Declarations of conflict of interest by Members were disclosed in relation to Item no 4 “Athlone MD Funding 2024”. Each Member left the meeting during the discussion of the relevant application.

Ballyforan Hall – Cllr. Donal Kilduff and Cllr. Emer Kelly.

·         Minutes of Meeting held on 30^th January, 2024.

The Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr. L Fallon welcomed everyone to the meeting.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. J Keogh

         Seconded by:   Cllr. J Naughten

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Athlone Municipal District meeting held on 30^th January, 2024.

Members welcomed David Carty, Executive Engineer who has now joined the Athlone MD team and look forward to working with him.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. J Keogh

         Seconded by:   Cllr. T Ward

The Draft Athlone MD Road Works Programme 2024 as part of the Schedule of Municipal District Works was presented to the Elected Members.  The MD Schedule of works was approved by the Elected Members. The Members thanked the staff involved in the preparation of the Programme.

Members welcomed the allocations for Climate Change and Resilience Works allocated budget of €310,000 this year and the new allocation for Public Realm Town and Village Team Athlone of €50,000. 

Issues raised by the Members:

1. Drainage works needed on two roads listed on the road programme 2024, before surfacing dressing is carried out.

2. Drainage allocations for Rivers – consult with Inland Fisheries before selecting what areas to clean this year.

3 Proposed by: Cllr L Fallon

   Seconded by: Cllr J Naughten

Members requested roads that have disintegrated after the road programme was  agreed, would get priority should extra funding become available, in particular the L2039 Falty, Oldtown, Athlone.

4.Proposed by:  Cllr E Kelly

   Seconded by: Cllr L Fallon

 Members agreed that a request for regular updates in relation to flooding at Lough  Funshinagh from the working group be provided for the next meeting.

5. Proposed by: Cllr D Kilduff

    Seconded by: Cllr L Fallon

Members agreed that the design team for the St. John’s Church junction optimisation, should actively engage with St John’s Pastoral Council during the design stages of the project.  Members also agreed to request the design team to consider including the junction on the N61/L2004 (NolansCorner) during the design stage in the interest of safety.

6 Proposed by: Cllr T Ward

   Seconded by; Cllr D Kilduff

Members agreed to request that the Design Team for the Strategic Review of the N61 should progress the 5 junction optimisation proposals this year. The members also requested that the Kiltoom Junction at Cornaseer should be prioritised and that a roundabout should be considered at this location

7. Request to look at the Taughmaconnell Drain, the sides have slipped in several areas causing blockages.

8 LCSS funding from own resources location has yet to be decided

There were 24 applications for MD Funding 2024 , Members agreed that six applications were not eligible for funding under the MD funding Guidelines 2024.

On the Proposal of: Cllr E Kelly

         Seconded by: Cllr L Fallon

Members agreed that the MD Funding Guidelines needs to be reviewed prior to advertising of MD funding for 2025.

Caitlín Conneely, Director of Services informed the Members that this request would have to go to the appropriate SPG first for review, and then to the CPG.  She also informed the Members due to the range of grants available to groups, should there be any double funding granted the project may not remain eligible under the funding criteria to be drawn down.

The following allocations were unanimously agreed by all the Members.

No Matters arising from minutes of meeting held on 30th January,2024.

There were four Notice of Motions for discussion.

That Roscommon County Council install a second Pedestrian Crossing on the Old Tuam Road between the Cushla Estates junction and the junction with New Tuam Road at St Coman Park. 

That Roscommon County Council install a second Pedestrian Crossing on the Old Tuam Road between the Cushla Estates junction and the junction with New Tuam Road at St Coman’s Park.

Response:

The provision of a pedestrian crossing on the Old Tuam Road will be investigated and funding opportunities explored.

Cllr J Naughten thanked the Members for their support.

On the Proposal of:  Cllr. J Naughten

          Seconded by:   Cllr. J Keogh

The Members AGREED that the pedestrian crossing being considered should incorporate a raised table/ramp.

I am calling on Roscommon County Council to provide the necessary funding for the active travel scheme for the following villages: Curraghboy, Brideswell and Ballyforan.

I am calling on Roscommon County Council to provide the necessary funding for the active travel scheme for the following villages: Curraghboy, Brideswell and Ballyforan.

Response:

The NTA Allocation for Active Travel Schemes in Roscommon County Council for 2024 is €3,050,000. Unfortunately the active travel schemes for the villages of Curraghboy, Brideswell and Ballyforan were not selected for funding in 2024. Roscommon County Council will explore other funding opportunities in the future to assist in the delivery of schemes in these areas.

Cllr T Ward thanked the Members for their support. He was disappointed that they were not included in the allocations this year under Active Travel and asked should any further funding from other resources become available to prioritise these villages.

"I am calling on Roscommon County Council to expedite the filling of verges in Dysart, on the Four Roads road. I have raised this issue directly with the council; however it needs to be done quickly. There have been accidents along this stretch of narrow road and it is dangerous for all vehicles".

"I am calling on Roscommon County Council to expedite the filling of verges in Dysart, on the Four Roads road. I have raised this issue directly with the council; however it needs to be done quickly. There have been accidents along this stretch of narrow road and it is dangerous for all vehicles".

Response:

The R357 to the north of Dysart is a narrow section of road with limited verges and dry stone walls. There are no current plans to widen this road and any widening is likely to require the acquisition of private land.

Further investigation including possible trial holes is required to determine if filling of the limited existing verges is feasible without road widening. Athlone MD will revert once investigations have been undertaken.

Cllr. E Kelly thanked Members for their support and asked if any temporary measures could be taken in the interest of safety in the immediate future.

“That Roscommon County Council calls on the Taoiseach and Minister Heather Humphreys at the Department of Rural and Community Development to immediately establish an annual fund for necessary capital works projects at our nations cemeteries to specifically address the deterioration of pavements, boundary walls, overgrown trees and other similar capital works requirements in the interest of health and safety, stimulating local economies, pride of place at these sacred public spaces, but most importantly in deference to the memory of our deceased loved ones throughout the county”.

“That Roscommon County Council calls on the Taoiseach and Minister Heather Humphreys at the Department of Rural and Community Development to immediately establish an annual fund for necessary capital works projects at our nations cemeteries to specifically address the deterioration of pavements, boundary walls, overgrown trees and other similar capital works requirements in the interest of health and safety, stimulating local economies, pride of place at these sacred public spaces, but most importantly in deference to the memory of our deceased loved ones throughout the county”.

Response:

The above NOM requires a resolution by the members of the Athlone MD to write to the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Cllr D Kilduff thanked Members for their support

On the Proposal of:  Cllr D Kilduff

          Seconded by:   Cllr J Keogh

The Members AGREED to send a letter to the Department of the Taoiseach and Local government requesting them to consider establishing a National Fund to address capital works issues in cemeteries, that local authorities have no budget for in their maintenance grants.

There were two Questions for noting.

Has Roscommon County Council received the outcome of the review that TII committed to undertake, in relation to the issue of aquaplaning on the M6 between the Kilbegley Overbridge and Junction 14 both East and West bound.

Has Roscommon County Council received the outcome of the review that TII committed to undertake, in relation to the issue of aquaplaning on the M6 between the Kilbegley Overbridge and Junction 14 both East and West bound.

Response:

TII responded to NOM raised in the November 2023 MD meeting requesting a timeline to address aquaplaning on the N6 with the below response. It is expected that a design will be progressed in Q2 of 2024. A copy of this correspondence was included in the Agenda pack for the January 2024 MD Meeting.

Thank you for your correspondence of 15 December 2023 regarding the above. Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s (TII’s) position in relation to your enquiry is as follows.

TII can confirm that a design is being prepared to address this section of the M6 and it is anticipated that progress will be made in Q2 of 2024.

Can Roscommon County Council cut back the trees that are overhanging onto the R466 road at Crannagh/Summerhill. I have raised this concern in the past

Can Roscommon County Council cut back the trees that are overhanging onto the R466 road at Crannagh/Summerhill. I have raised this concern in the past.

Response:

The trees on the east side of the R446 adjacent to Coláiste Chiaráin were cut back by our landscaping contractors in Q4 2023.

1.Min for Public Expenditure ref PER-MDO-02866-2023- reply to Motion 92.23

2 Min for Rural & Community Development ref DRCD-MO-00158-2024- reply to

   Motion 10.24

Four Correspondences were circulated to the Members.

1, Minister for Public Expenditure Mr Pascal Donoghue T.D. correspondence in relation to (Motion 92.23) funding for flooding in Clonown, advised that proposals and design schemes and minor works fall under the remit of the OPW.

On the Proposal of: Cllr J Naughten

         Seconded by: Cllr L Fallon

Members AGREED to send another letter to the OPW requesting a review of the unique circumstances in Clonown and to allocate sufficient funding to elevate the flooding issues.

2.Minister Heather Humphery, T.D. Department of Rural and Community Development correspondence in relation to (Motion 10.24) Capital Works funding for a number of cemeteries in Athlone MD. Members were disappointed with the reply. Minister Heather Humphery informed the Members that the Department has responsibility for policy and legislation, while the operation of burial grounds is the responsibility of the Local Authority.

3. Minister Heather Humphery T.D. correspondence in relation to (Motion 8.241/2) changes to the CE Scheme, Members welcomed the changes made to the scheme to increase participation.

4. Mr. Charlie McConalougue T.D. Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine correspondence in relation to (Motion 6.24) culling back of the wild deer herd numbers in Roscommon, He referenced the Deer Management Strategy Group that are working to progress the recommendations towards implementation.

No Civic Reception Request

No Votes of Congratulations/Sympathy

No AOB for discussion