The Members welcomed the Draft Budget as presented by the Chief Executive with the following comments and questions:

 

·         Significant expenditure of €54million and the increase from 2016 indicates an improvement in the county.

·         Comment on the refusal rate of 38% of 144 houses offered as there are 539 households on the waiting list.

·         Disappointment that the N5 from Tibohine to Scramoge is not included for upgrading by TII as yet.

·         Urge the executive to look at all options with regard to the development of the Royal Hotel site in Boyle

·         Welcome new Development Guidelines

·         Company in Elphin can supply home heating oil in small quantities which would suit low income families

·         Welcome the upgrade of the North East Roscommon RWSS although some people do not realise the water is now safe to drink.

·         Thanks to litter wardens for diligent work in relation to the growing problem of fly-tipping

·         Need to grow the libraries facilities

·         Too slow of progress in relation to N5 upgrade at Clashaganny and Tulsk

·         Need more resources to fund land drainage.

·         Agree with the need for more marketing of County Roscommon form tourism perspective

·         It has been a very difficult year as a ratepayer with the changes of valuations. It is also worrying that €2.8m rates amount is under appeal to valuation tribunal

·         Concern no funding for upgrade of N60 national secondary road

·         Welcome the housing survey that should help identify and subsequently upgrade unsuitable heating systems in our housing stock

·         The Town Teams have given all towns a lift with funded projects

·         Knock Airport – As the airport wad a profit of €643k last year will Roscommon County Council receive a dividend?

·         Why is the cost of dog control so expensive – need to always look for better value

·         Importance of getting unfinished housing estates to the point at which they can be sold. How many houses may come on-stream to deal with social and affordable issues in Co. Roscommon?

·         Welcome Innovation Centre but are we entering an area that is already facilitated by the private sector i.e. is there a duplication of funding?

·         Welcome turnkey developments for Boyle

·         Revaluation has led to uncertainty about rates

·         Can the Council access SEAI funding for improvements that will be required as a result of housing condition survey?

·         Welcome the proposed capital investment in Castlerea Swimming pool and the funding of sports development in the county in a number of sporting areas

·         Welcome the Lough Mask Water project that is underway and solve the water problems for Ballinlough and Loughglynn

·         Complement the voluntary work done by Tidy Towns committees

·         Disappointed that there is not enough funding coming from central government for maintenance of local roads and hope to see increase in allocation when its announced

·         We should be encouraging builders to build houses

·         Need more monitoring of Bring Banks and in particular where there are Clothing Banks

·         When can we expect a directive on one off housing?

·         When can we expect final account on Áras an Chontae?

·         Welcome the presentation on Rates and Valuations by the A/Head of Finance that gave a clear analysis of the situation.

·         Need to take into account the surveys to be carried out on Sliabh Bawn

·         Welcome expenditure on leisure centre to keep it up to standard.

·         Need to take responsibility for closure of drains by landowners

·         Look forward to success of Pilot Hedge cutting scheme in each Municipal District

·         Would like to have upgrade of N63 Athleague to Four Roads included

·         Need to review payment of €80 fee to undertakers in respect of transporting remains to Morgue in Roscommon Hospital for deaths in respect of accidents. Suggest it is increased to €250 – total budget is €129k for Morgue and Coroner expenses.

·         The implications of Brexit on our finances in future is unknown

·         Expenditure of €27k on upkeep of public conveniences is very high

·         Need for a new water scheme serving the Ballaghaderreen area

·         While welcome tourism development there is no mention of West Roscommon

·         Despite the bringing back into habitation many existing and unfinished houses, there is a need to start building new houses.

·          Do not agree that applicants should be left off the housing list unless there is an unreasonable reason for refusal of a house

·         Commence the issue of enforcement notices for hedges not cut as required by regulation

·         There are a number of unfinished housing estates with longstanding problems that need to be addressed.

·         Our rates are higher than any adjoining local authority and this will make us less competitive. The new method of calculating rates makes it difficult potential investors to accurately calculate their potential rates bill

·         Need adequate population in rural areas to make them sustainable. Unless we can have the National Planning Framework amended we will have a problem with rural depopulation. The closure of community facilities is a problem.

·         Request that the new rural design guidelines should be flexible and not increase the cost of building a house

·         Concern about flooding and trends and mitigation works.

·         If we are drawing up joint plans with Westmeath County Council, Tier 1 Plans should be used as the Monksland area has ability to extend and expand.

·         All of our housing stock should be brought up to 2018 standards.

·         Where are the ten housing sites for sale advertised for the public to be aware of them?

·         Concern about the restriction of cleaning up at weekends especially bank holiday weekends – consider spot checks

·         Welcome tourism funding and the kiosk provided in Casey’s to promote the county

·         Very conscious of the income received from businesses and public of county Roscommon and we need to drawdown as much public funding as possible. It is vital that communities have plans in place to draw down such funds.

·         Short timeframe for private group water schemes to draw down funding despite the multi annual programme

·         How many households availed of housing grants in 2017?

·         Can applications for warmer homes schemes be amalgamated?

·         When will we be in a position to have Innovation Centre up and running?

·         The Council should consider purchasing more land in the Monksland area to have available to attract industry as it is a prime centre for industrial development

·         Any proposals to upgrade the Monksland Wastewater Treatment plant by Irish water?

·         Positive that there are new businesses set up as result of Rates Incentive Scheme

·         Welcome the fact that increased rates income from Sliabh Bawn windfarm will help other rate payers but the funds should be spent in area near the windfarm i.e. ring-fenced.

·         Issue with litter on roads, suggest an Adopt a Road Pilot Scheme

·         Are there prosecutions pending as result of drone footage captured?

·         Road Safety – need review of traffic management

·         Ensure Part 8 is brought to Members in Quarter 1 to develop Innovation Centre – a necessity to encourage job creation and keep our young people in the county.

·         Bring back housing voids quicker and continue to buy houses

·         Government needs to cap housing rents

·         Delivery of town team projects such as CCTV in Roscommon town is welcome

 

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

             SECONDED by Cllr. Leyden

It was AGREED to write to TII to seek the upgrade of the N61 to National Primary Road status.

 

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Connaughton

             SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED to increase fee payable to undertakers for mortuary services to Roscommon hospital.

 

 

The Chief Executive addressed the comments in relation to the ring-fencing of funds for works at Sliabh Bawn:

The Council has already committed to the Noise Survey and any works outside of this can be looked at as the year progresses, within the flexibility of the General Municipal Allocation and outside the budget process. The budget is finely balanced, looks at all of the risks, rates appeals and requirements of all programmes. Any ring-fencing of money from the budget for Sliabh Bawn will put other areas of the budget at risk.

 

Mr. Derek Caldbeck answered queries as follows:

·         63% of ratepayers received a decrease in rates valuation with 33% receiving an increase. The Windfarms represent 60% of the total value of the appeals.

·         The benefit to other ratepayers of the rates valuation from Sliabh Bawn is only for 2018 as there is a maximum increase allowed for the county as a whole from the 2017 valuation figure.

·         The Housing Condition Survey will give an opportunity to address heating/insulation problems

·         A breakdown of the division of the Municipal Allocations was preciously circulated to the members – Athlone gained €41K, Boyle lost €98k and Roscommon gained €57K from the 75/25 split that was used prior to October 2015.

·         The 10 sites are advertised on the website and will be re-advertised in near future. This will also measure level of interest in affordable sites

·         The procuring of coroners and undertakers is done as a result of public procurement and there will be another tender issued in not too distant future. We always pay what it will cost as this is a demand led service and there have been many conversations with interested parties. There is a panel for each MD drawn down on by the Garda and strongly advise to accept the figure in the budget.

 

Cllr Connaughton stated in reply that the panel for undertaking did not go through procurement and some of those on the panel do not have all the necessary facilities. The figure is insufficient, particularly at night-time to carry out the necessary service and an increase can be found in the allocated budget. It was then agreed that the Mr. Caldbeck and Cllr. Connaughton would discuss the matter separately.

 

Ms. Majella Hunt informed the members as follows:

 

·         Licencing and training for use of the drone is ongoing and pilot areas are being looked at. It is expected to be very active next year.

·         The Environment Section welcomes and appreciates reporting of litter, notices and fines are issued

·         Have also looked at the recycling centres and their operation, cameras are used from time to time

·         The public conveniences are at tourist sites and this is a valued investment

·         There are 5,000 lights under public lighting and liaise with planning re estates not taken in charge

·         The works at Cloonakilla is a Capital Scheme and Part 8 needed

·         A feasibility study has been carried out on the N61 Clashaganny to Tulsk Road and it is hoped to get funding for the next stage of the project

 

Mr. Martin Lydon stated that there is no dividend payable from any profit from Ireland West Airport in Knock for a period of 10 years as per agreement. He also said that the location of the Innovation Centres locations were chosen not to conflict with other ones in existence. He expects the centres to be in operation by Q4 2018/Q1 2019, depending on Part 8 and procurement.