Before commencement of meeting, the Cathaoirleach called for a minutes’ silence in honour of colleague Cllr. John Naughten who had recently passed away on 4^th October, 2024.

Mr. Sean Mullarkey, Head of Finance presented the Chief Executive Report regarding the General Municipal Allocation (GMA) and the Draft Budgetary Plans for Boyle Municipal District 2025.  Mr. Mullarkey, Head of Finance outlined that the total proposed General Municipal Allocation (GMA) for 2025 for the Boyle Municipal District Area was €1,008,500.

The decision taken at the Plenary meeting on the 23rd September, 2024 to vary the LPT basic rate upwards by 15% allowed for the following items to be included in the GMA for 2025.

·         €300,000 of Community & Enterprise funding for distribution by members

·         €191,200 for street cleaning

·         €22,500 of funding has been allocated to the emergency graveyard budget

·         €75,000 has been allocated to graveyard grants

·         €75,000 in funding has been granted to assist Tidy Towns programmes

·         Town Team funding of €12,500 for each of the six town teams totaling €75,000

Mr. Mullarkey, Head of Finance outlined the rationale for allocating funds. The model used in 2024 for apportioning roads expenditure is (33.3% Population, 33.3% km Roads, 33.3% Condition) has again been applied in 2025.

The purpose of the draft budgetary plan meeting is to provide each municipal district an opportunity to allocate its proportion of the General Municipal Allocation according to its priorities.

The following budget changes for 2024 were noted:

·         Taking in Charge: €15,000/€10,000 2024

·         Community Development: €100,000/€85,000 2024

·         Town Teams:  €37,500/ €30,000 2023

·         Tidy Towns Assistance €5,000/€4,000 2024

·         Open Spaces & Tidy Towns €116,600/€110,600 2024

·         Illegal Dumping: €8,500/€7,500 2024

·         Street Cleaning: €73,2000/€70,200 2024

·         Voluntary Graveyard Grant: €25,000/€21,600 2023

·         Burial Grounds Emergency Repairs: €10,000/€6,000 2023

All of the elected members thanked Mr. Sean Mullarkey, Head of Finance for the comprehensive budget and welcomed the budget as presented.

The following items were discussed:

·         Unfinished Estates Taken in Charge (TIC):  Budget allocation welcomed but members would have appreciated more funding for this. It was noted that Boyle MD has the highest percentage of estates not TIC. Challenge of dealing with estates without a Bond. Causes difficulties to people who purchase homes in unfinished estates. Call for funding to be made available from Central Government for estates not covered by Bond. Members hope that funding from RCC will be further increased in GMA budget for 2026.

·         Funding of Illegal Dumping: Level of litter and illegal dumping in the area raised and alternative options discussed, e.g. role of Tidy Towns, a pilot scheme under TUS to arrange litter picking along approach roads to towns & villages.

·         Burial Grounds: focus on graveyards with heritage buildings in cooperation with the Heritage Office. Level of insurance cover in older graveyards and where responsibility lies for works to be carried out needs to be clarified with Graveyard Committee and

·         Land Drainage: funding for clean up of rivers.  Request for list of Rivers under the responsibility of OPW and Roscommon Co. Council.

·         Street Cleaning: Members asked how towns/villages are selected for the Road Sweeper.  Is there a rota/timetable that could be communicated in advance so people would know to move cars, etc. Demo to be held in Strokestown of street cleaner – Mr. I. Kilcline stated not possible to have a rota as there is no specific funding allocated to it.  Sweeper is mainly for Boyle town.  He would not support the purchase of street cleaning machine as it is not feasible for daily use.

·         TidyTowns Assistance and Open Spaces & Tidy Towns: Role of Tidy Towns and Town Teams and how funding could enhance their role, e.g. Ballaghaderreen Town Teams funding for installation of CCTV in the town. Call for increased funding as these committees must cover insurance and PAYE costs from allocation. Expect further increase in funding in 2026.

·         Boyle MD Fund: Members agreed to meet separately in advance of applications to discuss how best to utilize the Fund in 2025.  Suggested allocation of lump sum of approx. €20,000 towards a pilot scheme or special project in the MD area, or look at 3-4 bigger projects that would have more or an impact.  Municipal Co-ordinator will look at options and follow up with members.

Mr. Sean Mullarkey, Head of Finance, acknowledged members’ comments and stated that the Council’s income profile will have to be looked at.  Concerns regarding funding of estates to be taken in charge are acknowledged.  He also added that each OP were allocated €50,000 in 2024 under Public Realm and this money must be spent before end of 2024.  Further funding may become available in 2025 but this would be outside of the GMA 2025 Budget.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Tom Crosby

             SECONDED by Councillor Liam Callaghan

It was AGREED that the Budget allocation for the Boyle Municipal District 2025 be adopted.