·         Minutes of Special Meeting on 25.04.2019

·         Minutes of Plenary Meeting 29.04.2019

·         Minutes of Annual Meeting 07.06.2019

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Ward

            SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Plenary Meeting held on 25.04.2019

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Murphy

            SECONDED by Councillor Callaghan

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Special Meeting held on 29.04.2019

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Cummins

            SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 07.06.2019

·         No matters arising

·         Management Report for April and May 2019

·         The Management Report for the Month of xxx was noted.

·         Site 10 comprising 0.2043 Ha at Ballyboughan Industrial Estate, Roscommon Town.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor McDermott

SECONDED by Councillor Shanagher

It was AGREED that the Council consent to the disposal of property pursuant to the provisions of Article 206 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, Section 211 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) and Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001 of particulars of property which it is proposed to dispose of at the location in County Roscommon and to the persons set out in the schedule hereunder.  Particulars of the property which the County Council proposes to dispose:

The Property:  Site No 10 comprising 0.2043 hA (0.5048 acres) at Ballyboughan Industrial Estate, Ballyboughan Td. Roscommon, Co. Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: Eircom Ltd., Harcourt Centre, 52 Harcourt St., Dublin 2.  Joseph Kelly, Tremane, Co. Roscommon

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of:Figvale Ltd.

The consideration proposed in respect of the disposal: €35,000 plus VAT

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Cummins

            SECONDED by Councillor Murphy

It was AGREED to adopt the Roscommon County Council Draft Annual Report 2018

Ms. Majella Hunt, Director of Services informed the members that the new Roscommon Tourism website and brochure was launched last Friday in King House with a very positive reaction to date.

Eimear Dowd, Tourism Officer, gave a presentation to the members of the new branding (logo), website and brochure:

·         The logo depicts the attractions, water, landscapes and communities of county Roscommon

·         Roscommon will be promoted as a Land of Memories

·         Contemporary and unique website www.visitroscommon.ie with high quality photos that will guide the user to explore further with sections on heritage, trails, water activities. Accommodation and dining directory also available.

The Cathaoirleach thanked everyone involved in such a high quality project that can only benefit and promote the tourism in the county.

Members commented as follows:

·         Website must be kept up to date and community groups encouraged to submit material

·         Monksland and Drum Heritage Centre not identified on the map

·         Can the website be facilitated as an App on a phone?

·         Greenway from Dublin to Clondra in Longford and a connection to Roscommon

·         Our diaspora can promote our tourism product

·         Everyone in the county should be promoting the county as a tourist destination – tourist ambassadors

·         Coat of Arms should be on the brochure

·         Need for capital investment in our attractions and heritage sites– Hidden Heartlands do not appear to be supporting Roscommon.

·         Investment required in Suck Valley Way.

·         Look at the uniqueness of our green fields and limestone walls

·         We need to have a presence around the county in promoting tourism

·         Need to encourage our own citizens to visit tourist experiences around the county

·         Group in Tulsk have purchased a bus from dormant funds account to shuttle visitors from Tulsk to Rathcroghan Heritage site.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Waldron

SECONDED by Cllr. Fitzmaurice

It was AGREED to invite the Directors of the Ballintubber ‘Castles in Communities’ project to give a presentation at the July plenary meeting. The Tourism Officer and Heritage Officer to be invited to attend the presentation.

The Cathaoirleach proposed that the Council, through the town teams, promoting the idea of tourist ambassadors in every town and village whereby there could be identified by a sign outside their premises.  Such a person would be able to give basic information about the area to tourists or visitors enquiring about local sights, accommodation, food etc.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED that the Council facilitate tourism ambassadors in towns and villages around the county

The tourism officer replied to all of the queries and assured members that gaps in the brochure or website would be updated in the next publication run. Funding for websites will become available and a mentoring process was announced this week. Currently matched funding for tourism projects are currently only available for projects of greater than €2.5m but this is expected to be reduced to facilitate smaller schemes next year. Majella Hunt confirmed that the regeneration team is working alongside tourism to leverage funding under the outdoor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.19

Mr. Martin Lydon informed the members that the Council is required to adopt a Scheme of Priorities for Affordable Dwelling Purchase Arrangements.

Mr. Greg O’Donnell, A/Senior Executive Officer gave the members an overview of the scheme of priorities and the methodology that will be applied to determine the order of priority to be accorded to eligible households where the demand for such arrangements exceeds the dwellings or resources available. In summary, the rankings on the priority list is dependent on type of dwelling deemed to adequately cater for accommodation needs. Where the number of applicants exceed the number of dwellings for sale, the local authority will give priority based on income, distance of travel to education and to work and finally the order in which the application was made.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED to adopt the Draft Scheme of Priority for Affordable Dwelling Purchase Arrangements.

Mr. Martin Lydon presented for consideration of the members the Draft Traveller Accommodation Programme effective for a period of five years from 1^st July 2019 to 30^th June 2024. The report was prepared in accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 programme. He outlined the consultation process, including the public consultation and details of the two submissions received. The Draft plan was considered by the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee and the Housing Strategic Committee on a number of occasions and is now recommended for approval by the Council.

In the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. Crosby

It was AGREED to adopt the Draft Traveller Accommodation Programme 2019-2024

·         To be Circulated

Mr. Shane Tiernan presented the Cemetery Improvement and Maintenance Scheme 2019 for noting by the members. The sum of €35,000 was allocated to 90 committees/groups.

The members welcomed the scheme but raised the following:

·         Scheme had a budget of €150,000 many years ago and should be substantially increases starting with next year’s budget.

·         Acknowledged the excellent and substantial work done by the voluntary cemetery committees throughout the county

·         Members mentioned works required in some cemeteries around the county.

·         Request that the CPG assess the funding when considering the Draft Budget

·         Where there is a protected structure in a graveyard, who is responsible for damage if it falls?

·         Who is responsible if branches of trees fall in cemeteries and damage headstones?

·         Can the allocations be confirmed earlier in the year?

·         Why is there an unequal distribution of funds per amount and MD?

The Director of Services confirmed that this is the amount as allocated in the Budget and it can be reviewed next year and the County is very appreciative of the work done by graveyard committees. He will revert to members regarding protected structures and cover for damages.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Connaughton

SECONDED by Cllr. Shanagher

It was AGREED to have a survey of all cemeteries completed in relation to emergency works required. The report to be submitted to the Council for consideration

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. Crosby

It was AGREED to approve the Cemetery Improvement and Maintenance Scheme 2019

The Meetings Administrator detailed the proposed dates for the Plenary Meetings 2019/2020 following discussion at by the Corporate Policy Group as agreed at the Annual Meeting.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED that Plenary Meetings of Roscommon County Council for 2019/2020 take place on the following Dates:

Monday 24^th June 2019, Monday 22^nd July 2019, Monday 23^rd September 2019, Monday 21^st October 2019, Monday 25^th November 2019, Monday 16^th December 2019, Monday 27^th January 2020, Monday 24^th February 2020, Monday 23^rd March 2020, Monday 27^th April 2020, Monday 25^th May 2020 and Annual Meeting on Monday 22^nd June 2020.

Mr. Liam Bergin advised members that the Revised Code of Conduct for Elected Members was issued by the Department last week and included in the Agenda Pack. These will be further information available at the training day for members.

·         Notice of Motion No 13.19–Cllr. Kilduff and Cllrs. Leyden, Cummins, Keogh, Murphy, Fitzmaurice, McDermott, Callaghan, Naughten, Fallon and Crosby.  (Shared Motion as per SO No. 90)

That Roscommon County Council declares a climate and bio-diversity emergency and establishes a committee to oversee the creation of a county climate and bio-diversity action plan which facilitates engagement from key community stakeholder groups, individuals and organisations who are active within the county and have a pertinent contribution to make to such a plan.

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

This motion requires a resolution of the Council

Cllr. Kilduff spoke on the motion and urged the Local Authority in Roscommon to take a lead in declaring the emergency as proposed in the motion. The importance of establishing a committee that to be effective will rely on the competencies of key community stakeholders who are experts in the area and the creation of an action plan owned by the community. The fact that this is a joint motion reflects the seriousness of the issue of climate change and the need for action now.

Cllr. Leyden said that the need for action is no longer a choice but a necessity and future generations have a right to a healthy environment. It is the duty of the Council to act in unison and declare a climate change and biodiversity emergency in County Roscommon and set about devising a constructive action plan. Cllr Leyden also spoke about the need to increase native tree planting in the county and proposed that the Council affiliate to the Tree Council of Ireland.

The members welcomed the motion and its considerable importance at this time. 

The Director of Services Liam Bergin welcomed the motion and proposed that the committee be set up as a sub-committee of the Environment SPC. He informed the members that the Draft Climate Change Adaptation Strategy would be soon presented to the Council for consideration.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council affiliate to the Tree Council of Ireland which will support Roscommon with increased native tree planting.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Kilduff

                SECONDED by Cllr. Leyden

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council declares a climate and bio-diversity emergency and establishes a committee to oversee the creation of a county climate change  and bio-diversity action plan which facilitates engagement from key community stakeholder groups, individuals and organisations who are active within the county and have a pertinent contribution to make to such a plan.

·         Email from Kilkenny County Council regarding a resolution that was recently passed - “We the members of Kilkenny County Council call on the Minister for Health, Simon Harris to extend the scheme for the provision of the cancer drug Pembro, which was previously granted to cervical cancer patients, to other cancer patients who have been determined through medical testing, to be compatible with and responsive to the drug. We recognise and acknowledge the efforts of the ‘John Needs Pembro’ campaign in Kilkenny and that it is an injustice that communities are forced to voluntary fundraise for lifesaving medication which should not be prohibitive on cost grounds and that equality of access and treatment should be available to everyone in the Irish State.”

·         Acknowledge email dated 30^th April, 2019 from the Mental Health Commission regarding the closure of the Rosalie Unit, Castlerea;

·         Email dated 1^st May, 2019 from Wicklow County Council regarding a Notice of Motion that was recently passed – “That Wicklow County Council acknowledge and support the recent #Climate Strickes [1,2] driven by the young people and families in Greystones, Arklow, Dublin and around the country.

That Wicklow County Council have listened and understood the deadly urgency felt by the young people and their demand that all stakeholders and representatives act immediately to ensure that young people have a liveable future in Wicklow, in Ireland and on planet Earth.

The Wicklow County Council agree that the evidence of emergency is overwhelming from IPCC on Climate [3] and from WWF LPR on Biodiversity [4].

That Wicklow County Council agree that, while relatively small in global terms, Wild Wicklow, previously acknowledged as the World’s most liveable community, can and must step up and show visible leadership.

The Wicklow will immediately implement the following steps (as leading proactive cities and regions internationally already have):

-       Declare a Climate Emergency for Wicklow

-       Publish a Climate Action Plan

-       Declare a Biodiversity Emergency for Wicklow

-       Update and publish a Biodiversity Action Plan

-       Report regularly on progress on both Action Plans”

·         Letter dated 2^nd May, 2019 from Mental Health Commission regrading the Imminent Closure of Rosalie Home, Castlrea;

·         Acknowledgement email dated 2^nd May, 2019 from office of Minister of Mental, Health and Older People regrading The Rosalie Unit, Castlerea;

·         Letter dated 10^th June, 2019 from Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment regarding One Home One Visit

·         A vote of sympathy was expressed to the family and friends of the late Cllr. Manus Kelly for County Donegal who was tragically killed in an accident taking part in the Donegal International Rally last week.

Cllr. Crosby outlined the need for traffic calming measures on the N5 from Tarmonbarry to Tulsk. He detailed a recent report completed on the volume of traffic now passing through these towns and villages requires urgent action by the Government and TII.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

              SECONDED by Cllr. Murphy

It was AGREED to write to the Minister for Transport, Mr. Shane Ross TD to request that elected representatives from Local Authorities be elected to the Board of the TII.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Byrne

SECONDED by Cllr. Connaughton

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council recognise and support the “Beef Plan Movement”

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fallon

SECONDED by Cllr. Byrne

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council write to the Minister for Agriculture and to the Taoiseach to oppose any deal that will allow more beef from South America to enter Europe until the UK Brexit situation is resolved.