Agenda - May 2006 County Council Meeting

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Date:
08/05/2006 00:00
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

a) Minutes of Meeting of South Dublin County Council, 10th April 2006

(circulated herewith)

H-I (2)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Roads Department, Housing Administration, Planning Not is use

REPORT OF THE AREA COMMITTEES

a) Terenure/Rathfarnham Area Committee (2) - 11th April 2006
Dealing with Community, Parks, Environment and Housing

(no report)


b) Tallaght Area Committee (1) - 18th April 2006
Dealing with Environment, Parks, Community (1 report - Grants) and Housing

(circulated herewith)


c) Tallaght Area Committee (2) - 24th April 2006
Dealing with Roads, Planning, Development and  Corporate Services

(no report)

d) Lucan /Clondalkin Area Committee (1) - 27th April 2006
Dealing with Development, Planning, Corporate Services and Roads

(no report)

e) Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee (2) - 3rd May 2006

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

(circulated herewith)



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

STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES 

a) Environment SPC Meeting, 3/05/06 - Confirmed Minutes of Meeting held 1st February 2006

b) Housing and Social SPC Meeting, 4/05/06 - Confirmed Minutes of Meeting held on 2nd February 2006

(all circulated herewith)

 

H-I (4)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:

STANDING COMMITTEES - ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE AND FINANCE COMMITTTEE

(no report)

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

REPORTS REQUESTED BY AREA COMMITTEES

(no report)

Questions

Qu (1)
Submitted by:
Councillor R. Dowds
Responsibility:
Mary Hayes

To ask the Manager to outline the social housing options for single unemployed males living at home :-

a)  Can they go on the housing list?

b)  Is it the case that they can't avail of rental allowance because they're not on the housing list?

c)  Can the Manager indicate how single unemployed males can acquire social housing?

Qu (2)
Submitted by:
Councillor R. Dowds
Responsibility:
Breda Fogarty

To ask the Manager;

1)  How much has been received by the County Council in income from the Private Residential Tenancies Board to date?

2)  Are these funds ring-fenced to provide funds to inspect dwellings for stability?

3)  How many inspections of dwellings have taken place since the council began to receive these funds to date?

Qu (3)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Keating
Responsibility:
Paul Fleming

To ask the Manager to report on the country-wide plastic collection services, what improvement can be reported in this service and to what extent Local Residents of this county can expect the plastic collection-point service to be enhanced in the near future?

Qu (4)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Keating
Responsibility:
Jim Kilgarriff, Billy Coman, Mary Hayes

To ask the Manager to present a full and detailed report on the full extent of the anti-social related problems in South Dublin on the various departments in this County, including all costs associated with such damages?

Qu (5)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Keating
Responsibility:
Muiris O'Keeffe

To ask the Manager to report on what recent representations this Local Authority has made to the Government given the increasing traffic congestion being experienced by motorists in South Dublin and the consequential negative impact on the quality of life of the families of this county. Arising from any such representations, what improvements can be expected by the people of South Dublin and within what time frame?

Qu (6)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. King
Responsibility:
Hugh Pierce

To ask the Manager, to list the number of Council owned houses and apartments that have been damaged by fire over the past two years and list the corresponding causes identified for each of these fires and can the Manager make a statement on the matter?

Qu (7)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. King
Responsibility:
Neil O'Byrne
To ask the Manager, (A) to list the total number of Housing Estates in the County that have been taken in charge in the last twelve months and (B) to list the dates these Estates were built and (C) taking into consideration progress made towards further taking in charge how many other Estates are envisaged to be taken in charge in the next twelve months?
Qu (8)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. King
Responsibility:
Denis Bowes
To ask the Manager, to identify the reasons for the extremely significant changes in the calculations for Council tenants rent payments which has resulted in some households rents increasing by almost one hundred percent and can he make a statement on the matter?
Qu (9)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. King
Responsibility:
Jimmy Kelly
To ask the Manager, to report on progress made in relation to housing refurbishment programmes currently taking place within the County identifying the number of units refurbished to date in each area and are these numbers in line with the timeframes given at the commencement of the individual programmes?
Qu (10)
Submitted by:
Fintan McCarthy
Responsibility:
Benny Hickey

To ask the Manager to contact the Minister for the Environment and Local Government as a matter of urgency requesting an immediate review of Local Electoral boundaries in light of the massive democratic deficit that exists within the county with regard to the number of councillors allocated to each electoral area when population and voter numbers in each area are compared with other areas. Could the report presented to this meeting include a breakdown of the current situation?

Qu (11)
Submitted by:
Fintan McCarthy
Responsibility:
Denis Ryan, John Power

To ask the Manager to review the safety of all bridges that traverse roads within the county, with a view to assessing the need for the erection of decorative protective fencing to prevent the danger of objects falling on passing traffic?

Qu (12)
Submitted by:
Fintan McCarthy
Responsibility:
Neil O'Byrne

To ask the Manager to immediately ensure, from the date of today’s meeting onwards, that all Development Levies that are receipted in the Council’s Planning Department on a Countywide basis are also recorded in such a way as to enable a breakdown, electoral area by electoral area, to be provided to Councillors?

Qu (13)
Submitted by:
Fintan McCarthy
Responsibility:
Gerry Fitzgibbon

To ask the Manager to report upon what changes have been made to the Council’s three year capital programme with regard to the future of the Council’s Water Leisure Strategy in light of the fact that most of the funding for future pools will have to be provided from Council resources? 

Qu (14)
Submitted by:
Fintan McCarthy
Responsibility:
Yvonne Dervan

To ask the Manager to make a statement on the current procedure for the allocation of affordable housing within the county with regard to the need to ensure that the best use possible is made of the various sizes of housing units that become available and to make changes to the system that requires people to queue up over a number of nights in order to acquire housing?

Qu (15)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Murphy
Responsibility:
Neil O'Byrne

To ask the Manager to supply a list of all the Estate management companies for the various estates in the County where these apply. This information was due to be lodged with the Council as per the terms of planning permission?

Qu (16)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Murphy
Responsibility:
Denis Ryan

To ask the Manager when does the Roads Department expect to be in a position to level along the South side of the Naas road between the Long Mile and Red Cow junctions ? In particular when does the Manager expect to have removed dangerous metal objects sticking out of this rubble which could pose extreme danger in the event of a vehicle leaving the road?

Qu (17)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Murphy
Responsibility:
Muiris O'Keeffe
To ask the Manager what does the Director of Roads plan to do about the occasional accidents and frequent near miss accidents caused by Vehicles coming off the Long Mile Road onto the South Bound lane of Naas Road and not noticing the standard yield sign there ? Does the Director of Roads not agree that much more visible "Yield" signage is needed at this point given the layout of the junction and the volume of traffic coming through there that is not familiar with the junction?
Qu (18)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Murphy
Responsibility:
Mary Hayes

To ask the Manager are there changes due to come into force soon for the allocation of Social Housing ?

Qu (19)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Neville
Responsibility:
Breda Fogarty
To ask the Manager for a detailed update on the implementation of the R.A.S to date with specific reference to the involvement of landlords in the scheme and can such data be reported on a L.E.A basis and will the Manager make a statement on the matter?
Qu (20)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Neville
Responsibility:
Paul Fleming
To ask the Manager to outline what locations are available within the South Dublin County Council area for the receipt of  "small builders rubble", what are their opening hours and what charges are in effect for receipt of such rubbish?
Qu (21)
Submitted by:
Councillor G. O'Connell
Responsibility:
Hugh Pierce

To ask the Manager to outline the process and procedures involved where a resident, as the result of illness or age related problems, applies to the Council for a grant to adjust their home or add an extension?

Qu (22)
Submitted by:
Councillor G. O'Connell
Responsibility:
Hugh Pierce

To ask the Manager to explain the delay in processing and approving grants that would enable the sick and the elderly carry out essential adjustments and/or extensions to their place of residence so that they may live as comfortably as possible and be cared for by their family in their own community and to include in her answer how the Council proposes to remedy the situation, given the fact  that such cases are practically always extremely urgent and that the present situation is unsustainable and a source of great trauma both to the sick and to their families?

 

Qu (23)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Tuffy
Responsibility:
Breda Fogarty
To ask the Manager if he will make a report on the planned transfer of those in receipt of Rent Allowance onto a Council administered scheme for private tenants, and if he can advise who can go on the Council administered scheme and how people can apply?
Qu (24)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Tuffy
Responsibility:
Yvonne Dervan
To ask the Manager if he will make a report on the criteria and conditions which will apply to purchasers of housing units sold under the Affordable Housing Initiative( Sustaining Progress)  in April 2006, where units are sold by purchasers within ten years of purchase and if the criteria and conditions which apply to "clawback" are the same as in the case of the other two streams of Affordable Housing operated by the Council?
Qu (25)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Tuffy
Responsibility:
Yvonne Dervan
To ask the Manager if he will outline the measures taken by the Council to ensure that the housing needs of approved applicants were taken into account by the developer and the selling agent in the sale of housing units under the Affordable Housing Initiative (Sustaining Progress) in April 2006, including measures to ensure that, as far as possible, the units offered to approved applicants were appropriate, in terms of number of bedrooms, to the number of family members, including children, of the approved applicants?
Qu (26)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Tuffy
Responsibility:
Yvonne Dervan
To ask the Manager if he can advise if the estate agent involved in the selling of units under the Affordable Housing Initiative(Sustaining Progress) in April 2006 is being paid a fee in respect of the sale of each unit, how much was the fee, and was the fee included in the price of the units and paid by the purchasers, or was the fee paid by the developer, and if so did the developer absorb the total cost of the selling fees or was the cost of the fees paid from Council or exchequer funds?

Headed Items

H-I (6)
Submitted by:
Planning Not is use
Responsibility:
Planning Not is use

Proposed amendment (No.1) of the Adamstown Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) Planning Scheme 2003 

(circulated herewith)

Electric and Magnetic Fields in the Environment

 

H-I (7)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Roads Department

DECLARATION OF ROADS TO BE PUBLIC ROADS

(no report )

H-I (8)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Housing Administration, Development, Econ. & Transport Planning Dept.

PROPOSED DISPOSAL OF PROPERTIES/SITES

a) Proposed disposal of Affordable Housing (Chapel View, Lucan - 3 Units)

b) Proposed disposal of land at Brookfield Village for provision of an ESB Sub-Station

c) Small Builders Scheme - Proposed sale of Fee Simple Interest at 41 Balrothery Estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

d) Acquisition and Disposal of lands at Ballyowen Lane, Lucan.  South Dublin County Council and Fitzgibbon Brothers Ltd. / Maplewood Developments Ltd.

e) Proposed  Disposal  of plot of land adjoining 16A  Knockmore Gardens Tallaght Dublin 24 - Mr  Derek Bowes

(all circulated herewith)

H-I (9)
Submitted by:
Roads Department
Responsibility:
Seamus Fagan

Report on Part 8 Planning and Development Regulations 2001 -  Embankment Road Extension, Citywest to Belgard

(circulated herewith)

H-I (10)
Submitted by:
Roads Department
Responsibility:
Seamus Fagan

Report on Part 8 Planning and Development Regulations 2001 - Greenhills Road Re-Alignment at Parkview

(circulated herewith)

H-I (11)
Submitted by:
Housing Administration
Responsibility:
Housing Administration

Report on Public Notification procedure under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001- 2003 for the proposed modification to a previously approved development by replacing this approved Traveller-specific development with  eight group houses to accommodate members of the Travelling community with access road, boundary treatment and all necessary associated ancillary works at Coldcut Road, Coldcut, Co. Dublin.

(circulated herewith)


H-I (12)
Submitted by:
Ursula Donnellan, Development, Econ. & Transport Planning Dept.
Responsibility:
Frank Nevin

Part 8 Planning & Development Regulations 2001 - Construction of House adjacent 1 St. Patricks Road and wall between Michael Collins Park and  St. Patricks Estate, Clondalkin

(circulated herewith)

H-I (13)
Submitted by:
Community Services
Responsibility:
Community Services

South Dublin County Council Arts Development Strategy 2006 – 2010 

(circulated herewith)

H-I (14)
Submitted by:
Development, Econ. & Transport Planning Dept.
Responsibility:
Ann Concannon

Lease of land for playing pitches, Club House and ancillary services at  Killinarden Hill, Tallaght, Dublin 24 to Sacred Heart Football Club - Approval of registration of charge in favour ofthe Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism

(circulated herewith)

Correspondence

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

Letter, from Cobh Town Council regarding motion passed calling on the Irish Government to support the Kennedy McCaine Bill in suppport of the undocumented Irish People in the US.

(circulated herewith)

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

Letter, dated  11th April 2006 from Waterford County Council regarding motion passed calling on the Minister for Communications, Marine & Natural Resources to put a proper buy out scheme in place for drift net salmon fishermen of Ireland.

(circulated herewith)

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

Letter, dated 13th April 2006 from Fingal County Council regarding motion passed expressing opposition to the provision of the Strategic Infrastructure Bill.

(circulated herewith)

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

Letter, dated 20th April 2006 from Killarney Town Council regarding motion passed calling on the Government to give Free Travel Passes to Irish emigrants living abroad and also to recognise Irish emigrants reaching the age of one hundred years.

(circulated herewith)

Motions

Mot (1)
Submitted by:
Councillor T. Ridge
Responsibility:
John Quinlivan, Mary Hayes

Mayor's Business

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.

Mot (2)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Denis Ryan, Tony O Grady
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.
Mot (3)
Submitted by:
Councillor R. Dowds
Responsibility:
Paul Fleming

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.

Mot (4)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Daly
Responsibility:
Paul Fleming

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.

Mot (5)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Murphy
Responsibility:
Paul Fleming

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.

 

Mot (6)
Submitted by:
Councillor S. O'Conchúir
Responsibility:
Frank Nevin
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.
Mot (7)
Submitted by:
Councillor T. McDermott
Responsibility:
Muiris O'Keeffe
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.
Mot (8)
Submitted by:
Sen. C. Keane
Responsibility:
Gary Keogh

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.

Mot (9)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Keating
Responsibility:
Jim Kilgarriff, Michael Hannon
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.
Mot (10)
Submitted by:
Councillor G. O'Connell
Responsibility:
Muiris O'Keeffe

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.

Mot (11)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Tuffy
Responsibility:
Mary O'Shaughnessy
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.
Mot (12)
Submitted by:
Councillor T. Ridge
Responsibility:
John McLoughlin
That a report be brought regarding a finish date for the Outer Ring Road and spur to Balgaddy.
Mot (13)
Submitted by:
Fintan McCarthy
Responsibility:
Muiris O'Keeffe

That the Manager provides an update on what progress has been made in undertaking an examination of School Traffic Safety measures and to give assurances that the criteria used in prioritising schools will ensure that the most dangerous locations are tackled first. 

Mot (14)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Martin Judge
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.
Mot (15)
Submitted by:
Councillor S. O'Conchúir
Responsibility:
Neil O'Byrne
That this Council will adopt a policy of using the Irish Language in the naming of all new housing estate developments.
Mot (16)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Keating
Responsibility:
Gerry Fitzgibbon

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

Mot (17)
Submitted by:
Sen. C. Keane
Responsibility:
Maria O'Neill

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. 

Mot (18)
Submitted by:
Councillor T. McDermott
Responsibility:
Martin Judge

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. 

Mot (19)
Submitted by:
Councillor G. O'Connell
Responsibility:
Billy Coman

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.

Mot (20)
Submitted by:
Councillor R. Dowds
Responsibility:
Paul Fleming

That this council approves the following change to the disposal of 'end of life' vehicles:-

a)  That the €50 charge be scrapped.

b)  That a sum of perhaps €200 be paid to people who bring a car to an 'end of life'  unit.

Mot (21)
Submitted by:
Councillor T. Ridge
Responsibility:
Billy Coman
That this Council agree to initiate a pilot programme of a community warden service which involves a permanent presence of Council Community Wardens in areas which have need of such a service.  Particular regard to be made to the needs of the elderly and vulnerable and the supervision of play and amenity areas for the benefit of all.  This programme could save money for this Council by preventing vandalism and dumping which is a major cost for this Council and would enhance the social and visual amenity.
Mot (22)
Submitted by:
Fintan McCarthy
Responsibility:
Billy Coman

That this Council requests the Manager to outline the projected expenditure accounted for in the 3 year Capital programme in each electoral area with regard to Community Parks and Libraries (programme 6) and development (programme 4) and insists that the obvious imbalance in the even distribution of the funding county-wide is immediately rectified.

Mot (23)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Tuffy
Responsibility:
Mary O'Shaughnessy
That this Council supports the Property Path initiative and is concerned that the  allocation/sale of housing units in April 2006 under the affordable housing under the Affordable Housing Initiative (Sustaining Progress) was done by a private Estate Agent rather than the Council's Property Path, and requests the Manager to make a report setting out measures put in place by the Council to ensure that the sale of the units was underpinned by principles of housing need, transparency of procedures, accountability on the part of the developer and the selling agent, and to report on what conditions were put in place regarding "clawback" in the event of the early re-sale of units.