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

·        Minutes of Plenary Meeting 27^th May 2024

·        Minutes of Annual Meeting 21^st June 2024

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Crosby

            SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Plenary Meeting of 27/5/2024

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Callaghan

            SECONDED by Cllr. Scahill

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Annual Meeting of 21/6/2024

RE: Minutes of Plenary Meeting 27/05/2024 – Purchase of sweeping machines for each Municipal District.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fitzmaurice enquired what progress had been made on this matter.

Responding, Acting Director of Services Greg O’Donnell said all Municipal Districts have been met and a list of works required prepared.  This is being considered, and a decision is then to be made on whether to purchase or rent machines, based on the functionality of machines for the work required, whilst being efficient with available funding.

·         Management Report May 2024

·         Management Report Quarter 2 (June) 2024

·        Management Report for May 2024 noted.

·        Management Report for Q2 June 2024 noted.

·        Cllr Keogh asked if there were any legal proceedings or planning enforcement matters being taken by the Council.

·        Acting Director of Services Greg O’Donnell confirmed there are some legal proceedings ongoing. Mr. O’Donnell will seek clarity on whether court dates have been set.

·        Lands comprising 4.495 Ha at Ballyboughan and Carrownabrickna, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Callaghan

SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

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 comprising 4.495 HA(11.106 acres) at Ballyboughan and Carrownabrickna Td., Roscommon Co. Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: Roscommon County Council

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of: Roscommon GAA for the provision of a GAA Centre of Excellence

The consideration proposed in respect of the disposal: €240,000 ex. VAT

Director of Services Caitlín Conneely informed members of this proposed disposal, including the Chief Executive’s report, prepared in accordance with Article 206, Subarticle 1 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, and Section 211 of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

·         The lands are required by Roscommon GAA for the development of a Centre of Excellence for Co. Roscommon.

·         The project represents an opportunity of significant community and economic value for Co. Roscommon.

·         A discount of 10% on the sale price has been applied in view of the community and economic benefit.

Addressing members, the Chief Executive said:

·         The disposal of the lands would enable the development of a significant sports amenity for the county, located in Roscommon town, delivering significant social, sporting and recreational benefit.

·         Roscommon County Council will also be seeking funding for the further development of Roscommon Sports Centre in Roscommon. These two facilities, if developed, will complement each other.

The Cathaoirleach confirmed his support for the proposal.

Cllr. Naughten said the development had the full backing of the North Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) of which he was a member.

Other matters raised by members:

·         Proposal for a review of existing adjacent idle sites and locations where there is or was sporting activity, as to whether use could be made for playgrounds and play areas.

·         Consideration is needed to ensure the Council had an adequate bank of land for future development in Roscommon town for expansion of existing businesses, and potential new businesses.

Responding to the matters raised, the Chief Executive Shane Tiernan said all of the Council’s land assets were continually under review, and noted that the Council is engaging with community groups on an ongoing basis.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Ward

SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

It was AGREED a review of existing idle land sites, especially in rural areas, whether use could be made for playgrounds and play areas. 

·        Lands comprising 4.52 Ha at Monksland, Athlone, Co. Roscommon

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Naughten

SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

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 comprising 4.52 HA (11.17 acres) at Monksland Td., Athlone Co. Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: Roscommon County Council

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of: Novo Nordisk

The terms of agreement: €1.55m

The Director of Services Caitlín Conneely said the proposed disposal of the lands represented market value which would enable the purchasers expand their existing business. This would support the strategic development of the Monksland area.

Members discussed the matter with the following comments:

·         Members welcomed the development, and they agreed it had huge potential for the development of the Monksland area.

·         Enquiry if the Council had plans for proposed purchase of additional lands for future development in the Monksland area.

·         Enquiry regarding TII and the importance of engagement with them on access and capacity for the M6 motorway, including the link road to the N61, to ensure the infrastructure is in place to support development.

Responding, the Chief Executive said the decision of members would have an important role to play in the development of Monksland.  The money from the sale will be focussed on further development in Monksland District Centre. He confirmed that Roscommon County Council is working closely with the management of TII on infrastructure requirements. 

Acting Director of Services Greg O’Donnell confirmed that Roscommon County Council is in discussions with TII and Novo Nordisk, and there are plans to have sequential infrastructure improvements in line with development plans as they are delivered.

Members requested that they would be keep informed of developments and engagement with TII.

·        Lands comprising 0.0625 Ha at Demesne, Castlerea

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Scahill

SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

It was AGREED that the Council consent to the disposal of lands 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 comprising 0.0625 HA (0.154 acres) at The Demesne, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: Roscommon County Council

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of: Trustees of Castlerea Rose Festival

The consideration proposed in respect of the disposal: €1 p.a. for a period of 25 years

Due to conflict of interest, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fitzmaurice absented himself from the chair for this item. In his absence, the item was chaired by Leas Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Brennan.

Details of the Draft Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) Scheme 2024-2029 as circulated to members and agreed by the Corporate Policy Group on 16 July was presented by Director of Services, Caitlín Conneely.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

SECONDED by Cllr. Crosby

It was AGREED to adopt the Draft Strategic Policy Committee Scheme 2024-2029.

Director of Services Caitlín Conneely stated:

·         ‘Standing Orders for the Regulation of Business and Proceedings at Meetings of the Council’ have been circulated for adoption.  Minor amendments had been made to amalgamate previous documents as follows:

o   Standing Orders

o   Municipal District Standing Orders and

o   Supplementary Standing Orders (adopted 1^st February 2021)

·         It is proposed that the Standing Orders Committee meeting August or September to review the Standing Orders and make any recommended changes if required.

·         The members of the Standing Orders Committee are:

o   Cllr. Moylan

o   Cllr. Crosby

o   Cllr. Scahill

o   Cllr. Fitzmaurice

o   Cllr. Naughten

o   Cllr. McDermott

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED to adopt the new Standing Orders, subject to a review by the Standing Orders Committee in due course.

Director of Services Caitlín Conneelly confirmed that any requested amendments or changes are to be addressed to the Standing Orders Committee, either directly or enquiries can be sent to the Meetings Administrator on same.

Senior Planner Mary Grier presented a two year progress report on the County Development Plan (CDP), which was adopted by members on 8/3/2022 and became effective on 29/4/2022.  This is a legislative requirement of all CDPs.

The report consists of three elements as circulated:

·         Main report - a main analysis of progress since the plan’s adoption.

·         Appendix 1 - summary of progress on 475 policy objectives.

·         Appendix 2 - Strategic Environmental Assessment Interim Monitoring Report.

Key Points delivered by Ms. Grier:

·         The county’s population has increased as recorded by census in 2022, in most of the main settlements.

·         A cornerstone of the CDP was derived from evidence based, strategic planning for the future, projecting housing unit demand and residential zoned land requirements as a consequence.

·         Residential Permissions between April 2022 and 2024

·         There has been significant uptake on refurbishment of properties due to the new Croí Conaithe Scheme.

·         Progress report on the local areas plans currently under consideration:

o   Athlone Joint Urban Area Plan is pre-draft phase post public consultation.  Tender is being prepared for consultants.

o   Carrick-on-Shannon Joint Local Area Plan, strategic issues paper has gone to public consultation in Q4 2023.  Preparation of draft plan is ongoing.

o   Roscommon Town Local Area Plan, public consultation complete, The Chief Executive report is with MD members. 

o   The Boyle Local Area Plan has been paused and is currently at the pre-draft phase.

·         People, Places and Housing – significant number of approved applications are for one-off houses.

o   In respect of planning considerations where areas are under urban influence, planning was granted for 67 dwellings or 51% of all applications.

o   In respect of locations considered as rural areas, 66 dwellings or 49% of all applications were granted in the same period.

·         Rural Development - there had been a reasonable proportion of planning applications and permissions granted for agricultural led development, with a considerable volume of exempted development applications.

·         Economic Development –  between the 2016 and 2022 census there has been increases in manufacturing industrial activity by 15%, transport and communications industries by 38%, while there was 24% increase in building and construction projects.  Significant new floor space has been granted in Roscommon, largely in Roscommon Town, also in Ballaghaderreen and Hodson Bay.

·         Towns and Villages – focus on placemaking and regeneration.

o   Boyle Library/Ballaghaderreen Public Realm/ Strokestown Public Realm/ Castlerea Food Hub/ MIH/ An Rioga/ Roscommon Public Realm.

·         Social and Community Facilities – significant growth in applications put forward. 66 permissions granted for sporting facilities, e.g. GAA/Astroturf, walking tracks.  11 permissions granted for Education facilities. 

Members broadly welcomed the plan. The following enquiries and points were made:

·         An  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.24

There was no Chief Executive business

Notice of motion calling on Roscommon County Council to fund and install augmentative and alternative communication boards at every community and council playground in County Roscommon. 

I am calling on Roscommon County Council to fund and install augmentative and alternative communicationboards atevery communityand councilplayground inCounty Roscommon.

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

ACommunication Board isa type of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) providing ready accessto coreand fringewords. Theboards areprimarily acommunications support,with particularbenefit to children andadults who areeither pre-verbal ornon-verbal and/or havecommunication difficulties.

CommunicationBoards, whichinclude picturerepresentations of day-to-daywords relevantto the setting, help bridge the communication gap and serve to connect people. They also act as a symbol of inclusion for children and their families and benefiteveryone involved inthe communication transaction.

Thereare currently24 playgroundsin CountyRoscommon ofwhich 16are Councilowned. TheCouncil willseek funding todesign andinstall CommunicationBoards inall ofits playgroundsand willwork withcommunity groupsto achieve the same outcome in their playgrounds.

Moving the motion, Cllr. Fitzmaurice said he has spoken to the parents of non-verbal children on this issue, allowing the children to communicate with their parents and peers on what activity they want to undertake. 

Seconding the motion, Cllr. John Keogh asked what the likely costs were for such information boards.  He also stated that the Council should consider installing these in RCC owned and community playgrounds.

Members supported the motion and raised the following:

·         The remaining eight community playgrounds should also be given grant assistance for such boards. He said the information boards would also be beneficial for new arrivals and non-nationals.

Responding, Director of Services Mark Keaveney said the cost of installing the information boards would be approximately €3,000 per location. He said it was the Council’s intention to cover all playgrounds in the county, subject to engagement with community groups on their playgounds.

That Roscommon County Council review the graveyards policy regarding the allocation of grave spaces, as currently graves are only allocated when the applicant is deceased.  This policy causes great distress to the families or deceased relative where there is a surviving relative.  The current policy also puts the graveyard caretakers around the county in an extremely difficult position trying to defend  such policy at a very delicate time to their neighborurs and friends.  The caretakers income is a miserable total of €6 per week with no travel expenses this should also be part of the review.

That Roscommon County Council review the graveyards policy regarding the allocation of grave spaces, as currently graves are only allocated when the applicant is deceased.This policy causes great distress to the families or deceased relative where there is a surviving relative.The current policy also puts the graveyard caretakers around the county in an extremelydifficult position trying to defend such policy ata very delicate time to their neighbours and friends.The caretaker's income isa miserable total of €6per week with no travel expenses this should also be part of the review.

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

TheCemetery Bye-Laws 2020 were adopted by theElected Members of Roscommon County Council on22^nd March2021 afteradetailedprocessofpublicconsultationfollowed byconsideration andrecommendationby theStrategic Policy Committee. Inaccordance with these bye-laws,burial plotsshall not bepurchased in advanceofabereavement. Thisclausewasalsocontainedintheearlier adoptedCemeteryBye-Laws2008. Previously whereadvance purchasestook place,this resultedin vacantplots incemeteries thatwere never utilised.To ensureconsistency of development andthe need to conserve space,burial plotsare now allocated in a structured way.

Areview ofthe allowance paidto CemeteryCaretakers was carriedout in2021.  Sixnew annualpayment bands were identified, andeach cemeterywas placedin therelevant bandbased onaverage burialsand cemetery activity.The annual rateof payment for each band isa fractionalmultiplier linkedto a payscale, and thisallows future fairness and adjustment aligned tonational pay scale adjustments.The set-up of the bandsalso allows forfuture reviewof cemetery activity andsubsequent adjustment into therelevant band.

Moving the motion, Cllr. Crosby said that as an Undertaker, he is aware that some people wish to have their grave space in advance, he argued greater discretion was required for local Cemetery Caretakers on this matter.  He also noted that the current payment to caretakers is low, and this should be reviewed.

Cllr. Keogh seconded the notice of motion.

Members supported the motion.

Responding, Acting Director of Services Greg O’Donnell stated:

·         The most recent policy on Graveyards, adopted in March 2021 stated that burial plots could not be purchased in advance, and that 2 could be bought at that time.

·         Caretakers should not be left in the difficult position of allocating of burial plots. That is the responsibility of the Council, and bye-laws protect the caretaker.

·         The rate of pay for Caretakers is linked to Council pay rates and are index linked, stating rates are appropriate, though some graveyards experiencing little activity.

·         Matters can be brought to the SPC for discussion and review.

Responding, Cllr. Crosby agreed that these matters are brought to the SPC.

Chief Executive Shane Tiernan stated:

·         He was the Director of Services in 2021 with responsibility for the Cemetery bye-laws as adopted.  Previous to 2008 green spaces allocated in graveyards  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.24b

To call on Roscommon County Council to establish and lead a multi-agency group to address landlords and tenants who fail to adhere to the correct methods of household waste disposal.

To call on Roscommon County Council to establish and lead a multi-agency group to address landlords and tenants who fail to adhereto the correct methods ofhousehold waste disposal.

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

The Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLA) areresponsible for co-ordinating the waste enforcement actions of Local Authorities, settingpriorities and common objectives for waste enforcement, and ensuring consistency of enforcement of waste legislation while leaving local authority personnel as first responders on theground. Connacht-Ulster WERLA (CUWERLA) currently represent theLocal Authority sector on the Connacht Ulster Multi AgencyNetwork whichhasacoordinationroleinrelation to illegalwasteactivity inthe region.

Locally, Roscommon County Council's Waste and Litter Enforcement Team work in collaboration with CUWERLA, Roscommon County Council Housing Liaison Officer, Roscommon County Council Planning Department, HSE Environmental HealthOfficer and An Garda Síochána.

Eachyear Roscommon County Council Waste andLitter Enforcement Team carryout Waste Bye-law surveys to ensurehousehold and commercial premisesin the county are disposing of their waste incompliance with the requirementsof Roscommon County Council (Segregation,Storage and Presentationof Household and CommercialWaste) Bye-laws, 2019.To comply withthe Bye-laws theoccupier needs todemonstrate that they have acontract withanauthorised wastecollector, ordemonstrateregular useofanauthorisedwastefacility.

Since the start of 2023the Waste and Litter Enforcement Team have carried out 814 waste bye-lawsurveys on households and commercialpremises in the county concentratingon the Ballaghaderreen Area.

In 2023 Roscommon County Council produced a booklet "Your Guide to Household Waste Management & Recycling in County Roscommon" funded under the Anti-Dumping Initiative to raise awareness on how households in the county should correctly dispose of their waste. Each yearRoscommon County Council also runs a Waste Presentation Bye-Law Awareness campaign onlocal radio andlocal medial using ADIfunding to raiseawareness underthe Anti-DumpingInitiative.

Asthe largestlandlord inthe county, Council tenants  enter into atenancy lettingagreement wherebythey mustkeep thepremises in a clean,tidy andsanitary condition, andto dispose of rubbish securely inwheelie bins orother suitable waste receptacles; and to remove andproperly dispose of unwanted items which arenot collected in the normal household waste collection service at anauthorised waste collection facility, or to arrange to have such items collectedby a personwho holds a valid waste collectionpermit authorisingthe collection ofsuch waste items.

On behalf of the Director of Services Caitlín Conneely, Corporate Services Senior Executive Officer Declan Dolan stated:

·         The onus is on householders to dispose of their waste in a proper manner.

·         Householders are obliged to ensure they have evidence of proper disposal.

·         The establishment of a new layer of management is unnecessary as the Council already works closely with the relevant stakeholders to address non-compliance in relation to household waste disposal.

·         The Council would continue this work alongside public information campaigns to remind householders of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.24c

Correspondence was circulated to members in advance of the meeting.

·        Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fitzmaurice wished Castlerea boxer Aoife O’Rourke well in the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

Match Funding for Projects

The Cathaoirleach Cllr. Fitzmaurice met the Taoiseach at the Night & Day Festival and raised the issue of local authority match funding requirements for capital projects, and asked for a reduction in requirement for match funding.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED to send a letter to the Taoiseach calling for a reduction in match funding requirements for major capital projects applied for by Roscommon County Council. 

Members supported the proposal:

·         It was agreed to circulate letter to all other local authorities in the NWRA region.

·         It was enquired if the local authority can look for support of funds from the Western Development Commission Western Investment fund.

Director of Services Mark Keaveney informed members that on recent schemes, including RRDF, match funding requirement has reduced from 20% to 10% for local authorities in the North West region.

The Chief Executive supported the motion, he stated:

·         There is significant commitment of match funding throughout the county, and that is difficult to sustain going forward.

·         Projects are expensive, 10% of project cost is going to consultants to get to planning stage.

·         The letter should recognise the current reduction for the North West, while explaining that in light of increasing costs and consultancy costs, even 10% is not sustainable going forward for smaller local authorities.

Events

The Cathaoirleach extended complements and thanks to all the people organising the following events and all other events across Co. Roscommon:

·         Night and Day Festival

·         Connacht Fleadh

·         Percy French Festival

·         Boyle Arts Festival

·         Castlerea Festival

·         Ballaghaderreen Festival

·         Agricultural Shows

Dr. Bridget Lyons Thornton

Cllr. Crosby raised this in relation to a notice of motion from 2013 to recognise Dr. Bridget Lyons Thornton, which brought about the Civic Memorials Policy, adopted in the May meeting of Roscommon County Council.

It was proposed by Cllr. Crosby to consider naming a roundabout on the new N5 roundabout in her honour, as recognition of her contribution.  This was seconded by Cllr. Keogh.

Director of Services, Mark Keaveney welcomed the proposal and stated:

·         The proposal would have to come through the new Memorials Policy.  A copy will be sent to Cllr. Crosby with an application form.  This will then go to the evaluation committee and then to the Council. 

·         A previous notice of motion called for the erection of a plaque in honour of Ms. Lyons Thornton, which he said, has been approved by the Council’s Heritage Officer, subject to proceeding through the policy process.

The Cathaoirleach stated that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) would have input into the naming of roundabouts.

The Chief Executive confirmed that TII had previously objected to roundabouts being named after public figures.

N5 Construction Works

Whilst confirming their support of the project, members raised the following concerns from residents affected by the construction of the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramogue bypass:

·         Noise from pile driving and rock blasting

·         Deterioration in condition of roads due to works

·         Insufficient notice of works

·         Excess dirt and dust affecting crops, pets and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.24