The Chief Executive. Mr. Shane Tiernan presented the Draft Budget to the elected members for consideration:

·         The draft budget has been prepared in accordance with S102 of the Local Government Act and involves a number of stages including consideration by the Corporate Policy Group and the LPT variation decision of the members in September.

·         There are new pressures on the Budget for 2023 with the current energy crisis and the war in Ukraine. Our ability to increase funding mechanisms is limited and we will continue to work with our ratepayers in 2023 to ensure the collection rate remains high.

·         The €540k from the LPT allows an increase to the GMA - €255k to be distributed for C&E projects and an additional €177k for street cleaning. Also €65k has been allocated for a new voluntary Graveyard grant and tidy towns will continue to be supported.

·         The new County Development Plan came into effect in April 2022 and has been prepared against the critical need to address climate change as well as placemaking, regeneration, the creation of sustainable communities and green infrastructure provision.

·         Unfortunately the construction of the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge came to a standstill in March but new tenders have been issued and it is hoped to recommence construction in Q3 2023.

·         Housing for All is a comprehensive Plan and we will continue to facilitate the variety of schemes that are available.

·         Roscommon County Council has played a key role in assisting with the provision of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees and will continue to do so in collaboration with the community forum.

·         To date Roscommon has received €40m investment in the various rural redevelopment funds – in 2023 the redevelopment of the former Royal Hotel  in Boyle, Castlerea Food Hub and Boyle Town Centre and King House projects will be completed. Construction of the Monksland Innovation Hub and Roscommon Covered civic space in Market Square will commence. Detailed design on RRDF and URDR projects in Monksland, Roscommon Town and Strokestown will continue while we will also progress approved Town and Village, Outdoor recreation and Streetscape Enhancement Schemes. We must continue to develop and design projects to ensure there is a pipeline of projects and provide matched funding to leverage the maximum amount of funding available.

·         The Council will continue with the rollout of the Climate Change Adaptation strategy and bring forward the implementation of climate resilient actions and ensure such actions are integrated into all functions of the Council’s operation.

·         Due to Covid the Council had to adapt and evolve how it provides its services to the public without disruption to services in the remote working environment. We continue to provide an increasing number of services online through the ‘My Online Services’ Portal.

·         The move to more sustainable, flexible and innovative ways of working will continue during 2023 as we incorporate blended working to ensure the most appropriate and effective delivery of service.

·         The level of capital funding brings an increased workload into the organisation that has already lost a significant number of employees through retirement and promotion and recruitment will continue to be a priority in 2023.Our staff are our most valuable resource and we will continue to invest in recruitments, training and support to deliver services in the most effective, efficient and resourceful manner.

In conclusion the Chief Executive thanked the Acting Head of Finance, the Management Team and Corporate Policy Group for their input to the Budget and recommended it to the Elected Members for adoption.