There was no declarations of interest from the members.

The Cathaoirleach Laurence Fallon welcomed everyone to the meeting. Cllr.Tony Ward apologies was noted.

Sean Mullarkey, acting Head of Finance presented the Chief Executive report regarding the General Municipal Allocation and the draft Budgetary Plans for Athlone Municipal District 2022.

The total proposed General Municipal Allocation for the Athlone Municipal District was €769,900. This represents an increase of €61,400 on last year’s allocation.

Sean Mullarkey said the increase in the budget is attributed in the main to the retention of the Local Property Tax rate of 15% which is unchanged from the previous year

Funding for Community and Enterprise projects has been set at €73,000 with an additional €12,000 carried over from 2020 bringing the funding total to €85,000.

River Suck drainage programme amounted to €80,000, €30,000 for Athlone MD with the remainder of the funding allocated to Roscommon Municipal District

Funding for the roads is allocated on the same basis as last year, (33.3% Population, 33.3% km Roads, 33.3% Condition).

Sean Mullarkey noted that the Councils spend in the Athlone Municipal District has increased from €625,300 in 2017 to €769,900 for 2022. He said the GMA community development fund was the main driver of the increase

The Elected Members thanked Sean Mullarkey, Acting Head of Finance for his presentation of the Draft Athlone MD Budget 2022.

Members gave a cautious welcome to the Budget. Concerns continue to be expressed over the allocation and criteria governing the funding for local roads.

On the Proposal Of:  Cllr John Keogh

          Seconded By: Cllr John Naughten

It was agreed by all members to adopt the Draft Budget 2022 for Athlone Municipal district

John Mockler, Acting Senior Engineer Roads Department presented the draft interim design proposal for the R362 adjacent to Cloonakilla NS to the Elected Members.

 Safety audit is required next for the proposal, followed by other statutory processes. 

Members welcomed the proposal and looked forward to progressing the project as soon as possible.  It was requested that a “No Right Turn” sign be erected to warn vehicles exiting the school.