·         Minutes of MD Meeting 29.03.2018

·         Minutes of MD Funding Scheme Meeting 27.04.2018

The Cathaoirleach welcomed everyone to Curraghboy Community Centre for his last meeting as Cathaoirleach of Athlone Municipal District.  He thanked the Ladies Committee for their work and reception.  Cllr. Ward gave a special word of thanks to the Chairman of the Complex, Mr. Seamus McHugh and Mr. Ger Cummins, Caretaker. 

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Kilduff

            SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Athlone Municipal District held on 29.03.2018

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Fallon

            SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Athlone Municipal District Funding Meeting held on 27.04.2018

The members raised the following issues:

Funding for Roads

Members outlined that the poor road conditions and the current lack of funding has resulted in outstanding road conditions.  They stated that we are not getting our fair share of funding and a message should be sent to the Government to provide funds to make our roads someway safe.   Members also outlined that it was not sufficient to have only one maintenance team out repairing potholes and requested two teams at a minimum. 

Mr. Eugene Dwyer, Head of Roads outlined to members that 60% of our maintenance money has been spent in first three months of year and that we have to manage to 1^st November as funding not available.  He confirmed that a letter seeking additional funding will issue to the Department directly from the Chief Executive this week. 

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Connaughton

SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

It was AGREED that the Athlone Municipal District seek an urgent meeting with Minister Denis Naughten and local Oireachtas members to discuss a crisis situation regarding road conditions in the south of the county.

Ms. Mary Grier, Senior Planner presented the Athlone West Strategic Transport Assessment to Members.  The purpose of this report was to identify high level transport impacts of the Monksland/Bealnamullia (Athlone West) LAP and to identify interventions to support population and employment growth in the area. 

A number of key recommendations were made in relation to:

·         Junction Improvements

·         Walking & Cycling Strategy

·         School Travel Plan

·         Public Transport Strategy

·         Demand Management

Members raised the following concerns:

·         Roundabout at Alkermes needs to be address immediately (additional lane be provided at this location)

·         Long delays on motorway in evenings.

·         Cloonakilla NS needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

·         High volume of traffic on junctions

·         Report is fundamentally flawed for two reasons:

o   No indicative road to Bogginfin

o   No reference to roundabout for turn off at Colaiste Ciaran to Drum Road.

·         Was Report commissioned before Athlone was dedicated as a major growth centre

·         Traffic issues may cause companies not to locate in Monksland.

·         Significant investment required to address these issues.

·         Link Road – not good enough to do it stage by stage.  Council should consider purchasing lands and let development flow from this.  If TII won’t fund this, it should be done through a capital project.

Mr. Eugene Dwyer responded as follows:

·         This report is what is needed to be done to create jobs i.e. the minimum required. 

·         TII may insist future large developments may not go ahead.

·         RCC may be expected to fund from Development Charges.

·         Cloonakilla NS

o   Discussions ongoing with Landowner

o   Dept of Transport have new guidelines.  We have to prepare different options and submit, which is underway.  Development charges not available to fund works at Bealnamullia.

·         Route to Bogginfin will be borne in mind.

·         Roundabout at Colaiste Ciaran not considered necessary.

Ms. Mary Grier responded as follows:

·         Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have flagged the lack of an impact statement consistently in planning applications.

·         Report was commissioned before the National Planning Framework (NPF).

·         Collaboration with Westmeath County Council is necessary.

Ms. Majella Hunt outlined that Cloonakilla NS is a priority and funding is required to address these issues in the first instance.

Ms. Majella Hunt, Director of Services outlined that the Chief Executives Report was prepared in accordance with Part XI, Section 179, Subsections 3(a) and 3 (b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) for the Refurbishment and Renovation of an existing industrial building for use as an Innovation Hub and Roscommon County Council Area Office at Daneswell Business Centre, Monksland Townland, Roscommon. 

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Ward

SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

It was AGREED that the development be proceeded with as proposed.

Ms. Majella Hunt informed Members that since the evaluation meeting, a number of applicants were written to requesting  quotation(s).  A number of applicants have submitted their quotations but some were still outstanding.  Letters of Offer will now issue to all successful applicants with a review to take place during the year to re-assess. 

Cllr. Ward informed the meeting that if there were any funds leftover at the end of the year that Moore History Group be considered for additional funding.   

There was no correspondence.

·         Motion No. 6.18 from Cllr. Ward

·         Motion No. 7.18 from Cllr. Naughten

Notice of Motion from Councillor Ward 06/18

Lack of right Turning lane off the N61 for St. Brigids GAA Centre at Carrowmurragh-Purts, Kiltoom Roads L7554-0 & L75531-0

“Further to my correspondence in relation to the same on the 5th June 2017 I am calling on Roscommon County Council and the TII to provide a right turn lane, road marking, signage and public lighting at this junction in the interest of road safety to motorists using this stretch of road.”

The Meetings Administrator read out the following reply:-

Roscommon County Council will again make representations regarding this issue at the earliest opportunity through the regular monthly meetings with the TII.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Ward

                SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

It was AGREED to write to Transport Infrastructure Ireland requesting a right turning lane, road markings and public lighting at this junction.

Notice of Motion from Councillor Naughten 07/18

“That Roscommon County Council immediately provide public lighting between the Mill Bar and Waterville estate on the New Tuam Road as it is presently a safety hazard for pedestrians.”

The Meetings Administrator read out the following reply:-

The scheme to improve the R362 road from the Council Depot to Cloonakilla School will include public lighting at the location mentioned. This scheme is currently being prepared for Part 8 Planning.

Cllr. Naughten requested that these works proceed immediately and not to wait for Part 8 Planning.  Mr. Diarmuid MacDonncha advised that he will cost the scheme and come up with options to apply for funding under a new Government Specific Improvement Scheme. 

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Fallon

SECONDED by Councillor Kilduff

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council honour at the next Civic Reception, Katie Heneghan who won a gold medal at the Scór na Nóg All Ireland Finals for her Storytelling.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Fallon

SECONDED by Councillor Kilduff

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council honour at the next Civic Reception, Ciara MacCarthy and Claire Lemass who were gold medal winners in the INESPO Sustainability in Science International Competition held in Amsterdam in September 2017.

·         Question No. 06.18 from Cllr. Ward

·         Question No. 07.18 from Cllr. Ward

·         Question No. 08.18 from Cllr. Naughten

Question No. 5 – Councillor Ward:

Derryglad Road (Road No. L2023-0)

Can the Area Engineer please inform the meeting when will Roscommon County Council remove a dangerous bend from road number L2023-0 at Derryglad, Curraghboy, as the road is extremely narrow at this location.

The Meetings Administrator circulated the following reply:

This project can be re-submitted under the CIS Funding Scheme subject to the availability of funding in 2019.

Question No. 6– Councillor Ward:

Overgrown Trees at Crannagh, Athlone

Can the area Engineer please inform the meeting what plans have Roscommon County Council in place to remove the overgrown trees at Crannagh, Athlone.

The Meetings Administrator circulated the following reply:

Following the commissioning of a report from an Arborist a 5-year plan has been put in place to deal with trees at this location. As part of the first phase in April 2018 a contractor removed the 10 most dangerous trees at this location at a cost of €7,000 including traffic management. We will continue to implement this plan over the coming years.

Question No. 7– Councillor Naughten:

Safety Assessment of Vacant Building Sites

That Roscommon County Council undertake a safety assessment of all vacant building sites in Monksland area and ensure that the relevant owners are instructed to secure these sites.

The Meetings Administrator circulated the following reply:

The Planning Enforcement Section of Roscommon County Council has undertaken a survey of all unfinished estates in the county. All relevant landowners have been contacted regarding their legal responsibilities.

Votes of Sympathy were extended to:

·         The Jones family on the death of Catholic Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Elphin Christopher Jones.

·         The Lee family on the death of Fr. Hugh Lee, Curraghboy, Curate in the parish of Kiltoom and Cam for 27 years.  He was a great community person and a huge loss to the area. 

Old N6 National Primary Road

A stretch of this road was recently resurfaced and contractor didn’t go into boundary, no grass cut and left in an unsafe way for pedestrians and scooters.  Mr. Paul Browne advised that he would carry out accommodation works at this location.

Members made the following requests:

·         Road at Clonbroc be resurfaced out to the junction.

·         Repair non-functional footpath in Cornafulla.

·         Footpath from Summerhill to Colaiste Ciaran to be fully operational come September.

·         Works at Creagh on footpaths and lighting (going towards Shannonbridge).

·         Trucks have gone off road at Derryglad – can this be dug out and replaced with stone.

·         Ardmullen (Mannions) – clay has sagged down.  Can this be looked at? 

Verge Trimming

Members requested that a number of verge trimmers commence work as visibility at a number of junctions is obstructed.     

Derelict Sites

Cllr. Naughten sought an update in relation to the derelict site at Parkway.  Ms. Majella Hunt advised that Parkway site is being pursued under the Derelict Sites Act and that no response received to date from the Contractor, leaving the Council to carry out the works.  There are significant works required and these costs can be levied against the site but if there are other charges on the property, there is a risk of not getting any money back.  Cllr. Naughten suggested that the HSA be asked to intervene.  Mr. Diarmuid MacDonncha to contact the HSA to discuss further.  Cllr. Naughten also requested that the former Earls site on old Tuam road be secured and left safe and has requested that a Health and Safety audit be carried out at this location.

Athleague Village

Cllr. Connaughton sought an update in relation to road resurfacing works in Athleague Village.  Mr. Diarmuid MacDonncha advised that works in Athleague will commence following the completion of works on the N61 in Roscommon Town.

Taking in Charge of Crancam Road

Cllr. Kilduff sought an update in relation to the taking in charge of the Crancam Road.  Mr. Diarmuid MacDonncha advised that signage has been ordered.