Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon

Contact: Patricia Bohan  Email: pbohan@roscommoncoco.ie; 090 66 37172

Media

Items
No. Item

50.21

Welcome to Cllr. Emer Kelly

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cathaoirleach welcomed Cllr. Emer Kelly to her first meeting of Roscommon County Council following her co-option two weeks ago. He welcomed her mother and father, grandmother and siblings to the public gallery on this very proud occasion for her family.

51.21

Adoption of Minutes

·         Minutes of Plenary Meeting 26.04.2021

·         Minutes of Special Meeting 11.05.2021

Additional documents:

Minutes:

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Dineen

            SECONDED by Cllr. Crosby

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Plenary Meeting of 26.04.2021

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Callaghan

            SECONDED by Cllr. Cummins

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Special Meeting of 11.05.2021

52.21

Matters Arising

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

 

 

 

Lough Funshinagh: Cllr. Keogh congratulated the Chief Executive, Director of Service and engineering staff of Roscommon County Council on the wok done to receive approval from the Department to proceed with emergency works to install an overflow pipe as a solution to the flooding crisis in Lough Funshinagh. This is great news for the residents and farming community of the area and thanks to the Chief Executive for keeping the members updated on the situation.

Cllr. Ward also thanked the Chief Executive and staff for their work on this long journey to get to this point. He referenced the forty-five families affected who have suffered a loss of income over the past five years and called on the council to write to the Departments of Agriculture and Finance to compensate this loss.

Councillors Fitzmaurice, Crosby and Naughten also welcomed the news and work done by the Council to get to this point.

Cllr. Dineen also welcomed the news and acknowledged the brave decision of the council to invoke the 1949 Local Authorities Works Act and asked if there a works plan in place, what is the projected investment, what is the invert levels and is the Council happy with the pipes being used and will summertime or wintertime levels be used.

Cllrs. Kilduff and Leyden welcomed the great news regarding the project and commended the leadership of the Council in securing the approval of the Department to proceed with the project and the staff who worked tirelessly on the case and all of the councilors who lobbied for this and suggested a detailed discussion is for another day. Cllr. Kelly welcomed the news and supported Cllr. Ward with regard to compensation for farmers affected.

The Cathaoirleach thanked the Chief Executive and staff and the Ministers and Oireachtas members and all of the Elected Members of the Council for their work and support in approving a final solution whereby works will start immediately as a final solution.

 

The Chief Executive thanked the members for their vote of confidence and trust in the executive to gather the facts to present a solid case to the Department to get the proposal over the line. He acknowledged the difficult time it has been for the Athlone Municipal members in particular regarding phone calls and representations.

 

53.21

Management Report

·         Monthly Report April 2021

Additional documents:

Minutes:

·         Management Report for April 2021 noted.

 

54.21

Lease of Lands - Assets

·         Unit 2, Monksland Civic Centre, Monksland, Athlone, Co Roscommon

Additional documents:

Minutes:

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Naughten

SECONDED by Councillor Ward

It was AGREED that the Council consent to the lease 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 lease 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 lease:

 

The Property: Unit 2, Monksland Civic Centre, Monksland, Athlone,  Co. Roscommon

The person(s) to whom the land is to be leased to: Vita House Services CLG

The consideration proposed in respect of the lease: €100 per annum plus VAT, if applicable plus service charges if applicable

Term of Lease: 10 Years

 

 

55.21

Presentation by Eirgrid - Shaping our Electricity Future

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cathaoirleach welcomed Liam Ryan and Eoghan O’Sullivan from from Eirgrid to give an online presentation on the current public consultation “Shaping our Future Electricity”:

 

Eirgrid is owned by the Irish Government and is a regulated utility. They do not generate electricity but bring it from generators across the grid and operate some interconnectors with neighbouring electricity grids. They run the wholesale electricity market thus ensuring electricity is always available at the most economic price possible. The grid is upgraded or added to grid in response to government policy where it is an essential response to secure Ireland’s electricity supply.  EirGrid ensures there is enough electricity, then safely delivers this directly to large energy users and all around the grid. Electricity is a solution to Climate Change because it can be generated from clean and renewable sources with no carbon emissions.

 

The Government has asked Eirgrid to prepare the grid so that at least 70% of Ireland’s electricity can come from renewable sources by 2030. Achieving this goal will need flexibility and innovation throughout the electricity sector. Some approaches depend on the actions of stakeholders to succeed and all approached will need timely public consent. More electricity will be carried across this grid than ever before, and most of this power will come from renewable sources. Power output from renewable sources depends on the weather and renewable electricity is typically generated far away from where most electricity is used.

 

The grid needs to carry at least 10 GW more renewable electricity by 2030 – double 2020 levels:

·         Generation Led – put clean electricity generation close to where most power used.

Government policies will determine the best location for new renewable generation and the preferred locations will consider the strength of the existing grid and the local demand. This is likely to lead to more offshore wind generation close to major cities and less need for onshore

wind generation. It will require 38 projects at cost of €.7bn with 4.5GW offshore wind on east coast and 1GW from solar energy and inland wind farms

·         Developer Led – Let developers decide where to locate clean electricity generation

Continue to connect new sources of renewable energy where developers request but this will create a need for a very large number of projects that cannot be delivered by 2030 and will see more power created than can be used. It would require 77 projects at a cost of €1.9bn and is highly unlikely to succeed as a strategy

·         Technology-Led – Try new ways to move clean electricity across the country

This is the use of innovative ways to bring clean electricity from the west to the east coast and will involve isolated underground cables carrying high voltage direct current but these cables would not integrate with the existing grid and would need large, expensive and complex converter stations at both ends. Would require 46 projects at a cost of €1.5bn and would be very challenging to complete in time.

·         Demand Led – Put  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.21

56.21

UNESCO World Heritage Bid for the Royal Sites of Ireland (including Rathcroghan) pdf icon PDF 30 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Services, Ms. Majella Hunt presented a proposal to the elected members to support the inclusion of The Royal Sites of Ireland on the World Heritage Tentative List:

World Heritage Sites are:

·         Places of outstanding universal value to all humanity

·         Concept established in 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention and convention overseen by World Heritage Committee

·         Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government acts on behalf of Ireland

·         World Heritage properties- natural, cultural (incl. cultural landscapes) or mixed

·         Sites are nominated by National Government

·         Sites are chosen by UNESCO World Heritage Committee

·         Responsibility for management and protection is with the individual state party

·         The State has general responsibility for Heritage as well as specifically for world heritage under the convention

 

A world heritage site is defined by Outstanding Universal Value and a detailed case for a nominated site must be prepared for the Committee which shows:

‘has cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity and the permanent protection of its heritage is of the highest importance to the international community as a whole’.

 

World Heritage Sites Ireland – Bru na Boinne, Skellig Michael, Giants Causeway,

Sites have to be on the Tentative List to be nominated as WHS

The process is as follows:

·         The list is reviewed every 10 years

·         The Royal Sites of Ireland are on the current list which is up for review

·         Application to new list is closing in June

 

The Royal Sites of Ireland is a group of six unique collectives of largely prehistoric monuments and sites associated in early medieval and medieval texts as the principal ancient sites of royal inauguration in Ireland:

·         Spread throughout the island, four of the sites represent the ancient Kingdoms of Ireland and its current provinces of North (Emain Macha), South (Cashel), East (Dún Ailline) and West (Rathcroghan), while Tara was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland and Uisneach the centre or omphalos where the five kingdoms meet.

·         Each site is situated in a prominent or hilltop location with a commanding view of the surrounding area. The sites collectively illustrate significant stages in Irish pre history and medieval history stretching from the Neolithic period and Iron age into the early Christian period though history and archaeology but are also linked through a strong body of myth and legend in both written and oral traditions.

·         While each has an individual topography and its own sense of place and identity, they all contain similar types of earthwork monuments and elements which reflect their ritual/ceremonial use and association with kingship.

Next Steps:

·         Compile and submit application to Department by June 2021 deadline. As a serial site the application reflects the sites as a collective. Navan Fort is included but will be the subject of an application to the UK government.

·         To facilitate the submission of a serial site a website has been set up  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.21

57.21

8.21 Notice of Motion from Cllr. Ward

Clarification of PPN Handbook and the Elected Members:

On foot of correspondence received by Elected Members from the PPN regarding the new PPN Handbook launched last November and with particular reference to Municipal District PPN- Managing the Member database/PPN Points of Contact, I am calling on Roscommon County Council to seek clarification from the Department of Rural and Community Development whether Members must remove themselves as points of Contact from Community Groups or is this is a guideline only. I further seek clarification on what basis Elected Representatives can be instructed not to participate at Community Level with their groups and the PPN as points of contact.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

“On foot of correspondence received by Elected Members from the PPN regarding the new PPN Handbook launched last November and with particular reference to Municipal District PPN- Managing the Member database/PPN Points of Contact, I am calling on Roscommon County Council to seek clarification from the Department of Rural and Community Development whether Members must remove themselves as points of Contact from Community Groups or is this is a guideline only. I further seek clarification on what basis Elected Representatives can be instructed not to participate at Community Level with their groups and the PPN as points of contact”

 

The Meetings administrator read the following reply:

This motion requires the support of the Council.

 

Cllr. Ward stated that the was bringing this motion forward on foot of correspondence received in February 2021 from the PPN that was issued to all councillors. He questioned if the PPN was fit for purpose on the basis of the information in the email or does the PPN need to revitalised and look again at its purpose in the county.  Councillors have always worked with and for community groups and have helped them to grow and become part of the group. Councillors are elected democratically by the people to work for the people and that includes community groups. Cllr. Naughten supported Cllr Ward and stated it is important that clarification is sought on the points raised by him. Cllr Byrne stated that groups need assistance from councillors in preparing grant applications etc. To add to the difficulties experienced by some groups, they have had to reregister again with the PPN.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Ward

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED on foot of correspondence received by Elected Members from the PPN regarding the new PPN Handbook launched last November and with particular reference to Municipal District PPN- Managing the Member database/PPN Points of Contact, to write to the Department of Rural and Community Development to seek clarification whether Members must remove themselves as points of Contact from Community Groups or is this is a guideline only. I further seek clarification on what basis Elected Representatives can be instructed not to participate at Community Level with their groups and the PPN as points of contact.

 

 

 

57.21a

9.21 Notice of Motion from Cllr. Naughten

Derelict Sites Act:

“That Roscommon County Council take immediate action under the Derelict Sites Act against owners of large commercial sites throughout County Roscommon that are left unsecured. These sites are havens for anti-social behaviour and are a serious health and safety concern.” 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

“That Roscommon County Council take immediate action under the Derelict Sites Act against owners of large commercial sites throughout County Roscommon that are left unsecured. These sites are havens for anti-social behaviour and are a serious health and safety concern.”

 

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

In order to initiate action under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, it must be determined that a site is derelict as per the definition set out in the Act.  A “derelict site” refers to land which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question because of—

(a) the existence on the land of structures which are in a ruinous, derelict or dangerous condition, or

(b) the neglected, unsightly or objectionable condition of the land or any structures on the land, or

(c) the presence, deposit or collection on the land of any litter, rubbish, debris or waste.

Officers within the Planning Section are assigned duties relating to Derelict Sites and will investigate any sites brought to their attention as potential Derelict Sites.

 

Cllr. Naughten thanked the Director for the reply. He stated that it was brought to his attention that there is free access to a particular site in South Roscommon and there are a number of other similar sites throughout the county where irresponsible owners are not securing the sites and leave them open for anti-social behaviour. The owners must leave them in a safe manner – can a register be kept of these sites and proactive measures be taken?

 

Cllr. Ward supported the motion and the idea of a list of the sites. Cllr. Fitzmaurice stated that there are both large and small sites involved throughout the county but some of the owners are uncontactable. He would like to know at the next meeting how many of these sites have been issued with a derelict sites charge. Cllr. Keogh also supported the motion and we should not allow such sites go into dereliction and in particular in urban areas where land use must be utilised as best as possible.

 

 

 

57.21b

10.21 Notice of Motion from Cllr. Crosby

Post Office Network:

“That Roscommon County Council write to the Minister of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners to supply the Post Office Network with hardcopy Forms 12, Forms 12S for 2020 and future years and Forms Med 1& Med 2 for medical expenses. Many of our senior citizens are unable to make their applications online and due to data protection get little help to do so. We also request that our post office network be used for all essential services such as basic banking facilities which will be critical to small towns and communities due to the Banking Monopoly closing down so many of their branches in our smaller towns.”

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

“That Roscommon County Council write to the Minister of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners to supply the Post Office Network with hardcopy Forms 12, Forms 12S for 2020 and future years and Forms Med 1& Med 2 for medical expenses. Many of our senior citizens are unable to make their applications online and due to data protection get little help to do so. We also request that our post office network be used for all essential services such as basic banking facilities which will be critical to small towns and communities due to the Banking Monopoly closing down so many of their branches in our smaller towns”.

 

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

 

This motion requires a resolution of the Council

 

Cllr. Crosby stated that previously these forms were previously sent to people and now have to be completed online. He referenced the closure of their banks recently and that facilities have to be made available to the communities and the Post Office network is in the prime position to provide these services. Furthermore it should be remembered that post office staff are on a very basic wage and this should also be reviewed.

 

Cllr. Keogh supported the motion and said that a recent positive development is that Bank of Ireland are now using the post office network for some banking services and this should help rejuvenate post offices.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Crosby

                SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED to write to the Minister of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners to supply the Post Office Network with hardcopy Forms 12, Forms 12S for 2020 and future years and Forms Med 1& Med 2 for medical expenses. Many of our senior citizens are unable to make their applications online and due to data protection get little help to do so. We also request that our post office network be used for all essential services such as basic banking facilities which will be critical to small towns and communities due to the Banking Monopoly closing down so many of their branches in our smaller towns

 

 

 

57.21c

11.21 Notice of Motion from Cllr. Waldron

Decentralisation of Property Registration:

“I am calling on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to initiate a process whereby the decentralisation of the Property Registration Authority to Roscommon Town be completed. The Minister should make a statement on the issue as a matter of urgency.”

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

“I am calling on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to initiate a process whereby the decentralisation of the Property Registration Authority to Roscommon Town be completed. The Minister should make a statement on the issue as a matter of urgency”

 

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

 

 This motion requires a resolution of the Council

 

Cllr. Waldron outlined the following in relation to his motion:

·         Decentralisation for Roscommon Town announced in 2003 with 230 jobs promised

·         The project was completed in 2011 at a total cost of €16m

·         The offer was oversubscribed but only 80 positions filled in 2011 with a loss of 140 jobs

·         The economic benefit to Roscommon include €5m salaried and wages annually to local economy, increased business for local retailers across the county including the opportunity for new small businesses, increased construction for accommodation and increased community involvement.

·         Roscommon is an excellent location for employment due to excellent road network and central location, railway station, regular bus services, proximity to Ireland West airport, competitive property prices, outstanding school facilities and excellent sport and leisure activities, a top class culture and arts infrastructure, superb choice of shopping and parking facilities, health facilities including Roscommon Hospital and a leisurely relaxing and safe place to raise a family.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Waldron

SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED to write to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to initiate a process whereby the decentralisation of the Property Registration Authority to Roscommon Town be completed. The Minister should make a statement on the issue as a matter of urgency.

 

57.21d

12.21 Notice of Motion from Cllrs. Leyden, Byrne, McDermott and Shanagher

Archaeology Discovery on N61:

“That Roscommon County Council recognises the major archaeological discovery on the N61 as part of the Coolteigue Road’s Project with the erection of a sculpture of sufficient scale and magnificence (possibly symbolising a Viking woman discovered as part of the DNA analysis during the Ranelagh Osteoarchaeology Project) and the mounting of information boards outlining this significant archaeological site used for over 1400 years which also included the extraordinary discovery that the settlement developed into a cemetery with 664 human burials. The sculpture and viewing area information point on a height off the road would commemorate these Roscommon people long gone (but not forgotten through this important action of Roscommon County Council). It would also act as an important heritage tourism marker”

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This motion was deferred to the next meeting due to time constraints.

57.21e

13.21 Notice of Motion from Cllr. Murphy

Proposed Presentation from IDA:

“I propose the motion that Roscommon county council write to the IDA requesting they attend our next Plenary meeting to discuss their plans for Roscommon in the context of their present strategy”

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

“I propose the motion that Roscommon county council write to the IDA requesting they attend our next Plenary meeting to discuss their plans for Roscommon in the context of their present strategy”

 

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

 

 This motion requires a resolution of the Council.

 

Cllr. Murphy stated that he is very disappointed with the current strategy of the IDA which does not mention County Roscommon. It is completely frustrating that updates are provided by Just Transition and the IDA are one of the stakeholders there. He would like the IDA to now come to a plenary meeting and answer questions on their plans for jobs in Roscommon.

 

Cllr. Fitzmaurice noted that as Cathaoirleach he had invited the Head of Enterprise Ireland to a Plenary meeting but because of the pandemic, it was deferred and he asked that this invitation be issued again.   

 

Cllr. Formally welcomed Cllr. Kelly on behalf of the Fianna Fail group, Cllr. Ward also welcomed her on behalf of the independent group and Cllr. Naughten on behalf of Fine Gael. The Cathaoirleach welcomed Cllr. Kelly on behalf of the remainder of the members.

 

 

58.21

Correspondence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Replies to Resolutions from Roscommon County Council:

19th Mar, 2021 – Acknowledgement of correspondence dated 16/03/2021 to Charlie

McConalogue T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding notice of Motion Roscommon County Council.

20th Apr, 2021 – Acknowledgement of correspondence dated 19/04/2021 to Heather

Humphreys T.D., Minister for Rural and Community Development regarding the motion agreed at Plenary meeting of Roscommon County Council 21.21.b to immediately establish an annual fund for necessary capital works at our nations cemeteries.

 

Resolutions from other Local Authorities:

25th Mar, 2021 – That Galway County Council make a formal submission to the Minister for Housing Local Government & Heritage outlining our complete opposition to the proposed provisions of the Land Development Agency Bill 2021.

 26th Mar, 2021 – That Louth County Council call on the Minister of Housing and or the

Oireachtas members to amend the I-DA Bill to remove s.49 and 56 of the bill as it is ultra

virus the programme of Government and is a direct stripping of Local Government

Councillors executive powers.

29th Mar, 2021 – That Mayo County Council would formally outline its complete opposition

to the proposed provisions of the Land Development Agency Bill 2021

31st Mar & 20th April, 2021 – Limerick City and County Council

o That, Limerick City and County Council request Iconic Newspapers Ltd. to recognise the National Union of Journalists and engage with the NUJ worker representatives to address concerns of their employees working in the Limerick Leader newspaper.

o That, Limerick City and County Council reject the provisions contained in the Land

Development Agency Bill, 2021, published by the Government, removing the role of

the Elected Members of Local Authorities in approving the transfer or sale of lands to the Land Development Agency.

o That, Limerick City and County Council call on Mr. Darragh O'Brien, TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to retain the existing policies in relation to one-off rural housing as per the adopted Limerick County Development Plan 2010-2016 (Section 3.9 Rural Settlement Policy and including the Rural Settlement Strategy Map) in the emerging Limerick City and County Development Plan 2022-2028.

6th Apr, 2021 – That Monaghan County Council records it's support for the World Health

Organisation's plea for the equitable global distribution of all vaccines, treatments and

therapies developed to combat Coronavirus

8th Apr, 2021 – That Cork County Council send a letter of support which condemns the racial

and misogynistic abuse being inflicted on the Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr. Hazel Chu.

16th Apr, 2021 – Resolutions from Sligo County Council

o That Sligo County Council write to An Tánaiste and ask him to intervene on the crisis facing our community sector in relation to insurance.

o That Sligo County Council write to the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohue following his recent remarks stating that taxes will rise after Covid and ask him not to increase taxes but instead borrow money to stimulate the economy over the next

decade

16th Apr, 2021 – That Donegal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.21

59.21

Votes of Congratulations and Sympathy

Additional documents:

60.21

Any Other Business - Dates for Annual Meetings 2021

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cathaoirleach advised the Members that the CPG is recommending that in light of Covid restrictions, the Annual Meeting in June should be brought forward to 21st June at 2.15pm, immediately followed by the Municipal District Annual Meetings.

 

This was unanimously AGREED by the members.

 

 

Original text