No Disclosures

·         Minutes of Meeting held on 20^th September, 2023.

·         Minutes of Budget Meeting held on 19^th October, 2023.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr. Emer Kelly welcomed everyone to the meeting.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. J Naughten

         Seconded by:   Cllr. L Fallon

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Athlone Municipal District meeting held on 20^th September, 2023.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr. L Fallon

         Seconded by:   Cllr. J Naughten

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Athlone Municipal District Budget meeting held on 19^th October, 2023.

Una Ni Chuinn, Acting SEO, Community & Enterprise presented the draft Local Economic & Community Plan 2023- 2029. This is a six year plan that sets out objectives and actions to promote economic development and improve the quality of life for local communities.  The report is supported by a two year implementation plan and is aligned with national and regional strategies. The framework document was informed by extensive consultation across the County. Six High Level Goals identify the objectives for implementation of the Plan.  Following approval of the Members today it will proceed to stage 4 for adoption and approval of the final draft.

The Members thanked Una Ni Chuinn for the presentation. The following concerns were noted:

A.Broadband not progressing fast enough to facilitate the growth in remote working.

B.Irish Water do not have adequate Water and Sewerage facilities for development of Villages in Roscommon.

C.Apprenticeship Training Centre is a golden opportunity for Roscommon not to be missed out on, due to the huge demand for skilled labour at present there is a significant short fall.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr L Fallon

         Seconded by:   Cllr J Naughten

It was AGREED by the Members to write to Minister Simon Harris urging him to proceed promptly with the purchase of a building in Roscommon to facilitate an Apprenticeship Training Centre

On the Proposal of:   Cllr L Fallon

         Seconded by:   Cllr D Kilduff

It was AGREED by all Members to approve The Draft Local Economic and Community Plan.

There were a number of Matter Arising.

A. On the Proposal of:          Cllr J Naughten

        Seconded by:          Cllr L Fallon

Write to TII again in relation to aquaplaning between Kilbegley overbridge and Junction 14 to request a solution to this issue with an agreed timeframe.

B.Cornafulla NS application for funding under the Safe Route to School Programme update requested. Susan Loughnane informed the Members that Cornafulla NS was not selected in Round 1 or 2 but remains on the list and may be chosen as part of further SRTS rounds.

C.Members were disappointed with the reply in relation to the raising of the Clonown Road that floods badly during Winter and residents have a long detour for several months.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr J Naughten

         Seconded by:   Cllr T Ward

Write a letter back to the OPW asking them to review the situation and another letter to be sent to the Minister for Public Expenditure to request them to intervene and put together funding to resolve the matter.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr T Ward

         Seconded by:   Cllr J Naughten

Members AGREED that a Survey should be carried out with landowners adjacent to the Clonown Road with a view to facilitate the widening of the road.

D.Members were not happy with the reply from TII in relation to the laybys between Athlone and Galway.  It is proposed that existing laybys will be used by emergency and Heavy Good Vehicles only and that the public are expected to use the online and offline service areas.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr J Naughten

         Seconded by:   Cllr L Fallon

Letter to be sent to the Minister for Transport to intervene and to express the Members strong objection to the restricted use of laybys between Athlone and Galway, also to request the number of laybys to be increased along this stretch of the M6.  

Three Notice of Motions for discussion

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to provide the necessary funding to install footpaths and public lighting on the L75581-0 at Burnbrook Estate which is situated off the R362.”

“I am calling on Roscommon County Council to provide the necessary funding to install footpaths and public lighting on the L75581-0 at Burnbrook Estate which is situated off the R362.”

Reply:

The feasibility of providing a footpath in Burnbrook Estate and on the L-7558-0 between the Burnbrook Estate and the R446 will be explored. Members should note that the delivery of such schemes are subject to the availability of funding and resources.

The Motion was supported by all the Members.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr T Ward

         Seconded by:   Cllr J Naughten

Susan Loughnane agreed to have the area surveyed and costing done.

They also noted the need to address the provision of footpaths and public lighting from Bealnamulla NS to the football pitch as a matter of urgency.

“That Roscommon County Council provide an update on proposals for footpath replacement in 2024, as there are a number of estates in the Monksland area with paths in a poor and unsafe condition.”

“That Roscommon County Council provide an update on proposals for footpath replacement in 2024, as there are a number of estates in the Monksland area with paths in a poor and unsafe condition.”

Reply:

Proposals for the repair of footpaths in the Athlone MD have been submitted to the Senior Engineer, Roads & Infrastructure, for consideration. It is anticipated that works will commence in Q1 2024.

Members supported the Motion.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr T Ward

         Seconded by:   Cllr J Naughten

The Members requested that a Survey be carried out on all the older estates in the monksland area and following that, on all old estates in the Athlone MD area. They inquired as to what level of resourcing is available to carry out these works

" I am calling on Roscommon Co. Co. to lower the level of the bridge on Road L-1813-47 

at Coolusty. The elevated level of this road crossing relative to the river depth on both sides of the bridge is causing significant flooding in Coolusty/Carrowreagh and the Kilmore area. This is causing unnecessary flooding to many farmers in the area."

" I am calling on Roscommon County Council to lower the level of the bridge on Road L-1813-47 at Coolusty. The elevated level of this road crossing relative to the river depth on both sides of the bridge is causing significant flooding in Coolusty/Carrowreagh and the Kilmore area. This is causing unnecessary flooding to many farmers in the area."

Reply:

The options available to alleviate the issues outlined at the above location will be explored with a view to identifying a preferred solution. Members should note that the delivery of such schemes are subject to the availability funding and resources.

Members supported the Motion.

Susan Loughnane informed the Members that a survey is being carried out at present and she will liaise with Roads Department when completed, and will submit the project for approval for funding.

No Civic Reception requests

Two Questions for noting

“Can Roscommon County Council provide an update on the installation of reflective signage on the R363 as it is urgently required to improve road safety?”

“Can Roscommon County Council provide an update on the installation of reflective signage on the R363 as it is urgently required to improve road safety?”

Reply:

Additional reflective signage has been installed on the R363.

“That Roscommon County Council request an update from the National Transport Authority in relation to Cornafulla N.S. application for funding under the Safe Routes to School Programme. As works are urgently required at this location to improve road safety.”

“That Roscommon County Council request an update from the National Transport Authority in relation to Cornafulla N.S. application for funding under the Safe Routes to School Programme. As works are urgently required at this location to improve road safety.”

Reply:

The NTA was contacted for an update. Cornafulla NS was not selected in Round 1 or 2 of the Safe Routes to School programme, however Cornafulla NS is on the overall schools list and may be chosen as part of further SRTS rounds.

There were four correspondences circulated to the Members.

No votes of Congratulations/Sympathy

A.Members expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Athlone MD staff for their efficient work carried out after storm Debi. The storm highlighted the importance of getting a National Funding Scheme in place in relation to Ash die back as a matter of urgency. They also welcomed the progress in relation to lough Funshinagh as a positive development going forward.

On the Proposal of:   Cllr T Ward

         Seconded by:   Cllr J Naughten

Send a letter to the Minister of Agriculture in relation to the lack of funding and co-operation. All the boundary walls and fencing needs replacing.

Cllr J Keogh stated that the Minister of Agriculture did reply to Farmers compensation request in relation to damages on their lands due to flooding from Lough Funshinagh. 

The reply was not favourable. Cllr J Keogh has asked Senator Murphy to raise the issue directly with the Minister.

B.Cllr D Kilduff inquired as to when the TII -N61 Safety Review Report would be available to the Members. It has significant safety issues that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

Cllr T Ward proposed writing to TII and requesting that a roundabout at the junction for Curraghboy along with footpath and public lighting be installed.

It was agreed by the Members to await the strategic review from TII Safety Review Report first.

Susan Loughnane informed the Members that the National Roads Regional Office (NRRO) have arranged to meet with Shane Tiernan, Chief Executive and following this the Members will be briefed on the report.