Minutes of Athlone MD Meeting – 01.06.2018

Minutes of Athlone MD AGM – 01.06.2018

The Cathaoirleach welcomed everyone to the meeting, and in particular the Press and new administration Fiona Fallon.

On the proposal of          PROPOSAL Councillor Ward

SECONDED by Councillor Kilduff

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Athlone Municipal District Meeting held on 1^st June 2018.

On the proposal of          PROPOSAL Councillor Connaughton

                                                SECONDED by Councillor Kilduff

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Athlone Municipal District AGM held on 1^st June 2018.

There were no matters arising

Councillor Naughten requested an Update on Improvement Works on Tuam Road from Council Depot to new roundabout in Cloonakilla/junction for Taughmaconnell.

Diarmuid MacDonncha advised that the Department of Transport is the only source of additional funding under a Specific Improvement Grant (SIG).   New Guidelines have been introduced requiring work by Roscommon County Council before applying for funding for regional and national routes.  Different solutions/routes must be examined and this may delay the process by a few months in preparing submission.   Eugene Dwyer, Senior Engineer Roads, has confirmed that 2 staff will be assigned to this project from the end of August. 

Councillors raised their concerns that this is being delayed by the Department and this has been on our agenda for the last 10 years. 

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Naughten

SECONDED by Councillor Kilduff

It was AGREED that a letter issue to the Minister for Transport, Mr. Shane Ross requesting that they review how Funding is applied for under Specific Improvement Grants, in particular if works proposed are under €2m.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Connaughton

SECONDED by Councillor Kilduff

It was AGREED to explore the option of applying for Urban and Rural Regeneration Fundfor junction at Monksfield Park and lighting and footpaths from Council Depot to The Mill.

Diarmuid MacDonncha confirmed that Roscommon County Council made a commitment at the last meeting to get price from Electric Skyline for these works and this was in progress. 

Diarmuid MacDonncha confirmed that 4 applications were approved

Taughmaconnell Development Company - Public Lighting at School          €45,000

Athleague National School – all weather pitch                                                    €21,644.17

St. Aidans GAA – Ballyforan playground                                                                 €29,553.73

Tisrara Four Roads – lighting for walking track                                                     €30,000

Councillor Fallon acknowledged that it was very beneficial for the groups to get this funding and appreciated the work done by the Council in securing 4 applications approved for the Athlone area.

Councillor Keogh requested information regarding the reason that Castlesampson were not approved funding.  Diarmuid MacDonncha confirmed that Castlesampson were refused on the basis that the project did not have planning permission. 

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Ward

SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

It was AGREED to request that Roscommon County Council erect 2 Public Lights at Castlesampson.  Councillor Keogh also requested that Roscommon County Council look into the possibility of using solar powered lights as a pilot.

There was no correspondence

·         Motion No 8.18 Cllr Naughten

·         Motion No 9.18 Cllr Ward

8.18        Notice of Motion from Councillor John Naughten

“That Roscommon County Council urgently upgrade path that links Colaiste Chiarain with the Monksland Link Road. We currently are seeing a significant increase in students which will continue over the next number of years and this path is not of an acceptable standard at present”.

The Meetings Administrator read out the following reply:-

“There is no funding available currently for an upgrade of the footpath from the Summerhill Roundabout to Colaiste Chíaráin /Summerhill N.S. the costs for which have been estimated at €125,000 for cycling/pedestrian footpath, surface water drainage, public lighting, the provision of a Pedestrian Crossing, and land acquisition/set back/re-building of roadside boundary wall.  This estimate does not include widening of the Cross River Bridge at this location as this cost would be prohibitive. It will be necessary for cyclists to dismount when crossing the bridge.”

Councillor Naughten expressed his disappointment at the response and stated that costs quoted seemed significant and he urged Mr. Diarmuid MacDonncha and Mr. Paul Browne to relook at a low cost form of urgent remedial works to the footpath to facilitate locals and students.    

9.18Notice of Motion from Councillor Tony Ward

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to take urgent action immediately with regards to the derelict Oyster Homes site at Bealnamullia, and the anti social behaviour that is taking place at the site”.

The Meetings Administrator read out the following reply:-

“This site is registered in private ownership on Land Registry with no notification of any pending transactions.  An estimate of €15,000 has been received for removal & disposal of the front boundary fence and its replacement with an agricultural fence. The estimate also includes for the removal and disposal of derelict buildings and particularly a significant number of tractor and car tyres. There is no funding available to undertake this work. The Environment Section have opened a file regarding the dumping of these tyres.

Roscommon County Council is also continuing with the process to declare this site to be derelict under the relevant legislation”.

Diarmuid MacDonncha responded stating that

1.       This site has been registered on the Derelict Sites Register

2.       Health and Safety Authority were contacted.  They advised they cannot intervene as there is no active construction taking place on site.

3.       A Valuation must be carried out

There were a number of proposals in relation to this Notice of Motion.

1.                   On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Ward

SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council pursue the purchase of these lands for Local Authority housing and provision of amenities in the area.

2.                   On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Keogh

SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council find the sum of €15,000 quoted for works to secure this site and make it safe, and to prevent anti-social behaviour.

3.                   On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Naughten

SECONDED by Councillor Ward

It was AGREED that a further email be sent by Diarmuid MacDonncha to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.18

·         Question No. 8.18 from Cllr. Ward

·         Question No. 9.18 from Cllr. Ward

8.18           Councillor Tony Ward

Can the Director of Services please inform the meeting will the Cluain Broc Road Monksland be included in the roads resurfacing and drainage programme for 2019.

The Meetings Administrator circulated the following reply:

This project will be considered for inclusion in the 2019 Roads Programme.

9.18Councillor Tony Ward

Lough Funshinagh Drainage - Can the Director of services please inform the meeting if the application for funding to the OPW to carry out necessary drainage works in Lough Funshinagh has been approved?  If yes, then when will the funding be made available? Lough Funshinagh was one of the areas in County Roscommon that was very badly flooded in 2015/6 and it is still badly flooded in July 2018.

The Meetings Administrator circulated the following reply:

Roscommon County Council will proceed with a Scoping Study which will determine whether a workable solution is available to relieve the flooding problem at Lough Funshinagh.  Any proposal must meet the requirements of the OPW Benefit to Cost rules.

Votes of Sympathy were extended to the Martin family, Knockcroghery, who lost their son Niall recently.

Funding for Roads in South Roscommon

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Connaughton

SECONDED by Councillor Kilduff

It was AGREED to write to

-          all Senators and TDs representing County Roscommon Minister regarding Lack of Funding in South Roscommon, and

-          to Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten and Minister for Transport Shane Ross to request a meeting on 17^th September 2018 regarding lack of funding in South Roscommon.

Cross River

Councillor Naughten raised his concern that the Cross River into the River Shannon is still at quite a high level considering the dry weather and if not addressed now this could cause considerable flooding in winter months.   Diarmuid MacDonncha confirmed that the river was cleaned 2-3 years ago but that there was an issue with 1 landowner that previously didn’t allow RCC on his land.  However, he has met with the landowners and they have confirmed that this has now been resolved.  He confirmed that if the arterial drainage jobs are complete on time, and providing adequate funding is available, the machines will be moved to this location. 

Footpaths & Public Lighting at Creagh

Councillor Keogh raised the issue of Footpaths at Shannonbridge road, Creagh to Roundabout and Public Lighting from Dolans Garage.

Diarmuid MacDonncha advised there is no funding under TII for footpaths and Paul Browne advised that a Community Involvement Scheme may be an option but groups must come up with % of the funding themselves.  This scheme is closed for 2018.

Cutting Hedges

A number of Councillors queried if it was possible to get an undertaking that another hedge cutter is hired and that money be made available.  Athlone area have only 1 machine to deal with Shannonbridge to Donamon and members raised the following concerns:

·         Health & Safety issue

·         Minimum that should be done is road junctions to avoid traffic hazard.

·         N61 Regional Roads – Curraghboy to Athleague and Rahara

·         HSE reviewing if they will continue to collect people on bad routes

·         School buses have been re-routed  as roads are too narrow

Paul Browne advised that allocations have been exhausted.  Verges are the responsibility of landowners and Roads Department in the Aras will write to landowners along any route where there is an issue.

Councillor Keogh advised that Councillor Connaughton was working on Municipal District fund set aside for Verge Trimming - €10,000 per area.  

Lough Funshinagh

Councillor Fallon requested an update in relation to Lough Funshinagh.   

Diarmuid MacDonncha confirmed that this has been advertised on etenders and consultants will be appointed to assess the scheme

Speed Limit Review

Councillor Naughten requested an update on Speed Limit review by TII and why they haven’t responded.  Can we put proposal to TII that Public Lighting at Creagh – Dolans garage to Ballinasloe is a safety issue. 

Speed Limits in Housing Estates

Councillor John Naughten raised the issue of speed limit signs in Housing Estates.

Diarmuid MacDonncha advised that erection of 30km speed limit signs in housing estates is currently ongoing at the moment.

County  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.18