·         Minutes of MD Meeting 23.11.2017

·         Minutes of MD Meeting 18.12.2017

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Kilduff

            SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

to adopt the Minutes of the Athlone Municipal District held on 23.11.2017.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Connaughton

            SECONDED by Councillor Ward

to adopt the Minutes of the Athlone Municipal District held on 18.12.2017.

Members raised the following concerns:  

·         Parkway Estate has deteriorated further and urgent action needs to be taken.

·         PART 8 on the New Tuam Road, what is the expected timeline for this project.

·         Cloonakilla NS – Pedestrian Crossing and new footpaths to be installed.

·         Athleague Village – footpaths not reinstated to proper standard following recent works by Irish Water. 

John O’Rourke responded as follows:

·         A formal notice under Section 8(2) of the Derelict Sites Act will be served on the owner of the Parkway Estate in the coming days.  This is a notice of intention to enter the site on the Derelict Sites Register.    

·         PART 8 is underway and discussions are happening with Landowner.  It is included in our 2018 programme.   

·         Ms Majalla Hunt to have an update in relation to footpaths in Athleague at next meeting. 

Cllr. Connaughton informed the meeting that he spoke to a number of contractors who are undertaking similar works for other Local Authorities.  He noted that the onus is on the community to have a Site Supervisor.  A short discussion took place and Cllr. Connaughton advised all that he would have a further update at next meeting.  Include as an Agenda item at next meeting. 

Mr. John O’Rourke, A/Director of Services circulated a sheet outlining the impact of potential changes to apportionment of Local Roads re GMA as submitted to CPG on 25/09/2017.  Based on the figures circulated, he said that an increase for Athlone Municipal District would mean a decrease in Boyle Municipal District.   

Members made the following comments:

·         Athlone MD Roads are in poor condition whereas Boyle MD has had significant money spent on roads in past.

·         Executive should recognise situation in South of County and work with Athlone MD to put a business case to other Councillors.  

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Naughten

                SECONDED by Councillor Kilduff

It was AGREED to request a meeting with the Executive of Roscommon County Council prior to next Athlone MD meeting to discuss the General Municipal Allocations with particular reference to the Local Road Improvement allocation and to put business case together to address the situation. 

The following figures to be made available at this meeting:

·         Population (based on 2016 Census figures)

·         KM Roads per MD

·         Rates and LPT income per MD

·         Town Teams’ allocations, given that there is only one Town Team in Athlone MD.

John O’Rourke reminded all present that budgetary matters are delegated to Members.  He noted that the Executive can make a recommendation but ultimately will come back to Members for decision.  It is a reserved function.

There was no correspondence

·         Motion 1.18 from Cllr. Naughten

·         Motion 2.18 from Cllr. Ward

Notice of Motion from Councillor Naughten 01/18

 “That Roscommon County Council provide flashing speed signs at the boundary of Taughmaconnell village to ensure traffic travels at an appropriate speed though the village.”

The Meetings Administrator read out the following reply:-

There is no funding currently available for supply and installation of such signs.  Speed enforcement is a matter for the Gardai and we will refer complaints re same to the Clonark Garda Station.

Cllr Naughten said he was disappointed with the response and called for funding to be made available.  He said where these flashing speed signs have been located they have been seen to be very successful.  They are effective in slowing traffic.  Cllr Naughten said there is an onus on the Council to install these flashing signs and enforcement by the Gardai could not address the issue on an ongoing daily basis. 

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Naughten

SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council erect two signs at either end of the village as a matter of urgency.

Notice of Motion from Councillor Ward 02/18

“That Roscommon County Council to remove a dangerous bend from road no R362-113 at Lackan, Athleague, as the road is extremely narrow at this location. I have spoken with the landowners and they are willing to cooperate with Roscommon County Council.”

The Meetings Administrator read out the following reply:-

An application for funding to improve the bend from road no R362-113 at Lackan, Athleague has been submitted to the TII for inclusion in their Low Cost Safety Scheme for 2018.  We have not as yet received any information from the TII on the adjudication on the application.

Cllr. Ward thanked staff for making the application.

·         Question 01.18 from Cllr. Ward

·         Question 02.18 from Cllr. Ward

Question No. 1 – Councillor Ward:

Ballybay River

Can the Director of Services please inform the meeting if the Ballybay River will be included in the maintenance programme of work in 2018?

The Meetings Administrator circulated the following reply:

Subject to funds being made available and the cooperation of landowners, it is the intention of Athlone MD to carry out drainage works on the Ballybay River from the N61 towards its outfall at Lough Ree during the 2018 drainage season.

Question No. 2 – Councillor Ward:

Road Safety Measures at Dysart
Can the Director of services please inform the meeting when will work commence on installing road markings and road safety signage and flashing lights at the village of Dysart?

The Meetings Administrator circulated the following reply:

An application for funding to improve this bend has been submitted to the TII for inclusion in their Low Cost Safety Scheme for 2018. No adjudication on the application has yet been made.

There were no votes of Congratulations/Sympathy

There were not Civic Reception Requests

Road to be Taken in Charge

Cllr. Kilduff enquired if the link road between Curraghmore and Bealnamullia which is approximately 100m long could be taken in charge.  There are three families living on this road.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Kilduff

            SECONDED by Councillor Ward

It was AGREED that this road be taken in Charge by Roscommon County Council

Line Markings at Ganly’s roundabout

Members informed the meeting that there was a lot of confusion regarding the road markings at Ganly’s roundabout.  Diarmuid MacDonncha, MD Coordinator said the Council was aware of the issue and that a number of complaints had been made to the TII about line marking at the roundabout.  Road markings on National Routes are the responsibility of TII. 

Trees at Crannagh, Summerhill

Members highlighted their concerns in relation to trees that are overhanging onto the R446.  These trees are over 60 feet high and could fall out onto the road.  Diarmuid MacDonncha, MD Coordinator said there were limited funds available for these works.  Trees on road boundary are the responsibility of the landowners.  He advised that a site visit would be arranged to inspect trees further.

Municipal District Name Change

Cllr. Ward said that there was a proposal at the last meeting to rename the Athlone MD to Athlone West MD.  He said this would stop any confusion with the County Westmeath District of the same name.  John O’Rourke advised the meeting that the Minister for Local Government would have to approve any changes to the District.  Cllr. Ward said we have two Athlone MDs and there is a lot of confusion.  He said renaming this District Athlone West would be the proper and simple thing to do in relation to joint plans going forward with Westmeath County Council. 

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Ward

            SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

It was AGREED that a letter be sent to the Minister for Local Government requesting the name be changed. 

Road Maintenance

Cllr. Keogh noted that sections of road at Cullen, Creagh and Attirory were dangerous with potholes and requested if some maintenance works be carried out.     

Housing

Cllr. Keogh informed the meeting that he was disappointed to hear from a Housing Applicant that Roscommon County Council had purchased a house in the Monksland Area.  He expressed a wish that Members should be notified immediately when RCC purchase houses.

Cllr. Keogh requested the following Housing information for Athlone MD Area prior to the next MD Meeting:

·         Housing list for Athlone MD.

·         Number of voids in Athlone MD.

Lights and Footpaths at Creagh

Cllr. Naughten sought an update in relation to the provision of lights and footpaths at Creagh out to the M6 Roundabout.  He queried if a gravel footpath could be installed out to M6 Roundabout.  Diarmuid MacDonncha stated that footpaths must be installed to an acceptable standard.  Diarmuid advised that he will look at the allocations for footpaths in 2018 and whether it is allowable to spend money on new footpaths.  The footpath allocation for 2018  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.18