Agenda and minutes

Venue: Community Centre, Monksland

Contact: Shelia Glennon  Email: info@roscommoncoco.ie

Items
No. Item

62.19

Adoption of Minutes

·         Minutes of Athlone Municipal District Meeting on 26th September, 2019

·         Minutes of Athlone Municipal District Budget Meeting on 16th October, 2019

Minutes:

The Cathaoirleach welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

On the Proposal of:         Cllr. John Keogh

Seconded by:                     Cllr John Naughten

 

It was agreed to adopt the Minutes of the Athlone Municipal District Meeting held on the 26th September, 2019 and the adaptation of the Budget Meeting held on 16th October, 2019

 

63.19

Correspondence

Minutes:

There was no correspondence.

64.19

Matters Arising

Minutes:

Upgrading of Services from New Tuam Road to Cloonakilla National School:

 

Cllr John Naughten raised concern from public and parents in regards to upgrade of services from New Tuam Rd to Cloonakilla NS including new roundabout time frame is too vague.  There is a serious issue at school times which needs to be addressed.  Also CPO of lands – needs to move faster and most urgent priority given – part 8 time line in relation to that.

 

 

Cllr John Keogh- raised issue of lack of Public lighting from Waterville Estate to Cloonakilla NS not addressed and lot of public concern, 4/5 public lights are needed there is no definitive timeframe & application re- funding.

 

Cllr Tony Ward said these issued have been raised before and he understood that a commitment was given that funding would be available for footpaths, roundabout as this is a huge issue and cause of concern for safety. He said large amount of funding is required to carry out works in 2020

Cllr Laurence Fallon- requested any funding extra from roads to be allocated to it.

 

65.19

Notice of Motion

·         5.19 – Cllr. Ward – Public lighting and footpaths on N61 (deferred from July meeting);

·         11.19 – Cllr. Kilduff – Litter Clean-Up

Minutes:

There were two Notice of Motion for discussion.

65.19a

NOTICE OF MOTION - 5.19 (DEFERRED FROM JULY MEETING) - CLLR TONY WARD

Minutes:

The following Notice of Motion and reply was read into the record and following that a brief discussion took place in relation to below:

 

 “I am calling on Roscommon County Council and the TII to extend the public lighting and install footpaths on the N61, between the Derries in Kiltoom and the Curraghboy Junction at Curnaseer, Kiltoom.   I would like to call on Roscommon County council to provide a pedestrian crossing (with traffic calming measures) at Ballybay , Kiltoom as this is an extremely busy road and it is very difficult for pedestrians to get across to the school and the church”

 

Reply

Examination of the N61 road and junctions referred to will come under the remit of the Engineering Consultant appointed to carry out the joint Roscommon/Westmeath Strategic Traffic Assessment Report.   The appointment of this consultant will be made before the end of 2019.

 

 

On the Proposal of:    Cllr Tony Ward

Seconded by:              Cllr John Naughten

It was unanimously AGREED by all members to support the motion and that it stay on the agenda until something is done. Cllr. Tony Ward thanked the Engineers of Athlone MD for continuing support of the Motion.

 

 

On the Proposal of:  Cllr tony ward

Seconded by:Cllr. Laurence Fallon

It was unanimously AGREED by all members that a letter be sent to the Minister for Transport to request the N61 be made a motorway.

 

 

 

65.19b

NOTICE OF MOTION - 11.19 - CLLR DONAL KILDUFF

Minutes:

The following Notice of Motion and reply was read into the record and following that a brief discussion took place in relation to below:

 

 “That Roscommon County Council in consultation with Transport infrastructure Ireland initiates and manages a scheduled biannual litter clean up along the N61 from Athlone to Roscommon and also deploys proven innovative deterring solutions with punitive impacts for those who are littering along the rural primary route.

 

 

Reply

The first of two annual planned litter picks will be organised for the Athlone MD section of the N61 early in the New Year subject to funding from TII.   The Roscommon County Council Environment Section advise that CCTV was installed at a number of locations in 2019 under a pilot Anti-Dumping Initiative funded by the Dept. of the Environment.   It is understood that a number of prosecutions have arisen as a result of this action.   An awareness campaign was also carried out.   A review of the pilot programme will follow.

 

 

On the Proposal of:         Cllr. Donal Kilduff

Seconded by:                   Cllr John Keogh

It was unanimously AGREED by all members to support this Motion.

 

 

On the Proposal of:   Cllr Laurence Fallon

Seconded by:  Cllr Ivan Connaughton.

It was unanimously AGREED by all members to propose implementing Bar Code on all takeaway food packaging in Roscommon, which could help identify who is littering.

 

 

On the Proposal of:  Cllr Ivan Connaughton

            Seconded by:            Cllr John Keogh,

It was unanimously AGREED by all members to increase number of Litter Wardens, one for Each MD area, and requested that it be considered by SPC taking into account that it should be cost effective.

 

On the Proposal of:  Cllr Donal Kilduff

Seconded by:Cllr Laurence Fallon

It was unanimously AGREED by all members to progress Cllr. Laurence Fallon’s proposal of Bar Coding on fast food takeaway food with a letter to the Department of Environment.

 

Liam Bergin, Director of Services welcomed the Media coverage to littering, reflecting lack of tolerance to littering our countryside.  He noted that shared cross border initiatives with other councils to prevent littering has been very successful. Surveys have identified hot spots to target. CCTV information is critical tools to prosecute people and issue fines, Owners have to turn up in court. Fines and unwelcomed publicity helps prevent littering. It is better to be proactive with Council and SPC to plan from resources what activities they can fund. SPC – have to priority resources in order to come up with proposal to increase the number of CCTV in the County.

 

66.19

Questions

·         8.19 – Cllr. Naughten – Speed Limits;

·         9.19 – Cllr. Naughten – Housing Waiting List

Minutes:

There was two Questions for noting.

66.19a

Question 8.19 - Cllr. Naughten - Speed Limits

Minutes:

 

“That Roscommon County Council implement a reduced speed limit at Newtown NS, Creagh, Ballinasloe to improve safety at this location”

 

Reply:

The L2045 Newtown- Ballygill Rd including the Area adjacent to Newtown National School will be included in the next speed limit Review.

 

66.19b

Question 9.19 - Cllr. Naughten - Housing Waiting List

Minutes:

“That Roscommon County Council provide the number of people currently on the housing   waiting list for Monksland”

 

Reply;

First Preference Area of Choice;

131 applicants on the housing list have selected Athlone as their first Area of choice

69 of these 131 applicants are transfer requests (i.e., already accommodated)

51 of the 69 applicants requesting a transfer are accommodated in HAP (most HAP tenants avail of their entitlement to remain on the housing list but may not be actively seeking a transfer)

 

Second Preference Area of Choice:

27 applicants on the housing list have selected Athlone as their second Area of Choice

9 of these 27 applicants are transfer requests (i.e., already accommodated)

8 of the 9 applicants requesting a transfer are accommodated in HAP (most HAP tenants avail of their entitlement to remain on the housing list but may not be actively seeking a transfer)

 

Third Preference Area of Choice:

36 applicants on the housing list have selected Athlone as their third Area of Choice

17 of these 36 applicants are transfer requests (i.e., already accommodated)

All 17 applicants requesting a transfer are accommodated in HAP (most HAP tenants avail of their entitlement to remain on the housing list but may not be actively seeking a transfer)

 

Using Application Data to Estimate Demand for Housing:    Demand for new units is typically based on first area of preference, excluding transfer requests (62 applications in this case).

 

Other considerations:   Approximately two-third of the above sub-set of 62 are currently availing of private rented accommodation.   Based on refusal rates, a certain percentage of those in private rented accommodation appear to be satisfied with their current arrangements; however, satisfaction with private rented accommodation arrangements is subject to changing market conditions and the cost of renting in particular. Similar market conditions and concerns could also affect applicants currently accommodated via HAP and their willingness to remain in HAP.

 

 

67.19

Civic Reception Request

Minutes:

There was no request for nomination for Civic Reception.

68.19

Votes of Congratulations / Sympathy

Minutes:

There were no votes of Congratulations or Sympathy.

69.19

A.O.B

Minutes:

There were 12 items under AOB

69.19a

Closure of Leader/Partnership Curraghboy Offices.

Minutes:

Cllr. Tony Ward raised this issue at last plenary meeting re closing leader/partnership offices in Curraghboy there since 2006/7.   Leader had agreed to keep a present in area, very disappointed with closure of office, as several groups used this office space.

 

69.19b

Colaiste Chiarain Summerhill Traffic Management Plan

Minutes:

Cllr John Naughten raised issue- Colaiste Chiarain, Summerhill new school with 1,000 pupils, works will be completed May 2020, no pedestrian crossing or pedestrian/cyclists access in place yet.

 

Has County Council a traffic management plan in place and could they have a copy of it for the next meeting and when the money will be spent from the Development levy received.

69.19c

Monksland Innovative Hub Development

Minutes:

Cllr. John Naughten complimented County Council over last 12/18 months on securing €2.7m for the Innovation Hub in Monksland.   Vital to area for next 20/30 years.

 

All members unanimously AGREED with Cllr John Naughten and acknowledged all groups involved in getting it off the ground.

69.19d

Walkway Ganlys-Cushla Pitch upgraded

Minutes:

Cllr. John Naughten also complimented Council on the outdoor recreation fund used for upgrade of Farm access road from Ganlys to Cushla Pitch and for the significant investment secured for footpaths at Creagh and Athleague.

69.19e

New Velocity Patcher- Purchased by Roscommon County Council

Minutes:

Velocity Patchers purchased by Roscommon County Council -  positive development for maintenance of roads. 

 

All members unanimously AGREED with Cllr John Naughten.

 

69.19f

Traffic Calming on Old Tuam Rd., Monksland

Minutes:

Cllr. John Keogh raised the issue about traffic calming on old Tuam Rd., Monksland, that the flashing lights have helped but have not eliminated the problem.   Looked to see if it was possible to put in few pedestrian crossing and Ramps.   There seems to be different rules as to distance between each in different counties.

69.19g

Closure of Cuisle, Donamon

Minutes:

Cllr. Laurence Fallon raised his disappointment re- the untimely closure of Cuisle, Donamon with job layoffs and no alternative plan put forward.  Also bad month for Roscommon with closure of two power stations, and no effort by the Department of agriculture to help provide alternative enterprise going forward.

 

All members unanimously AGREED with Cllr. Fallon

69.19h

Village Renewal Projects

Minutes:

Cllr. Ivan Connaughton -  commended Roscommon County Council for the great projects done for village renewal in Creagh and Athleague with the Community groups funding their contribution along with quality applications to make it a success.  Councillors need to plant this seed of quality applications from Community groups going forward.

69.19i

Cluin Broc Estate Wall

Minutes:

Cllr. Tony Ward – raised issue that wall at front of Cluin Broc Estate, Monksland is loose and dangerous.

Diarmuid MacDonncha SEE replied that the Planning Enforcement section is dealing with it at moment.

69.19j

Meeting Room -Monksland Community Centre

Minutes:

Liam Bergin, Director of Services thanked Monksland Community Centre for allowing us to host the meeting in their premises.   Cllr. John Keogh thanked the volunteers for supplying tea/coffee for the meeting.

69.19k

Media

Minutes:

Cllr. Tony Ward thanked the Media for attending and also thanked Diarmuid and Paul for work they have done in the area.

69.19l

Case Management System.

Minutes:

Cllr. Ivan Connaughton asked if there was any time frame on the training for Councillors on the Case Management System.

 

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