·         Minutes of Annual Meeting held on 21.06.2021

·         Minutes of Plenary Meeting held on 28.06.2021

0On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. McDermott

            SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Annual Meeting of 21^st June 2021

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Shanagher

            SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Plenary Meeting of 28th June 2021

There were no matters arising.

·         Management Report for Quarter 2 2021

·         Management Report for Quarter 2 2021 noted.

Mr. Martin Lydon, Director of Services presented the Chief Executives Report on the Local Property Tax Variation for 2022 to the members for consideration:

The Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021 dated June 2021 revises the method homeowners calculate their LPT liabilities. Valuation bands are being widened and a number of currently exempted/excluded properties are being brought into the LPT system.

This approach differs from previous years given that a revaluation of LPT is expected to take place later this year, which will lead to changes in both the overall LPT yield and to the yield in each local authority area. When detailed information on the 2022 yield is available, the matter will be reviewed. The date for the revised revaluation is the 1^st November 2021. Homeowners will have to pay their 2022 liability based on the revised revaluation of their property.

2021 figures have indicated an estimated breakeven position being achieved in the current financial year. This breakeven position is being achieved despite additional costs in relation to Covid 19 and reduced income from rates. The losses in relation to income and additional costs have been offset by a detailed analysis of budget headings and redistribution of funds. The LPT at 2020 levels (€10.2m + 15% LAF of 609K) has contributed to achieving a forecasted breakeven position for 2021. 

The budgetary position for 2022 currently shows a breakeven position. This breakeven position assumes that the LPT will remain at 2021 levels.

The impact of the new revaluations from 1 November 2021 will affect the amount homeowners will pay in 2022.The effect of the widening bands and the inclusion of currently exempted properties is impossible to predict at this stage but could result in a lower LPT collection in Roscommon. The Department have indicated that local authorities requiring equalization will receive funding up to the baseline in 2022 – in Roscommon’s case €10.2m. Local authorities that increase the basic rate of LPT shall retain 100% of the resultant income – in Roscommon’s case +15% is €609k. The full impact of the widening bands/exempted properties will only be fully known for the 2023 budget.  

The report sets out the financial position of the Council as required by regulations.

The Department has indicated that Roscommon’s base line funding from the Local Property Tax Fund for 2022 is to be €10.2m, the same amount for each year from 2016 to 2021. This allocation includes €6.9m from the central Equalisation Fund, of which Roscommon is a net beneficiary.

If a decision is taken to vary the LPT basic rate upwards (by up to 15%) for the year 2022, 100% of the resultant additional income will be retained while if a resolution is passed to vary the LPT basic rate downwards (by up to 15%), the resultant loss in LPT income will not be covered by any additional funding from the Equalisation Fund.

The value of each % increase or decrease in variation of LPT is equal to + or - €40.6k.  An  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.21

Resolutions from other Local Authorities:

·         25^th June, 2021 - Resolution from Waterford City & County Council

That Waterford City & County Council write to Minister Simon Harris, and cc Ministers Michael McGrath and Norma Foley, and Minister of State Niall Collins, to call for the implementation of the Labour Court recommendation in respect of regularising the terms and conditions of Adult Education Tutors employed by Education and Training Boards, to be treated with the importance and urgency that it deserves.

·         25^th June, 2021 - Resolution from Meath County Council

That Meath County Council call on the Government to explore the German Sparkasse Community Banking model, to provide balance for the Irish Banking system.

·         25^th June, 2021 - Resolution from Meath County Council

That Meath County Council call on the Department of Health to prioritise the establishment of the Transport Support Scheme.

·         25^th June, 2021 - Resolution from Clare County Council

That Clare County Council call on the Minister for Health and the Department of Health to recognise the need to address all forms of women’s health.

·         29^th June, 2021 - Resolution from Kerry County Council

That Kerry County Council calls on The Department of Education to give all schools an allocation of hours for a dedicated Home School Liaison Officer.

·         5^th July, 2021 - Resolution from Donegal County Council

That Donegal County Council calls upon the Dublin Government to expel the Israeli Ambassador and staff in the Israeli Embassy.

·         5^th July, 2021 - Resolution from Donegal County Council

That Donegal County Council make serious representation to An Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs as regards the treatment of the families and friends of the Ballymurphy 10.

·         5^th July, 2021 - Resolution from Donegal County Council

That Donegal County Council write to the Minister of Health, Stephen Donnelly, Chief Clinical Officer, Colm Henry and HSE Director General Paul Reid, calling on them, as a matter of urgency, to make Patisiran available to everyone in the 26 Counties who require this life-changing drug.

·         5^th July, 2021 - Resolution from Sligo County Council

That Sligo County Council call for funding to be made available for the provision of small wastewater treatment systems in local villages throughout the country.

·         6^th July, 2021 - Resolution from Wicklow County Council

That Wicklow County Council write to the Minister responsible for Local Government & Planning to propose that as part of the conditions for a planning application for new housing estates, developers must install Automated External Defibrillators.

·         13^th July, 2021 - Resolution from Clare County Council

That Clare County Council call on the Minister for Health Mr Stephen Donnelly to seriously consider using our vaccination centres along with our vaccinators and pharmacists to administer the HPV vaccine.

·         13^th July, 2021 - Resolution from Clare County Council

That Clare County Council call on the Department of Health provide funding to all communities throughout County Clare for defibrillators and training. There needs to be more than one covering each  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.21

Resignation of Martin Lydon, Director of Services: The Chief Executive informed the members that Friday is Mr. Lydon’s last day in Roscommon as he departs to take up the Chief Executive position in Sligo Co. Co. on 30^th August. Ms. Caitlin Conneally will take up the role as Acting Director of Services and Mr. Sean Mullarkey will be Acting Head of Finance. He detailed other changes in the Directorates effective from 30^th August.

He congratulated Martin on his achievement and paid tribute to him for his contribution to Roscommon County Council during his time. He leaves with the respect of the Elected Members, his colleagues and in particular the Management Team. He is known as a great communicator with a complete and total understanding of his brief who made complex problems look simple and will be a huge loss to the organisation.

The Elected Members also paid tribute to Mr. Lydon:

·         Very deserving of this success due to hard work and ability

·         Contributed greatly to the improvements in Roscommon over the past 10 years.

·         Has shown empathy, determination and courage and made sure that the citizens of the county are number one priority.

·         Held in very high esteem by all of the Elected Members.

·         Thanks from the Members of Roscommon MD for his contribution as manager of the MD over the past number of years.

·         Many community groups have benefited from his assistance.

·         Has looked after the finances of the county is the best possible manner and always made prudent and calculated decisions.

Director of Services, Majella Hunt and Shane Tiernan also paid tribute to a great colleague who could always see the bigger picture for Roscommon – a professional with personality and great leadership skills.

Mr. Lydon thanked everyone for their kind words and paid tribute to his team in Roscommon. He acknowledged his working relationship with the elected members and the unseen work that they do for the people of the county.  He thanked the Chief Executive, Management team and staff who work for Roscommon and while he will be sad to leave but is looking forward to a new challenge.

Tax Incentive Scheme for Derelict Residential and Commercial Properties

“Roscommon County Council call on the Minister for Finance and the Government to introduce a tax incentive scheme similar to the very successful section 23 tax incentive scheme in order to create an effective incentive to bring all the closed down and derelict residential and commercial properties back into full use, estimates confirm that there are tens of thousands of such properties throughout our cities, towns villages and rural areas. Such a scheme would have a major impact on addressing the current housing crisis in our country.”

Tax Incentive Scheme for Derelict Residential and Commercial Properties:

“Roscommon County Council call on the Minister for Finance and the Government to introduce a tax incentive scheme similar to the very successful section 23 tax incentive scheme in order to create an effective incentive to bring all the closed down and derelict residential and commercial properties back into full use, estimates confirm that there are tens of thousands of such properties throughout our cities, towns villages and rural areas. Such a scheme would have a major impact on addressing the current housing crisis in our country”

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

This motion requires a resolution of the Council.

Cllr. Crosby referenced a previous Notice of Motion discussed in the chamber in the mid 1990’s that led to the Upper Shannon Rural Renewal scheme. The success of that scheme could be replicated to bring back the closed down and derelict residential and commercial properties into full use with a tax incentive scheme that would cost very little.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Crosby

SECONDED by Cllr. Cummins

It was AGREED to write to the Ministers of Finance and Housing to introduce a tax incentive scheme similar to the very successful section 23 tax incentive scheme in order to create an effective incentive to bring all the closed down and derelict residential and commercial properties back into full use, estimates confirm that there are tens of thousands of such properties throughout our cities, towns villages and rural areas. Such a scheme would have a major impact on addressing the current housing crisis in our country.

Verge Trimming

“That Roscommon County Council ensure adequate funds are provided for Verge Trimming throughout County Roscommon over the coming months, as overgrown grass and noxious weeds are a hazard for pedestrians and other road users at present.”

Verge Trimming

“That Roscommon County Council ensure adequate funds are provided for Verge Trimming throughout County Roscommon over the coming months, as overgrown grass and noxious weeds are a hazard for pedestrians and other road users at present” 

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

Funding is in place for verge trimming in line with the agreed budget and this will be expended accordingly to cover verge trimming where most required. All roads in the Roads Programme are verge trimmed in parallel with the works progressing. The Municipal Districts have hired extra contractors during the summer period to complement the existing council fleet.

Cllr. Naughten welcomed the reply. He said there currently a significant deficit in verge trimming that needs to be addressed immediately at junctions and bends I roads that is causing a danger to all road users and additional verge trimmers will be necessary in all areas over the coming six weeks.

Cllr. Fitzmaurice supported the motion and stated this is an annual problem and the system of tendering appears to add to the difficulties. The biggest concern is with the smallest roads and they will be the last to be done.

The Director of Services, Mr. Shane Tiernan stated there are four machines currently working in Boyle and seven hired machines about to commence work and the work programme for verge trimming is ahead of schedule. There are over 4,000km of roads and these have to be prioritised and the Council is doing the work in the most effective way it can.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council ensure adequate funds are provided for Verge Trimming throughout County Roscommon over the coming months, as overgrown grass and noxious weeds are a hazard for pedestrians and other road users at present

Noticeboard at St. Comans Cemetery: 

“That Roscommon County Council supports the provision of a large information board at St. Coman's Cemetery, Roscommon town to orient visitors to the graveyard with a map of the graveyard illustrating the location of different graves.”

Noticeboard at St. Comans Cemetery, Roscommon Town

“That Roscommon County Council supports the provision of a large information board at St. Coman's Cemetery, Roscommon town to orient visitors to the graveyard with a map of the graveyard illustrating the location of different graves.”

The meetings Administrator read the following reply:

 The Council has very limited resources for the maintenance and repair of the cemeteries in their ownership.  The Council is dependent on voluntary groups and the budgeted funding is used to support these groups along with caretaker payments, cemetery upkeep and essential works which are priority risk based across the approximately 100 owned cemeteries.

Several cemeteries in the county have participated in community training projects to survey and record their headstones as part of a community project funded by the Heritage Council and Roscommon County Council. The records are uploaded to  www.historicgraves.com   This information is also available on Roscommon Cemeteries Mapviewer which can be found on www.roscommoncoco.ie/cemeteries This is an online mapviewer, launched in 2019, with all available information on all cemeteries in the county and is under constant update.

The request for an information board at St. Coman’s Cemetery, Roscommon Town, albeit desirable, is dependent on the availability of both financial and human resources.  The project would require a survey of the graveyard with the numbering and mapping of each grave and a digital map of the graveyard compiled. 

The most likely way this project can be completed is for a voluntary group to train for and complete the survey with the support of the Council. In the absence of any grant funding being available the cost of such a project and training would have to be met from the Council’s own resources.

Through the mechanism of the Roads and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee, the feasibility of this project for St. Coman’s could be discussed. In the interest of equity, similar projects in other cemeteries would need to be considered. Input from the Heritage Officer would also be beneficial at the SPC.

Cllr. Leyden welcomed the positive reply on the matter and the training for community groups. Ardcarne cemetery has completed a similar project in 1995. St. Coman’s cemetery is very important to the town and this would be a great addition and a valuable resource for relatives and connections of those buried there.

The members spoke in favour of the motion and thanked community groups and historical societies that have worked on similar projects on other cemeteries. The website mentioned is a great resource and every cemetery should try to be included in this resource.

Cllr. Kilduff spoke on a motion he had previously brought forward to seek a national capital fund for repairs of old cemeteries. The Department had replied that the maintenance of cemeteries was a matter for local authorities but he was not satisfied with the reply.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Kilduff

SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED to write to the Department to reconsider their position on funding for capital works  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.21

The Cathaoirleach and Members passed a vote of sympathy to the family of the late Michael Fitzmaurice, a founding member of the Roscommon Association in Dublin in 1952, was its Treasurer until 1965 when he took over as Chairperson, a position he held until 2004. Since then, he has been a very active Life President. During his tenure in the chair, he was responsible for founding and editing 21 annual issues of the Roscommon Association Dublin Yearbook.

Cllr. McDermott proposed a vote of sympathy to the family of the late Martin Finan, retired staff member of Roscommon County Council who passes away recently. The members paid tribute to Mr. Finan, his many achievements including his footballing skills as a player and later a coach with young people, his community work and his involvement in the organisation of the Local Elections over a long number of years. The Chief Executive, on behalf of the staff and management team also paid tribute to both Mr. Fitzmaurice and Mr. Finan.

The Cathaoirleach informed the members of the visit of Minister Heather Humphreys to Strokestown on Saturday to launch the redevelopment of the Strokestown Park House Museum.

Best wishes were recorded to Aoife O’Rourke who represents Ireland in Boxing at the Olympic Games in Tokyo next week and to Richael Timothy who is also representing Ireland at the Paralympics later in August in cycling. Both ladies are a credit to the county.