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 being delivered at present will transform the county and Croí Cónaithe will reduce dereliction.

·        Welcome the start of the Just Transition Funding stream

·        Greenways will be a game-changer in terms of tourism and boost the local economy

·        Increased expenditure on tourism is important and just transition funding will be welcome

·        If the Government is serious about climate action there will have to be increased investment in every county for adaptation measures

·        Roscommon County Council investment in a new Civil Defence building will provide great facilities to a very important service for the people of the county

·        Consideration in the future to fund town teams in more towns and villages as more needs to be done for our villages

·        The 178 houses for Offer a Home for Ukrainians is a positive development

·        Looking forward to the investment in the library in Ballaghaderreen.

·        The value of money has decreased despite the increase in the expenditure budget for 2024.

·        Well done to the staff of the Council in the various departments involved in preparing schemes that are successful in securing substantial funding.

·        Looking forward to the completion of the greenways that will transform the county.

·        The income limits for housing loans are too low now

·        The Croí Cónaithe scheme needs to be amended to include preserving the structures of old houses

·        The funding for LIS schemes should be increased and the homeowner get priority in the allocation of the scheme funding

·        Consensus with all interested parties is a desirable outcome for both the Strokestown and Ballaghaderreen public realm projects

·        The Council need to engage with Local Link regarding difficulties in getting bus stops.

 

It was then proposed by the Cathaoirleach to extend the time to vote on the budget to 1.45pm and this was agreed by the members.

 

·        Thanks to all of the services involved in the clean up in the aftermath of recent Storm Debi

·        Can the Council revisit the policy on resurfacing done from the edge of the road to the boundaty of the house.

·        There are issues on the N61 at Ganleys roundabout that need addressing

·        Thanks to the housing staff for all of their work in 2013

·        Welcome the news that the ‘old N5’ road will be designated for cycling, walking initiatives.

·        There are public lighting issues in some housing estates in Styrokestown to be addressed

·        Welcome funding for Connacht Fleadh in Strokestown next summer – a big boost for the town

·        The funding of a team for public realm maintenance is very welcome

·        Lights are required on the N5 Scramoge cross

·        Would prefer that water services were not transitioned to Uisce Eireann

·        Welcome all investment in Heritage projects

·        The fire station in Castlerea must be reopened

·        The provision of housing should transition from AHB’s back to local authorities

·        There is a meeting with MD members on Monday next with regard to the N61 update report from the TII.

 

 

The following queries were raised by the Members:

 

·        There is a lot of lands frozen in the Knockcroghery Ballymurray area as the By-Pass is now suspended – can this be addressed?

·        Can the Director of Housing provide more clarity on Homeless services fee in the county?

·        Is there not a demand for more 1 and 2 bedroom houses in the county?

·        How many local authority housing loans were approved?

·        Has the Town Regeneration post been filled?

·        Will bottle bank facilities be upgraded as part of Civic Amenity upgrades?

·        Many people are relying on Croí Cónaithe grant to complete their project and the payments should be more timely. Can the properties now be inspected at builders finish?

·        Dis the council buy houses for people evicted this year?

·        Has a budget been allocated for the development of Rathcroghan

·        Can the executive have another look at the proposed public realm works in Ballaghaderreen?

·        When will the N61 road upgrade be revisited? Landowners need to be met.

·        When is the Blueway feasibility study due to start?

·        Do the Council build houses on sites provided privately – affordable sites?

 

In conclusion the Cathaoirleach welcomed the fact that the budget is welcomed by all of the members and thanked the Chief Executive, Head of Finance, Directors and all of the Members for their input onto the budget process and invited the Directors to respond to questions raised:

 

·        The Council introduced a fee of €39 for single person and €60 for a couple per week for the provision of homeless accommodation – no fee for children

·        The Council are aware of the need for 1 and 2 bedroom houses and this is being taken into account when planning housing provision there are 6 such units due to be completed in Castlerea next year.

·        35 home loans have been received to date – this is a demand led service

·        Roscommon youth orchestra are funded by the Council through music generation project

·        Houses for 18 tenants in situ were bought this year when the eviction ban ended.

·        Affordable sites – this is under discussion with the Department. Applicants must fall within the income threshold to be eligible but there was small takeup in the last scheme.

·        CroíCónaithe – The Council are only in a position under the terms of the scheme to pay out on vouched expenditure done not under builders finish. There are 214 applications and two final claims have been received to date, with one due for payment tomorrow. It is acknowledged there was some lag at the beginning of the scheme but there are also legalities to be completed as a charge has to be put on the property.

·        There is a requirement to use AHBs for provision of 40% of housing.

·        Bottle Banks are not included in the proposed upgrade of civic amenity sites, mainly H&S matters. These are looked at as part of annual work programme.

·        Infill of public lighting in estates are ongoing where they have been reported. The council continue to upgrade lights and the regional project will commence in due course.

 

The Cathaoirleach then asked the meetings administrator to read the resolutions for adoption.