The Cathaoirleach welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked and complimented the Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr. Donal Kilduff for chairing the last meeting in his absence.

On the                                  PROPOSAL OF Councillor Fallon

                                                SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Athlone Municipal District Meeting held on Thursday, 26^th September, 2019 at 2.00 pm

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

            SECONDED by Cllr. Leyden

It was AGREED to appoint Cllr. Liam Callaghan to the Board of Longford, Westmeath Roscommon Local Link Board.

Cllr. Callaghan thanked the Members for the appointment and in response to the request of Members agreed that he would raise the matter of deficits in the service in certain areas of County Roscommon including the Athlone area.

The Head of Roads and Transportation, Mr. Eugene Dwyer presented a report on the Road Traffic (Special Speed Limits Regional & Local Roads) Bye-Laws 2019 that were prepared in accordance with Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 including statutory public consultation in 2016. In 2018 the County Roscommon Road Traffic (Special Speed Limit Housing Estates) Bye-Laws were adopted with the introduction of 30km/hr speed limits in housing estates. The default speed limit on regional and local roads is 80km/hr and can only be changed by making special speed limit bye-laws which are now for the members to consider as per the maps and scheduled as outlined.

The Members welcomed the proposals but raised the following issues:

·         It is disappointing that there has been no progress with the TII in respect of introducing periodical speed limits outside schools on the National Primary roads

·         Has there been any progress with the TII with regard to ongoing issues on the N61 including speeding and volumes of traffic?

·         There is an ongoing issue all around the county with regard to speeding on local roads and accepting personal responsibility by drivers, and enforcement by the Gardaí, perhaps the Council can highlight this problem. Flashing signs to warn about speed have been very successful but if too many are installed they will lose their effectiveness.

·         Can the road diversions on the N60 at Oran be more extensively highlighted?

·         When will the infrastructure for the new signs be installed?

·         Can funding be ring-fenced to install pedestrian crossings/ traffic management initiatives on the N5 in Tulsk, Tarmonbarry and Strokestown?

·         Issue with speeding in Mount Talbot on the N61

·         Can the speed limit be extended from Four Roads to Curraghboy?

It was PROPOSED by Cllr. Crosby that the traffic management system on the N5 through of Tulsk, Strokestown and Tarmonbarry be prioritised.

It was PROPOSED by Cllr. Naughten that a meeting with the TII be sought within one month to finalise the speed limit issues

In response to the issues raised, Mr. Dwyer confirmed he will seek a final response from the TII with regard to the speed limits on the National Primary Roads in question and other outstanding issues including the N61 where they agreed in 2017 to assess. It is hoped to have the signage in place by February 2020. A pedestrian count will have to be done in the villages on the N5 but the minimum requirement for a crossing in 100 pedestrians and 1,000 vehicles per hour.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

                SECONDED by Cllr. Leyden

It was AGREED to adopt the County Roscommon Road Traffic (Special Speed Limits Regional & Local Roads) Bye-Laws 2019

Mr. Martin Lydon, Director of Services presented the Chief Executive’s report to the Members on the Local Property Tax (Local Adjustment Factor) 2020:

He advised the Members in making a decision to vary or maintain the level of LPT, they must take into account the following and make a decision by 30^th September:

·         An estimation of income and expenditure for the coming year

·         The current financial position of the Council

·         The financial effect of a variation to the LPT rate and

·         Feedback from public consultation

He outlined the following:

·         The budgetary position for 2020 shows a shortfall of €1.4m with pressures of €2.585m including funding roads from own resources, filling of vacant posts and pay increases, reinstatement of GMA and reduced NPPR, expenditure on public lighting efficiency, match funding for village schemes, fund for purchase of derelict sites and reduced FSAI income offset to a certain extent by removal of maximum rent cap, reduction in loan payments and reduced insurance premium

·         In 2018 the Council recorded a revenue surplus of €189k

·         The Department have notified the Council of the 2020 allocation of €10.2m from the Local Property Tax Fund which is the same as 2016 – 2019 and included a net equalisation of €7m

·         The value of each 1% variance is €40.1k with 15% yielding €601k. The annual cost to the property owner will vary from €13.50 to €33.57 for 92% of the houses in Roscommon

·         No submissions were received from the public consultation process

·         The recommendation is for an increase of 15% in order to ensure a progressive budget and the need for additional funding in a climate where the current LPT fund is adequate to cover the costs of services provided.

The Members debated the proposal as follows:

·         The Corporate Policy Group agreed with the Chief Executives recommendation on the understanding that 5% would be ring fenced for vital local services

·         Important to not fall behind in improving services for the county

·         We cannot collect enough money locally to provide services and need equalisation fund

·         It is important to avail of all the funding available under the many different scheme including rural and urban regeneration, outdoor recreation town and village renewal etc. and we have to lever match funding

·         Why is funding not provided from Central Government?

·         This is not a good time to raise tax when Brexit is in the offing in the next month.

·         What is the position if the properties are revalued in 2020?

·         We have to reinstate the Municipal fund under new guidelines

·         We are not getting our share of the Motor tax funding and we need to send a message to Government

·         The increase is reasonable and if we do not agree to an increase locally, we cannot go to Government for more funding

·         No-one wants to increase the tax but at this stage it is a necessity just to stand still.

·         We do not want to be in a position of not being able to give grants to community groups etc.

·         Communities are always fundraising and have no more to give.

·         Need to be aware that the larger local authorities that are funding the rest of the county through the equalisation fund are not happy for this to continue. If we look at increasing rates, introducing parking charges as an alternative- this is the best option of the three.

·         While the LPT is a good method to raise local taxes for local projects, a review of the system is necessary

·         Need to consider the age profile of this in community groups – who will do all the work they carry out where they are no longer able to do so.

·         How will the GMA allocation be divided out and who will decide on this executive or elected members?

Mr. Lydon replied to the queries raised.

It was PROPOSED by Cllr. Leyden

          SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

That the Local Property Tax basic rate be increased by 15% for 2020 under Section 20 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 as amended by Section 5 of the Finance Act (Local Property Tax) Act 2013.

It was PROPOSED by Cllr. Ward

          SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

That there be no change in the basic rate of Local Property Tax for 2020

A vote was taken on the Proposal to Increase the Local Property Tax by 15% which resulted as follows: -

VOTING FOR THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE BASIC RATE OF LOCAL PROPERTY TAX BY 15%: Councillors Callaghan, Crosby, Cummins, Fallon, Fitzmaurice, Keogh, Leyden, McDermott, Murphy, Naughten (10)

VOTING AGAINST THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE BASIC RATE OF LOCAL PROPERTY TAX BY 15%:

 Councillors Byrne, Connaughton, Dineen, Kilduff, Mulligan, Shanagher, Waldron, Ward (8)

The Cathaoirleach declared the motion carried.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Fallon

                SECONDED by Cllr Cummins

It was AGREED that the Municipal District Fund be restored under new guidelines

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Ward

                SECONDED by Cllr. Shanagher

It was AGREED to write to the Minister for Finance to provide additional funding for Local Authorities

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Crosby

                SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED that a mechanism be put in place to help fund small towns and villages to raise the required match funding for projects.

Mr. Liam Bergin, Director of Services presented the Draft Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024 to the Members for consideration as required by Department regulations.

The Strategy sets out specific goals, actions and objectives, which will see the Counciladapting its policies, procedures, functions and business operations to account for the impacts associated with Climate Change. The development of a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy is intended to commence shortly with completion due in early 2020. Both Strategies will aid Roscommon County Council in adapting to and mitigating against the effects of climate change.

Cllr. Leyden requested that the Roscommon County Council Biodiversity Emergency be included in the plan and that a budget will need to be secured to fund measures required.

Cllrs. Naughten, Ward and Kilduff welcomed the strategy as a step in the right direction and look forward to the implementation starategy.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

SECONDED by Cllr. Byrne

It was AGREED to adopt the Draft Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024.

The Director of Services and Head of Finance Mr. Martin Lydon outlined the statutory regulations with regard to the appointment of external members of the Audit Committee. He stated that the Corporate Policy Group had endorsed the following who have put themselves forward to become member of the committee - Sinead Devine (Accountant), Willie Murphy (Head of Operations at Aurivo) and Michael Hegarty (former Bank Manager).

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. Connaughton

It was AGREED to appoint Sinead Devine, Willie Murphy and Michael Hegarty to the Audit Committee of Roscommon County Council.