There were no Declarations of Conflict of Interest from the Members.

Roscommon Municipal District Meeting 14^th November 2024

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Scahill

                SECONDED by Cllr Fitzmaurice

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Roscommon Municipal District Meeting of 14^th November 2024

Meeting of 14^th November 2024

Cllr McDermott requested to raise two matters:

·         An update on the road markings at Circular Road roundabout as discussed in Any Other Business on 14/11/2024

·         An update on previous sent letter regarding bus stop time table in Roscommon town.

Tom McDermott, Municipal District Co-ordinator advised that a Tender document is being prepared for the upgrade of the road markings at Circular Rd.   The tender will cover the Municipal District.

There has been update from Bus Éireann on the timetable.  The National Transport Authority has allocated €500,000 towards the upgrade of bus stops and this will be carried out through Active Travel.  Roscommon Town will be part of this upgrade.

Cllr Fitzmaurice raised a matter regarding safety concerns at Cloonfad Crossroads.  Can traffic lights be considered and also traffic calming measures and pedestrian crossing in the village.  Can Roads Department apply for funding?

Tom McDermott, Municipal District Co-ordinator advised that this junction has not been recorded as a location of interest with the TII.  In order to qualify for funding with TII, it must be a location of interest.  He will check with TII what data they have and check the timelines from reporting an accident to Gardaí, to registering with TII and will provide an update to members.

Enda Mulryan, Senior Executive Engineer advised the TII system is based on history of accident data and possibly delayed information coming from TII.

Cllr FitzmauricePROPOSED a motion that Roscommon County Council write to the Super Intendent to seek information on accidents that have happened and what data was reported to the TII from accidents at Cloonfad and request a response.  Seek clarity on what the process is.

SECONDED by Cllr Dineen.

Cllr Waldron PROPOSED a motion to write to the Minister for Environment to gather data from Insurance companies to identify accident black spots.

SECONDED by Cllr Dineen.

Cllr Fitzmaurice raised the matter of Civic Receptions.  He stated that it was up to individual people and groups to come to Councillors to request to be put forward for Civic Receptions.  Groups/Individuals should alert councillors and they do not wish to inadvertently overlook anyone.

Cllr McDermott requested clarification on a date for works commencing between Hannon’s and Golf Links Road. 

Tom McDermott, Municipal District Co-ordinator advised it was still at detail design stage.  The project has been allocated €45k from active Travel.  Tender will go out in 2025 and construction will commence in 2026.

Cllr Fitzmaurice expressed disappointment at the allocations awarded to Roscommon Active Travel Projects in 2025.

Tom McDermott, Municipal District Co-ordinator explained the Ballaghaderreen project will be complete in 2025. This will allow more projects to commence in Roscommon in 2026 and there are projects ready to commence.

Cllr Dineen asked where the €500k allocated to Bus Stop Enhancement Programme will be spent.

Tom McDermott, Municipal District Co-ordinator explained National Routes would be completed first and the funding will be spent on shelters and wheelchair accessible stops.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.25

Cllr Brennan gave an update from the Roscommon Town Teams:

·         AGM is fixed for Thursday 23/01/2025

·         Capacity Building Session organised with Liam Scollon 29/01/2025

Cllr Brennan praised the huge work with the Christmas Festival and complemented Roscommon County Council on a huge success.

Cllr Fitzmaurice thanked Lisa Joy, Tourism Officer Roscommon County Council, the Town Team and Roscommon County Council on a great success at the Christmas Festival.

Cllr McDermott agreed with Cllr Brennan and Cllr Fitzmaurice and commented on how the town benefited from it.

Cllr Waldron requested car parking to be reviewed for 2025 as town car parks were full.

Cllr Scahill gave an update from the Castlerea Town Team:

·         Congratulated Roscommon County Council on how they handled the recent cold snap weather.

·         Currently preparing for AGM and arranging a date in February.

·         Town Centre First will be big focus for 2025 and also retrofitting in the Youth Space

·         Town Teams are struggling with the cost of accountancy fees.

·         A lot of new volunteers willing to come on board.  

John Shaughnessy, Assistant Engineer presented the report on Specified Development under Section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and Article 81 of Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) - Pilot Electric Vehicle Charging Hub Scheme at Áras an Chontae, Roscommon.

John Shaughnessy, Assistant Engineer outlined the background to the project, the details of which were circulated with the agenda.

A detailed discussion took place with the members.  The members welcomed the proposal and thanked John Shaughnessy, Assistant Engineer for his presentation.  The members were unanimously in favour of the proposal.

On the PROPOSAL OF Cllr Dinneen          

                SECONDED by Cllr Scahill

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

There were no Civic Reception requests.

There were no Notices of Motion

There were no questions.

There was no Correspondence.

A vote of sympathy was sent to the Condron family on the passing of Bernadette Condron.

The following points were raised:

·         Cllr Scahill asked for an update on Roscommon County Council’s plans for Columbarium Walls to be approved for Roscommon Cemeteries.  Some graveyards are willing to pilot.

Tom McDermott, Municipal District Co-ordinator stated there was no update and for the matter to be raised at the Plenary meeting.

·         Cllr Scahill raised the issue of overhanging trees in graveyards that are not situated in the graveyard and the potential damage to headstones.   He asked if there was a grant to support damaged headstones.

Tom McDermott, Municipal District Co-ordinator advised that the overhanging trees are mainly on private property and we cannot get access. He will find out if any grants available.

·         Cllr Scahill stated that he had received requests from groups where schools and churches are seeking speed reduction measures and safe crossing zones in their villages. 

Tom McDermott, Municipal District Co-ordinator to discuss with Active Travel.

·         Cllr Scahill asked for an update on the plan for Ballyleague.

Cllr Fitzmaurice requested that the trees be removed from the footpaths to allow wheelchair access and a temporary repair completed until project gets underway

Tom McDermott, Municipal District Co-ordinator advised design is being completed in the Roads Department and he will provide Members with a copy when he has the drawings. 

·         Cllr Scahill enquired about salt bins for Resident Associations.  The Associations need to be made aware of the procedure.

Tom McDermott, Municipal District Co-ordinator advised this will be going to SPC for and a policy to be drawn up for the County.

·         Cllr Fitzmaurice called for an update on the pedestrian traffic lights at the Square in Castlerea.  He stated that the lights were broken for more than three months and the public were very frustrated.  He called for temporary mobile lights whilst waiting for repair.

Tom McDermott, Municipal District Co-ordinator advised that because the lights were old, it was not straightforward to repair.  However, he confirmed that they will be repaired by Thursday 23^rd January.

·         Cllr Fitzmaurice praised the work done by Roscommon County Council during the recent cold snap.   He asked if it was possible for the IFA to come on board to help out, as they do in some other counties to assist the Council in areas that they cannot get to.  Are Roscommon County Council willing to meet with IFA to discuss?

Tom McDermott, Municipal District Co-ordinator advised Cllr Fitzmaurice to bring this to the Plenary Meeting.

·         Cllr Fitzmaurice asked if the footpaths on Main St and Patrick St in Castlerea could be power washed.

Tom McDermott, Municipal District Co-ordinator will look into this under Public Realm.

·         Cllr Dineen requested an update on letter previously written requesting climbing lane at N60 Oran

Tom McDermott, Municipal District Co-ordinator had not received any update and will follow up.

·         Cllr Dineen urged for Roscommon County Council to move forward with the negotiations with the landowners at Baslick Graveyard.  Progress had been made with previous Area Engineer.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.25