The following items were raised-

·         Cllr. Shanagher requested an update on works required to footpaths in Roscommon town. Neal Geraghty explained that the contractor will start work probably after 5th March if the current restrictions are relaxed.  He confirmed that there is a list of footpaths requiring works and this work is being dealt with centrally by the Roads department. 

·         Cllr. Fitzmaurice enquired at what stage is the process of renaming the estates in the Knockroe area of Castlerea.   

Martin Lydon explained that the process was with the Corporate Services Unit and was delayed due to Covid-19.  A list will be prepared of householders eligible to participate in the renaming process and this will be cross-referenced with the current live register of electors and made available for inspection.  When the lockdown is over Roscommon County Council will deliver letters to the registered properties in the area which will be followed by a plebiscite. 

·         Cllr. Waldron requested information over a five-year period on the number of houses vandalised in halting sites, other local authority accommodation and the associated costs. He asked if Roscommon County Council employed a caretaker to maintain our halting sites and proposed that there should be an incentive or reward for tenants who maintained their accommodation to a good standard.  His proposal was not supported by the other members.

Martin Lydon responded and clarified that the abuse of local authority housing was not only confined to traveller accommodation.  He explained that the Caretaker of the Council’s halting sites worked in conjunction with the housing liaison officer on a wide range of issues.  He explained that it would require resources to compile figures and was reluctant to do so without a reason or outcome.  He confirmed that our job is to rent properties as soon as they become available and the Council is trying to stamp out vandalism.

Cllr. Waldron stated he would take up his query through the Housing SPC and only wanted to ensure best use of rate payers money and was not suggesting any distinction between housing tenants.

·         Cllr. Leyden requested an update on the Public Realm project.  

Neal Geraghty informed Members that the planned Public Realm works for Roscommon town are likely to exceed the projected timeframe of eight months.  It is hoped that the project will commence on 5^th March.  He explained that the Public Realm works will coincide with works being carried out by Irish Water on the town’s main sewer.  The works will commence in Goff Street moving up towards the Bank of Ireland and finishing off at the area from the post office to the rear of the Bank of Ireland. 

The members welcomed the information and all agreed that the Public Realm project will be an agenda item for MD meetings for the duration of the project.  Cllr. Leyden requested that if the public space behind the Bank of Ireland was not being used as intended could it revert back to public parking in the future if needed.

·         Cllr. McDermott requested an update on the water logged lands at Gallowstown.  The existing system is either not functioning or unable to deal with large volumes of stormwater. Is it possible to extend the foul sewer network to accommodate residents along this road by approx. 150m extension?

Neal Geraghty explained that the flooding issues at Gallowstown are being investigated at the moment by the Roads Department and the Area Engineer, Anthony McDermott.  It is hoped that the alleviation work on the existing system will resolve the issues but more will be known in the coming days.  Secondly: the foul sewer is under the control of Irish Water and Neal will bring Cllr. McDermott’s query to the attention of water services for their consideration. 

·         Cllr. Dineen thanked the engineering staff for all the work carried out on handling the low cost safety applications. 

·         Cllr. Fitzmaurice enquired when road works will commence again.

Neal confirmed that we have not received any official notification but hope to be operating again after 5^th March.

·         Cllr. Leyden enquired if the announcement regarding the regional and local road funding for 2021 was in line with our funding for 2020.

Martin Lydon stated that he will compare the figures on a like for like basis and will come back with a response on this to the Members.