There were no declarations of interest from the Members.

·         Minutes of Plenary Meeting held on 27.09.2021

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Crosby

            SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Plenary Meeting of 27.09.2021

Strategic Plan for the Development of Community Sports and Recreation Facilities in Roscommon Town:

Cllr. Leyden asked if there was any progress with regard to the review of the feasibility study to include an athletics track in the project. Many organisations have submitted letters of support on this matter to the Council.

Director of Services Majella Hunt stated that a number of observations were received after the last meeting including 49 letters on the running track. A meeting has been scheduled with the consultants next week.. In Feb 2019 an online survey was carried out with 34 respondents including the athletics club. There is a perimeter track included in the development. A number of meetings have also taken place during the period of the feasibility study and these are ongoing. She stated that this is a feasibility study that incorporates two stages and will only progress on the basis that funding is received for Stage 1. She confirmed that this project in respect of Roscommon town only and a number of locations were looked at. The cost of a 6 lane running track is estimated to cost €2million.

The Chief Executive added that this project was carefully considered and a business case completed in relation to the proposed project.

Cllr. Fitzmaurice welcomed the news that the running tract will be considered but it is a very expensive addition to the current proposal.

·         Quarter 3 2021

·         Management Report for Quarter 3 noted.

Mr. John Freeman, Broadband Officer updated the members on the rollout of broadband across the county:

National Picture:

·        National Broadband Ireland are responsible for the rollout of broadband to 544,000 homes across the country that do not have access to high speed broadband. This will involve the erection of 1.5m poles and 142,000km of cable.

·        Guidelines have been issued for the rollout. The Local Authority broadband officer, roads staff and planning staff assess each pole application to confirm compliance with the guidelines and a S254 planning application must be submitted for each pole.

·        Of the estimated 110,000 properties to be done in 2021 only 14,000 are passed which may be due to underestimation of the process of approval and many applications are not compliant with the guidelines.

County Roscommon;

•        There are 19,185 premises in Roscommon without access to high-speed broadband.- 49% of the total premises

•        Government will invest €76m in building NBP in Co. Roscommon.

•        9 Broadband Connection Points & 31 Primary Schools also in scope.

•        There will be 5 Regional Exchanges connected directly the Data Centres predominantly based in Dublin which will be built first and these will be connected to a number of local exchanges.

•        The county is divided into 17 deployment areas and these are at various stages of development of the project.

•        In the Roscommon Town Deployment area, 2,992 premises are included with the estimated date range for connection Nov 21 to Jan 22; in the Ballinasloe DA 773 premises are included and currently available to pre order

•        BCPs are public locations which have been selected by the Local Authority to receive high-speed connectivity in the early stages of the rollout. RCC are providing ongoing support to our 9 BCP sites through the Connected Hubs Fund to enhance and improve their facilities and make them more functional as a remote working Hub.

•        Council have access to the ongoing usage of the 9 hubs and the Wifi here is supplied by Vodafone

•        NBI have significantly updated their website and the public can check to see if their premises is included in the plan, the target dates and register their interest

•        WiFi4EU is a European initiative that promotes free access to Wi-Fi connectivity for citizens in public spaces including parks, squares, libraries, town centres and museums in municipalities throughout Europe. The Wi-Fi service will be free of charge, free of advertising and free from commercial re-use of data. Roscommon County Council were successful in receiving this EU funding to create up to 60 areas of free Wi-Fi within the county. The funding was split into 4 vouchers and Roscommon County Council are delighted to announce that Vouchers 1 & 2 have been completed under Phase 1 of the rollout and 28 Access Points are now live in the northern half of the County. Phase 2 installations are currently underway in the southern half of the county.

•        Roscommon County Council, received DRCD funding for a Digital Innovation Project called Emcall  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.21

·         Presentation by KPMG Future Analytics

Mr. James Chilton, Associate Director with KPMG Analytics gave a presentation to the Members on the Strategy:

·        The overall objective was to unlock the economic growth potential of Lanesborough-Ballyleague and provide sustainable employment opportunities in the context of Just Transition.

·        The approach to the strategy included baseline analysis, vision definition and Project Proposals, consultation and engagement and preparation of an Action Plan and Validation.

·        A SWOT Analysis was carried out - strengths included location, collaboration group, food reputation, strong local community; weaknesses included lack of local economic opportunity, competition between villages for funding and lack of overnight accommodation: opportunities include Bord na Mona peatlands restoration project, rise in demand for remote working and availability of capital funding and finally threats include lack of alternative employment opportunities and Brexit impact.

·        A key issue that arose during consultation is the need for coordination of development, phasing and implementation, with a multi-faceted multi-agency collaborative approach to implementation considered to be essential.

·        The vision is that by 2040 Lanesborough-Ballyleague will be a better place to live, visit, work and study; a place with a high quality of life and range of employment opportunities where people choose to locate and visit. A thriving, integrated, attractive town with sustainability at the heart of the economy; a hub for the Mid Shannon area. The core focus is the identification of economically and environmentally sustainable projects that have the potential to transform the economic landscape of Lanesborough-Ballyleague.

·        The Pillars and Themes –

o   A better place to work and learn – creating new opportunities

o   A better place to live – enhancing sense of place and vitality

o   A better place to visit – maximise tourism opportunities

o   Increase the visibility of Lanesborough –Ballyleague

·        Regional Catalytic Projects include collaboration to

o   Establish the Lough Ree UNESCO Biosphere Nature Reserve

o   Encourage sustainable villages cluster

o   Establish the potential of Bord na Mona’s brown to green synergy

o   Maximise funding opportunities under just transition and other schemes

·        13 projects under the four pillars have been identified:

o   Maximise food and drink opportunities

o   Support Lough Ree Technology Cluster development

o   Support anaerobic digester development

o   Support Lanesborough-Ballyleague Enterprise centre development

o   Enhance and link recreation infrastructure

o   Increase destination legibility

o   Maximise tourism opportunity – Surf n Turf Wave Centre

o   Maximise Tourism opportunity – Cloontuskert Ballyleague Visitor Centre and Organic Farm

o   Increase availability of visitor accommodation

o   Build local capacity

o   Market and promote Lanesborough-Ballyleague to maximise opportunities

The Cathaoirleach welcomed the strategy for an area with great volunteers who have had to come to terms with the closure of Bord na Mona and the ESB power station and to counteract this with more than tourism as an alternative economy.

The members welcomed the strategy and discussed as follows:

·        The 13 projects proposed include a wide range of investments.

·        The Cloondra, Rooskey, Tarmonbarry and Strokestown areas are not included and it is only fair that this should be spread to include these areas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.21

·         Making of Appointments to the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee

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

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Shanagher

SECONDED by Cllr. Crosby

It was AGREED to make the following appointments to the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (LTACC)  in accordance with Section 22 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998

Officials of the Local Authority: Majella Hunt, Director of Services; Ann McHugh, Senior Executive Officer and Sandra Walsh, Housing Liaison Officer

Representatives of local travellers and traveller bodies: John McDonagh and John Ward

There was no Chief Executive business.

“That this Council propose to call on the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, in light of current uncertainty on electricity supply to reconsider the closure of the West Offaly Power Station, Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly and the Lough Ree Power Station, Lanesborough, Co. Longford.”

“That this Council propose to call on the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, in light of current uncertainty on electricity supply to reconsider the closure of the West Offaly Power Station, Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly and the Lough Ree Power Station, Lanesborough, Co. Longford.”

Cllr.  Waldron stated that in light of the new information on possible power cuts across the country due to the crisis of energy production, the Minister will have to take a fresh look at closing the power stations. He further proposed that the Cathaoirligh of Roscommon, Offaly and Longford County Councils should seek a matter with Minister Ryan on this matter.

The members supported the motion and added:

·        The removal of the current system and the closure of these stations without an alternative source of electricity is not acceptable. Without access to generators, that are powered by diesel, rural areas could be without supply for a number of hours.

·        It is incredible that peat at a cost of €6m was imported to Ireland in 2021 – it is costing more than climate damage to bring the peat in

·        The timing of the closure of peat stations is badly thought out. Over €180m was spent on the Lanesboro power station and it is now proposed to knock it down.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Waldron

SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED to write to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, in light of current uncertainty on electricity supply to reconsider the closure of the West Offaly Power Station, Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly and the Lough Ree Power Station, Lanesborough, Co. Longford.

·        30^th September, 2021 – Letter from Irish Water

Correspondence form the Chief Executive from Mr. Sean Laffey, Head of Asset Management in Irish Water in relation to the Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme

Cllr. Fallon said that the correspondence indicated that Irish Water intend to carry out infrastructural upgrade to one village in Lecarrow in the period to 2024. This will be in conflict with our County Development Plan where we hope to grow our towns and villages and the lack of investment will restrict development. It is unacceptable that only one village will have investment in this respect in the next three years.

On the PROPOSAL  of Cllr. Fallon

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED to write to Irish Water to reconsider their proposal with regard to upgrading of our sewerage infrastructure and the difficulty it poses to Roscommon County Council in growing its towns and villages.

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

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

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

            SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED to adopt the list of payments for training and conferences as circulated.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Dineen

            SECONDED by Cllr. Kelly

It was AGREED to approve the following conference for attendance by the Elected Members:

Mr. Sean Mullarkey, Acting  Head of Finance advised the members that he received notification from the Department regarding Rates Waiver Scheme for Quarter 4 2021. The proposal is that the scheme will be available for targeted sectors and businesses including hospitality, leisure, entertainment and certain tourism sectors. Full details of the scheme will be available in the coming days and circulated to the members.

Cllr. Fitzmaurice raised the matter of lack of public notifications regarding water outages as a result of bursts and repairs. While some of these outages may be planned, the only public notification is detailed on the Irish Water Portal. In response to queries to councillors as to why water is off, a search has to be made to confirm this. This is unacceptable and it should be possible for the Council to liaise with Irish Water and announce notice of water outages in advance via MapAlerter. This is bad press for everyone and should be addressed. Cllr. Nigel Dineen supported Cllr Fitzmaurice and it was agreed by the Director to bring this matter to the attention of Irish Water locally.