The Members welcomed the presentation of the Draft Budget for 2022 and discussed as follows:

·         Welcome the completion of the N5 project in Mid 2024 which should have a major impact on the economy. Everything possible should be done to highlight bypassed towns.

·         Welcome the works done in Rooskey and about to commence in Tarmonbarry

·         Cllr. Crosby proposed that €10,000 from Municipal District Funds be allocated to voluntary community groups.

·         Very significant and welcome that there is no rates increase proposed for 2022. Everything that can be done to promote economic activity is included in the budget.

·         There is increased expenditure on housing grants but the building costs have increased substantially

On The PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED to write to the Minister of Housing to increase the threshold for Housing Grants.

·         Welcome funding for Active Travel and maintenance of greenways

·         Request that consideration be given to increase Cemetery Grants by €20k and Tidy Towns Grants by €10k

·         This is a balanced and forward looking budget and it was important that this Council maintained the 15% LPT increase to fund services.

·         Welcome the completion of Public realm projects and the funding of Outdoor Recreation Schemes.

·         The continued funding for the swimming pools is welcome.

·         There is a major shortage of housing rental properties in the county and it is important that the housing capital programme is ramped up as soon as possible

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED that a letter be sent to the Minister for Housing to substantially increase the income threshold for applicants for social housing.

·         Need to engage with the Department of Education and the Parents Association to ensure that the works at Bealnamullia are progressed

·         Compliment the Library Service on the work done during the pandemic to engage with and provide alternative services during the pandemic

·         The progression of the Shannon Tourism Master Plan is key to increasing tourism and consequent job creation

·         Welcome the funding for all capital projects

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

SECONDED by Cllr. Shanagher

It was AGREED to write to the Minister for Housing to double the Roscommon budget allocated for housing maintenance costs.

·         Request that the Director of Services for Roads seek a delegation meeting with the TII to discuss the omission of the upgrade of the N60 from the capital budget.

·         Why is the public lighting costs not decreasing following the installation of LED lighting?

·         Why are there support costs associated with traffic management when there is no budget allocated to this measure?

·         The upgrade of the Castlerea swimming pool is welcomed and the pool proved very popular during Covid. There are more upgrade works in the pipeline and the extra allocation is welcome for 2022.

·         We can see the effect of the 15% LPT increase and disappointed that some councillors have not supported this.

·         Welcome a proposal to increase cemetery grants from the MD allocation.

·         Thanks to the Heritage Officer for funding to protect heritage sites

·         Importance of keeping livestock safe and the role of the Dog Warden

·         Welcome the commitment to Lough Funshinagh and funding for Castlestrange Bridge repairs that needs to be expedited

·         Welcome the increase of 12% in roads funding.

·         Importance of replacing storage heating in local authority house needs to be prioritised.

·         Our dependence on Tourism is growing due to lack of investment in jobs in the county and we need to make the most of all opportunities.

·         Active travel measures will reform Elphin

·         The amount of services we provide are only apparent when we analyse the budget.

·         We need to encourage everyone to be waste compliant – very disappointing that we have to continue to provide large budgets for waste clean up.

·         Welcome the arts programme and hope that there will be more support of artists.

·         Can we consider creating an area for artists to meet – an expansion of Culture Night at the Castle event?

·         There is a lack of funding for playgrounds and many need to be upgraded

·         Voluntary group funding is welcomed.

·         There is a need for expanded pre tenancy training as some tenants are not adhering to responsibilities.

·         Welcome the inclusion of Boganfin funding.

·         Thanks to the outdoor staff who do great work with their resources

·         Welcome the hub in Monksland and the investment in Bealnamullia/Cloonakilla

·         The HAP applicants should be included in the housing waiting list figures

·         When with the Local Improvement Scheme reopen for applications?

·         What have we collected in the vacant site levy?

·         More funding is required to complete the unfinished housing estates

·         Complement the works achieved under the Municipal District funding allocations

·         How can we deliver under the new N4/N5 roads – this is our opportunity to increase tourism to the county

·         Rates receipts account for 20% of out income and it is hard to see how this can be maintained into the future.

·         We must find a system to tax online shopping.

·         Municipal District Funding expenditure must be decided at MD level

·         Ability to pay must be take into account in the Vacant site levy

·         We should consider a new footpath from the Hospice to Hannons hotel

·         Welcome the developments in abolition of the fishing licence on River Suck and all other rivers

·         We are transitioning in the right direction with active travel measures and outdoor recreation

·         What are the consequences for the end of the Irish Water SLA?

In response to queries raised the Directors and A/Head of finance replied:

·         The support cost charges is used for statistical analysis and averaged over all expenditure areas

·         The vacant site levy will be difficult to collect as it is now more of a zoning tax

·         The transitioning of staff to Irish Water is currently under negotiation

·         The Public lighting project is a large capital project and will not commence until 2022 so we do not see a current reduction in public lighting costs.

·         Many of the housing maintenance calls are the responsibility of the tenants

·         With regard to the extension of the Athlone Cycleway to Tarmonbarry area – this is currently at feasibility stage – there are two types of funding available.

·         There is threshold for housing grants and we spend €352k on maintenance and vacated houses are repaired at a reasonable cost.

·         The N5 will commence construction in March/April 2022