Minutes

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Contact: Michelle Carney  Email: info@roscommoncoco.ie

Items
No. Item

23.19

Adoption of Minutes

Minutes:

 The Cathaoirleach welcomed everyone to the meeting

 

On the                                  PROPOSAL of Councillor Tony Ward

                                                SECONDED by Councillor Paddy Kilduff

 

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Athlone Municipal District Funding Meeting held on Wednesday, 20th March, 2019 at 10.00am.

 

 

24.19

Matters Arising

Minutes:

Roundabouts at Monksland and Shannonbride Road:

Cllr. Naughten requested an update on the upkeep of maintenance.

 

Diarmuid MacDonnacha confirmed that a contract is in place and a reminder will issue regarding this upkeep of the roundabouts.

 

Survey at Ganleys Roundabout to turn off for St. Brigid’s GAA Club:

Cllr. Ward requested an update in relation to a previous motion and issue regarding the result of a survey from Ganly’s roundabout to turn off to St. Brigid’s GAA Club.

 

Diarmuid MacDonnacha confirmed that there is a Consultant appointed and they are currently looking at the N61 and they will also be looking at other junctions on that road as part of their contract.

 

Road Safety on N61

Cllr. Ward expressed his concerns regarding road safety on the N61. Also the R446 at Summerhill where there is a huge road safety concern for pedestrians. Cllr. Ward requested confirmation from Roscommon County Council that a pedestrian crossing or footpath would be installed at this location.

 

Diarmuid MacDonnacha confirmed the consultants appointed to survey Knockcroghery will also be taking into account the route from Knockcroghery to Athlone as part of their contract. Mr. MacDonnacha also advised that TII is not responsible for the road at Summerhill as it is a regional road. The school development at Summerhill is been levied in relation to the upgrade of infrastructure in the area.

 

Majella Hunt stated that Roscommon County Council cannot give a commitment of these stated works prior to the development of the new school at Summerhill. 

 

Cllr. Fallon made reference to the new turning lanes at Ballymurray School junction which is working well.

 

Roads Programme

Cllr. Connaughton expressed his concerns in relation to the condition of the roads in South Roscommon and requested an equal distribution of roads funding for all the three Municipal Districts going forward. If additional funding is received, South Roscommon should be prioritised.

 

Cllr. Naughten stated newly elected members of Roscommon County Council should seek a meeting with the Minister to secure additional funding for Roscommon. 

 

Cllr. Keogh made reference to the fact that the safety issues at Summerhill is a major concern and measures need to be put in place. Cllr. Keogh also raised that TII is an unaccountable body with no public representation and this needs to be rectified by the introduction of legislation to ensure accountability within that organisation.

 

Cllr. Kilduff said the newly elected members of Roscommon County Council will need to take drastic measures with TII. 

25.19

Draft Variation No 2 of Monksland/Bellanamullia (Ahtlone West) LAP 2016 - 2022

Minutes:

Mr. Martin Lydon, Director of Services briefed the Members that the proposed variation of the Monksland / Bellanamullia (Athlone West) Local Area Plan 2016 - 2022 is in relation to the Athlone joint Retail Strategy between Roscommon and Westmeath County Council.  The Variation went on Public Display from 1st February to 19th March 2019. Eight submissions received and each has to be considered by the elected members:

 

1.       Submission from Health and Safety Authority (HSA) – risk based for land use planning. No change is recommended.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Connaughton

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED no change recommended to Draft Variation Plan

 

2.       Submission from Environmental Protection Agency – Comments on SEA Screening Report and guidance to be followed and the interaction required with environmental agencies.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Kilduff

                         SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED no change recommended to Draft Variation Plan

 

3.       Submission from Irish water regarding drainage area plan underway in the Monksland area – outside the scope of this proposal.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fallon

                              SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED no change recommended to Draft Variation Plan

 

4.       Submission from Transportation Infrastructure Ireland – Coordinated planning for transport in Athlone Area, junctions on M6 near capacity and to undertake a new strategic transport assessment that is to be completed.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Kilduff

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED no change necessary to Draft Variation Plan

 

5.       Submission from Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government- Plan should be reviewed when RSES is adopted.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Connaughton

SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED no change necessary to Draft Variation Plan

 

 

6.       Submission from Donal Kenny – highlights the failings of the Athlone Retail Strategy – undersupply of supermarket, district centre zoning and traffic bottlenecks in Monksland. All issues are outside the variation proposal.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED no change recommended to Draft Variation plan

 

 

 

7.       Submission from Eamonn Martin –  raising concerns that the proposed Athlone Joint Retail Strategy does not extend to the Roscommon (N61) road which is viewed as a busy retail area.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

It was AGREED no change necessary to Draft Variation Plan

 

 

8.       Submission from Forward Planning Unit, Roscommon County Council – looking to change some wording and typos.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED no change necessary to Draft Variation Plan

 

The members commented as follows:

·         Comments on the timeframe for when the Strategic Traffic assessment will take place or be completed as it could restrict any significant industrial development taking place if this is not in place going forward.

·         Martin Lydon advised it will be nearer the end of the year before this assessment will be in place and also to include that an Economic Appraisal for Athlone growth region centre is also being currently identified.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.19

26.19

Specified Developments under Section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and Article 81 of Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended)

Minutes:

Majella Hunt briefed the members on a Part 8 under the Planning processed for a Proposed Residential Development at Old Tuam Road, Monksland, Co. Roscommon.  The Proposed Development will comprise of (a) Demolish existing building (b) construction of 2 No. semi-detached 3-bed two-storey residential units, (c) all associated site works including construction of footpath, carking parking, ducting for utilities, formation of new connections to existing foul and surface water drainage, and existing utilities. The statutory publication was 9th March, 2019 and closed for submissions was 12th April, 2019.  No submissions were received. Recommendation is to proceed with the development as proposed under Part 8.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED to adopt the recommendation to proceed with the development as proposed under Part 8 of the Planning Process.

 

The members commented as follows:

·         Very welcomed development by all Elected Members.

·         Ensure that access is made available to the residents at the back of the site.

·         Can Roscommon County Council address the anti-social behaviour issues which are currently in place at the back of this site.

 

 

Majella Hunt clarified that access points in the adjoining house will be reserved and retained.

 

27.19

Correspondence

Minutes:

No correspondence.

28.19

Notice of Motion - 4.19 Cllr. John Naughten

Minutes:

 

Notice of Motion 4.19 – Cllr. John Naughten

“That Roscommon County Council surface the road serving the Hillcrest Estate Cushla Monksland Athlone as it is currently in a very poor condition”

 

The Meeting Administrator read out the following reply:-

The L76375 Hillcrest Road will be considered for inclusion in the Roads Programme for 2020.

 

 

 

29.19

Notice of Motion - 5.19 Cllr. John Keogh

Minutes:

Notice of Motion 5.19 – Cllr. John Keogh

“That Roscommon County Council write to Minister Shane Ross to request that he allocate additional funding to carry out essential remedial works to local roads in the Athlone Municipal District and in particular, roads worst affected by the severe weather conditions experienced over the last number of years and that Minister Ross be

 requested to attend the district for a tour of the affected roads”

 

The Meeting Administrator read out the following reply:-

This Motion Requires a Resolution from the Athlone Municipal District Council.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

              SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

And AGREED that Athlone Municipal District of Roscommon County Council write to Minister Shane Ross requesting that he allocate additional funding to carry out essential remedial works to local roads in the Athlone Municipal District and in particular, roads worst affected by the severe weather conditions experienced over the last number of years and the Minister Ross be requested to attend the district for a tour of the affected roads.

 

 

 

30.19

Questions - 3.19 Cllr. John Naughten

Minutes:

Question 3.19 – Cllr. John Naughten

“That Roscommon County Council outline when the upgrade of Monksland Sewage Treatment Plant will take place and what works will be carried out”

 

Reply:

The scope of Irish Water’s upgrade works at Monksland includes the provision of:

·         a new Inlet Works;

·         the construction of a storm tank;

·         a storm water overflow chamber;

·         a telemetry upgrade to include a full new SCADA and PLC for the whole Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Site investigation work has been completed for the Monksland Waste Water Treatment Plant and a procurement exercise has been completed to carry out the works.

 

Glan Agua have been appointed as the contractor.

 

The start-up meeting for the contract took place on November, 23rd, 2018. Since that time Glan Agua have progressed the final designs and submitted to Irish Water for approval. Designs are now approved and main items of plant are ordered.

 

Glan Agua are currently setting up the site compound. They intend to commence excavation works for the Storm tank in the next two weeks. In the interim they are carrying out ground survey and service location work on site. Works are expected to take six months.

31.19

Civic Reception Request

Minutes:

There were no Civic Reception Requests.

32.19

Votes of Congratulations / Sympathy

Minutes:

There were no Votes of Congratulations or Sympathy

33.19

A.O.B

Minutes:

Allocation of Roads Budget

Cllr. Connaughton expressed his concerns on the distribution for the Roads Budget. Currently Athlone MD receive 23% funding of the overall Roads Budget for Roscommon County Council. Cllr. Connaughton proposed that Athlone MD must receive 33% in the next Roads Budget.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Connaughton

              SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

And UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that there is an equal distribution of the Roads Budget and that it should be increased from 23% to 33%.

 

Part 8 at Cloonkilla National School – New Tuam Road

Cllr. Naughten sought clarification if there was any progress regarding CPO of the lands and is there any agreements with landowners. Cllr. Keogh also requested an update on position regarding CPO.

 

 

Turn off for Barrybeg off the N61

Cllr. Ward expressed concerns of public turning off from this junction in error and end up on private property. Would be possible to erect a Cul-de-Sac sign for this turn off.

 

 

N61 near Graveyard at Kiltoom.

Cllr Fallon questioned the reasoning behind the change of a double white line on this stretch of road. As a result of this change has resulted with the road causing serious concerns and this junction is extremely dangerous.

 

 

Majella Hunt informed the members in relation to Part 8 at Cloonkilla, there has not been any progress on the CPO’s. What is currently being considered because of the lengthy process of CPO’s that there is consideration been given to two phases, one phase as far as Cloonkilla and phase two for the roundabout area in its own right and publishing Part 8 for the first phase.

 

Majella Hunt advised that Town and Village Scheme was recently announced and must be returned by end of June and we are proposing to have an information session for the Elected Members and for representatives of Town and Village groups. Date will be confirmed at a later date. Guidance will only be given but the Council will not be completing the application forms.

 

Cllr. Kilduff thanked all the members and wished them well in the upcoming local elections and thanked all the staff of Roscommon County Council for all their assistance over the years.

 

Cllr. Fallon ended the meeting with gratitude to the members over the last year and especially the Monksland staff especially Mr. Adrian Reynolds who is leaving Athlone MD and to welcome Mr. Francie Quine.

 

 

Original text