Annual Budget 2009 - Roscommon County Council

Division E | Environmental Services
Authority Prevention and Demonstration Programme, for an in-house project which will review, implement and
monitor energy and water conservation throughout all headquarter offices. The project will also examine the level
of consumables being purchased and develop best practice guidelines to prevent water and energy usage in
Council buildings, as well as minimise printing and purchase of consumables. New measures will also be introduced
regarding in-house waste management in 2009.
E08 Waste Management Planning
As in previous years the Council has made provision for a €20,000 contribution to the Environmental Partnership
Fund.
There is also the need to meet staff costs in regard to Waste Management Planning as well as the Council’s
continued involvement in the Connaught Waste Management Plan.
E09 Maintenance and upkeep of Burial Grounds
There are over 100 burial grounds in the County. I have included a figure of €456,500 to meet the direct costs
associated with the upkeep of burial grounds in 2009.
The maintenance and improvement grant scheme to voluntary groups is considered to be an effective and efficient
means of maintaining burial grounds to a high standard. It is necessary however, because of the difficult budgetary
situation, to reduce the allocation for 2009 for the grant scheme by €50,000 to €100,000.
The funding for the extensions to burial grounds will continue to be provided from development contributions in
2009.
E10 Safety of Structures and Places
The €337,800 provided under this heading in the budget meets the costs of Civil Defence, the administration
involved with Derelict Sites, Major Emergency Planning and Water Safety.
A figure of €203,000 is included for Civil Defence, which continues to provide cover at community events as well
as respond to emergency calls if required.
The estimates include a figure of €25,000 for Major Emergency Planning. In 2008 the Council developed and
published a plan, which has now put processes in place if required.
E11 Operation of Fire Service
The estimated cost of the Fire Service for 2009 is €3,146,500, after taking account of overheads totalling
approximately €308,000.
The Fire Service is one of the Council’s major emergency services and I would like to pay tribute to the Chief Fire
Officer, to his staff and in particular the retained fire personnel for the efficient manner in which they carry out their
fire fighting duties.
Under the Fire Services Act, 1981, Fire Authorities have a statutory obligation “to make adequate provision for the
reception and response to emergency calls for the assistance of the fire brigade”. The CAMP (Computer Aided
Mobilisation Project) project is now fully operational. The new control centre with its state of the art systems will
facilitate the provision of a much-enhanced response to emergency calls for the fire and ambulance services.
The new Roscommon Fire Services Headquarters at Circular Road Roscommon was officially opened by
Mr. Michael Finneran T.D. Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal & Development Areas on 24th October 2008.
Roscommon County Council | Comhairle Chontae Ros Comain | Adopted Budget 2009 | For year ended 31st December 2009 61