Headed Items
CONFIRMATION AND RE-AFFIRMATION OF MINUTES
a) Minutes of Annual Meeting of South Dublin County Council, 28th June 2013
b) Minutes of Meeting of South Dublin County Council, 8th July 2013
(all circulated herewith)
REPORTS OF AREA COMMITTEES
(H2 no reports)
STANDING COMMITTEES - ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE & FINANCE COMMITTEE
(H3 no reports)
STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES
Environment SPC
Report of Meeting, 2nd Sept. 2013
(circulated herewith)
REPORTS REQUESTED BY AREA COMMITTEES
(H5 no reports)
Questions
To ask the Manager for an update on the Property Tax received to date and list what additional services this revenue will provide to the residents of SDCC?
To ask the Manager for a report on derelict sites in the County - to include those still under consideration and those reported by the public?
To ask the Manager in an attempt to enhance the anti-litter campaign that this Council endorses a "returnable levy" on all plastic and glass bottles?
To ask the Manager to outline council policy in relation to allowing residents to pay for services. e.g. is it 50/50 with the council? In relation to tree pruning, what would the cost be to residents? Can they get trees pruned from private companies elsewhere?
To ask the Manager to specify the cost of grass cutting throughout the County during the grass cutting period up until September 1st 2013 and to compare this to the same period last year and to state whether the same volume was cut as last year. Finally could the Manager state how many times the Belgard Rd was cut in 2013 in comparison to 2012 and to state the costs associated with both periods?
To ask the Manager how much funding of the allocated 2013 budget for window replacement has been spent to date and to state how many houses have availed of the scheme during this budgeting period and to finally state how many homes have benefited in each LEA?
To ask the Manager to send a letter of congratulations to all organisers, volunteers and participants in the recent "Tallafest - Town and Country Fair" which was a huge success by all accounts which brought back a sense of Community into Tallaght Village and reclaimed the space for the Community. This Council further wishes all of those involved the very best of luck in continuing and expanding the Festival into the future and offers them the continued support of South Dublin County Council?
To ask the Manager to schedule a meeting between the elected members and the new CEO of Irish Water to discuss the issues regarding the fluoridation of drinking water?
To ask the Manager to provide details (including costs) of contractors employed by the Council for ongoing works relating to the maintenance of the public realm (e.g. grass-cutting, litter management, hedge-cutting, etc.) in each of the past five years?
To ask the Manager, further to my motion to the January meeting, for details of this council's involvement, or proposed involvement, in the new Local Authority Social Employment Scheme; in particular with respect to any proposals for use of this scheme to augment ongoing efforts to enhance our public realm including maintenance of our parks?
To ask the Manager for a report of the arrangements and resources currently in place for the ongoing maintenance and repair of playgrounds?
To ask the Manager for an update on funding and spending for 2013 for housing adaptation grants (HAGS/MAGS/HOPS) and the tenant disabled persons grants, and to state the Council's approach to seeking funding in Budget 2014 for these grants?
To ask the Manager for an updated schedule for the introduction of Irish Water and associated projects, and to make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Manager to outline the Council's approach to Hallowe'en 2013 in light of previously high clean up costs and other pressures on Council resources, and to make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Manager if he would please make a statement on the proposed new regulations for the movement/restriction of certain vehicles through the county and in particular to clarify:
when will the new regulations come into effect
what will be the effect on roads that have an existing vehicle restriction
will roads that have an existing vehicle restriction have to apply under the new regulations, and if yes under what format and who will decide
what role will the existing traffic CCTV play in the implementation of the new regulations
will the new regulations ensure that the (restricted) movement of unauthorised vehicles and traffic across designated roads and communities will be (1) easier to enforce (2) more strictly enforced
what guarantee can this Council give to residents who suffer from the movement of undesirable vehicles that the hazards caused by these vehicles will cease or be significantly reduced in the future?
To ask the Manager for a report on the fisheries facility in Corcaigh Park and to address the following:
What is the purpose of the Corcaigh Park Fishing facility?
Has the facility been in operation year to date and if yes how does usage compare to similar periods in 2012 and 2011? What has been the income to the Council for each of these three periods?
When was the facility last put out to tender?
How many tenders were submitted?
What criteria were used in awarding the contract?
What is the life-span of the contract?
the Manager satisfied that this facility is serving its purpose?
To ask the Manager for a report on the recent decision to award the Dog Pounding Service to Ashton Kennels and specifically to address the following and to make a statement on the matter:
- Does the decision comply with the following "2.—(1) Every local authority shall provide in the functional area of such authority such pounds as the county registrar shall, with the approval of the Minister, direct either generally or in any particular case, and every local authority shall maintain in accordance with this Act every pound provided by them under this Act. (Pounds Act 1935)"
-Exactly how many kennels are at Ashton??
- Do they have isolation kennels? How many kennels?
- How many dogs (from all areas not just SDCC) have been euthanized (pts) since 1st of August.
- What breeds of dogs have been euthanized (pts)
- How many SDCC dogs have gone to rescue? What rescues?
- How do they plan to deal with disease outbreaks (especially given that appear to they have lots of volunteers coming and going walking dogs)?
- What arrangements are in place for dogs that require veterinary treatment?
- If the pts rate goes up by the end of the year will the council reconsider their decision or carry on with Ashton??
- Will there be regular veterinary inspections, if yes, who will carry out them out , will it be done by the same veterinary inspectors that deemed Ashton suitable in the first place or will it be carried out by separate and independent inspectors?
- What has SDCC done to alert the public to the new venue for the dog pound and how has it been publicised - and what will be done to make people aware that the pound has moved across the city to Ashton. Dogs are often left in pounds because their owners don't know where or sometimes what a pound is. What onus is on the council to let people know of the change in service
- What role, if any, does SDCC recognise can be played by animal welfare organisations, e.g. A Dogs Life, in the rescue and welfare of dogs vis a vis the Councils obligations in this area?
- What animal welfare and rehoming implications were considered when awarding and locating a new pound contract and the rehoming of dogs by both the public and animal welfare groups; was it prioritised when achieving an economically advantageous tender?
To ask the Manager for an update on any additional cycle lanes planned by the Council, to give a report on recently installed lanes and their location, and any other cycle facilities recently made available, including in parks. To also ask for reports on liaison with the NRA on promotion of cycling in the Country?
To ask the Manager for an updated report on the number of housing units allocated by the Council in 2012 and to-date in 2013 to SDCC Applicants, under each of its housing provision schemes, including in collaboration with voluntary housing associations, and if the information can be provided in tabular form, by scheme, month and location?
To ask the Manager to give an update on its programme for additional libraries in the County?
To ask the Manager to report on measures being taken to ensure the maximum registration of eligible voters for the upcoming referendum on the future of Seanad Éireann?
To ask the Manager for a report on the provision of financial support for Festivals in the County in 2013, and how monies have been allocated?
To ask the Manager for an update on the Council's Swimming Pool Programme, and if the Government has given any indication to SDCC on the reopening of the grants scheme for Local Authority swimming pools?
Headed Items
DECLARATION OF ROADS TO BE PUBLIC ROADS
(H6 no reports)
PROPOSED DISPOSAL OF PROPERTIES / SITES
(all circulated herewith)
b) Proposed Disposal of the Property at 1 Verschoyle Park, Saggart, Co Dublin
c) Disposal of Fee Simple: 4 Homelawn Villas and 4a Homelawn Villas, Tallaght, Dublin 24 to Liam and Diane Hennessy
d) Proposed grant of lease to the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board in respect of site at Tór an Rí Walk, Balgaddy, Lucan South, Co. Dublin
a) Proposed Disposal of Affordable Dwellings
(H7a) no reports)
NOTIFICATION OF CASUAL VACANCY ON SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL IN ACCORDANCE WITH S.19 OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2001 (COUNCILLOR M. McDONAGH)
(circulated herewith)
REPORT ON PUBLIC CONSULTATION UNDER PART 8 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGULATIONS 2001 - 2012 FOR PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF AN INFILL SOCIAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AT ST. FINIAN'S AVENUE, LUCAN, CO. DUBLIN - 2 UNITS
(circulated herewith)
REPORT ON PUBLIC CONSULTATION UNDER PART 8 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGULATIONS 2001 - 2012 FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF AN INFILL SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AT ST. MARK'S GREEN, CLONDALKIN, DUBLIN 22 - 11 UNITS
(circulated herewith)
REPORT ON PUBLIC CONSULTATION UNDER PART 8 OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT (PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT) REGULATIONS 2001 - 2012 FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF AN INFILL SOCIAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AT SUNCROFT, TALLAGHT, DUBLIN 24 - 10 UNITS
(circulated herewith)
Correspondence
Ministerial
Letter, dated 22/07/13, from Minister for Environment in response to SDCC's motion passed in relation to the scourge of littering and illegal dumping (M7/0513)
Ministerial
Letter, dated 08/08/13, from Minister for Transport in response to SDCC's motion passed in relation to proposed DART Underground project and proposed Electrification of Kildare Rail Line (M10/0713)
Ministerial
Letter, dated 19/08/13, from Minister for Housing & Planning regarding sum of money allocated to South Dublin County Council for Housing Adaptations (MI/0413)
Public Consultation / Review of Social and Affordable Housing Elements of Part V of the Planning and Development Act - Closing Date 27th September 2013
Letter, dated 16/07/13, from Dublin Bus in response to SDCC's motion passed in relation to the Nitelink service (M8/0313)
Letter, dated 08/07/13, from Kerry County Council regarding their request to the Minister for Education & Skills to consider the abolition of SUSI and the return of the administration of the Higher Education Grant Scheme to Education and Training Boards and Local Authorities, as agreed at a recent meeting of the Council
Letter, dated 10/07/13, from Monaghan Town Council regarding their 2 motions passed in relation to (a) Support hours for children with special needs; (b) Companies in receivership tendering for public contracts
Letter, dated 12/07/13, from Limerick City & County Council regarding their motion passed in relation to assessing school transport eligibility
Letter, dated 16/07/13, from Carrickmacross Town Council regarding their motion passed in relation to a piece of Immigration Reform legislation due to come before the US House of Representatives
Letter, dated 16/07/13, from Monaghan Town Council regarding their motion passed in relation to increasing all Old Age Pensions in line with inflation
Letter, dated 18/07/13, from Waterford City Council regarding their two motions passed in relation to (a) Waterford Crystal workers; (b) Trafficking, abuse and exploitation of women & girls in Waterford and throughout the country
2 x Letters, dated 19/07/13, from Offaly Co. Council regarding their motions passed in relation to:-
i) The importance of Community Care;
ii) Supporting the radical reform of Seanad Éireann
Letter, dated 24/07/13, from Dundalk Town Council regarding their motion passed in relation to official recognition status for Irish Sign Language
Letter, dated 01/08/13, from Macroom Town Council regarding the abolishment of Town Councils
Letter, dated 07/08/13, from Dublin Regional Authority regarding their motion passed in relation to Good Weather and Litter and Alcohol
Letter, dated 07/08/13, from Kildare County Council regarding their two motions passed in relation to:-
(1) Allocation of Funding for proposed Reform of Local Government;
(2) The ongoing Housing Crisis in the Local Authority Sector
Letter, dated 16/08/13, from Limerick City & County Council, regarding their motion passed in relation to Free Legal Aid
Motions
Mayor's Business (1)
That this Council notes with grave concern the lack of clarity with regard to funding streams and levels of funding available to local authorities in the wake of the introduction of the Local Property Tax; that this Council calls on the Government to immediately clarify all issues with regard to funding streams and levels ahead of Budget 2014; and that this Council calls on Government to ensure that the funding available to this local authority through the LPT, motor tax or other channels is significantly in excess of the previous arrangement under the Local Government Fund.
Mayor's Business (2)
That this Council, welcoming the recent limited Jobs Stimulus programme, calls on the Government to further resource the building of social housing in this county and, for future schemes, to include as a condition the requirement for local people to be employed in the construction of such houses.
Recognising that Ireland has the highest rates of Prostate cancer in Europe and amongst the highest in the World, this Council calls on the Minister for Health to introduce a programme of screening for Prostate Cancer, in an effort to reduce the risk factor to men and increasing the prospect of early detection and cure.
That South Dublin County Council supports the campaign of the Restaurants Association of Ireland to keep the VAT rate for tourism and hospitality at 9% into 2014 and beyond.
That this Council calls on the Minister for Finance to extend the reduced 9% VAT rate introduced by the Government on the 1 July 2011 to restaurant and catering services; hotel and holiday accommodation; hairdressing services etc. in the forthcoming budget.
That South Dublin County Council supports the campaign of the Restaurants Association of Ireland to keep the VAT rate for tourism and hospitality at 9% into 2014 and beyond and that the Manager is herby requested to write to the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Tourism to convey the wishes of the elected members in this regard.
That this Council calls on the Manager to ensure that the Choice Based Letting scheme is fully explained again to all housing applicants on the waiting lists and that Pin Numbers are made known to and available to all on the lists. To further provide a manned dedicated computer terminal at the Customer Services desks in Tallaght and Clondalkin, on Friday, Monday and Tuesday and to request that all the Libraries in the County and the Community Centre Network, facilitate and assist customers who wish to check availability of housing on the website, on the same days.
That this Council supports the temporary use of derelict sites within the County as "Pop-up" passive recreational public spaces that will benefit the citizens of SDCC
That this Council, noting that current direct awards contracts to Dublin Bus are due to expire in 2014, calls on the National Transport Authority to exercise the functions provided for in Section 52(6) of the Dublin Transport Act 2008 to conduct a review of direct award contracts for public bus services in the Greater Dublin Area, to include consultation with local authorities, elected representatives, commuters and business interests; and further, yet again, calls on the NTA to engage with elected members of this Council on the current review of bus services in the County.
That the Manager provides a copy of the Council's written policy on the welfare of dogs and how it relates to the practice of providing for stray and surrendered dogs together with a report on how it relates to legislation in this area and how it is applied in practice especially in how the Council responds to and deals with stray and surrendered dogs, the role of private companies / servers / kennels, the role of voluntary animal welfare organisations, the total cost to the Council per annum over the past three years, what room if any for improvement of the service and that a discussion take place on the matter.
That this council opposes the new broadcasting "iPad" charge
That this Council calls on the Manager to make additional efforts to establish some type of forum or grouping that would include SDCC, An Garda Síochána and representatives from the banks to deal with the escalating problems of repossessed homes in our Estates that are left unsecured which is causing enormous problems for residents with anti-social youths taking over the homes with the banks seemingly unconcerned with the damage done to their assets or the social problems that are caused by their abandonment
That the Manager would make a Report for discussion at the meeting on measures being taken by the Council to put in place new Council operated Community Employment Schemes under the recent Government initiative for Local Authorities.