The Chief Executive briefed the members that he had advised the CPG this morning that additional staff are to be funded for Active Travel measures and also in the near future for Climate Action and later in the year for a new integration role we will have in relation to housing. There is also an additional resource allocated to the LEO, who have been very busy in this past year and will be going forward as a response to the pandemic. Because of this more space will be required for staff and it is intended to take back the offices on the ground floor that was allocated to The Cube. The project was very worthy at the time it was set up but was not as successful as was hoped. In the meantime, broadband has been successfully rolled out to community hubs that will cater for this need. The LEO office needs more prominence as their work and role was never more important and this proposal was agreed by the CPG.

Cllr. Leyden stated that she was not supportive of the decision without consultation with the members who gave their allocated rooms to facilitate The Cube and not for the use of staff. The Cube was to be the start of the provision of enterprise and innovation space for start up businesses in the County Town notwithstanding all the progressive projects that have been undertaken. A proposal was made at the February meeting to apply for funding for an enterprise and innovation centre and remote working hub in the former Motor Tax office and until this comes to fruition now is not the time to close The Cube.

The members of the CPG supported the Chief Executive on the matter and stated there was considerable discussion on the matter at the CPG meeting and it was accepted that, although it was regrettable to close The Cube, the usage had not been what had been anticipated the, additional staff will have to be accommodated for the new programmes coming on-stream and no other option is available. Assurance was also given by the Chief executive that meetings rooms will always be made available for councillor meetings when required. There is also an obligation to ensure that public monies are spent when made available for projects and progress in this matter must be accommodated. It would also not be desirable to seek alternative accommodation for staff outside this building.

The Chief Executive stated that we are not finished with the development of rural remote hubs in the county and our rural policy is based on the provision of these hubs. The next plan, working with the Western Development Commission and the NWRA has commenced. The Royal Hotel in Boyle and Innovation Centre in Monksland are being progressed to fulfil the need to provide these facilities.

Majella Hunt, Director of Services provided an update on the refurbishment of the Royal Hotel and the Monksland project. As regard the usage of The Cube, there were 280 seats per month available and at the height of its usage only 46 were used. She also noted that facilities are available in the Library.

Cllr. Leyden commended the work done to promote enterprise support in the county and asked that we redouble efforts to deliver a remote working centre in Roscommon town, possibly in an older building.

Cllrs. Ward, Fallon, McDermott, Kilduff, Shanagher, Byrne and the Cathaoirleach acknowledged The Cube had served its purpose and supported the move of the Local Enterprise Office to this location in Áras an Chontae.