Headed Items
CONFIRMATION AND RE-AFFIRMATION OF MINUTES
a) Minutes of Meeting of South Dublin County Council, 6th May 2014
b) Minutes of Annual / Inaugural Meeting of South Dublin County Council, 6th June 2014
REPORTS OF AREA COMMITTEES
STANDING COMMITTEES - ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE & FINANCE COMMITTEE 19th June 2014
a) Calendar of Meeting Dates
b) Report on Conferences / Seminars
c) Nominations to Statutory Bodies
d) Motion on Property Tax
(all circulated herewith)
STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES
(no reports)
REPORTS REQUESTED BY AREA COMMITTEES
Questions
To ask the Chief Executive to consider a review of the Councils approach to Restorative Justice Practice?
To ask the Chief Executive for a clear statement regarding the criteria for businesses premises signage and advertisment and that this be brought to the Environment SPC for reassessment/review?
To ask the Chief Executive, given the ongoing problems caused by assorted vehicles parking on grass verges within residential estates Countywide, can the CE devise effective (aesthetic) deterrents at problematic locations?
To ask that the Chief Executive to convene a meeting with those homeowners that wish to negotiate a fair and equitable cost to purchase freehold title from the landlord - which is SDCC?
To ask that the Chief Executive to provide a report on the process of outsourcing Members IT requirements - to include costing and contract?
There are a number of flood relief projects pending, across the county, which are dependent on monies being made available. To ask the Chief Executive can details be given as to the status of each project and whether - in each case - funding is available?
To ask the Chief Executive can details be provided of all EU grants applied for by South Dublin County Council - if any - over the last 5 years and whether each application was successful or not?
To ask the Chief Executive can details be provided of all Nama owned sites / properties in the South Dublin County area?
To ask the Chief Executive how does the SDCC ARV for commercial rates compare with nearby councils - DLR, Fingal, DCC, Wicklow and Kildare?
To ask the Chief Executive how much did SDCC spend in removal of graffiti in each of the last 3 years?
To ask how the Chief Executive intends to ensure that any long-term leaking problems in council houses are fixed before the installation of water meters in order to avoid householders paying unnecessary charges. And also how the council intends to deal with this issue on an ongoing basis? as residents have reported waiting quite some time to have leaks fully repaired.
To ask the Chief Executive for a timeline on the completion of work to refurbish 44 vacant houses in the area, for which funding was approved earlier this year? in order to make these units available to people on the waiting list and to continue the council’s good record of having one of the lowest rates of vacant houses of any local authority in Ireland.
To ask the Chief Executive to provide a report on the installation of covert CCTV at some litter blackspots in the county, as reported on in December, and to give feedback on the success of the CCTV in these areas and the possibility of rolling this out to other litter blackspots in the area?
To ask the Chief Executive to examine the possibility, ahead of the council taking over the payment of rent allowance, of a rule being introduced where landlords cannot ask a potential tenant by what means they intend to pay their rent before coming to an agreement to rent? This would be with a view to clamping down on discrimination against people on rent allowance which is now rampant in the private rental market.
To ask the Chief Executive to explore the possibility, in association with the staff, of introducing service level agreements for tenants needing repairs in their council homes whereby various repairs would be assigned a timeframe in which they should be carried out. This service level agreement would be then implemented when repairs are reported by tenants and agreed necessary by council staff.
To ask the Chief Executive to outline the current range of fines applicable for all litter and dumping offences in the County and to indicate the last time such fines were reviewed and when a further review is due to take place, if at all; to outline the amounts raised by Council litter and dumping fines in each year since 2004; to outline the costs of maintaining litter wardens each year since 2004; to outline the cost of maintaining bins and hand cart operationss in the county since 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Chief Executive to report on the progress of the MindMindr mental health app since its launch by Mayor Cathal King; to outline how many times the app was downloaded; how and when it was promoted; what improvements can be made to promote the app going forward; to outline what other strategies are in place to promote positive mental health and to reduce suicide and self harm through Council initiatives and in conjunction with agencies dealing with these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Chief Executive, given the relatively large number of vacant warehouses in industrial zones and to a lesser extent retail outlets, to outline the options available to the Council to facilitate startup businesses and community/sporting bodies to use vacant space by ensuring an affordable rent or to provide community services that would otherwise not be available, in buildings that would otherwise not be used, for example through incentives, short term leases or a review of the rent rebate scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Chief Executive to report on progress made under the tendering process for the Play Spaces in the 2014 Play Space programme; to outline where new play areas will be built before the end of 2014; to outline what repairs/replacement of equipment in existing playgrounds is scheduled to be carried out before the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
To ask the Chief Executive what communications, if any, have been received from Government in relation to discretionary powers of a local authority to vary the Local Property Tax upwards or downwards by 15%; whether there have been any indications or guarantees given that maintaining the charge as set out will guarantee SDCC more overall funding than the amount raised with a discretionary 15% LPT reducation applied; or whether or increasing it will actually result in a proportionate amount of funding being diverted out of the Council's finances through other reductions; if he will undertake to urgently seek such information if it has not already been provided given that this may influence the decision made by some of the elected members in terms of the rate set; and if he will make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Chief Executive, since June 2013 what has been the expenditure on the provision of impounding horses in this local Authority. How many were impounded. How many horses were rehomed and destroyed since this date?
To ask the Chief Executive to state the current number of people on our Homeless list and what their current accommodation status is i.e hostels, hotels, couch surfing, rough sleeping etc and to categorise the number into Families and other?
To ask the Chief Executive how many litter fines have been issued in the last year in comparison to the previous 12 months, how many have been paid and to break down the fines to electoral area?
To ask the Chief Executive to provide details of how many people are carrying out Council duties as part of the "Gateway" scheme and in what areas of work, can the CE also indicate whether or not they were required to carry out those duties during the industrial action measures initiated and carried out by IMPACT on behalf of SDCC staff?
To ask the Chief Executive to update the Council on whether or not funding has been acquired from the Government for the infill Housing projects that were highly publicised during the recent election campaign or is there any sign of funding coming to SDCC for this much needed housing?
To ask the Chief Executive to provide details of the sale of equipment and items from Grangecastle Golf Club including tractors, top-loaders, chainsaws and everything else that was sold. That the Manager details the amount of monies received as part of the sale, itemises the exact cost of the items price when purchased originally, was the sale of these items part of a tender process and have or will the public realm section require to purchase any of these items for their general service delivery in the near future or since the sale and can the Manager make a statement on the matter.
To ask the Chief Executive for an update in response to the repeated requests for an extension of the Village Cleaning Service to the weekends, in particular in relation to weekend litter bin-emptying?
To ask the Chief Executive for a report on the measures required and planned to mitigate noise pollution in residential areas, as identified through the Greater Dublin Noise Plan mapping exercise; and to further advise if a funding submission has been, or is to be, submitted to the relevant Government Department (this being possibility previously discussed with elected members)?
To ask the Chief Executive how many applicants have been housed by this Council so far in 2014, broken down by category (emergency accommodation, RAS, CBL, etc); to state how the Council plans to cope with the additional numbers requiring Council support in the months ahead; and to make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the plans for geothermal energy/district heating in the wider Tallaght area, and to make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Chief Executive for an update on funding and spending for 2014 for housing adaptation grants (HAGS/MAGS/HOPS) and the tenant disabled persons grants, and to make a statement on the continuation of such schemes for the remainder of 2014 and into the future?
To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the Playspace Programme, detailing where work has been undertaken to date, and to make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Chief Executive if there has ever been a survey undertaken of the estimated fox population in the County, and if so what were the results and how it compares to other similar urban areas. If not, is it possible that the CE could organise such a survey as the population of foxes in the area seems to be getting to a dangerous level?
To ask the Chief Executive for a report detailing the number of households presenting as homeless per month for the last 12 months; to detail the number of households housed in emergency hostel/hotel accommodation per month for the last 12 months; to detail the length of time each of these households has remained in emergency accommodation; and to detail the number of households referred to Threshold under the new protocol established in May in response to the rent supplement crisis?
To ask the Chief Executive the total number of people on the fixed transfer and the total number of transfers per year from the fixed transfer list since it was created including the total to date in 2014?
To ask the Chief Executive the total number of households on the housing list who are in receipt of rent supplement and to break this figure down by those in receipt of rent supplement less than 6 months, from 6 to 12 months, from 12 to 18 months and more than 18 months?
To ask the Chief Executive for a report on the progress being made to hold the Palmerstown Plebiscite as agreed by this Council on foot of my motion of November 2013?
To ask the Chief Executive for a report on the working of the Litter/Street cleaning service, per electoral area, and to include details of the roistering system, the amount of litter collected year to date and to explain how the system works from the point that a citizen reports dumping/littering to the point where it is removed?
To ask the Chief Executive for a report on the operation of the recently approved Policy on the restriction of Heavy Goods Vehicles across the County and the number of summonses/fines that have been issues, per electoral area?
To ask the Chief Executive for a report on the number and type of grants approved by this Council year to date, per electoral area?
To ask the Chief Executive for a report on the operation of “Fixyourstreet” and to include in the report what percentage of complaints are subsequently dealt with and what the time lag is between an individual logging a complaint and an update being given/available to the person?
To ask the Chief Executive to report to the Council on current proposals to create jobs in the county?
To ask the Chief Executive to report to the Council on plans to deal effectively with Homelessness throughout the County?
To ask the Chief Executive to report to the Council on efforts being made to deal with the scourge of Grafitti in the our County? -
To ask the Chief Executive to report to the council on actions being taken to promote Sport throughout our county.
To ask the Chief Executive to report to the Council on what supports are available to organisations in the County to promote and organise St Patricks Day activities?
To ask the Chief Executive to ensure that prior notice is given either via council or Irish Water if water source is being changed, particularly to harder water, to allow people the opportunity to take precautions to avoid any potential damage to appliances. Could council provide the chemical analysis of the water from the different sources currently available?
To ask the Chief Executive does South Dublin CC have any input or control of the issuing of permits to Waste Collection companies who operate within the SDCC region and does SDCC have any powers or influence in the revoking of permits?
To ask the Chief Executive will the Property tax be given to the council for 2014 - 2015, if yes what percentage will be given? And will the budget be decreased or increased if the property tax is given to the council?
To ask the Chief Executive for a list of homes purchased throughout the county that SDCC hold free title to?
To ask the Chief Executive In the last council term, a motion was passed, calling for the extension of the Dublin Bikes Scheme to the South Dublin County Council region. Can an update be provided as to the feasibility and progress of this issue?
To ask the Chief Executive Given the increase of illegal dumping across the county, will South Dublin County Council explore the possibility of re-introducing an occasional junk collection scheme, currently enjoyed by residents in Dublin city?
Headed Items
DECLARATION OF ROADS TO BE PUBLIC ROADS
(no Reports)
PROPOSED DISPOSAL OF PROPERTIES / SITES
H7b) Proposed disposal of site at Tymon North Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 –adjacent to St. Aongus Scout Den to the Health Service Executive
H7c) Proposed disposal of plot of land to the rear of 135 Woodview Heights, Lucan, Co. Dublin to Mr. Amir Mustafa Kamal and Ms. Farzana Bellow
H7d) Proposed disposal of plot of land to the rear of 136 Woodview Heights, Lucan, Co. Dublin to Mr. Andrew Canning
H7e) Proposed disposal of plot of land adjacent to 35 Pearse Brothers Park, Ballyboden, Dublin 16 to Mr. John McDermott
H7a) Proposed Disposal of Affordable Dwellings
(no report)
APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE CAPITAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME FROM DUBLIN SIMON COMMUNITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 6 OF THE HOUSING (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT, 1992 FOR THE PURCHASE OF 8 PROPERTIES IN ROSSE COURT, LUCAN, CO DUBLIN
APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE CAPITAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME FROM NORTH AND EAST HOUSING ASSOCIATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 6 OF THE HOUSING (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT, 1992 FOR THE PURCHASE OF A PROPERTY AT THE SERVITE PRIORY, KILTIPPER ROAD, TALLAGHT, DUBLIN 24
NOMINATIONS TO:
a) Local Development Company (LDC)
b) Commemorations Committee
(H10 Oral Report)
ANNUAL REPORT 2013
Correspondence
Letter from Ciaran Cannon TD dated 31st May, regarding Apprenticeship Fees
Motions
Mayors Business
That this Council calls on the Chief Executive to inform the Minister that South Dublin County Council will not be implementing Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) as a pilot scheme until such time as all outstanding issues, including their implications, are clarified by the department.
Mayor's Business
That this Council, in reaffirming its commitment to marriage equality in Ireland, supports and calls for a positive and progressive outcome in the upcoming referendum on same sex marriage, extending equal rights and opportunities to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans community under law.
Mayors Business
That this Council agrees to a code of practice among political parties and independent candidates which caps the number of election posters permitted per local election candidate.
This Council agrees to promote the use of electric cars as part of our efforts to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change. To this end the Council in partnership with ESB and the Irish Electric Vehicle Owners Association will paint or otherwise mark in green with appropriate signage those charging spaces that are on public roads and proactively engage with private owners to paint or otherwise mark in green with appropriate signage those spaces on private land. The council will also seek to have these spaces reserved exclusively for the purposes of recharging electric cars.
That the Chief Executive outline council policy in relation to signage / sign posts for local businesses and for categories of local businesses, e.g. food , restaurant, hotel, etc. does the council support proper sign posts for local businesses
That this Council:
Notes:
· That the Local Property Tax is little more than another austerity tax which will push many struggling families over the edge
· That this tax does not pay for extra local services or amenities and rather is an extra tax on people who own a home
· That each local authority has the power to vary the Property Tax by 15%
Calls on South Dublin County Council:
· To use its powers under current legislation to reduce the Local Property Tax by 15%
That this Council resolves to reduce the rate of the Local Property Tax by 15% in 2015; and further requests the Chief Executive to prepare the council budget for 2015 on this basis.
That this Council acknowledges and compliments the work of SDCC staff in maintaining our public realm in the face of significant ongoing challenges and demands. However noting the overwhelming nature of the demands and need for more frequent grass-cutting of open spaces, playing pitches, verges, cemeteries, etc; as well as the demands of local residents seek value for their Local Property tax, this Council calls on the Chief Executive to revert to the pre-2008 position of retaining external grass-cutting contractors, for the remainder of this year's grass growing season, on a cost-efficient, seasonal basis only which in no way endangers current jobs , so as to supplement and support Council staff and to generally augment the Council's own grass-cutting capacity, including ensuring full cover for staff leave.
This Council agrees that the housing department should proactively pursue those units proposed by NAMA for use as social housing. As part of this the Council should provide a report to this meeting detailing all those properties proposed by NAMA to date and the response of the Council to each proposal. Where the Council has rejected a proposal it should provide a detailed explanation as to why the units in question could not be transferred to social use.
It is very apparent in South Dublin area that people are hurting financially. The Local Property Tax and the imminent water charges are causing serious financial stress to ordinary households. I would like to propose that South Dublin County Council should be one of the first Councils in the country to address these concerns and use its legal discretion to reduce the Local Property Tax by the permitted 15% at the first available opportunity.
That the Manager, following on from the audit requested by the Government in 2009 and carried out by local authorities, carries out an updated detailed audit of sports and recreational facilities in the County, whether owned or leased by the Council, other public bodies, schools or private operators, listed by Local Electoral Area, and reports in detail to members by January 2015; that this information be cross-referenced to ascertain likely future needs for particular facilities in given areas following the publication of full information from the latest census, with a further report to be issued to members whenever this is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
This Council welcomes the Government's announcement of proposals to create a “Liffey Valley Way” as outlined in the Media on May providing it is:
-
Advanced in an environmentally sensitive manner given the important landscapes built and natural heritage of the valley;
-
Performed in full compliance with the law;
-
Complemented with necessary enhanced protection for the valley.
We therefore call on Government to ensure proposals are developed with close formal consultation and input from all the Prescribed Bodies listed for consultation regarding development in the Special Amenity Area, and key stakeholders.
We also call on the Environmental SPC to also consult with theses bodies and other key stakeholders to take their concerns and input into account in developing the Council's perspective on these proposals
I am asking the Council to Pass a Council Motion stating that in its work, the Council will seek to promote mental health and well-being among the whole local population.
That this Council calls on the Manager to commission a report with a view to establishing the correct economic parameters and opportunities to establish a transitional homeless accommodation project to meet the requirements of our homeless population similar to the hugely successful Killininny House which has been in operation since summer 2013 and is being run by the The Father Peter McVerry Thrust on our behalf and which was funded by Cllrs Conference expenses".
This Council notes with alarm the increasing numbers of families presenting as homeless within the County. As at the 27th of June there were 41 families within the County listed as homeless. This Council calls on the CEO to sit down forthwith with Respond Housing to resolve any issues regarding units which have been built but remain empty in order to release the available stock immediately.
That the Chief Executive makes provision for people who are on the South Dublin County Council housing list, but are in Emergency and Temporary Accommodation with a voluntary or other body outside of the county due to necessity, to be eligible for homeless priority status in the county.
That this Council, calls on the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Court Services to respect the views of the citizens of Tallaght and retain Court Services at Tallaght Courthouse, to the benefit of all citizens of our County.
That this Council agrees a 15% reduction in the local property tax for South Dublin County in 2015
This Council acting on behalf of its hard pressed taxpayers and concerned for the future funding of the services and facilities it provides, calls on the Taoiseach, Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to repeal or amend the current legislation setting up the Local Property Tax, which is neither a wealth tax or a feasible means of funding Local Government and replace it with a sustainable local service charge that is based on the funding of named local services, is linked on ability to pay and to general taxation in such a manner that it excludes double taxation is fair, equitable and transparent. And that the Chief Executive Officer so write to the Taoiseach and named Ministers conveying the decision of this Council and copying the County Councils.
That this Council calls for a reversal of the proposed announcement by the Courts Service to close the Tallaght Court House from January next.
That this Council requests the Manager to present a report, for discussion, outlining best practice in attempting to maximise the collection of commercial rates. In the manager's opinion are the policies of 100% rates credits for vacancies and also the policy of commercial rates debt following the tenant (as opposed to the debt following the property) worth reviewing?
That South Dublin County Council support the Travelling community as being recognised as an Ethnic Minority. We ask the Government to act on this motion.
Emergency/Suspensory Motion
SUSPENSORY MOTION No. 1 - GREYHOUND RECYCLING & RECOVERY
SM1/0714 - submitted in the names of Councillors E. Ó Broin, P. Kearns, M. Genockey, M. Murphy, A-M. Dermody, B. Bonner, B. Ferron, C. King, C. O'Connor, C. Brophy, D. O’Brien, D. O'Donovan, D. Looney, D. Richardson, E. O'Brien, E. Higgins, F. Warfield, F. Duffy, F. Timmons, G. O'Connell, J. Lahart, J. Graham, K. Egan, K. Mahon, L. O'Toole, L. Dunne, M. Devine, N. Coules, P. Foley, P. Gogarty, P. Donovan, R. McMahon, R. Nolan, S. Holland, T. Gilligan, V. Casserly, W. Lavelle, B. Leech, M. Duff and G. Kenny, was proposed by Councillor E. Ó Broin, seconded by Councillor M. Duff and MOVED without debate:
“This Council deplores the recent Lockout of workers by Greyhound Recycling and Recovery, in an effort to impose grossly inferior terms of employment without agreement.
We condemn the use of agency workers by Greyhound the aim of which is to undermine the existing workers and force them to accept lower pay.
We call on Greyhound to let workers return to work on their existing terms of employment and to return to the Labour Relations Court for discussions.
In view of the implications for the continuity and quality of the waste collection service in the County this Council directs the Manager to undertake a review of the licensing and delivery of waste collection services.
The review should look at employment practices among the licensed service providers with particular regard to levels of pay, pension and sick pay provision as well as procedures for the conduct of industrial relations and collective bargaining.
The review should also look at the quality of service to customers, the sustainability of the service and the environmental impact of the increase in waste providers in terms of carbon emissions in the county.
The report should also consider whether the interests of the citizens in the county would be best served by the return of this strategic service into the public sector.
The report should be provided to Councillors at the soonest possible opportunity.”
SUSPENSORY MOTION No. 2 - IBRAHIM HALAWA
SM2/0714 - The following Suspensory Motion in the names of Councillors E. Ó Broin, M. Duff, P. Kearns, M. Genockey, M. Murphy, A-M. Dermody, B. Bonner, B. Ferron, B. Leech, C. King, C. O'Connor, C. Brophy, D. O'Brien, D. Richardson, D. O’Donovan, E. O'Brien, E. Higgins, F. Warfield, F. Duffy, F. Timmons, G. Kenny, G. O’Connell, J. Lahart, J. Graham, K. Egan, K. Mahon, L. O'Toole, L. Dunne, M. Devine, N. Coules, P. Foley, P. Gogarty, P. Donovan, R. McMahon, R. Nolan, S. Holland, T. Gilligan, W. Lavelle, D. Looney and V. Casserly was proposed by Councillor G. O’Connell, seconded by Councillor P. Kearns and MOVED without debate:
“That this Council, acting on humanitarian grounds, being deeply concerned that an Irish Citizen Mr Ibrahim Halawa, at age 17 and a minor according to Egyptian law, was arrested during his summer holidays in Egypt in 2013 and continues to be detained in Egypt, calls on the Minister of Foreign Affairs to ensure that Ibrahim be allowed basic civil and human rights including that he be given access to his lawyer and be given the right to a proper court hearing or that he be released forthwith into the care of his family. That this motion be forwarded to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and that it be copied to all other County Councils.”
SUSPENSORY MOTION No. 3 - DOMINICS VTOS AND THE LOSS OF 20 ADULT EDUCATION PLACES
SM 3/0714 - The following Suspensory Motion in the names of Councillors K. Mahon, C. O’Connor, P. Foley, E. O’Brien, F. Timmons, P. Gogarty, D. O’Donovan, F. Duffy, E. Ó Broin, L. Dunne, S. Holland, D. O’Brien, P. Kearns, M. Duff,B. Bonner, M. Genockey, J. Graham, M. Devine, G. O’Connell, W. Lavelle, J. Lahart, R. McMahon, D. Richardson, D. Looney, C. King, B. Ferron and B. Leech was proposed by Councillor K. Mahon, seconded by Councillor M. Devine and MOVED without debate:
“This council opposes the decision by the Dublin / Dun Laoghaire Education & Training Board, on which this council is represented, to close Dominic’s VTOS Centre with the loss of 20 VTOS places in Tallaght. The council calls for a full re-evaluation of how the existing, pre-cut, quota of places in Tallaght (excluding Greenhills) can be maintained.
Furthermore the council supports the action of workers and students from VTOS to maintain said 20 places in Tallaght and undertakes to assist them in every way possible including political representation of their position at upcoming ETB meeting, and with relevant Government ministers.”