No Disclosures

The Cathaoirleach Cllr. Emer Kelly welcomed everyone to the meeting. She thanked Caitlín, Susan and all the team from Athlone MD for the significant amount of work carried out this year.

Sean Mullarkey, Head of Finance presented the Chief Executive report regarding the General Municipal allocation and the draft Budgetary Plans for Athlone Municipal District 2024.

The total proposed General Municipal Allocation for Athlone Municipal District is €863,670 this represents an increase of €53,070 on last year’s allocations.

Sean Mullarkey said the increase in the budget is attributed in the main to the retention of the Local Property Tax rate of 15% which is unchanged from the previous year.

The allocation for Community and Enterprise projects is €85,000 for each MD Area an increase of €10,000 on last year’s allocation.

The River Suck drainage programme allocation is €90,000, €40,000 is apportioned to the Athlone MD and the remainder allocated to Roscommon MD.

Funding for the roads is allocated on the same basis as last year, (33.3% Population, 33.3% KM Roads, 33.3% condition).

 €12,500 has been allocated to each Town Team an increase of €2,500 on last year’s allocation.

The Members thanked Seam Mullarkey, Head of Finance for his presentation of the Draft Athlone MD Budget 2024.

Members welcomed the increased allocation for Athlone MD 2024.

On the Proposal of:    Cllr. J Naughten

         Seconded by:    Cllr. L Fallon

The Members agreed to allocate €13,600 from the Local Roads General Maintenance allocation for 2024 to go towards one of the outstanding LCSS applications that were still awaiting approval for funding. They agreed to review this again next year.

Members requested that the 2024 Road Programme Allocation be issued earlier in year, in order to secure contractors to get work completed.

Cllr J Keogh requested that the Graveyard grants be paid out to voluntary groups in Jan/Feb 2024.  Sean Mullarkey said he would arrange for this.

On the Proposal of;    Cllr D Kilduff

          Seconded by;   Cllr J Keogh

Proposed that equalisation of all three MD’s be examined. Cllr E Kelly said she was happy to take it back to the CPG.

On the Proposal of:    Cllr L Fallon

          Seconded by:   Cllr E Kelly

Members agreed to write to Minister Ryan and request that Active Travel funding be targeted more towards smaller towns and villages.

Cllr J Naughten requested an update for the next MD meeting regarding Cornafulla NS application for funding under the Safe Route to School Programme.

On the Proposal of:    Cllr J Naughten

         Seconded by:    Cllr J Keogh

The Members agreed to send a letter to the National Parks and Wildlife service to request an assessment of the significant increased number of non-native wild deer in the Athlone MD area which are causing major damage and road accidents, with a view to cull back the numbers.

Members thanked the Athlone team for the delivery of projects and road programme during 2023.

On the Proposal of:    Cllr L Fallon

          Seconded by:   Cllr J Keogh

Members agreed to adopt the Draft Budget  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88.23