommon town:

o   Public Realm Works involving the upgrade of the Square and Main Street with investment of €5.8m. Detailed design completed and full gateway approval from Department received. Meeting with contractor this week on pre appointment for this 12-18 month timeline.

o   Preparatory Concept Project for Roscommon Town- €470k cost approved

·         Outdoor Recreation Scheme:5 projects at cost of €1.4m All projects are nearing completion, the most significant of which is the Cycleway in Boyle.

·         Historic Towns Initiative: 1 successful project in Boyle at cost of €168k also complete

·         2019:

·         Town & Villages - 6 successful projects at cost of €940k

·         Outdoor Recreation Scheme – 7  projects at a cost of €650k

·         RRDF – 1 project at Monksland at cost of €3.8m applied for and has moved to first stage of detailed design with consultants just appointed.

·         CLAR – 10 schemes at cost of €350k

·         Failte Ireland Destination Initiative(new) - €470k approved

·         2020:

·         RRDF –applied for one project in Ballaghaderreen – an initial development concept for the town. This was approved for design stage and consultants currently being appointed.

·         Town and Village (Covid19) funding – 15 projects approved at cost of €450k

·         Historic Towns Initiative: 1 successful project in Roscommon Town (Abbey St and Church St)  at cost of €190k ongoing.

·         Outdoor Recreation Scheme – four applications to be submitted by 1^st December.

·         RRDF – three projects in Boyle, Strokestown and Elphin awaiting Part 8 approval from the Boyle Muncipal district members and due to be submitted by 1^st December.

·         Just Transition Fund (new)- one successful project approved and two more ready to be submitted at next call.

In total over 100 projects are live at a total investment of €23m plus €5m matched funding from Roscommon County Council to end of 2019. If the 2020 projects submitted are successful this will increase to €30m with matched funding of €7m.

In addition smaller projects under CEP and Creative Ireland funding streams  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116.20

The Chief Executive invited the Director of Services, Liam Bergin to update the members regarding the increased cost of disposal of hazardous waste in the Civic Amenity Site in Roscommon and the consequent implications:

·         There has been a noticeable increase in the amount of paint cans (hazardous waste) brought for disposal to the Civic Amenity Site this year.

·         There has been a consequent increased cost to the Council in paying for the disposal of this paint as the intake volume has increased and contractors have tripled their costs.

·         Roscommon is the only local civic amenity site providing this disposal service, with none in the adjoining counties of Leitrim and Longford.

·         The increased cost of providing the service in 2020 is envisaged to be €60k if no changes are made. In order to continue providing the service, a separate charge for disposal of hazardous waste will have to be implemented immediately.

·         The proposed change is to have a separate charge of € 3.50 for disposal of up to three tins of paint at any one time.

·         As this is an executive function, a resolution is not required from the members

The members discussed as follows:

·         It would be preferable to continue to provide the service if possible

·         Difficult to reconcile increased disposal charges when illegal dumping is a continuing and escalating problem.

·         This matter should have been discussed at the appropriate SPC before considering introduction of the proposed charges.

·         Charges for paint disposal are in operation in Ballinasloe CAS

·         This is not an unreasonable proposal and should serve the needs of most domestic users and unlikely to lead to increased dumping.

In response to the discussion Mr. Bergin confirmed that he would have preferred to bring the matter to the next SPC but due to the cost implications, action must be taken immediately by the Executive.

·         16.20     Award of Military Medals for Jadotville Siege -  Cllr. Crosby

·         17.20     TUS and CE Social Employment Schemes – Cllr Naughten

As the agreed time of two hours allocated to the meeting under Covid -19 regulations had expired, the Motions were deferred to the November meeting.