Additional Funding & Expenditure

Councillor Naughten queried the status of the budget allocations for Municipal Districts.

Majella Hunt confirmed that €501,000 additional funding was received from the Department since the last MD meeting.  The total additional funding was allocated to Athlone MD.

Majella Hunt advised that €501,000 has addressed quite a number of issues and that no other MD received any additional funding.  She advised that the allocation mechanisms be reassessed for 2020 and consider reverting to apportionment funding based on road conditions if agreed. 

Councillor Naughten welcomed the additional funding and stated it was a positive result.  He stated that Athlone still needs additional funds.  There is €3m shortfall in deficit for roads in Roscommon.  He stated that funding had been assessed based on condition of roads for 2019 but he will propose allocation based on 25% population/75% road length at the Budget Meeting on 21^st November 2018.

Councillor Fallon stated that extra funding was welcome but Roscommon County Council should seek additional funding for 2019 from the Department.

Councillor Ward reminded the members of the weather conditions in January 2018 and advised that he put a motion in February 2018 seeking additional funding.  Over a 10-year period, €80m has been withdrawn from County Roscommon.  Funding has not been reinstated.  While €501,000 is welcomed, at least €3-4m is required to bring roads up to standard.

On the PROPOSAL by Councillor Naughten

                SECONDED by Councillor Ward

it was AGREED to raise the 2019 Roads allocation for Athlone at the Budget Meeting 2018.

All members welcomed the additional funding of €501,000.

Local Improvement Schemes

Councillor Ward welcomed the allocation of €450,000 for rural communities.  However, the scheme is not available where there is one household on the road. 

On the PROPOSAL by Councillor Ward

                SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

It was AGREED that the scheme should be revised to allow consideration where there is 1 house or landowner on the road.

Majella Hunt advised this is a countrywide scheme and this proposal would need to go to the Department.  The Notice of Motion should be submitted to a Plenary meeting. 

On the                  PROPOSAL of Councillor Connaughton

SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

It was AGREED to advertise the Local Improvement Scheme in 2019. 

Part 8 – Cloonakille School

Councillor Naughten requested an update on the status of the Part 8 at Cloonakille. 

On the                  PROPOSAL of Councillor Ward

SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

It was AGREED to write to the Department of Environment and the Minister for Finance to provide funding for the project as an urgent matter for the safety of the 400-500 pupils at this school.

Majella Hunt advised that it was not a condition of planning to provide roundabout at this location.  She confirmed that there have been discussions with the Department regarding funding.  Approximately €3m will be required for this project, which will be dependent on Grant funding. 

Specific Improvement Grants was the scheme that was in place prior to Rural Regeneration Funding.  Roscommon County Council were not successful under this Scheme.  An application has been made under Rural Regeneration Funding and the outcome of this application is awaited. 

The landowner has been approached but without success.