The Members thanked the Chief Executive and Directors for the Budget presentation and discussed as follows:

 

·         Budget is easily read and understood and easy to support

·         Noted the projected increased expenditure of €1.8m in services

·         Acknowledgement of 2020 as a difficult year due to pandemic

·         Concern at the 38% refusal rate for housing offered and the difficulty in reconciling this with 300+ on the housing list

·         Welcome increase in housing grants allocation

·         Welcome the commencement of the N5 project in 2021

·         Acknowledged the support of Central Government in providing funding during 2020

·         Welcome the increased investment in the county which will lead to unprecedented investment in projects supported by the Council

·         Importance of development works on the Old Tuam Road in Athlone in the next 12 months

·         The issue of works required at the secondary school in Summerhill will have to be addressed

·         Welcome the continued investment in the local roads network

·         This is a balanced and forward looking budget and the Council have responded to the Covid pandemic and to the changes it necessitated.

·         The importance of maintaining the LPT rate to fund projects to progressively regenerate county Roscommon with matched funding

·         Welcome the Just Transition Fund for projects locally

·         Welcome the Energy Master Plans that will help address climate issues

·         Propose that the funding of the town Teams be increased from €10k to €16k

·         Welcome the €110k allocated for road design works on the Golf Links road in  Roscommon Town and necessity for people walking to light up and be safe, be seen.

·         Merit in using video conferencing facilities to link up with diaspora for festivals

·         Welcome the proposed development of a new HQ for the Civil Defence

·         Consider provision of disability grants for housing

·         Why has the budget for litter wardens been reduced by €2k?

·         Clarification on the €2k allocated for tourism facilities

·         Welcome the roads budget of €24m

·         Facing a housing crisis in County Roscommon with very few houses available to rent and need to think outside the box in this regard

·         Clarification on the cycleway study from Tarmonbarry to Athlone included in the budget

·         Need to address the matter of headstones being erected in cemeteries before it gets out of control

·         Council finances in 2020 saved by rates rebate scheme.

·         Need to place a greater emphasis on receiving funding for restoration of old houses.

·         Welcome funding for N60 upgrade

·         Importance of Community and Enterprise Section utilising all available funding

·         Welcome improvement works at Castlerea pool

·         Welcome the RRDF funding to develop the Castlerea Food Hub

·         Investment in disability housing is welcomed

·         There is a need for more school wardens

·         It will be a mistake if works at Clonakilla School do not address all of the issues associated with this road including an extension the football field

·         In the area of waste management, there is a pressing need to employ a third litter warden

·         Welcome the progress of the new County Development Plan.

·         Impact of Brexit at the end of the year is concerning to all businesses in the county

·         Commercial rates Income - the fact that over 400 ratepayers did not avail of the Restart Grant raises a concern that these businesses may not reopen as a result of Covid impact

·         Need a further commitment from Government on rates compensation in 2021 and indeed to give a commitment to fund any shortfall  for the next 5 years

·         Roads support costs have increased

·         Welcome funding for N61 at Bogganfin for flood relief works at Kiltoom and the cooperation between Roscommon and Westmeath County Council

·          Would like works carried out including a pedestrian crossing on R446 at Summerhill

·         In welcoming climate actions, there should be increased spending on retrofitting

·         Welcome the commencement of the N5 project early next year.

·         There is an obvious cycleway route on N5 from Tarmonbarry to Strokestown and this should be explored.

·         Welcome funding to maintain the new and existing greenways as it is important to keep a high standard in relation to these facilities.

·         Look forward to a new positive Roscommon emerging with increased accessibility to a number of towns including Castlerea with the developing of the N5.

·         The Ballintubber to Tulsk road will became more utilised due to its proximity to the new N5.

·         Nothing has been done to progress drainage works at Castleplunkett although €25k was allocated and all councillors need to work together to make this happen.

·         Look forward to cleaning works on the River Suck in cooperation with Galway County Council

·         Welcome progression of taking in charge of unfinished estates although these is still much work to be done

·         Look forward to the Civil Defence getting their own building that they are well entitled to

·         Welcome biodiversity measures.

·         There is a need for our local TDs and Oireachtas members to put pressure on IDA to promote more job opportunities in the county.

·         Positive budget in relation to environment and well being of people throughout the county. This is a reflection on money being spent in the new projects in the communities

·         What is the update on land compensation for N5?

·         Again flooding is an issue, and funding is a slow process for Ardeevan Road.

The Tulsk Castleplunkett road is still at risk of flooding – a plan must be put in place.

 

It was PROPOSAL by Cllr. Connaughton

SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

To write to the Minister for Finance to reduce the NPPR due on houses by 50% as an incentive to sell the properties.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Fallon

SECONDED by Cllr Shanagher

It was AGREED that the Cathaoirleach and elected members write to all community groups who have received amenity grants to thank them for their great work during the year in keeping their communities alive and keeping the spirits lifted across the whole county during the pandemic this year, encouraging them to support their local businesses during this difficult time and appealing to them to continue the great work they are doing in keeping their communities active and keeping rural isolation to a minimum. The sum of €300 will be allocated to each group to spend as they wish.

 

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

SECONDED by Cllr Dineen

It was AGREED that in the event that there is an additional allocation of funding received centrally, the €10,000 allocated to the town teams be increased to €16,000

 

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

SECONDED by Cllr. Connaughton

It was AGREED that the management of Roscommon County Council consider the appointment of a third litter warden.

 

In reply the Chief Executive confirmed that this was a staffing matter and while desirable the proposal will have to be considered in light of the current vacancies and overall resources.

 

Cllr. Ward proposed that villages be included in the Town Team scheme in 2021.

 

In reply to queries raised the Directors replied as follows:

 

·         The housing refusal rate will be discussed at the Housing SPC where a report will be delivered – there are many and varied reasons for refusals.

·         A more accurate costing has been carried out on individual salaries resulting in variance on some salary figures from 2020 budget

·         The Council can operate national housing schemes and there is no scheme currently for tenants in place

·         Support service costs increased due to variances in the CMC charge

·         The traffic management plan costs increased due to completion of Plans for Roscommon and Monksland

·         The €2,000 included tourist budget is for Douglas Hyde Centre

·         Under the Active Travel programme, in conjunction with Just Transition a study will be carried out on the feasibility of a cycleway from Tarmonbarry to Athlone.

·         New Tuam Road  - as an expanding area a proper design will be carried out on the road to Clonakilla and if this goes as far as the football pitch will be a matter for the design team. Carriageways, footpaths, drainage, lighting, crossways, junction designs etc. will be all taken into account -  all necessary works will be included in Part 8 process.

·         R446  Summerhill upgrade – applied for funding for overlay works in 2021 under national roads rehabilitation grants. The sum of €400k is provided to include special development contributions of €140k, and active travel funding. The public lighting and walkway is completed as is the crossing at Drum Road. Further land acquisition is required and it is hoped to realign route reducing the carriageway width and public use of parking facilities provided. Other works will also be reruired.

·         Ardeevin Road – the sum of €50k was spent on permanent and temporary works in 2016/2017 and €45k to acquire land. Money was provided aby the roads meeting last year and more will be required next year to address verge, piping and drainage works.

·         A proper design scheme will be completed for the Hannons Hotel to Ardsallagh road to bring to Part 8 and €110k allocated in this regard.

·         The Local Improvement Scheme will be reopened and advertised next week – all applications online

·         A discussion on headstones took place at the recent SPC and a public consultation will take place on the matter.

·         The team working on the N5 are very efficient and there are no hold up in payments to landowners – payments can be delayed in the conveyancing process.