Agenda - March 2006 County Council Meeting

CONFIRMATION AND RE-AFFIRMATION OF MINUTES

a) Minutes of Meeting of South Dublin County Council, 13th February 2006.

(circulated herewith)

• Minutes of 13th February 06

REPORT OF THE AREA COMMITTEES

a) Terenure/Rathfarnham Area Committee (1) - 7th February 2006

Dealing with Roads, Planning, Development and Corporate Services

(no report)

b) Terenure/Rathfarnham Area Committee (2) - 14th February 2006

Dealing with Community, Parks, Environment and Housing

(no report)

c) Tallaght Area Committee (1) - 20th February 2006

Dealing with Environment, Parks, Community (1 report - Grants)  and Housing

(circulated herewith)

d) Tallaght Area Committee (2) - 27th February 2006

Dealing with Roads , Planning (1 report - Development of Site),  Development and  Corporate Services

(circulated herewith)

e) Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee (2) - 24th January 2006

Dealing with Environment, Parks, Community and Housing (2 reports- 1. Emergency Accommodation; 2. Sheltered Accommodation)

(circulated herewith)

f) Lucan/Clondalkin Area Commmittee(1) - 21st February 2006 

Dealing with Development, Planning, Corporate Services and Roads

(no report)

g) Lucan /Clondalkin Area Committee (2) - 1st March 2006

Dealing with Environment, Parks, Community (1 report - Grants)  and Housing 

(circulated herewith)

• H2(c) Community Grants
• H2(d) Planning Report
• H2(e) Housing Report
• H2(g) Community Grants

STANDING COMMITTEES - ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

(no report)

STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES 

a) Sports, Recreation, Community Development SPC, 8th February 2006

b) Transportation SPC, 9th February 2006 -

       (i) Confirmed Minutes of Meeting 17/11/05

c) Economic Development (Planning & Development) SPC, 15th February 2006

d) Arts, Culture, Gaeilge, Education & Libraries SPC, 16th February 2006

(all circulated herewith)

• H4(a) Report of Sports SPC 8/02/06
• H4(b)(i) Mins of Transport SPC 17/11/05
• H4(c) Report of Economic Development SPC 15/02/06
• H4(d) Report of Arts SPC 16/02/06

REPORTS REQUESTED BY AREA COMMITTEES

a) Local Authority powers in relation to acquisition of land.

b) Telephony and Related Services in Balgaddy area.

(all circulated herewith)

• H5(a) CPO powers
• H5(b) Telephony Services

To ask the Manager to update the Council as to how he intends to proceed with the education bursary outlined by this Councillor  at the February Meeting. Will he make a statement on the matter?

• Q1 Education Bursary

To ask the Manager is he concerned that many parcels of land have been dedicated to this Council as open space, maintained by the Council but there is no title. These lands are in some cases being offered for sale, Will he prioritise the regularisation of such properties?

• Q2 Open Space Lands

To ask the Manager will he outline the entire charging system for the Arthurstown landfill and income/cost report?

• Q3 Arthurstown

To ask the Manager to update the Council on the new windows programme identifying progress made to date?

• Q4 Windows

To ask the Manager to issue a statement explaining why many people have received correspondence removing them from the waiver system of bin tags without a change in circumstance. This is causing a great deal of anxiety to all concerned?

• Q5 Waiver System

To ask the Manager is he aware that the Dublin Regional Authority are proposing closer links with the greater Belfast or Comet area. Will the Manager endorse this proposal and support the initiative?

• Q6 Dublin Regional Authority

To ask the Manager to elaborate on the outlying services by way of offices and other facilities which County Councils (a) Are meant to provide?, (b) Aspire to?

• Q7 Council's Outlying Services

To ask the Manager for a time scale in relation to the opening of the following three proposed rights of way:

1.Access to River Liffey from Mill Lane, Palmerstown and Main Street and Chapel Hill, Lucan to the Liffey Weir/ river bank?

2. Long distance walk from Kiltalawn, Tallaght  into the mountains to link with the Wicklow Way?

3. Public paths along the Rivers Liffey and Dodder?

• Q8 Rights of Way

To ask the Manager to outline policy regarding social and affordable housing?

• Q9 Affordable Housing

To ask the Manager whether he would regard it as acceptable for a builder/ developer to trade the location of social and affordable housing intended for an affluent part of our county to a poorer part of the county and could he expand on pollicy in this regard?

• Q10 Social/Affordable Housing

To ask the Manager whether or not builders/ developers have successfully traded the location of social/ affordable housing intended for an affluent area to a poorer area and, if so, could he list all the examples where this has happened?

• Q11 Social and Affordable Housing

To ask the Manager to list details of those Estate Agents, Auctioneers etc. who have been issued with fines during the last six months for the posting of signage at unauthorised sites?

• Q12 Signage at Unauthorised Sites

To ask the Manager to report on the implementation of, including the time-scale for, the review process for the speed limits on roads where schools are close by?

• Q13 Speed Limits Schools

To ask the Manager to report on the Council's policy for the installation of name plate signage at developments, estates or roads, including the time-scale for new estates. What are the regulations or guidelines for inclusion of the development, estate or road name in the Irish language to be included as part of this signage, including size of font to be used compared to the name of the development, estate or road in English?

• Q14 Name Plate Signage

To ask the Manager to report on the list of fines issued in the last six months for dumping offences, including fly-tipping, in the County.  What court actions have been pursued and to date what judgements have been delivered?

• Q15 List of Fines

To ask the Manager to report on the list of burned out cars removed in the County during the last six months and the cost incurred in these works?

• Q16 LIst of burnt out cars

To ask the Manager to list the top number of black-spots for litter in each area in the Council and to report on what course of action he intends pursuing, including time-scale, to help resolve these problems?

• Q17 Litter Black Spots

To ask the Manager how much landfill life remains in Arthustown Landfill?

• Q18 Authurstown Landfill

To ask the Manager the cost of South Dublin's contribution to Oxigen services in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005?

• Q19 Oxigen Services

To ask the Manager what the compliance rate is in the county with the Environmental Charge; how many waivers have been availed of; how many court proceedings are pending; how many residents/clients are in default?

• Q20 Environmental Charge

To ask the Manager to outline the position with regard to the Brown Recycling bin?

• Q21 Brown Recycling

To ask the Manager to report upon what ongoing monitoring takes place of aircraft noise over South Dublin given the nuisance that low flying aircraft can pose to residents? 

• Q22 Noise Pollution

To ask the Manager to outline whether or not there is a procedure in place to assess stretches of road within the county when a certain number of accidents take place on them over a period of time?

• Q23 Accident Numbers

To ask the Manager to indicate the frequency with which the Council forwards CCTV footage to Gardaí identifying breaches of 3 ton limit areas within the county?

• Q24 CCTV Footage

To ask the Manager to provide details of when it is expected that all areas of the county will be provided with comprehensive directional signage to assist people in finding housing estates as speedily as possible. This is of particular importance where the emergency services are concerned?

• Q25 Directional Signage

To ask the Manager to detail the number of ongoing unresolved planning enforcement cases with which the Council is dealing? 

• Q26 Enforcement Cases

To ask the Manager to comment upon the steps that could be taken to create a bye-law that would prohibit the parking of cars on grass margins and footpaths in residential areas for the purposes of advertising them for sale?

• Q27 Bye-Law

To ask the Manager to report upon what progress has been made in reviewing the County Water Leisure strategy and to indicate when the revised strategy will be made available?  

• Q28 Water Leisure Strategy

• Q29 Renewable Energy Grant Scheme

To ask the Manager to explain why the speed limit on the M50 from Firhouse to the Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown boundary is at 100 km instead of the usual 120 Km for motorways and if it intended to amend it?

• Q30 M50 speed limit

To ask the Manager to report on the methods used by the Council to update the Bin Collection/Waste Charges "waiver" list, to explain in his report  why (if it is true) a number of people who submitted completed waiver renewal forms in May 2005 did not have any further communication from this Council until January/February of this year when they were informed that they no longer qualify;  if the Council received many  queries from householders who complained that they could not understand from the notice why they were being turned down;  and, to make a statement on the matter including what steps have been taken (if any) to prevent such confusion in future years?

• Q31 Waiver List

To ask the Manager to explain the current policy and system whereby residents/householders can apply for an exemption or waiver for local waste management service charges (bin charges) and to include in his report when the system was last reviewed and if it is designed to take into account the fact that some of those residents who may require such a waiver may be sensitive re their circumstances e.g. have a small emergency fund set aside; experience difficulties due to literacy levels; etc.?

 

• Q32 Waiver System

To ask the Manager for a progress report on the in-house review of the Council's Water Leisure Strategy, and if it is intended to provide from inputs to the review from Councillors before any new policy document is drafted?

• Q33 Water Leisure Strategy

To ask the Manager for an outline report on the services/advice offered to Council tenants who have been served with notice of eviction?

• Q34 NTQs

To ask the Manager if he will give an updated report on the implementation of recommendations in the  Council's Report on Sustainability of Community Centres published in 2004?

• Q35 Community Centres Sustainability

To ask the Manager for a progress report on the County Arts Centre?

• Q36 County Arts Centre

To ask the Manager for an updated report on works being implemented or planned by the Parks Department to enhance bio-diversity in the County's parks and open spaces?

• Q37 Bio-diversity Parks

To ask the Manager to state when he will be in a position to extend the collection of the green recyclable bins from once to twice per month, as per the original agreement when the new collection service was first introduced, if he is planning to do this on a county wide basis, or within specific areas, and if he will make a statement on the matter?

• Q38 Green Bin Collection

FILLING OF CASUAL VACANCY ON SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL FOLLOWING RESIGNATION OF COUNCILLOR C. TYNDALL

• H6 Filling of Vacancy
• Letter of Consent from Gerard Cullen

DECLARATION OF ROADS TO BE PUBLIC ROADS

(circulated herewith)

• H.I. 7

PROPOSED DISPOSAL OF PROPERTIES/SITES

a) Proposed Disposal of Affordable Housing (2 Units)

b) Small Builders Scheme- Proposed Disposal of Fee Simple Interest at 62 Balrothery Estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24

c) Small Builders Scheme - Proposed Disposal of Fee Simple Interest at 137 Balrothery Estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24

d) Disposal of fee simple interest in site at the rear of St. Dominick’s Shopping Centre, St. Dominick’s Road, Tallaght to Lessees, Sandymark Investments Plc (formerly Rathcoole Products Ltd)   

e)Proposed Exchange of lands at Baldonnell Little with St. Francis Football Club Limited.  

f) Disposal of 1.26 acres at Willsbrook, Lucan to Tierra Ltd. 

• H8(a) Affordable Housing
• H8(a) Affordable Housing Map Maplewood
• H8(b) 62 Balrothery
• H8(b) 62 Balrothery Estate Map
• H8(c) 137 Balrothery
• H8(c) 137 Balrothery Estate Map
• H8(d) St. Dominick's SC
• H8(d) St. Dominick's SC Map
• H8(e) St. Francis FC
• H8(e) St. Francis FC Map

Report on Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 -  Tymon North Residential Cell Traffic Calming

(circulated herewith)

• H9 Tymon North Traffic Calming
• Map

Report on Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 - Limekiln Road

(circulated herewith)

• H10 Limekiln Road
• Map

Application for a Countywide Grant

(circulated herewith)

• H11 Community Grant

Approval of Registration of Charge by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in respect of site at Hermitage Park, Lucan, Co. Dublin – proposed lease for clubhouse facility to Esker Celtic Football Club. 

(circulated herewith)

• H12 Approval of Registration of Charge
• H12 Map

RIGHTS OF WAY FOR WALKERS

(circulated herewith)

• H13 Rights of Way for Walkers
• H13 Supplementary Report

Report on Increase in Environmental Waste Charge

• H14 Environmental Waste Charge

Letter, dated 20th February 2006 from Porlaoise Town Council regarding motion passed requesting the Minister for Health to replace what she has taken away from Medical Card Holders.

• Portlaoise Town Council

Letter, dated 22nd February 2006 from South Tipperary County Council regarding motion passed calling on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to allow voluntary housing scheme tenants to purchase their home.

• South Tipperary County Council

Letter, dated 27th February 2006 from Longford County Council regarding motion passed calling on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to formulate and implement a plan to rectify the current situation re collection of farm plastics.

• Longford County Council

Mayor's Business

That a report be brought re the Park and Ride proposals for South Dublin County Council.

• M1 Park & Ride

Mayor's Business

That Dublin Bus not be allowed to erect bus shelters adjacent to or outside Off Licenced premises due to disgusting behaviour and scandal to users caused by inebriated youths who use these shelters to drink and cause distress to other Bus users.

• M2 Bus Shelters

That this Council adopt a "Name & Shame" policy in regard to litter offences.

That South Dublin County Council recognises that the existing national School Transport System operated by the Department of Educational and Science and Bus Eireann was designed in another era for the principal purpose of increasing educational participation at second level, and that the issue to be addressed in school transport in the County in the new century has to do with traffic congestion, safety at school locations and pressure on parents to bring children to school by car, and requests the Manager to undertake an initiative, in consultation with the Government  to provide a Council operated School Transport System in the County. 

That the Council, as a response to damages caused to grass verges, footpaths and outside driveways, as a consequence of private development work, be it residential, commercial or industrial, introduces a bye -law or introduces the provision of a Notification Certificate for residents and businesses, that enables the Council to examine locations prior to the commencement of building/developments, as a means of guarantee that either (a) sites are restored to original order (b) the Council can charge a fee to the occupier or builder or developer , to cover the expense of reinstatement by the local authority.

That South Dublin County Council (a)  Report on the impact of composters in terms of reducing waste in our County  and (b)  Agrees to set up a pilot scheme in a given area using sophisticated food and vegetation digesters to see the impact that has on dealing with waste.

That this Council set up an information drive for the county to encourage citizens to return their bulk packaging to the point of purchase and encourage REPAK and all commercial businesses to participate in a package reduction scheme which will reduce the amount of waste and reduce the amount of costs to the local environment and business.

That Council Staff would research in Canada the cost of setting up a Re-Cycling Plant that can Handle Dry Waste from Green Bin Collection capable of separating Paper, Cans, Glass and Plastic. That the Manger would put a plan in place to ring fence enough capital from the sale of lands to build such a plant. The Plant to be in place when the current waste plan runs out in 2010. The Green Bin collection to then be extended to twice a month and for it to be carried out by directly employed Council Workers.

 

In view of recent job losses, that South Dublin County Council takes the initiative and brings together all interested parties - such as FAS, the unions, employers' organisations, local chambers of commerce, community representatives and government bodies such as the IDA and so on - to ensure that everything possible is done to promote and maintain the attractiveness and suitability of the area for new industries.

That South Dublin County Council calls on the Dublin City Manager to restrict access to the city centre (between the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal ), by vehicles of three axles and more between the hours of 7AM and 7PM unless such vehicles are carrying a permit issued by the City Manager. And that such restriction becomes effective when the Dublin Port Tunnel opens - in order that the citizens of South Dublin County enjoy the benefits promised when funding for the Port Tunnel project was approved.

That this Council takes the appropriate steps to instigate a pilot school bus project as part of its role in traffic management and road safety. Such a scheme would benefit primary and secondary school children as well as all other road users by providing a reasonable alternative to the many families who at present spend a considerable amount of time ferrying children to and from school; thereby contributing in no small part to the traffic congestion that currently plagues our communities.

 

That this Council notes the widespread damage caused by unauthorized bonfires at Halloween in the administrative area of South Dublin County Council and the widespread dumping thereof and in an effort to minimise such dumping of household goods calls on the Manager to schedule the annual Council junk collection for the month of September each year.

That a detailed report be brought to this Council outlining the actual numbers of staff working directly on anti-social issues.  The report to include staff on part time hours, maternity leave and a breakdown re Clondalkin and Tallaght areas.

That this Council recommends that we make representation to the Colombian Ambassador in London to ensure that the  military rescue operation proposed by President Uribe  to rescue hostages held by FARC be cancelled.  Mindful of the fact that FARC leaders have ordered their men to execute hostages in such a rescue operation, by proceeding in this way, it is imposing a death sentence on the hostages one of whom includes Ingrid Betancourt on whom we have bestowed the Freedom of the County of South Dublin.

That the Manager would please provide an up-to-date and detailed report on progress made to build the Council's first Skate Park. Specifically would the Manager please report on the local consultation process which I requested at the outset, with the delegation from the local Skate Board Club regarding the design, lay-out and materials to be used in the Skate Park, and the time scale for the building and completion of this Skate Park.

That this Council write to the appropriate Government Department requesting that consideration be given to (a) activating the "Amber" sequence between "Red" and "Green" on all traffic lights  and (b) inserting a "filter left on Red when safe to do " sign at suitable junctions so as to maximise the capacity of road intersections and alleviate traffic congestion.

That the Council undertakes a review of the regulations governing the siting of planning application roadside public notices, particularly in light of obvious flaws relating to where a planning application may be lodged within an estate that directly affects residents to the rear of that house but located in a different estate.

That the Council notes with concern that individuals and families who have been approved for apartments and houses under the Council's Affordable Housing Schemes are being required to pay Management Charges of € 800 per annum and more, that the requirement to pay such charges is effectively adding about € 20000 to the cost of their homes, and requests the Manager to have these charges taken into account when arriving at prices to be determined for Affordable Housing units.

That this Council will adopt a policy of using the Irish Language in the naming of all new housing estate developments.

That the Manager would report on the initial stages of the Review of the Water Leisure Strategy scheduled for the first quarter of 2006.

That this Council recommends that we write to the Minister to implement the recommendations of working group to review the management of dog breeding establishments – taking into account the two minority reports. 

That a report be brought regarding a finish date for the Outer Ring Road and spur to Balgaddy.

That that the Members discuss the process to secure the integrity of the Council's planning files and call on the Manager to improve it in light of recent failures by the Council to fulfil its obligations in this regard. 

That this Council values the role and contribution of the Community Forum and Community Platform and will positively support them by holding at least one conference per annum dealing with issues of concern to the community and voluntary sector to which the executive from both organisations, as well as the elected members of the Council be invited and by  providing each organisation with a full time support worker and by including both organisations on the relevant invitation list for council events.