There were no declarations of interest from the Members

Roscommon Municipal District Meeting – 10^th July, 2024

Roscommon Municipal District Special Meeting – 25^th July, 2024

Prior to the adoption of the minutes the members paid tribute to Nollaig Whyte, a former employee of Roscommon County Council who passed away suddenly and a minute's silence was observed as a mark of respect to her and her family at this sad time.

Cllr. Brennan also advised that Enda Mulryan was standing in for Mark Keaveney and that following staff changes Mark Finneran is now replacing David Ryan as Area Engineer in the Roscommon Operational Area.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Scahill

            SECONDED by Cllr. McDermott

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Roscommon Municipal District Meeting of 10^th July, 2024

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

            SECONDED by Cllr. Scahill

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Roscommon Municipal District Special Meeting of 25^th July, 2024

Meeting of 10^th July, 2024

Cllr. Fitzmaurice informed the members of his plans to bring a Notice of Motion to the next plenary meeting regarding the crossing points in towns and villages as discussed in July.

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), Planning and Development Regulations (2001) (as amended) -  Presentation of Chief Executive’s Report on Roscommon Town Centre West Works as part of Roscommon County Council URDF Scheme “Putting the Spokes Back in the Wheel Project”.

Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), Planning and Development Regulations (2001) (as amended)  - Presentation of Chief Executive’s Report on Roscommon Town Centre West Works as part of Roscommon County Council URDF Scheme “Putting the Spokes Back in the Wheel Project”

Enda Mulryan, A/Senior Engineer, Regeneration outlined the background to the project, the details which were circulated with the agenda and propose the carrying out of the following works –

•             Public realm and footpath improvement works on St Ciaran’s Street

•             Public realm and footpath improvement works on St Ciaran’s park

•             Alterations and improvements to bus set down and car parking adjacent to St. Coman’s Wood Primary School and the Sacred Heart Church

•             Alterations to the junction of St Ciaran’s Street and Convent Road

•             Provision of new controlled and uncontrolled pedestrian crossings along St Ciaran’s Street

•             And all other ancillary site works.

On 6^th June, 2024 notice of the proposed development was published in the Roscommon People, a site notice was erected and plans and particulars of the proposed development were placed on public display. The Environmental Impact Assessment screening report and Appropriate Assessment Screening Report concluded that the proposed project was unlikely to give rise to any significant environmental impacts or effects on any European site. Referrals were sent to the prescribed bodies with two responses received in respect of this proposed development as detailed in the Chief Executive’s Report.  An internal consultation response received from the Planning Department of Roscommon County Council concluded that the proposed development accords with the policies and objectives as well as the development management guidelines and standards of both the Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028 and the existing Roscommon Local Area Plan and thereby accords with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

During the consultation period, one submission in respect of the proposed development was received as detailed in the Chief Executive’s Report. 

The Roscommon Town “Putting the Spokes Back in the Wheel” Roscommon Town Centre West project has been developed to create a town centre that is attractive to both visitors and residents.  Following on from the recently completed Market Square & Main Street Public Realm project, this proposal, the subject matter of this Part 8 represents another phase in the overall strategic plan for the regeneration of Roscommon Town. The Chief Executive recommends that the development as presented in the Part 8 report proceeds.

The members welcomed the proposed Part 8 works and following discussion Enda Mulryan confirmed that all junction layouts are designed to the required standards and were auto tracked.  He also confirmed that a detailed lighting design will be carried out as the scheme progresses. 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. McDermott

            SECONDED by Cllr. Fitzmaurice

It was AGREED by all the members to approve the Part 8 as presented.

Cllr. Brennan gave an update from the Roscommon Town Team:

·         Plans are ongoing for Global Rossie Weekend and a lot of work is currently going into organising these events

·         If Town & Village Renewal funding becomes available, Roscommon Town Team would like to complete the second phase of the CCTV project for Roscommon town

·         There is very positive feedback regarding the development of the Tower at Roscommon Castle and the OPW are extremely happy with the number of visitors this summer

Cllr. Scahill and Cllr. Fitzmaurice gave an update from the Castlerea Town Team:

·         Plans are also under way in Castlerea for Global Rossie Weekend and Culture Night

·         Castlerea Town Team have recently secured funding for the youth space in Castlerea with plans for solar panels, external insulation and a new heating system

·         Castlerea Town Team are also hoping to secure funding for future projects in particular for climate action

·         It was a very successful summer at Castlerea Swimming pool and the Manager and lifeguards on duty were complimented

·         Castlerea Town Team subsidised the training of five new lifeguards and hopes that the swimming pool in Castlerea will be open earlier next year by June 2025

·         Funding of €150,000 was approved to carry out improvement works on the toddler pool at Castlerea Swimming Pool and hopefully works will be carried out this Autumn

·         Roscommon County Council has been allocated €50,000 under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) to progress the development of a riverside boardwalk project at the Demesne, Castlerea in association with Castlerea Towns Trust

·         Castlerea Town Team would like a feasibility study carried out on opening the Orchard and linking it to the town by way of a new footpath

·         A sound system and basketball hoop was installed in Somers Park and is working out very well

Request from Councillor Brennan:

“That Roscommon County Council honour at the next civic reception Ava Connaughton, Roxborough who won an All-Ireland Title at the No Name Club National Youth Awards 2024”

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Brennan

            SECONDED by Cllr. McDermott

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council honour the following at the next civic reception, Ava Connaughton, Roxborough who won an All-Ireland Title at the No Name Club National Youth Awards 2024.

A vote of sympathy was sent to the Whyte family on the sudden passing of Nollaig Whyte R.I.P.

Votes of congratulations were sent to Olympians, Aoife O’Rourke and Richael Timothy who represented us in Paris recently.  The Castlerea Rose Festival, Castlerea Agricultural Show and the first Pride Festival were complimented on the excellent events organised recently with compliments also paid to the Ukranian Community locally.

The following points were raised:

·         This issue of speeding on the Galway road was discussed and  

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. McDermott

            SECONDED by Cllr. Brennan

It was AGREED to write to TII requesting that a radar controlled driver feedback sign be erected on the Galway Road, (N63) in an effort to reduce speed and increase pedestrian safety as the erection of a similar sign on the Racecourse road, (N60) has proved to be very effective in reducing the speed of the traffic at that location.

·         An update was requested on the proposed footpath between Hannon’s Hotel and the Golf Links Road

·         Enquiries were made if the TII had sent any further communication concerning the works in Castlerea town

·         In Councillor Waldron’s absence, a request was put forward for Noel Connolly to address the members at the next Roscommon MD meeting to speak about the potential tourism links between Roscommon & Chartrettes, Roscommon's twinning town in France.

·         A request was made for traffic calming measures in Ballintubber village in addition to a safe crossing point

·         The upcoming changes in the speed limits were discussed and it is hoped that many villages such as Ballintubber will benefit from the new speed limits and hopefully also type B crossing points with all members supporting the potential to carry out works in 4 to 5 villages per year

·         The residents from Creggan on the Trien road has requested a visit from the Area Engineer

·         Compliments were sent to Nollaig Feeney and the Heritage department on the array of events organised for Heritage week

·         The great work being carried out on Local Improvement Schemes by Roscommon County Council was acknowledged

·         The clean up of Cloonlough Bog and Corlis Bog was carried out and the need for better legislation to enforce illegal dumping was discussed as waste was dumped again the following day showing a total disrespect to the area

Mark Finneran, Acting Area Engineer responded to the issue raised:

·         The project between Hannon’s Hotel and the Golf Links Road is at detailed design stage and there is no start date as of yet

·         There is no further update from the TII regarding Castlerea