The Cathaoirleach welcomed the Members to the Budget Meeting and invited the Chief Executive and Directors to present the Draft Budget to the Members.

The Chief Executive Mr. Shane Tiernan presented the Draft Budget to the Elected Members for consideration:

·         He outlined the process in preparing the Budget including the input of the Corporate Policy Group and budget holders.

·         As ability to increase revenue in limited, need to work with ratepayers in 2024 to ensure collection rate remains high while ensuring efficiencies across the organisation.

·         The prospect of a rates increase will have to be soon considered in light of increased service delivery costs. It is nearly 20 years since the last rates increase.

·         The LPT has increased by €1.77m to €12.5m (new baseline funding from Government). The maintenance of the 15% increase has resulted in the sum of €540k available for GMA and will allow €255k for C&E projects, an additional €187k for street cleaning and €75k for the graveyard grants and will also support tidy towns grants and matched funding for additional investment in the county.

·         Housing continues to be a key issue and Housing for All provides a plan to deliver houses where they are needed in the county through various schemes including capital delivery, buy and renew, Croí Cónaithe and LA loans.

·         CroíCónaithe has been a great success so far with in excess of 180 applications received to date.

·         The approval of the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge received Cabinet approval to proceed to construction in 2024. When completed it will deliver a major economic boost to the region, providing 34km of high quality road and encourage tourism, investment and employment in County Roscommon and the West and North West.

·         Public Lighting costs are budgeted to increase in 2024 and there is a capital project in lace to upgrade 2900 lights at an estimated cost of €3.4m to Roscommon County Council.

·         Our Rural Future 2021-2025 continues to provide funding through various schemes including RRDF, Town and Village Renewal and Outdoor Recreation Schemes. The redevelopment of An Rioga was completed in 2023 with the Castlerea Hub and the Monksland Innovation Hub due to be completed in 2024 and should result in increased employment.

·         Detailed design and construction will continue on Monksland, Roscommon Town and Strokestown projects subject to Part 8 and government funding as well as a number of other projects including a town park in Ballaghaderreen. The Council must continue to develop projects to be considered in the coming years subject to matched funding and government approval. This will enable the generation of jobs in our local economy.

·         A priority of the Council is to continue to develop on tourism potential. Working with our partners we will seek to maximise funding opportunities such as Just Transition, EI, Greenway, Active Travel and the rural and urban schemes to deliver key projects such as Hodson Bay, Lough Key Forest Park, and plans for a key greenway infrastructure to link towns and villages.

·         The level of capital funding is welcome but brings an increased workload and we have increased staff numbers in 2023 and plan to maintain that level in 2023. We  ...  view the full minutes text for item 161.23

Mr. Sean Mullarkey, Head of Finance summarised the main provisions of the Budget as follows:

Total Expenditure Budget                                             €75,431,200

Housing & Building                                                          €9,259,100

Road Transportation and Safety                                €30,288,300

Water Services                                                                  €6,235,900

Development Management                                        €9,938,300

Environmental Services                                                 €8,105,000

Recreation and Amenity                                                €5,228,800

Agriculture, Education, Health and Welfare          €774,800

Miscellaneous Services                                                  €5,601,000

Income Highlights

•       Increase of 5% in income/expenditure or €3.4m from €72m in 2023 to €75.4m in 2024

•       Maintaining 15% increase in LPT equates to €540k

•       €1.77m increase in LPT from Exchequer

•       No Rates income increase is proposed

•       IPB Dividend reduced by €99k to €98k

•       Building Momentum Agreement (Lansdowne Rd) increased by €376k to €4.5m in 2024. Covers salaries, pensions etc.

•       €1m expenditure for Fire Service Salary increases matched by income from the Department

•       Income from Uisce Eireann is reduced by €700k as staff transfer from RCC to UE. There is a contra entry expenditure match.

•       NPPR income for 2024 will be reduced by €100k to €26k

Local Property Tax  aintained at 15% equalling €540k allocated to following headings:

o   €255k: General Municipal Allocation (GMA)

o   €120K: General Roads

o   €75k: Graveyard Voluntary Grants

o   €60k: Tidy Towns & Amenity Grants

o   €75k: Town Teams Funding

Divisional Expenditure Highlights:

Housing and Building

•      €100k: Unspent from 2023 carried forward to 2024 in Emergency Repairs in Housing

Road Transportation and Safety

•      €1,100k: Increase in road grants (compared to 2023)

•      €220k: Public Lighting Operating cost Increase from €911k to €1,131k due to energy costs

Water Services

•      €700k reduction in Service Level Agreement

Development Management

•      €525k:       Loan Repayment on €5.9m Regen project

•      €71k:         Town Regeneration Officer

•      €91k:         Tourism Promotion – Connacht Fleadh €30k, Night & Day                            Festival €15k

Environmental Services

•      €1000k:           Fire Salary Increase (matched by Income) (estimated)

•      €298K:             Climate Change Salary Increase

Recreation and Amenity

•      €330k:       Parks & Open Space Increase for Public Realm Team

Agriculture, Education, Health & Welfare

•      € 50k: Lough Funshinagh Legal Fees (2023: 100K)

Miscellaneous Services

•      €330k: Increased Local Election Cost/Gratuities

Central Management Charge (CMC)

•       €500k: Increased pension costs

•       €176k: Increased support for Innovation Centres

Capital Programme 2024 – 2026

•       3 year Programme with a value of €406m to be funded as follows:

•      €387m: State grants and subsidies

•      €9.3m:       Borrowings

•      €825k:       Development Contributions

•      €8.1m:       Other

Proposed Capital Expenditure Highlights:

•       €61m for social houses

•       €5.5m for Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans

•       €11m Croi Conaithe Grant

•       €4.5m for Housing Adaptation Grant

•       €4.5m for Energy Efficiency/Retrofitting

•       €269m for Road Projects

–      €249m for N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge

•       €2.5m for completion in 2024 of Castlerea Food Hub and Monksland Remote Working Hub

•       €1m Aras Energy & Ergonomic Building Efficiency upgrade

•       €3m for Civil Defence Building (Funded by RCC)

•       €6.5m for Boyle Library

•       €20m for public realm projects funded via Town and Village Renewal, Urban and Rural Regeneration and Outdoor Recreation

•       €300k for Graveyard – Four Roads priority

•       €1m for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 162.23

Acting Director of Services, Fiona Ni Chuinn presented the proposed budget for her service areas of responsibilities:

Housing: 

•        Housing Budget increase of €311,600 to €9,259,100 

•        Maintenance decreased by €100k, new condition surveys of housing stock will result in separate targeted funded maintenance

•        Tenant administration has increased as legal fees for debt management and conveyancing increase

•        Homeless services increase as presentations increase and additional supports required, 90% funded by DHLGH

•        RAS and leasing programme up €271,000 as new homes are completed and tenanted in conjunction with AHB’s and private market

•        Tenant in Situ acquisitions ongoing. In 2023 18 houses at a cost of €3,050,000 acquired/agreed, DHLGH funded

•        Appointment of Healthy Age Friendly Homes Coordinator

•        CroíCónaithe grants approved/approved in principle  - €5.2milllon

•        Housing Aid for Older People, Housing Adaptation/Mobility Aid increased, 20% Match Funding based on Department Allocation of €1.5m

Ukraine Humanitarian Response

·        2024 Budget provision included in D0601 for accommodation supports (€900,000 spent to date)

·        Staffing resources have been allocated to the unit and are fully recoupable.

·        14 Service Providers in the County (Two in direct contract with RCC)

• Offer a Home  - Payment of €800 tax free per month.  178 offers of houses received with 118 allocations for 375 persons received (38 offers subsequently withdrawn)

·        Local Authority Integration Team (LAIT) to be established in 2024 with the objective to enable applicants to live independently in the community

Library Services:

·        Operation of Library Archival Services €2,486,300  an increase of €217,900

•        Specific measures include opening of temporary Ballaghaderreen Library at unit adjacent to Duffy’s Supervalu while renovations and energy upgrades at Dillon House are completed.

•        Preparation of Library Development Plan 2024

•        Programmes under Healthy Ireland, Creative Ireland, Right to Read, Skills for Life and Children and Schools programmes

•        Digital Services development and Book Fund

•        Sense-Ability services increased with launch of ‘The Happiness Programme’ via new Magic Table at Boyle Library, King House – grant from DRCD Dormant Accounts Fund.

•        Provision of Sensory Garden to rear of Castlerea Library under Community Recognition Fund grant.

Culture:

·        Arts Expenditure in 2024 will be €1.392m with income from Arts Council of €144.5k that will be supplemented by an additional €191k from Creative Ireland plus income generated from the Arts Centre and King House.

·        Funding provided for awards, bursaries, residencies, training and mentoring for artists and arts organisations;

·        Public programmes will include Culture Night, Bealtaine Festival, Literary Development, Creative Ageing, Arts Participation, Youth Programmes, Public Art

·        Roscommon Arts Centre provides Theatre, Gallery, Outreach & Engagement & Artist Supports

·        Delivery of Creative Ireland Programme will continue in 2024

·        A Creative Communities Engagement Officer was appointed in 2023 on a 5 year fixed term.

·        King House & Douglas Hyde Centre will continue to provide event space and cultural events in addition to the new Exhibition Space in An Ríoga in Boyle.

Capital Programme – Housing and Building:

Local Authority Housing (€61.1M):

Housing Capital Programme continues to ramp up as Housing for All impacts on delivery.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 163.23

Mr. Greg O’Donnell Acting Director Services, presented the Budget for his areas of responsibility to the Members:

Roads Budget:

·         Roads Total Budget €30,288,300, an increase of 5% on 2023.

·         The sum of €23,103,400 (76%)will be income generated as grants from DoT and TII.

·         Expenditure for 2024 includes:

o   National Primary Maintenance and Improvement €690.8K

o   National Secondary Maintenance and Improvement €728.1K

o   Regional Road Maintenance and Improvement €5.658m

o   Local Road Maintenance and Improvement €19.5523m

o   Traffic Management Improvement €20k

o   Road Safety engineering Improvement €585.6k

o   Road Safety Promotion and Education €54.6k

o   Support to Roads Capital Programme €84.7k

o   Agency and Recoupable Services €1.660m

·         An allocation of €330k is proposed for the new initiative to build a Public Realm Maintenance Team.

Planning:

·         The budget proposed for the provision of Planning Services (Development Management Programme) is €2.9839m

·         Forward Planning – 4 plans €506.3k

·         Development Management €1.527m

·         Enforcement including debt collection €521k

·         Unfinished Housing Estates €428.9k. The number of unfinished estates has decreased from 200 in 2015 to 80 in 2023.

Capital Budget:

Roads Projects:

·         N4 Carrick to Dromod Road – Phase 3 € 5.05m

·         N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge – contract awarded € 249m

·         N61 Tulsk to Chlashaganny – JR new planning application required

·         N61 Ballymurray to Knockcroghery – draft report with priority locations (TII suspended in 2021)

·         N60 at Oran – complete

·         N61 Tulsk to Gortnacrannagh – Phase 3, 4 €1.75m to progress

Greenways:

There are 3 major greenways in planning and the following have been budget for 2024:

·         Athlone to Ballyleague/Lanesborough €700k

·         Mid Shannon Greenway – Ballyleague/Lanesborough, Strokestown, Rooskey, Tarmonbarry €500k

·         Lough Key to Carrick on Shannon Greenway €300k

Active Travel Projects

N5 related Active Travel projects

•       Bellanagare €550k

•       Frenchpark € 280k

•       Strokestown € 110k

•       Tulsk € 230k

•       Tulsk to Rathcroghan €575k

•       NTA projects

–      R362 Monksland € 1.5m

–      L7055 (Golf Links Road) € 1.5m

Other Capital Works:

•       Footpath upgrades/maintenance € 1.2m

•       Bridge rehabilitation works € 600k

•       Upgrade Council HGV fleet € 1.2m

•       OPW flood relief works for Carrick

•       OPW flood relief works at Bogginfin

•       Graveyards € 300k (Four Roads Extension)

Ms. Caitlín Conneely, Director of Services provided an overview of the Budget for her areas of responsibility:

•       Public Lighting

•       Operating Costs ? 220k

•       Procurement: Existing OGP Contract for the provision of Unmetered Electricity to the Public Sector expires on 31st October 2024

•       Unit rate for electricity will increase

•       LED's - 45% in 2021 to 63% today

•       Number of public lights has increased from 6,500 in 2021 to 7,883 today

•       Annual usage has increased from 2,550,000 kWhr in 2021 to 2,800,000 kWhr in 2023

•       Water Services

•       Transition to Uisce Éireann - 19th July 2023;

•       Water Services staff - transferring to UE or being reassigned back to RCC;

•       All expenditure in relation to water and waste water services will be recouped from UE.

•       Rural Water Programme 2024 – 2026 to be launched Q1 2024

•       Subsidies GWS to continue

•       Grants for private water supplies to a house to continue

•       Environmental Services

•       Overall Budget increase in 2024 of  €172.4k for  Waste & Water Quality Management

•       Enforcement Team in place

•       Increased legal obligations on Local Authority

•       Climate Action

•       Climate Change & Flooding - €421k:

•       Climate Action Team in place

•       LA Climate Action Plan to be adopted Q1 2024

•       Deliver Actions in LACAP

•       DECC funding Climate Action Unit

•       SEAI funding SECs Energy Master Plans

•       Franchise Costs - €287k

•       Local Elections 2024

•       Maintenance of Electoral Register

•       Local Representation & Civic Leadership - €1.4m

•       Payments to Elected Members

•       Gratuity Scheme for Councillors in 2024

•       Recruitment:

•       Increasing workloads and expanding work areas

•       Replacement of staff lost to retirement and promotion

•       Staff turnover & succession planning

•       Staffing requirements intensive

•       Staff training, supports & wellbeing prioritized

•       44 number recruitment competitions completed to date in 2023

•       Blended Working:

•       200+ working on blended pattern

•       Focus on delivery of high quality services

•       Prioritised IT, digital transformation and communication

•       Flexibility - new ways of working - innovation

Capital Budget

•       Development Incentives and Controls

•       Energy & ergonomic upgrade to Áras and Chontae incl. Solar PV panels, lighting to LED, better use of space within building & upgrade to BMS - €1m

This Project will contribute towards reacting our 2030 Targets by reducing our Carbon Emissions

·         RCC 2030 Targets:

•       51% reduction in energy related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

•       51% reduction in thermal (heating and transport) related greenhouse gas emissions

•       50% improvement in energy efficiency

•       All buildings to be net zero emissions by 2050

•       Environmental Protection

•       Upgrades to Civic Amenity Sites – Draft Waste Management Plan for Circular Economy - €95k

•       Landfill licencing requirements - €100k

•       Climate Action Plan - €100k

•        

•      Administration and Miscellaneous

•       Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project (PLEEP) - €3.4m

•       North West Region managed by Mayo County Council (7LA’s)

•       Unbundling Costs

•       Procurement electricity for public lights during 2024

•       Cut energy use and reduce  ...  view the full minutes text for item 165.23

Community Development and Sport and Recreation

•       Support Communities throughout the County

•       Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)

·         LECP – for consideration at Jan 2024 Meeting

·         LEADER – New Programme – LDS 2023-2027 approved – €5.1m

·         Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP) – Tender being awarded – €705k per year + €106k for Ukraine Support in 2024

·         Healthy Ireland Programme 2023-2025 – €155k

•       Support Age Friendly Strategy/ Alliance

•       Support Public Participation Network (PPN) – €100k

•       Grants

·         Community Recognition Fund €690k – Projects progressing

·         Community Support Fund – awaiting Gov. announcement

•       Sport and Recreation Officers – €60k

Tourism

•       Budget increase €90k

•       Working closely with Fáilte Ireland and other partners

•       Support to County Fleadh €30k

•       Appointment of Tourism Activator shortly (FI Just Transition)

•       Marketing of Roscommon Tourism

•       Festivals and Events €40k

•       Fáilte Ireland Just Transitions  - Potential Projects

•       Lough Key Forest and Activity Park

•       Hodson Bay

•       Termonbarry

(Linkin the Dublin Galway EuroVelo Route at Athlone through Roscommon to Ballyleague, Termonbarry, Rooskey, Strokestown via the Lough Ree and Mid Shannon Greenway projects)

Heritage

•       Budget increase €10k

•       County Heritage Plan in 2024

•       Progress Rathcroghan as part of the Royal Sites of Ireland UNESCO World Heritage Bid

•       Secure Funding under the Built Heritage Grant streams

Enterprise and Economic Development

•       Town Centre First (TCF) Officer appointed

•       TCF plan for Strokestown and awaiting call for next TCF Town

•       Match Funding for Projects €205k increase of €35k

•       Town Team funding increased by €2.5k each – total €75k for all six town teams

•       RRDF/URDF Match Funding Loan charges €525k

•       Castlerea Food Hub subvention €70k

Capital Budget

Current Projects – €48.6m

•       URDF – €20.1m

•       Roscommon Market Square

•       Spokes in the Wheel

•       Vacancy and Regeneration Acquisition

•       RRDF – €22.5m

•       Royal Hotel Boyle (completed)

•       Boyle and King House

•       Boyle Library

•       Monksland Innovation Hub

•       Putting the Heart into Monksland

•       Ballaghaderreen Public Realm

•       RevitalisingStrokestown

•       Castlerea Hub

Economic Development:

Current Projects – €48.6m - (cont.)

•       Town and Village – €2.4m

•       Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) – €3.1m

•       CLAR Projects – €0.5m

•       Proposed Rural Support Schemes Projects:

•       Town and Village – 5 apps – €1.5m

•       ORIS – 9 apps – €1m

•       RRDF Call 5 – Feb 2024 – Potential projects (90% grant for Counties in NW Region)

•       Strokestown Public Realm – circa €6m

•       An Bealach, Ballaghaderreen – circa €22m

(Project owner An Bealach CLG is responsible for delivery of the project. RRDF requires applicant for funding to be a Public Body – RCC to make application and manage grant. RCC to provide portion of match funding – up to €1m. RCC is a member of An Bealach CLG board)

•       Just Transition    

•       LECP Measure – 5 Concept Papers and 1 Application

•       Fáilte Ireland Economic Diversification: 3 potential projects - Lough Key Forest  ...  view the full minutes text for item 166.23

The Cathaoirleach invited the members to consider the Draft Budget and raise any queries they had for discussion:

The Members commented as follows:

·        This is a positive Budget that is presented to the Members

·        Climate Action requirements will be onerous in future years

·        It is clear Roscommon County Council is largely dependent on outside funding

·        20% matched funding is a challenge to meet to avail of future funding opportunities. It is a must that this figure is reduced to 10% to afford to take these opportunities.

·        Welcome capital funding for Four Roads Cemetery and bridge rehabilitation including Castlestrange Bridge.

·        Welcome the Hodson Bay Master Plan

·        The €75m expenditure for 2024 is welcome as it will benefit everyone in the county including businesses

·        There has been no rates increase since the revaluation in 2018 and some adjacent counties have seen a 10% increase in recent years.

·        The €250m investment in the upgrade of the N5 will bring much welcome employment to the area

·        In relation to proposed capital projects such as public realm works, all stakeholders should be consulted before any plan is finalised

·        The quality of housing being provided in the county is second to none

·        The Budget will be more difficult in the future and after next year’s Local Elections, the Council will need to be prudent on how it invests in projects

·        Welcome the 5% increase in the budget with no rates increase.

·        The ongoing investment in Public Realm works and projects across the county is welcome

·        The investment in the leisure centre is welcome as is the continued investment in library services

·        While welcoming the N5 project, the N60 has been neglected and progress is warranted here.

·        There are very few complaints regarding our roads but increased expenditure on hedgecutting and salting of roads in winter is necessary

·        The investment in the Castlerea Food Hub will provide jobs and looking forward to it being opened in early 2024

·        The upgrade of the public lighting network infrastructure to LED needs to be completed as soon as possible in order to start seeing the operational costs start to decrease

·        The Croí Cónaithe Housing Scheme is proving a great success and a positive development

·        Welcome the increased grant funding in the Arts including festivals

·        It may be necessary to increase staff resources in Planning, Active Travel and CCTV services.

·        Welcome the expenditure of €1.3m on footpaths

·        Thanks to community groups for their engagement with grant funding and all of the work they do

·        Welcome ongoing expenditure on recreational facilities

·        Thanks to the volunteers who work at all events and festivals across the county and those who look after the graveyards in the county

·        Need more staff to deal with Croí Cónaithe grants applications

·        The Golf Links Road Active Travel Scheme should be progressed as soon as possible.

·        Welcome the investment in solar panels for Áras an Chontae and this should be replicated in all public buildings

·        The Council fleet should be upgraded to EV as soon as possible

·        The projects  ...  view the full minutes text for item 167.23

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Murphy

           SECONDED by Councillor Callaghan

And AGREEDthat pursuant to Section 143(a) & 143(b) of the Local Government Act, 2001, that Roscommon County Council pay an Annual Allowance of €20,000 and €4,000 in 2024 to the Cathaoirleach and Leas-Cathaoirleach of the County Council respectively to cover the reasonable expenses incurred in respect of attendance at functions.                  

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Dineen

           SECONDED by Councillor Shanagher

And AGREED that pursuant to the Local Government Act, 2001, and the Local Government Reform Act 2014 that Roscommon County Council pay an Annual Allowance of €6,000 in 2024 to the Cathaoirleach of the Athlone, Boyle and Roscommon Municipal Districts respectively to cover the reasonable expenses incurred in respect of attendance at functions. 

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Cummins

           SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

And AGREED that pursuant to Local Government Reform Act 2014 that Roscommon County Council pay an Annual Allowance of €6,000 in 2024 to each Chairperson of the four designated Strategic Policy Committees

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Dineen

           SECONDED by Councillor Ward

And AGREED that Roscommon County Council authorise the incurring of reasonable expenditure in connection with receptions, entertainment and the making of presentations to distinguished persons and in connection with the holding of special events relevant to its functions during 2024.

It was PROPOSEDby Councillor Cummins

          SECONDEDby Councillor Ward

And AGREED that Roscommon County Council by resolution adopt for the financial year ending 31st December, 2024, the Budget as set out in Tables A, B, C, D, E & F.

It was PROPOSEDby Councillor Byrne

          SECONDED by Councillor Mulligan

And AGREEDthat Roscommon County Council determine in accordance with the Budget, as adopted the rates set out in Tables A and C to be the annual rate on valuation to be levied for the financial year ending 31st December, 2024, for the purposes set out in those tables, as amended.

It was PROPOSEDby Councillor Cummins

             SECONDED by Councillor Murphy

And AGREEDthat Roscommon County Council set the rate of refund in relation to vacant properties at 100% as per Section 31 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and The Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014.

The Capital Programme 2024-2026 was noted by the Members.