There were no Disclosures of Conflict of Interest declared by Members.

·        Minutes of Plenary Meeting on 18.12.2023

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Crosby

            SECONDED by Cllr. Kelly

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Plenary Meeting of 18.12.2023

There were no matters arising.

·        Report for Quarter 4 2023

·        Management Report for December 2023 (Q4) noted.

·        0.26 hA at Alderford Td., Ballyfarnon, Co Roscommon

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. Callaghan

It was AGREED that the Council consent to the lease 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 lease 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 lease:

The Property: Lands comprising 0.26 hA (0.62 acres) at Alderford, Ballyfarnon, Co. Roscommon.

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: The Irish Land Commission

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed to: Ballyfarnon Tidy Towns, Kilmacroy, Ballyfarnon, Co. Roscommon.

The consideration proposed in respect of the disposal: €100 per annum.

The term of lease: 5 years

-       Chief Executives Report on Submissions

-       Draft Roscommon County Climate Action Plan 2024-2029

-       Appropriate Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Reports

-       Chief Executive determination on the Appropriate Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment Screening Reports

A report on the Draft Climate Action Plan was presented to the Members by Cllr. Naughten,  Chairperson of the Environment and Climate SPC:

·         Each local authority is required to prepare and approve a Climate Action Plan for their own functional area in consideration of wider national climate and energy targets, addressing both mitigation and adaptation measures.

·         The Climate Action Team and Climate Action Unit was established in Roscommon County Council in 2023. The Climate Action team comprises representatives from each department within the organization, meeting on a regular basis to discharge the processes required for the preparation of the Local Authority Climate Action Plan. On adoption of the plan, this focus will shift toward implementation of the Actions contained within.

·         The initiation of the plan-making process commenced with pre-draft consultation, and completed in the summer of 2023. This was process was widely publicised in mainstream and social media, inviting input from all sectors of society and supplemented with a series of events internally and externally to the Council, including engagement with community stakeholders, local and national agencies and organisations and in-house workshops. Preparation of actions commenced and were refined through engagement with the SPCs, LCDC, PPN and consultation with the CARO.

·         A Draft Climate Action Plan was prepared and subjected to further stakeholder engagement, including ongoing contact with the CARO and adjoining Local Authorities. This plan was agreed by the Planning, Environment Climate Change and Corporate Governance SPC at its meeting on 3^rd of October 2023 and approved at the October Plenary meeting to proceed to formal public consultation. The public consultation phase took place from 27^th October – 13^th December 2023.

·         Submissions received within this period were analysed and incorporated into the Chief Executive Report on Submissions, following engagement with the Planning, Environment, Climate Action and Corporate Governance SPC at a meeting on 15^th  January 2024.  

·         This report was subjected to strategic environmental and appropriate assessment screening and it has been determined that the modifications proposed are minor in nature and will not have significant environmental effects. On this basis, the documentation now submitted for the consideration of the Elected Members represents the culmination of the plan-making process.

This includes:

·         Chief Executive report on Submissions, incorporating detailed consideration of submissions and recommendations arising

·         The Draft Roscommon Climate Action Plan, 2024-2029 with modifications on foot of recommendations contained in the Chief Executive Report

·         Screening of recommended modifications for Strategic Environmental and Appropriate Assessment

·         Chief Executive determination on Strategic Environmental and Appropriate Assessment screening outcomes

 The report recommends the adoption of the plan by resolution subject to the proposed minor modifications. The County Roscommon Climate Action Plan, once adopted, will come into force from the time of adoption and will be published within 30 days, accompanied by the supporting Strategic Environmental and Appropriate Assessments.

Climate Action Co-Ordinator Aoife Moore gave a presentation to the Elected Members on the Draft Plan:

·         She outlined the six documents including the Chief Executive’s Report, screening determinations, strategic environmental and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.24

·         Audited Annual Financial Statement – year ended 31 Dec 2022

·         LG Audit Report to the Members of Roscommon County Council for the Year Ended 31 December 2022

·         Audit Committee Report on the Audited AFS 2022 and the LG Auditors Report

The following reports were circulated to the Members for noting:

·         Audited Annual Financial Statement 2022

·         Local Government Audit Service  - Statutory Audit Report to the Members of Roscommon County Council for year ended 31^st December 2022  

·         Roscommon County Council Audit Committee Report on the Audited Annual Financial Statement 2022 and the Local Government Auditors Report (S121 of Local Government Act)  

·         Audit Committee Annual Report 2022

·         Adoption of Audit Committee Work Programme 2024

·         Adoption of Local Government Audit Committee Charter

The Roscommon County Council Audit Committee Annual Report 2022 was noted.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. Kelly

It was AGREED to adopt the Roscommon County Council Audit Committee Work Programme 2024.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. Shanagher

It was AGREED to adopt the Local Government Audit Committee Charter 2024.

·         To note obligations of members to submit a donation statement by 31^st January 2024

The Meetings Administrator informed members that the Donations Statement for year ended 31^st December 2023 is due for completion by 31^st January 2024.

·         To note obligation of Members to submit a declaration of Interest by 29^th February 2024

The Meetings Administrator advised members of the requirements to complete and return an Ethics Declaration on or before 29^th February 2024. The return will be online via My Online Services and details will be issued next week.

There was no Chief Executive business.

‘That Roscommon County Council calls on the Department of Health to cease advocating for and funding the fluoridation of public water. Most European countries do not add fluoride to the public water supply.’

‘That Roscommon County Council calls on the Department of Health to cease advocating for and funding the fluoridation of public water. Most European countries do not add fluoride to the public water supply.’

Proposing the motion, Cllr. Leyden said that €3m is spent each year by the Department of Health on the fluoridation of public water in Ireland, yet only 3% of the population of Western Europe consumes fluoridated water. She stated 50% of the population had expressed concerns over fluoridated water and it is uneconomical and un-ecological to continue the fluoridation of water. She accepted that while fluoride is naturally found in water , it should not be removed in such cases. She also cited a campaign in Scotland entitled ‘Child Smile’ a dental health awareness campaign that could be replicated across the country.

Members supported the motion and discussed as follows:

·         It is unnecessary for water to be fluoridated as the substance featurs in most oral hygiene products.

·         If fluoride is removed from water supply, it will have a positive impact on the delivery of dental services if the savings are invested in supporting extra dental services.

·         Concerns were expressed over access to dental care, particularly those with a medical card, who are seeking treatment.

·         Fluoride is also a natural occurring mineral that seeps into water supplies and has health benefits.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

SECONDED by Cllr. McDermott

It was AGREED to write to the Minister of Health to cease advocating for and funding the fluoridation of public water as most European countries do not add fluoride to the public water supply. It is further recommended that the €3m saved from ceasing fluoridation should be used to provide extra funding for the delivery of dental services.

It was further AGREED that the motion be circulated to all Local Authorities.

‘I am calling on Roscommon County Council to include specific routes leading to all schools in the winter maintenance program and salt the public roads within the vicinity of the schools.’

‘I am calling on Roscommon County Council to include specific routes leading to all schools in the winter maintenance program and salt the public roads within the vicinity of the schools.’

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

“As part of our commitment to ensuring safe road conditions during winter, Roscommon County Council conducts a thorough review of the Winter Service Plan each year, well in advance of the winter months. The plan is a strategic document designed by Engineers, detailing the optimised deployment of resources to address disruptive winter weather conditions.

Within the plan, two levels of priority routes have been identified:

Priority 1 Routes: These are treated during all-weather events and include national primary roads, national secondary roads, regional and local roads of national strategic importance, and those providing access to essential services.

Priority 2 Routes: These routes are part of normal Winter Service but may experience interruptions in treatment during severe weather events.

It is important to note that any changes to the existing plan, including the addition of school routes, would impact the council's ability to effectively treat Priority routes. The Winter Service Plan represents an optimised allocation of resources and raw materials.

Additionally, the plan is financed through a combination of TII funding and Department of Transport Discretionary Grants. These funds are limited, and any adjustments to the plan would require careful consideration, as expanding winter maintenance coverage could affect funding for other crucial areas such as local roads, verge trimming, drainage, etc.”

Speaking on his motion, Cllr. Fitzmaurice conceded the amount of severe weather affecting the county in recent months had been minimal and acknowledged that many schools are on routes that are gritted. His concern is in relation to the schools that are not including Cloonbonniffe, Lissaniskey, Runnamote and Fairymount which are marginally off the location of winter maintenance routes and have large amounts of traffic on these roads. He stated that Longford County Council all have a salted route to each school and why can Roscommon not be able to do the same. He also stated that Galway Co. Co. provide salt bins near schools and recreational areas.

Cllr. Byrne seconded the motion.

Other members supported the motion and discussed as follows:

·         It was proposed smaller lorries could be used for salting of minor roads where schools are located.

·         Local schools favour the provision of salt bins that could be sourced from the County Council and used by the schools affected.

·         Some discretion should be given to Area Engineers in the salting of roads in local areas which would put less strain on Council resources and vehicles.

·         Costings should be drawn up for salting of local roads to enable members to make an informed decision when considering to salt local roads.

·         If there are excessive stocks of salt, national schools should be attended to for gritting.

·         It was claimed there was 4,000 miles of roads in the county which meant not all routes could be salted and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.24

Resolutions from other Local Authorities:

·         10^th  January, 2024 – Resolution from Offaly  County Council

“Offaly County Council states that 12% of the land in Co. Offaly is under the ownership of semi state companies such as Bord na Móna they call on the government to ensure that State lands where renewable energy projects have been developed cannot be sold.

They further requested that state lands to be considered for sale must receive the approval of the Government.”

·        16^th January 2024 – Resolution from Mayo County Council

“That all cooperation ceases immediately, between the staff of Mayo County Council and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, until such time as an agreed strategy is put in place to properly co-ordinate the provision of additional services for the communities’ hosting refugees and international protection applicants…….”

Other Correspondence:

·        16th May, 2024 – Letter from Waterways Ireland

Acknowledgement of submission from Roscommon County Council re Public Consultation process in respect to the Shannon Navigation Bye-laws and Canal Bye-laws.

·         Approval of attendance of elected members at specified conferences and training events

·         Approval of payment for Elected members for attendance at conferences and training events

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Shanagher

            SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED to approve the list of payments for training and conferences attended as circulated.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Kelly

 SECONDED by Cllr. McDermott

It was  AGREED to approve the list of training and conferences for attendance as circulated.

Cllr. Crosby enquired if there was any update in relation his Notice of Motion in November 2023 (16.23) regarding official recognition of Dr.Bridget Lyons

He was informed the matter is being progressed by the Heritage Officer.

The Cathaoirleach raised the matter of the Deposit Return Scheme that will come into effect on 1^st February 2024 whereby plastic bottles and aluminium/steel cans must be returned to a participating shop or supermarket for refund of a deposit already paid. He felt the scheme is anti-competitive and suit the large retailers who have the ability to facilitate the recycling equipment.

The Members discussed the scheme as follows:

·         The scheme favours larger supermarkets at the expense of smaller shops who do not have the capacity to install recycling machines designed to return bottles and cans.

·         If the vouchers issued for the return of bottles are only to be used in the retail outlet where the items are being returned, it will cause loss of business to smaller shops.

·         Smaller shops may not have the resources to install machines required, despite being grant funded up to 50% of the cost.

·         The availability of recycling facilities in public amenities like in Australia is a model that could be considered.

·         There is a manual take back of items service available for smaller retailers but they could still have storage issues.

·         It is imperative that a cash option is available rather than voucher only.

·         Return bins should be in public areas and local villages where community groups can run them.

·         Can the Deposit Return facility be available in Civic amenity sites?

·         The matter was raised of costs to small shops in relation to so many people using debit cards for payment for small items in particular was raised as each transaction results in a charge to the shop each time.

Responding, Director of Services Caitlín Conneely said all retailers were obliged to participate in the scheme. Retailers are included in Phase 1 of the scheme and community groups will be included in Phase 2. The Local Authorities will be involved in enforcement and a presentation may be facilitated at the next SPC.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fallon

SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED to write to the Minister for Environment to request that all options are available to consumers to get a refund or cash back when returning bottles or cans under the Return scheme.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Kilduff

SECONDED by Cllr. Kelly

It was also AGREED that the recycling machines should also be made available in public areas.