Agenda and minutes

Venue: Loughnaneane Suite, Aras an Chontae, Roscommon

Contact: Michelle Carney  Email: info@roscommoncoco.ie

Items
No. Item

46.19

Adoption of Minutes

Minutes:

The Cathaoirleach welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked and complimented the Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr. Donal Kilduff for chairing the last meeting in his absence.

 

On the                                  PROPOSAL OF Councillor Fallon

                                                SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

 

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Athlone Municipal District Meeting held on Thursday, 26th September, 2019 at 2.00 pm

 

47.19

Matters Arising

Minutes:

Junction at Perths in Kiltoom

Cllr. Naughten stated that he previously raised his concerns with the broken white line at the Perths junction in Kiltoom. This junction was recently re-lined by the TII from a continuous white line to a broken white line. Cllr. Naughten stated that this is causing concerns to the residents of Perths in Kiltoom and is a road hazard as it has caused a number of near accidents that have been in contact.

 

Cllr. Naughten proposed that an engineer would investigate and raise the issue of this concern with the TII.

 

Diarmuid MacDonnacha advised that this matter is dealt with in a question by Cllr. Naughten’s stating that Eugene Dwyer has raised this issue with TII. TII are satisfied that the Scheme is carried out with in compliance with current guidelines.

 

Cllr. Naughten stated his disappointment with the response, TII should take residents’ concerns into consideration and TII’s response is not acceptable.

 

Cllr. Fallon advised the meeting that there are mixed opinions on this matter. Local knowledge is vital when considering works on local roads.

 

Public Representatives on the Board of TII

Cllr. Kilduff queried a previous Notice of Motion regarding public representation on the Board of TII.

Liam Bergin advised the members of the reply from TII regarding public representation on the Board of TII –

‘Section 28 of the Roads Act, 1993, as amended, sets out the legislation in respect of the membership of the board of TII. Under this section, the legislation states that the members on the board of TII shall be selected by the Minister and the number of members shall not be less than ten nor more than fourteen. It also stipulates that members shall have wide experience and competence in relation to roads, railway infrastructure, transport, industrial, commercial, financial or environmental matters, local government, the organisation of workers or administration.

The process for Board Appointments is managed though the Public Appointments Service (PAS) which is an open, transparent process to which anyone meeting the relevant criteria may apply’.

Cllr. Connaughton advised that he is a member of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) and he will bring the matter before the Board of the next AILG meeting.

On the Proposal of Cllr. Naughten

Seconded by Cllr. Kilduff

It was AGREED to send a letter to AILG regarding the composition of the Board of TII, that public representatives should be appointed to this Board in order to ensure accountability and responsiveness to public safety issues.

 

 

On the Proposal of Cllr. Ward

Seconded by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED to send a letter to LAMA regarding the composition of the Board of TII, that public representatives should be appointed to this Board in order to ensure accountability and responsiveness to public safety issues.

 

 

On the Proposal of Cllr. Ward

Seconded by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED to send a letter to the Minister of the Environment dealing with issues of the N61 regarding road safety concerns.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.19

48.19

Declaration of a Public Road within housing development at Burnbrook, Athlone, County Roscommon

Minutes:

On the Proposal of Cllr. Connaughton

Seconded by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED that in accordance with Section 11 (2) (b) of the Roads Act 1993 the road located within the housing development at Burnbrook, Athlone, County Roscommon be declared a public road.  

 

49.19

Declaration of a Public Road within housing development at River Village, Monksland, Athlone, County Roscommon

Minutes:

On the Proposal of Cllr. Naughten

Seconded by Cllr. Kilduff

It was AGREED that in accordance with Section 11 (2) (b) of the Roads Act 1993 the road located within the housing development at River Village, Monksland, Athlone, County Roscommon be declared a public road.  

 

50.19

Budget Meeting

Minutes:

It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that the Budget Meeting of Athlone Municipal District will be held on Wednesday, 16th October, 2019 at 2.00pm in Aras an Chontae, Roscommon.

 

 

51.19

Correspondence

Minutes:

·         Correspondence from TII regarding the membership of the board of the TII.

52.19

Notice of Motion

·         8.19 – Cllr. Kilduff – Playground facilities in Knockcroghery Village

·         9.19 – Cllr. Naughten – Extension of local Monksland Bus Service

·         10.19 – Cllr. Ward – Rahara / Athleague Road R362

Minutes:

There were three Notice of Motions for discussion.

52.19a

Notice of Motion - 8.19 - Cllr. Kilduff

Minutes:

"That Roscommon County Council commences public consultation and the formal design phase for the provision of playground facilities in Knockcroghery Village"                 

 

Reply:

Currentlya grant for installation of playground facilities can be applied for to the Department of Children & Youth Affairs. Recent experience indicates that the Grant is normally announced around April every year. A maximum grant of €20,000 is available and covers 50% of projected costs with the remainder being provided by Roscommon County Council.  Part 8 Planning is then sought on the basis of a preliminary design for the project. Tenders for design-build schemes are then sought based on the funds available. In many cases local groups supplement the funds with their own contributions.

 

All the Councillors supported the Motion.

52.19b

Notice of Motion - 9.19 - Cllr. Naughten

Minutes:

"That Roscommon County Council request a meeting with Bus Eireann in relation to the extension of the Local Monksland Bus Service to Summerhill which could provide a link to Colaiste Chiarin and the local estates”.

 

Reply:

Athlone Municipal Districthave contacted Peter Melia Assistant Services Manager, West Bus Eireann Manager re the Athlone to Monksland Bus Service. He confirms a significant increase in demand for the service in recent months.  In relation to extending the service to Summerhill / Colaiste Chiarain he explained that their current licence from the NTA allows them 45 mins to get from Bealnamullia to Kilmartin’s Roundabout. This limits their plans to extend the service to Summerhill/Colaiste Chiarain. Bus Eireann would appreciate any pressure from Councillors and others to press NTA to change the terms of the current licence.

 

On the Proposal of Cllr. Naughten

Seconded by Cllr. Kilduff

It was AGREED to write a letter of support to the National Transport Authority in relation to the extension of the local Monksland Bus Service to Summerhill, which could provide a link to Colaiste Chiarin and the local estates.

 

On the Proposal of Cllr. Ward

Seconded by Cllr. Kilduff

It was AGREED to write a letter to the National Transport Authority to re-instate the bus service from Athlone to Ballinasloe/Galway on the old road.

 

 

 

52.19c

Notice of Motion - 10.19 - Cllr. Ward

Minutes:

"I am calling on Roscommon County Council to remove a dangerous bend at Rahara on the Rahara / Athleague Road R362”.  

 

Reply:

The road at this location will be assessed with a view to submitting this scheme for a grant under the TII Low Cost Accident Scheme.

 

 

 

53.19

Civic Reception Request

·         Cllr. Ward

·         Cllr. Kilduff

Minutes:

It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED by all the members that Roscommon County Council would honour at the next Civic Reception the following proposals:

 

 

3.19                        Proposed by Cllr. Ward

 

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to honour Michael and Yvonne Waldron of Waldron Meats Brideswell, Athlone, County Roscommon. Waldron Meats won the accolade of ‘Ireland’s Best Meat Supplier’ at the recent Checkout Best in Fresh Awards 2019 at the next Civic Reception”.

 

4.19                        Proposed by Cllr. Ward

 

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to honour the Kiltoom-Cam U-12 Girls soccer team who won gold medals at the Community Games national finals at the University of Limerick. The squad included Emma Fallon, Aleesha Joyce Whyte, Cara McDonnell, Aoife Minnock, Alison Nugent, Roisin O’Donovan, Lucy Sheffield, Aoife Walsh, Ciara Walsh and Lauren Walsh, by way of Civic Reception”.

 

5.19                        Proposed by Cllr. Ward

 

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to honour Sarah Kelly from the Kiltoom-Cam Area who won gold medal in the U-8 Girls B60 metres finals by way of Civic Reception”.

 

6.19                        Proposed by Cllr. Ward

 

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to honour Cian Kilcommons from the Kiltoom-Cam Area who won gold medal in the U-8 Boys B60 metres finals by way of Civic Reception”.

 

7.19                        Proposed by Cllr. Kilduff and Cllr. Ward

 

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to honour at the next Civic Reception the Under 16 Roscommon County Camogie Team and their Management who recently achieved All Ireland success”.

 

8.19                        Proposed by Cllr. Ward

 

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to honour Callum Clogher, Dysart, Ballinasloe, County Roscommon at the next Civic Reception. Callum has beaten stiff competition to create Cadbury’s new chocolate bar Choca-latte. Callum won a competition hosted by Cadbury’s which was an international competition”.

 

 

54.19

Questions

·         4.19 – Cllr. Ward

·         5.19 – Cllr. Ward

·         6.19 – Cllr. Naughten

·         7.19 – Cllr. Naughten

Minutes:

There were four Questions for noting.

55.19

Question - 4.19 - Cllr. Ward

Minutes:

 “Can the Director of Services inform the meeting if the Consultants who were employed by Roscommon County Council to carry out a detailed hydrogeological investigation into the behaviour of the flooding at Lough Funshinagh, and when will this report be completed. I wish to inform you that the members of the farming community have suffered financially since the flooding of 2015 and Lough Funshinagh is still badly flooded.”          

 

Reply:

The Final Report prepared by consultants Malachy Walsh & Partners will be issued to Councillors before their Plenary Meeting of 23rd September 2019.  Presentations by the author of the report and Eugene Dwyer SE Roads will be made at this meeting.

 

56.19

Question 5.19 - Cllr. Ward

Minutes:

"Can the Director of Service inform the meeting if the Consultants who were employed by TII to carry out a survey on all the junction on the N61 road from the roundabout at Ganly’s to the turn off for St. Brigid’s GAA Club, at Carrowmurray, Kiltoom, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.”

 

Reply:

Roscommon County Council is currently in discussions with Westmeath Co. Co. about a joint transport study for Athlone as a regional growth centre. The N61 as far as Newpark Junction to St Brigid’s GAA pitch has been included in the study area. These documents have been issued to consultants for pricing recently but the study could take up to 18 months or longer. In the meantime, TII have agreed that they would allow a separate study that could feed into the larger plan. At a recent meeting they agreed to help with a brief for consultants and this avenue will be pursued subject to availability of staff.

 

57.19

Question - 6.19 - Cllr. Naughten

Minutes:

"Can Roscommon County Council instruct TII to reinstate a continuous white line on the N61 at the Junctions L7552, L7553 that service Purts”.

 

Reply:

Representations have been made to TII regarding the changes to road lining adjacent to the Purts junctions, however TII insist that the scheme has been carried out in compliance with current guidelines.

 

58.19

Question - 7.19 - Cllr. Naughten

Minutes:

"Can Roscommon County Council outline when they will be in a position to bring forward a Part 8 for the New Tuam Road as works are urgently required".

 

Reply:

“In advance of the Part 8 Application for this project a consultant has been appointed to carry out the Appropriate Assessment screening exercise.

It is intended that the project will take place in two phases: -

Phase 1 from Council Depot to Cloonakille National School.

Phase 2 from Cloonakille NS to Roundabout at R 362 / L 2025 (Taghmaconnell Road) Junction.

An application for funding for Phase 1 will be submitted under a Specific Improvement Grant to the DTTAS. This will be done as soon as possible subject to staffing levels.”

 

59.19

Votes of Congratulations / Sympathy

Minutes:

The Cathaoirleach expressed his sympathy on behalf of the Members of Athlone Municipal District to the Chief Executive, Mr. Eugene Cummins on the recent death of his mother Mrs. Peggy Cummins R.I.P.

60.19

A.O.B

Minutes:

St. John’s Wood

Cllr. Kilduff wanted clarification on what is the situation with regarding the upgrading of the development of St. John’s wood. Is it possible with the increased numbers of visitors to Rinn Duin Castle to get a black top surface from Lecarrow to Rinn Dúin up to the N61 through Knockanyconor.

 

Road Safety Issues

Cllr. Ward raised concerns in relation to safety of the Drum Road, Summerhill with a view of constructing a pedestrian crossing. Cllr. Ward proposed that a pedestrian would be most appropriate on the old Ballinasloe/Athlone Road on the turn into Drum.

 

Diarmuid MacDonnacha advised the members that a reply would follow in a later meeting.

 

This concluded the business of the meeting.

 

Original text