Headed Items
CONFIRMATION AND RE-AFFIRMATION OF MINUTES
Minutes of Meeting of South Dublin County Council, 14th July 2014
(circulated herewith)
REPORTS OF AREA COMMITTEES
a) Rathfarnham/Templeogue-Terenure Area Committee - 9th September 2014
- Dealing with Public Realm, Water & Drainage, Housing, Community (1 report - Community Grants), Planning, Transportation, Economic Development, Libraries & Arts, Corporate Support, Performance & Change Management
b) Tallaght Area Committee - 8th September 2014
- Dealing with Public Realm, Water & Drainage, Housing, Community (1 report - Community Grants), Planning, Transportation, Economic Development, Libraries & Arts (1 report - Arts Grants), Corporate Support, Performance & Change Management
(all circulated herewith)
STANDING COMMITTEES - ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE & FINANCE COMMITTEE
a) Report on Conferences/Seminars
b) Appointment of Chairperson to Local Traveller Accommodation Committee (LTACC) (Cllr. G. O'Connell)
c) Closing Date & Time of Council & OPF meetings
d) Amended Calendar of Meeting Dates
(all circulated herewith)
STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES
(H4 no reports)
REPORTS REQUESTED BY AREA COMMITTEES
(H5 no reports)
Questions
To ask the Chief Executive to report on the number of children given cycling lessons by the Council in schools across the County in the past year?
To ask the Chief Executive to list all the schools which are currently located within temporary accommodation in the County and provide a detailed report on any discussions which have taken place with the Department of Education in order to move the listed schools to permanent accommodation?
To ask the Chief Executive to provide a report outlining how many people are currently on the priority housing list after being certified qualified due to medical grounds. Can the chief executive please provide a breakdown by North and South of the M50 and also by year applicants first became eligible and are still waiting to be housed under these grounds. Can the Chief Executive also provide some statistics outlining how long the average person spends on this list prior to getting housed under this criteria?
To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the introduction of the new 2014 Control of Horses Bye-Laws and how the council intends to manage the implantation of these new laws with a view to tackling the issue both for communities and the animals that are being kept in inappropriate conditions and are often maltreated?
To ask the Chief Executive to report on the council’s plans for family-focused celebrations of Halloween with a view to promoting community spirit in the county and to offer safe options for marking the holiday outside of illegal bonfires?
To ask the Chief Executive if the recent increase in rents has had an impact on the council’s negotiations with landlords to take part in the RAS scheme and if there has been any effect on the number of landlords willing to take part in the scheme?
To ask the Chief Executive how many window and door replacements have been carried out in the county this year, how many are planned for the rest of the year and how long is the average waiting list for such replacements?
To ask the Chief Executive how it intends to choose households for energy retrofitting using the grant of over €850,000 that was recently allocated to this authority by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government?
To ask the Chief Executive how many people of 65 years and over are on the Council's housing list or are awaiting accommodation of some kind in South Dublin?
To ask the Chief Executive what is the average waiting time for people 65 and over who are on the Council's waiting list?
To ask the Chief Executive to update me on progress made regarding the window replacement programme by area?
To ask the Chief Executive for the number of litter fines issued in the county to date this year together with penalties and summonses?
To ask the Chief Executive if he is satisfied that the roads in the county that share space with bus lanes are adequate in terms of safety and that the mining and signing of same is sufficient?
To ask the Chief Executive what steps are being taken to ensure user safety in our parks, particularly children, and particularly in Sean Walsh Park, where incidents of assault have been reported in the recent past - what measures are taken to combat such incidents and has the council requested the assistance of An Garda Siochána?
To ask the Chief Executive for a report on efforts to improve the energy efficiency of the public lighting in the County?
To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed update on the ongoing studies of potential hydro-electric schemes in the County?
To ask the Chief Executive for a report on plans for capital improvement projects under the Villages Initiative?
To ask the Chief Executive for an update on the water safety risk analysis of waterside areas of public parks in the County?
To ask the Chief Executive when the new SPC's will be in place and operational, and to make a statement on the envisaged role of each SPC in the work of this Council into the future?
Chun ceist a chur ar an mBainisteoir faoin stratéis atá ag an Chomhairle Chontae ar forbairt na Gaeilge; chun ról atá ag an Oifigeach Gaeilge a shoiléiriú; cén Coiste Polasaí Strátéiseach a bhaineann leis an Ghaeilge; cén polasaíthe atá ann chun ceisteanna as Gaeilge a fhreagairt ón Comhaireleoirí agus baill den phobail; cén todhchaí a mbeidh ar Seachtain na Gaeilge ÁCT; agus cé atá i gceannais chun nascanna a coimeáid leis an phobail Gaeilge inár Chontae?
To ask the Chief Executive about the strategy the County Council has in relation to the development of Irish; to clarify the role of the Irish Officer; Which SPC relates to the Irish; what are the policies to answer questions from the councillors and members of the public; what is the future of Seachtain na Gaeilge Átha Cliath Theas; and who is responsible to maintain connections with the Irish speaking community within our council?
To ask the Manager to provide an update on tourism promotion in the County, and to state how plans to support and increase tourism will be developed in the time ahead?
To ask the Manager to make a statement on the Council's commitment to combating and adapting to climate change, and to state how Council policies in this area will be developed, implemented and reviewed in the time ahead?
To ask the Chief Executive what percentage, in value terms, of contracts awarded are awarded to companies based in the South Dublin County Administrative area? and is this a factor when awarding contracts when all other factors are equal?
To ask the Chief Executive the value of commercial rates not collected in 2013 due to premises being vacant in the County and also what is the policy of the Council regarding commercial rates if a premises is partly occupied ie what percentage of rates is charged?
To ask the Chief Executive to provide a report on progress made to date in implementing motion 4 passed at the July 2014 Council meeting on the issue of electric car charging points?
To ask the Chief Executive for a report on the Commemorations Committee and the development of plans for a programme of events to mark the centenary of 1916?
To ask the Chief Executive to report on actions being taken throughout the County with the menace of Dog Fouling?
To ask the CEO to outline actions being taken by the Council to deal with the growing problem of "Cars for Sale" signs which are now creating much concern in the County?
To ask the Chief Executive to report to the Council on plans for the regeneration of our Villages?
To ask the Chief Executive to report on plans for Playspace facilities throughout the County?
To ask the CEO to report on any contact and discussions he has had with the Department of Environment and Local Government in respect of the need for a new Tenant Purchase Scheme?
To ask the Chief Executive how much revenue has been generated from development levies in South Dublin over the past five years?
To ask the Chief Executive how many requests for dog fouling and Neighbourhood Watch signs have been received by the Council for the past three years and how many such signs have been erected?
To ask the Chief Executive how many requests for tree pruning and tree removal the Council have received over the past three years and how many trees have been pruned and removed throughout the area during the past three years?
To ask the Chief Executive to provide a report on bus lanes which are currently not been used by a regular bus service and to confirm why they are currently not in use and to ask if due consideration could be given to opening up these unused bus lanes to general traffic?
Further to the dog litter campaign could the CE confirm if there are plans to increase the number of dog litter bins in the county particularly in and around public parks?
Considering the amount of submission received on Local Property Tax was extremely low and it doesn’t represent the general public opinion in South Dublin County Council could the CEO confirm the cost involved of running this Public Consultation (Submission process)
To ask the Chief Executive for a full list of Boarded up houses in SDCC and what plans are in place to make these Liveable?
To ask for an update on all proposed playgrounds in SDCC, what are the costs of same? What funds are available? What locations have been agreed? What is schedule of work for same?
To ask the Chief Executive what can be done to stop and prevent the putting up of illegal signs offering “Cash for cars“ and similar such signs all pasted on road signs, Light posts etc. throughout your SDCC?
Headed Items
DECLARATION OF ROADS TO BE PUBLIC ROADS
- Ballymount Cross Industrial Estate
- Templeroan Mews
- Limekiln Lane (part of)
- Belgard Square West, Tallaght
- Arena, Whitestown Way, Tallaght
(circulated herewith)
PROPOSED DISPOSAL OF PROPERTIES / SITES
(all circulated herewith)
H7b) Acquisition by purchase of Fee Simple in 34 Castle Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24
H7c) Acquisition by purchase of Fee Simple 23 Lealand Grove, Clondalkin, Dublin 22
H7d) Acquisition by purchase of Fee Simple 27 St Patrick's Cottages, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14
H7a) Proposed Disposal of Affordable Dwellings
(no reports)
H7e) Small Builders Scheme-Proposed Disposal of Fee Simple Interest at 11 Ashwood Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
H7f) Proposed disposal of land to John and Jean Berns, Gerard Berns and Ciaran Reilly at Mill Road, Saggart, Co. Dublin
H7g) Proposed disposal of plot of land at Firhouse Road and Killinniny Road Junction to Minister for Education and Skills
H7h) Proposed disposal of plot of land at Brookfield Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 to Elim Trust Corporation
PART 8 REPORT ON CLONDALKIN ROUND TOWER PROJECT
(circulated herewith)
LPT VARIATION
(circulated herewith)
SECTION 85 AGREEMENT REGARDING PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT RUNNING THROUGH KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL AND SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL'S ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS
(circulated herewith)
AUDIT COMMITTEE - APPROVAL OF EXTERNAL NOMINATIONS
(circulated herewith)
ADOPTION OF SCHEME FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES
(circulated herewith)
MEMBERSHIP OF THE LCDC – LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
(circulated herewith)
VILLAGE ENHANCEMENT SCHEME
(circulated herewith)
Correspondence
Departmental
Circular Letter Housing 39/2014, dated 09/09/14, received from Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in relation to Social Housing Investment Programme, 2014
Ministerial
Letter, dated 29/08/14, from Minister for Skills in response to SDCC's letter regarding Suspensory Motion passed at July 2014 Council meeting, opposing the closure of Dominic's VTOS (SM3/0714)
Email, dated 29/05/14, from Monaghan Town Council in support of SDCC's motion passed in relation to the introduction of Mandatory Oxygen Saturation screening (M20/0414)
Letter, dated 05/08/14, from Donegal County Council regarding their motion passed in relation to support for people of Palestine
Letters, dated 19/08/14, from Kerry County Council seeking support for their motions passed in relation to:-
(i) Church Gate Collections
(ii) Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act
(iii) Planning Ref. 13/493
Acknowledgement, dated 28/08/14, from Courts Service of receipt of submission from SDCC regarding motions passed in relation to the proposed closure of Tallaght Courthouse (M17 and M20/0714)
Correspondence regarding an Update on Dublin Waste to Energy Project (previously circulated on 8th September 2014)
Correspondence from AILG regarding the merger of the Association of County and City Councils and the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland
Motions
Mayors Business
To ensure South Dublin County Council are in the best possible position to build social homes when central exchequer funding becomes available, this motion calls on County Management to bring forward part eight proposals for the development of another 240 social housing units, bringing to 500, the number of ready to build social homes.
Mayors Business
Recognising the level of employment created by the food, hospitality and tourism sector and reflecting as Mayor on my own commitment towards the promotion of practical solutions to the youth unemployment crisis, I call on central Government to retain the 9% rate of VAT in 2015 to support food, tourism and jobs.
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.
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
That this Council will seek to promote mental health and well-being among the whole local population.
That this Council calls on the Chief Executive 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 Trust 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 Chief Executive 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.
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 requests the Chief Executive to present a report, for discussion, outlining best practice in attempting to maximise the collection of commercial rates. In the Chief Executive'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?
This Council supports the valuable work undertaken by the National Collective of Community Based Women’s Networks. We also support the important work carried out by the Community Women’s Networks in Clondalkin and Tallaght. We oppose the decision by the former Minister for Environment Phil Hogan to cease funding these groups through their National Network and call on the new Minister for Environment Alan Kelly to restore this funding for 2015 pending a full review of the projects and their funding, as the new Minister has done with a number of disability advocacy organisations.
That this Council urges the government to reconsider the introduction of redacted death certificates which do not reveal the true nature of cause of death especially in tragic circumstances
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 requests Irish Water to reconsider and re-analyse the whole question of fluoridation of the water supply; that this reconsideration include the latest scientific and health evidence available and to account for the continued fluoridation of water in Ireland given the opposite international trend.
That this Council provides detailed information in relation to outstanding development levies owed to the County Council and reports on the plan for recovering monies owed or, where that is not possible, creating social dividend for the local community.
That this Council support the Motion calling for the removal of fluoride in the public water supply. It is accepted that in the case of Ryan –v- The Attorney General in 1965 that the use of fluoride in public water supply was seen to serve the common good. However almost 50 years later and given the scientific evidence against the benefits of fluoride in water it is unconceivable that this practise be continued.
Ireland is the only Country in Euorope and one of two in the world to permit the use of fluoride in the public water supply.
Furthermore given the views of experts as to the side effects of fluoride in our public water supply that could be damaging to the “green image” Ireland portrays abroad.
I would also ask that in supporting this Motion that the saving of €4,000,000 by not imposing fluoride in the public water supply be used as part of a public awareness campaign around dental hygiene. I would contend that in the 50 years since the Ryan case that the common good has now shifted away from the use of fluoride in water and now the common good is best served by removing fluoride from the public water supply.
That this Council calls on the Chief Executive to prepare proposals, to be funded out of the capital budget and to be included in the next Rolling Capital Programme, for a modest and affordable construction programme to provide new pavilions in a small number of key parks throughout the County, for the purposes of replacing temporary containers in these parks and providing purpose-built changing facilities and meeting rooms for use by smaller sports clubs.
That this Council writes to the Minister for the Environment asking him to review the Litter Pollution Act with a view to significantly increasing on-the-spot fines on a rising scale for a range of offences with a corresponding increase in fines administered in court by a judge; and furthermore, in line with the existing provisions of the Litter Pollution Act, immediately carries out a review of its own litter management plan, in consultation with councillors, to see what amendments can be made through enforcement, education and creativity within the existing legislation to reduce the scourge of littering and illegal dumping in the county.
That this Council confirms its strong support for the campaign to stop the proposed closure, by the Courts Service, of Tallaght Courthouse.
As part of Health and Well Being Week 2014 this Council calls on the relevant Department (Community Services) to initiate an open forum, in Tallaght, on the Direct Provision Programme and invite occupants from Direct Provision Centres in the county and beyond to speak on their experience of said programme. Invitations should be extended in advance of the scheduled event in Tallaght Stadium on September 29th
That this Council calls on the Minister for Social Protection calling on her to urgently rectify the legal loophole that allows for the reckless practice of informal insolvency by rogue employers leaving workers unable to access their statutory entitlements.
South Dublin County Council does not support the development of a national waste incinerator in the Dublin Docklands and Poolbeg peninsula.
In order to help clear the large back log of tree pruning and tree removal in our residential areas, I propose that this Council request that the Chief Executive employ outside contractors on an economic basis to supplement the excellent work being done by the County Council staff in trying to keep this problem at bay, so long as it does not have adverse effects on the employment situation within the council
That the Chief Executive present a report, for discussion, on the amount of property tax received per electorial area by south Dublin County Council to date.
That this council passes a motion voicing our opposition to the Student Services charge, which is effectively a tax on apprenticeship and is contributing to the further marginalisation of our young people, especially those from low income families and is creating a further barrier to them improving their employment prospects.
That this Council agrees to reduce the speed limit from 50kph to 20kph within housing estates in support of Jake's Legacy Campaign, together with speed bumps to be placed in all existing residential estates. Jake Brennan was struck by the car in a cul de sac near his Kilkenny home in June and his family believe if the speed limit was lower, he would still be here today.
That this Council, noting the impact of staff cutbacks in recent years and continued pressure on Council services, calls on Government to remove the moratorium on recruitment in local authorities in order to allow for the recruitment of staff in key areas.
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.
That this Council calls on the Restaurant Association of Ireland to impose a boycott on all Israeli goods such as but not exclusively vegetables and herbs which are widely used in the Industry until at least such time that the Israeli imposed blockade on Gaza is lifted. We have all witnessed the horror of the Israeli war machine recently and the continued blockade on Gaza continues to have hugely negative impact on the quality of lives of Civilians there living in a virtual prison. This Council calls on this boycott to be introduced without delay.
Noting the recent case of a migrant woman who, pregnant as a result of rape and despite suicidal ideation, was denied an abortion - suffering horrific physical and mental suffering at the hands of the State - this Council calls on the Government to hold a referendum in the remainder of its term so the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution can be repealed.
That this Council congratulates all Tidy Towns groups in the County on their performance in the 2014 competition; and requests the Chief Executive to arrange for a review of all individual adjudication reports, in conjunction with each local group, with a view to identifying measures which could be implemented by this Council in 2015 to support each group and to address issue identified in the adjudication reports; and to bring a report to the relevant Area Committee on such measures planned for 2015.
With the knowledge that Anaphylaxis is on rise following a W.H.O. (World Health Organisation) survey in 2010, and considering the preventable death of 14 year old Emma Sloan, in Dublin from Anaphylaxis, on O’Connell Street, Dublin after her mother was refused an EpiPen by a pharmacist as she didn't have Emma’s prescription with her. I call on South Dublin Council to give their full support to the campaign Emma’s Voice and request that HSE and Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, ensure legislation and codes of practices be put in place to ease the restrictions on the availability of Epinephrine auto injectors (commonly known as EpiPens) and other Anaphylaxis medicines and make them available in public areas, and that the Council explore the possibility of having staff training in the administering of EpiPen applications.
That this council calls on the Chief Executive to set up a task force to examine how litter and illegal dumping can be tackled in the county. This task force could operate similarly to the existing local policing and public transport committees and could include residents, elected members, council staff and other stakeholders including members of the refuse industry, gardaí and local tidy towns groups.
Emergency/Suspensory Motion
SM1/0914 SUSPENSORY MOTION - CROOKSLING HOSPITAL
The Mayor, Councillor F. Warfield, proposed and the Members AGREED to suspend Standing Orders to allow consideration of the following Suspensory Motion which was proposed by Councillor E. Higgins, seconded by Councillor C. O’Connor and supported by the Members present:
That this Council expresses its supports for efforts to keep Crooksling Hospital open; and calls on the Minister for Health & HSE to secure the hospital’s future. This facility provides an important lifeline for high dependency patients and their families; and is a vital service for the older population of Rathcoole, Brittas, Clondalkin, Tallaght as well as parts of neighboring counties.
The motion was AGREED without debate.