Agenda - September 2015 County Council Meeting

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Date:
21/09/2015 15:00
Location:
Council Chamber
Standing Orders:

Headed Items

H-I (1)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate

CONFIRMATION AND RE-AFFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Minutes of Meeting 13th July 2015

H-I (2)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate

REPORTS OF AREA COMMITTEES

(H2 no reports)

H-I (3)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate

STANDING COMMITTEES - ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE & FINANCE

a) Draft Calendar of Meeting Dates

b) Report on Conferences/Seminars

 

 

H-I (4)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Frank Nevin, Tony Shanahan

STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES

Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development

(i)  Report of Meeting Held 8th September  2015

(ii) Minutes of Meeting held 8th July 2015

Arts, Culture, Gaeilge, Heritage and Libraries

(i) Report of Meeting 2nd September 2015

(ii) Minutes of Meeting 6th May 2015

H-I (5)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:

REPORTS REQUESTED BY AREA COMMITTEES

 

(H5 no reports)

Questions

Qu (1)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Higgins
Responsibility:
Tony O Grady

To as the Chief Executive  to outline whether we have any functioning and disused phone booths on streets throughout South County Dublin

Qu (2)
Submitted by:
Councillor S. Holland
Responsibility:
Alison Scanlon

To ask the Chief Executive how many landlords have signed up to the HAP scheme?  Of these, how many of these signed up with their existing tenants, and how many were new landlords?  Please give a geographical breakdown by electoral area.

Qu (3)
Submitted by:
Councillor S. Holland
Responsibility:
Mairead Fitzgerald

 To ask the Chief Executive how many people have declared themselves homeless this calendar year, month by month?

Qu (4)
Submitted by:
Councillor S. Holland
Responsibility:
Mairead Fitzgerald

 To ask the Chief Executive how much,  this year to date, has been spent on emergency accomodation?  What is the total budget allowed for this?

Qu (5)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Leo Magee, Brian Sheehan

To ask the Chief Executive to outline whether he has plans to employ any additional outdoor staff to bolster the Parks and Landscape and Public Realm sections of the Council in meeting the demands of litter management and open space and road margins maintenance in the county?

Qu (6)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Colm Murphy

To ask the Chief Executive to outline the top ten commercial rate payers in the county together with their annual contribution in commercial rates and whether he anticipates an increase in commercial rates revenue in 2015 and 2016?

Qu (7)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Mary Keenan

To ask the Chief Executive to give details on the progress to date of the new County Tree Management strategy?

Qu (8)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Helen Griffin

To ask the Chief Executive to report on the revenue in 2014 and to date in 2015 from Litter fines:  to outline how much is outstanding from court fines and when the Chief Executive expects these fines to be paid and to ask whether the Chief Executive is satisfied with the response of the Courts Service in collecting fines due to this Council?

Qu (9)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Mary Kelly - Corporate Services

To ask the Chief Executive to report on how much has been spent on legal costs by this County Council in defending claims from the public and how much has been paid by the Council in respect of  insurance claims made by the public?

 

Qu (10)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Looney
Responsibility:
Maire O'Sullivan

To ask the Chief Executive to provide an update on the geothermal district heating proposals for the County Town, the hyrdoelectric study involving rivers in the South Dublin County area, and other renewable energy initiatives being taken by or on behalf of the Council at present, or planned for the time ahead.

Qu (11)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Looney
Responsibility:
Tom O'Neill

To ask the Chief Executive to provide a detailed statement on the current status of Members' Reps and Customer Care systems used to track representations from Councillors, members of the public and others; to ask him to state the reason for the continued problems and delays in responding to Councillors and others using these systems; to state what impact staff changes have had on these systems; to state whether he believes the running of these systems has been adequate; and to state what plans he has in place to deal with the backlog of queries and the likely increase in representations in the run up to the general election.

Qu (12)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Looney
Responsibility:
Philip Murphy, Mairead Hunt, Jennifer McGrath

To ask the Chief Executive to provide details of all pro-social, family-friendly activities supported or organised by SDCC for Hallowe'en this year; for details of planned environmental activities around Hallowe'en this year, including bonfire clean ups; to state what liaison is taking place with Gardaí, community organisations and businesses; to state the projected costs involved, broken down by Council department/division; and to make a statement on the matter.

Qu (13)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Looney
Responsibility:
Yvonne Dervan

To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed update on the provision of social housing in and by SDCC, and plans for such in the time ahead.

Qu (14)
Submitted by:
Councillor R. McMahon
Responsibility:
Colm Murphy, Philip Murphy

To ask the Chief Executive how many Community and Sports Clubs have been contacted and how many have applied for the partial exemption from commercial rates and to give a summary report on the financial benefit to the clubs in the County. Also please provide a list of possible clubs in the County who potentially qualify for this scheme. 

Qu (15)
Submitted by:
Councillor R. McMahon
Responsibility:
Michael Hannon, Brian Sheehan

To ask the Chief Executive to do a study regarding the Play Space Roll Out  programme across the County and  in particular to try and ascertain why the Play Space at The Park Community Centre in Ballycullen, is not as successful as the other Play Spaces around the County and to report back to this Council on its findings. 

Qu (16)
Submitted by:
Councillor R. McMahon
Responsibility:
Frank Nevin

To ask the Chief Executive as to what role the Council can play to ensure that there is a redevelopment or upgrading of shopping centres in the County 

Qu (17)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. O'Brien
Responsibility:
Frank Nevin

To ask the Chief Executive to list all saleable assets currently in the possession of the County Council and the current use of the said assets.

Qu (18)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. O'Brien
Responsibility:
Denis Bowes

To ask the Chief Executive to confirm the number of void housing units currently in the County Council housing stock

Qu (19)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. O'Brien
Responsibility:
Billy Coman

To ask the Chief Executive to confirm the amount of capital received, if any, from central government for the purchase, construction or repair of housing units in the past 12 months and of the said capital the amount spent?

Qu (20)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. O'Connor
Responsibility:
Tom O'Neill

To ask the Chief Executive to confirm his plans to encourage as many residents as possible to register for the Register of Electors 2015/2016 appreciating that this particular Register is due to be published in February in advance of the scheduled date for the General Election and also noting the importance of encouraging such additional registration following the success of the process in respect of the Referendums last May.

Qu (21)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. O'Connor
Responsibility:
Alison Scanlon

To ask the Chief Executive to state the number of boarded up Council houses in each of the Electoral areas and will he confirm what action is being taken to make such houses available for allocation.

Qu (22)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. O'Connor
Responsibility:
Denis Bowes

To ask the Chief Executive if he would confirm how many houses are in the ownership of South Dublin County Council and will he give details in respect of each Electoral area.

Qu (23)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. O'Connor
Responsibility:
Hugh Hogan

To ask the Chief Executive will he confirm how many Council units of accommodation have been allocated in this calendar year and will he provide details for each Electoral area.

Qu (24)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. O'Connor
Responsibility:
Mairead Fitzgerald

To ask the Chief Executive to furnish a full report on actions taken and planned in respect of the current Homeless crisis as it effects our County; will he give details of where in the various Electoral areas these families are from and will he also detail how many Homeless families from our County are currently accommodated outside of the County and what plans he has to deal with that particular problem.

Qu (25)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. O'Donovan
Responsibility:
Jennifer McGrath

To ask the Chief Executive if SDCC has plans to expand the Bulbs for Bombfires programme this year?  It was a massive success last year, but could we do better than giving groups a single bag of bulbs this year?

Qu (26)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. O'Donovan
Responsibility:
Alison Scanlon

To ask the Chief Executive how many people have been housed within the County within the past 12 months who were not homeless, but were on the housing list.  And how many people were housed without having a medical priority for the same period?  

Qu (27)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. O'Donovan
Responsibility:
Philip Murphy, Anne Byrne - Community

To ask the Chief Executive what training, if any, has been offered to communities with older people exercise equipment?

Qu (28)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. O'Donovan
Responsibility:
Mairead Hunt

To ask the Chief Executive what process is in place for companies/businesses who wish to 'sponsor' litter bins within the County.

Qu (29)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Richardson
Responsibility:
Tommy Kavanagh

Can the Chief Executive look in to the current wifi system in the building as there are times councillors can not get a connection to wifi when attending meetings ouside of the council chamber?  

Qu (30)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Philip Murphy, Maria Finn

To ask that SDCC outline what efforts are being made to combat Racism in SDCC and what initiative have been undertaken? Also to ask could SDCC produce ''SDCC says no to Racism'' Stickers to promote and encourage a more equal county.

Qu (31)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Michael Hannon

To ask the Chief Executive for an update report on the PlaySpace Programme ? is it on schedule? and to outline plans going forward? How many are in consultation stage?

Qu (32)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Billy Coman

To ask how many vacant NAMA properties are currently being sought by SDCC in order to house families and individuals on the Housing list? where possible to name such properties.

Qu (33)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Eddie Conroy

To ask the Chief Executive for a  report into the Village initiative scheme ? what stage they are at , when we can expect to see outstanding ones? and to ask for example pictures of same signage etc that will be used throughout SDCC.

Headed Items

H-I (6)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Water & Drainage

DECLARATION OF ROADS TO BE PUBLIC ROADS

(H6 no reports)

H-I (7)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Housing Administration, Water & Drainage, Economic Development, Enterprise and Tourism

PROPOSED DISPOSAL OF PROPERTIES & SITES

Acquisition by Purchas of Fee Simple - 165 Limekiln Road, Walkinstown, Dublin 12


Acquisition by Purchase of Fee Simple - 23 Owendore Crescent, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14


H/1-7(c) Proposed Sale of Fee Simple Interest at 200 Alpine Heights Clondalkin D22-Small Builders Scheme   


H-I (7) (d) Approval to registration of charge by Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport in respect of premises at Killinniny-Scholarstown Link Rd - Premises occupied by Knocklyon Utd Football Club Ltd


H-I (7) (e) Disposal of plots of land to rear 10,16, 17 Maple Grove, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin


H-I (7) (f) Disposal of lands at Hersil Wood (formerly Landy's Industrial Estate), Knocklyon Rd., D. 16


H-I (7) (g) Disposal of lands at Friarstown, Co. Dublin

H-I (8)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Billy Coman, Frank Nevin, Eddie Conroy

PART 8s

Letts Field, Clondalkin - Proposal for Social Housing

 

H-I (9)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Danny McLoughlin
H-I (10)
Submitted by:
Finance
Responsibility:
Sinead Dunne

Correspondence

Cor (1)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:

MINISTERIAL

Letter dated 22/07/2015 from Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in response to SDCC's motion passed in relation to Translantic Trade and investment (TTIP) Negotiations

 

Cor (2)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:

MINISTERIAL

Letter from Minister for Education & Skills dated 24th July in response to motion passed re EPSEN. (M1/0715)

Cor (3)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:

Departmental

Letter dated 22/07/2015 from Department of Children and Youth Affairs in response to SDCCs motion passed in relation to childcare costs (M17/0615)

Cor (4)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:

Letter from Limerick City & County Council dated 27th August regarding marketability of lands designated for the hen harrier

Cor (5)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:

Letter from Clare County Council dated 17th August 2015, regarding  removal of restrictions on Council members in assessing information regarding housing policy, housing provision, housing allocation and other housing matters.

Cor (6)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:

Letter from Leitrim County Council dated 23rd July regarding:

(i) Single Farm Payment Cuts

(ii) Fencing on Farms

Motions

Mot (1)
Submitted by:
Councillor S. Holland
Responsibility:
Tom O'Neill

That this council recognises the ongoing refugee crisis and writes to the relevant ministers asking them to open our doors to help a number greater than 600 refugees and to deploy the Irish Navy to their fullest availability in helping rescue refugees crossing the Mediterranean.

Mot (2)
Submitted by:
Councillor P. Foley
Responsibility:
Mary Maguire

To call on the Chief Executive for a scheme be developed where the council addresses the issue of graffiti removal in the cases of private properties facing out onto public areas? In many instances owners do not have the money or expertise to remove the graffiti themselves and I feel it is appropriate for the council to take this on as a responsibility.

There are many houses, schools, churches in our county which suffer greatly from the blight of graffiti and do not have the resources needed to repeatedly deal with it. When graffiti is then left on these walls the whole community suffers because the area is left unsightly.

Mot (3)
Submitted by:
Councillor R. McMahon
Responsibility:
Mary Keenan

That the Chief Executive reinstate the 2nd Tree Pruning crew with immediate effect and follow through on the commitment given to this Council last year, and allow them to help clear the excessive back log of trees that require pruning or removal.

Mot (4)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. O'Connor
Responsibility:
Yvonne Dervan

That this Council calls on the Chief Executive to present a full report on his plans to provide Social Housing throughout our County this year, confirming discussions he has had with the Department of Environment and Local Government and also confirming the schedule being followed in respect of the plans and his proposals to consult local communities.

 

Mot (5)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Higgins
Responsibility:
Elaine Leech

That the Chief Executive presents a report on 'twinning' in South Dublin County with a view to establishing / developing links with the United States of America.

Mot (6)
Submitted by:
Councillor P. Donovan
Responsibility:
Eddie Taaffe

That the Chief Executive  initiates a formal review of the SDCC House extension Design guide 2006 and proactively engages with An Garda Siochana in relation to this.

Mot (7)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Devine
Responsibility:
Leo Magee, Brian Sheehan

That increased resources be provided to the County Parks to effectively deal with overflowing bins, litter and debris that has increased over the summer months.

Mot (8)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. O'Brien
Responsibility:
Frank Nevin

That this County Council supports the ongoing efforts of the GAA to identify a site for the provision of a regional stadium and centre of excellence amongst other facilities and calls on NAMA to reconsider its decision to refuse the sale to the GAA of the former Spawell site having regard to the social, recreational and economic benefits to the County of locating such a development on that site.

Mot (9)
Submitted by:
Councillor W. Lavelle, Councillor K. Egan
Responsibility:
Philip Murphy

That this Council calls on the Chief Executive to examine the potential of putting in place a multi-annual programme of support for our County’s Amateur Boxing Clubs, including provision of sustainable, permanent accommodation; with a view to bringing proposals before the elected members in advance of future budget discussions.

 

Mot (10)
Submitted by:
Councillor B. Leech
Responsibility:
Hugh Hogan

That this Council upgrade it's specification for all new windows and doors to PVC for all new infill housing and retrofit same where necessary.

Mot (11)
Submitted by:
Councillor L. Dunne
Responsibility:
Billy Coman, Alison Scanlon

To ask the Chief Executive to facilitate a new committee that can be attended by delegates from the women's refuge in the county and housing bodies with the responsibility of managing transitional housing units in the county.  If this motion is passed, this committee should be named, The Domestic Violence Consultative Committee and should meet on a quarterly basis.  Additionally, to ask the Chief Executive to delegate one of the homeless unit staff to be a first and only point of contact for these services when referring domestic violence victims to the department.

Mot (12)
Submitted by:
Councillor A-M. Dermody
Responsibility:
Tom O'Neill

That this Council calls on the Minister for Finance to provide for an incremental increase in inheritance exemption in the next budget, the current exemption is currently €225,000.  In 2008 the exemption was €521,208 and was reduced in subsequent years to the current rate

Mot (13)
Submitted by:
Councillor F. Timmons
Responsibility:
Tom O'Neill

’That SDCC supports the survivors of mother and baby homes and the Magdalene Laundries in seeking Justice and Truth  and that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs , Dr James Reilly be written to and asked that the following action be taken on board as a matter of urgency:

  1. Free Legal advice for those attending the Confidential committee.
  2. That the issue of redress and compensation be looked at.
  3. That the narrow terms of reference be changed to include all survivors of the forced separation of single mothers and their children.
  4. That anyone attending be allowed bring a neutral observer of their choosing.
  5. That a Garden Of Remembrance be erected by state and the church.

That an Joint apology is issued from the church and state to all survivors

Mot (14)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. O'Donovan
Responsibility:
Tom O'Neill

That the Chief Executive write to the Minister for the Environment calling on him to ensure that drivers of cars over 15-years-old are not penalised by the insurance industry.  Already some insurance companies are refusing to cover cars over a certain age.  This is another attack on those less well off within our County.

Mot (15)
Submitted by:
Councillor N. Coules
Responsibility:
Tom O'Neill

That this Council calls on the Minister for the Environment to immediately act to prevent evictions, institute rent caps, and begin a massive programme of building social housing.

Mot (16)
Submitted by:
Councillor R. Nolan
Responsibility:
Martin Judge, Mary Kelly - Finance, Sinead Dunne

That this council agrees to reduce Local Property Tax by the maximum amount while calling on the Government to abolish this regressive tax.

Mot (17)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Richardson
Responsibility:
Helen Griffin

Can the Chief Executive report on the current litter act on signs erected around the county and the policy on this,

some areas in the county are littered with signs at junctions what is been done to stop illegal signage been put up .  

Mot (18)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Ó Broin
Responsibility:
Tom O'Neill

This Council agrees to invite the Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly to spend a day working in the homeless section in South Dublin County Council to witness first hand the deepening homeless crisis in the county.

Mot (19)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Looney
Responsibility:
Eddie Taaffe

That this Council calls on Government, in bringing forward the Planning and Development Bill, to waive all fees for Councillors making submissions on planning files, to substantially reduce the fees for members of the public, and to support submissions made online or by email.

Mot (20)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Devine
Responsibility:
Helen Griffin

That the Council provide a report on action taken to date in respect of illegal signage that is proliferating throughout the County and furthermore increase resources for effective "policing" of offenders.

Mot (21)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. O'Connor
Responsibility:
Billy Coman, Marie Kavanagh

That this Council calls on the Chief Executive  to present an update on the progress being made in this County, since the announcement made by Ministers Alan Kelly TD and Paudie Coffey TD on May 5 last, in respect of the projects which were approved to kick start the major social housing construction programme to be built as part of phase 1 of the social housing strategy and will he detail in his statement the exact progress made on each of the 7 projects in this County which were included in that announcement and totalled 203 units at a cost of 40.8 million euros and also include estimates of when the units will be completed and available for occupation and will he also supply full details, by grade and department, of the proportion of the "approximately 3,000 additional housing staff in local authorities including planners and architects" (as stated by the Ministers) involved in delivering the programme in this County and so demonstrate that this County  is seriously and aggressively tackling, in the words of the Ministers, this housing crisis and confirm that it will have an impact on housing waiting lists.

Mot (22)
Submitted by:
Councillor R. McMahon
Responsibility:
Tom O'Neill

Call for South Dublin County Council to “Lead from the Heart” on the current Refugee Crisis and to welcome refugee families to the county. We need to send a message to government that the county is willing to play its part in the national effort to mitigate the humanitarian disaster currently facing us all in Europe

Mot (23)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Ó Broin
Responsibility:
Jim Kennelly

This committee agrees for the Chief Executive to present a report for discussion at the meeting on the provision of electric car charging points across the county detailing the number of point currently in place and efforts of SDCC in partnership with ESB and others to increase the number of such points and to prevent illegal parking on such points.