Agenda - Lucan-Clondalkin ACM (2) 23rd September 2008
Back to MeetingsHeaded Items
Confirmation and Re-affirmation of Minutes
Minutes of Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee Meeting (2) 24th June, 2008
Environment
Questions
To ask the Manager to report on current levels of recycling as a percentage of total waste and landfill as a percentage of total waste in South Dublin, broken down by electoral area and subdivided into Lucan, Clondalkin, Newcastle and Palmerstown if possible?
To ask the Manager to outline the Council's current programme and policies for controlling litter in the areas covered under the Lucan-Clondalkin Area Committee's remit, including Clondalkin, North Clondalkin, Hazelhatch, Lucan, Newcastle and Palmerstown and, in this context, if he would outline the streets and areas that have been cleaned each year over the last five years; if he would outline the next 12 month Street Cleaning Rota for all estates, roads and other areas; if he will outline what developed areas over five years old have been identified as priority due to their previous history of non-cleaning or non-taking in charge; if he would outline the rollout of litter bins in developing areas and planned progress in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Manager responsible for a report on the frequency of litter removal from the various laneways in Palmerstown over the past six months, the approximate cost and what efforts the Council have made to recover the costs involved in cleaning and maintaining the open ground along the laneway between Wheatfield Road and Oak Court over the past number of years especially now that the owners of this strip of land have recently offered to sell it to local residents?
To ask the Manager if the Environmental Services Department can arrange for an inspection of Hayden's Lane, Lucan (northern end of the Lane, beside residential areas) for illegal dumping and litter, removing material and monitoring the area for ongoing illegal dumping?
To ask the Manager if he will clarify the responsibilities of Management Companies/ Management Agents for the removal of dumped materials in common areas of estates (not in the charge of the Council) and if the Council has powers to compel the Management Company/Management Agency to deal with such problems and remove dumped materials?
Correspondence
Correspondence
No Business
Headed Items
New Works
No Business
Report on Litter Management Plan 2008-2011
Draft Action Plan in Relation to the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise
Motions
Cathaoirleach's Business
That the Manager would present a detailed report for discussion on litter control in the Lucan area. Would he set out as part of this report details of:
a. The Street Cleaning Schedule for all estates, roads and areas in Lucan, specifically the time-scale for the Street Cleaning Schedule, including details of what estates, roads and areas that are not regularly cleaned and what adjustments will be made to include all estates, streets and areas in all future Street Cleaning Schedules?
b. The immediate plans to install more Litter Bins at Bus Stops. To thank the Manager for installing Litter Bins as previously requested at Bus Stops on Griffeen Road, however what is the time-scale for the installation of Litter Bins at Bus Stops on the Newcastle Road, on Griffeen Avenue and at the west bound Bus Stop on the N4 at the Liffey Valley Centre?
That this Council prepares a strategy in conjunction with the Gardaí to prevent Halloween bonfires in view of the cost of €100,000 to clean up after same. Perhaps by spending money on a special task force to prevent this yearly destruction.
That the Manager would report on any information he has, and if none would he initiate discussions with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, on the Minister's plans to introduce an initiative to help remove cans, plastic and glass bottles from our environment? The constant presence of bottles and cans in our parks, open spaces and estates, including grass verges etc., is continuing to blight our environment and something must be done now.
That this Council, mindful of its stated opposition to a planned incinerator at Behan's Quarry, resolves to show the complete pointlessness of such a facility in the light of newer progressive technologies such as Mechanical Biological Treatment and gasification by setting up the County's first 'Zero Waste Target Zone' (ZWTZ). Such an area should be small enough to operate on a pilot basis with residents and businesses, through the auspices of the Council, being able to examine and build on best international practice from areas such as New South Wales, Australia and Guelph, Ontario, Canada, with the aim of reducing landfill to a bare minimum and making reduce, re-use and recycling the cornerstone of day to day living and working. This could include a 'wet-dry' collection and sorting system, reverse vending machines and other incentives. While areas within the remit of the Lucan-Clondalkin Area Committee could be considered, members of this Area Committee are asked, in passing this motion towards the full Council, to recommend Rathcoole as the pilot zone. Rathcoole is compact enough as an area and has residents who are already motivated to fight the incinerator threat and who would welcome such a scheme with open arms.
That the pedestrian entrance to The Covert from Kennelsfort Road be targeted for special attention by the Anti-Litter and Anti-Graffiti squads and that a concerted effort be made to maintain it in a presentable manner out of respect for the residents who have to use it on a daily basis.
That this Committee congratulates the Lucan Tidy Towns Committee, and the residents and business community on the achievement of a Bronze Award in the National Tidy Towns Competition and recommends that the Council provide every support possible to the Tidy towns Committee in support of its entry into the 2009 competition.
That the Manager would present a detailed report on flooding events in the Lucan and Palmerstown areas following the recent heavy rainfalls. That the Manager would also agree to meet with a deputation from Lucan Village Traders to discuss what additional support can be provided in Lucan village to help prevent flooding at times of particularly heavy rainfall, as was experienced again on a number of occasions recently.
Housing
Questions
To ask the Manager how many individuals or families have been evicted for anti-social behaviour in the last 12 months, how many warnings have been issued and in what estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Manager what sanctions can this Council impose on tenants who cause excessive noise nightly to the severe annoyance of their neighbours?
To ask the Manager for a map showing both present and proposed Traveller accommodation in North Clondalkin?
To ask the Manager for a site meeting at 38 Alpine Heights, Clondalkin to deal with anti social activities?
To ask the Manager for a summary report on the number of Affordable Housing units which have become available since January 2008 under Part V in the Lucan and Clondalkin Electoral Areas, and how many more units are expected to become available during the remainder of the year?
To ask the Manager if there has been any progress by the Housing Department in arranging the special meeting (in committee) of the Local Area Committee to discuss issues relating to the Council's housing development at Balgaddy, as agreed some months ago?
Correspondence
Correspondence
No Business
Headed Items
New Works
No Business
Report on Housing Construction Programme
Report on Implementation of Traveller Accommodation Programme
Report on Social & Affordable Housing
Motions
Cathaoirleach's Business
No Business
That the locked lane serving houses 1 - 7 (odd numbers), Lindisfarne Lawn, Clondalkin be examined and fenced so as to prevent incursions of people climbing over walls.
That this Committee calls on the Housing Manager to state what the delay is in housing applicants in the Kilcronan infill housing project and when will these units be allocated?
That this Council engages in a proactive programme of retrospective insulation of all its housing stock to ensure that citizens of the County, and in the first instance the most vulnerable in our society, are protected against rising energy prices, which will continue to rise as oil and then gas peak; which will also have the secondary effect of reducing this country's carbon emissions and fines under Kyoto; and to ensure that any social or affordable housing stock being handed over to the Council by developers is subject to insulation and passive heating regulations that exceed the current Government regulations and set an example for the rest of the country to follow.
Community
Questions
To ask the Manager for an update on what is happening to the Library site in Clondalkin?
To ask the Manager to present a detailed and up-to-date report following my earlier requests, including the feasibility for a Horse Project in the Clondalkin area? Since my most recent representations, there is now increased ownership of horses in the Quarryvale and North Clondalkin areas and local residents, including many young people, have no safe and appropriate facilities where these horses can be kept and cared for.
To ask the Manager for an updated report on the Palmerstown Community Centre, and when it is anticipated the Centre will be open to the public?
Correspondence
Correspondence
No Business
Headed Items
New Works
No Business
Application for Grants
Library News Events
Motions
Cathaoirleach's Business
That the Manager would present a detailed report for discussion on two key facilities that have been identified as required by the Lucan community:
a. The New Lucan Sports and Leisure Centre, incorporating the Lucan Swimming Pool, now so many years overdue
b. The All-Weather Pitches Project, promoted by the five Lucan Soccer Clubs, to provide all-year round soccer playing facilities for more than sixty football teams
In the absence of any government funding to-date, including Lucan projects being omitted from this years recent Sports Capital Grants announcement, and the ongoing delays in the re-opening of the Swimming Pool Programme, what hope does the local community have, including definite time-scales at this very late stage, of seeing these two key sporting and recreational infrastructural projects provided?
That the Manager presents an up to date report on the locked gate on the lane up to the Clondalkin Sports & Leisure Centre.
To thank the Manager for all the consultation and preparation during the last number of years in providing Lucan's 1st Youth Café. This facility promises to be of enormous benefit to the young people of this Community. Would the Manager please report in detail on what additional financial support this Project expects to receive, including from the Health Services Executive, to provide additional and necessary staffing for Lucan's 1st Youth Café in addition to the great support from the Youth Services and the Volunteer Sector, so that Lucan's 1st Youth Café will be made available on a more regular basis to the young members of our community, in the same way as the Gaff for example, the established Youth Café in Galway, has received such financial support from the Health Services Executive in that region for staffing requirements. It is through more regular opening hours and associated staffing supervision, that Lucan's 1st Youth Café can achieve its full potential in supporting our young people with this facility in an alcohol and drug free environment.
That South Dublin County Council would assist in conjunction with Deansrath Community College to foster boxing skills in view of very successful boxing demonstration held recently in the College which attracted a huge attendance of local youths and many parents. One of College's staff holds boxing qualifications and has been inundated with requests from students and parents seeking to set up a club.
That the Manager takes steps to honour the commitment given to the late Cllr Fintan McCarthy during discussions on the Water Leisure Strategy in 2006 that the Council would provide a swimming pool for Lucan at Lucan Sports and Leisure Centre, irrespective of whether the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism reopens its Swimming Pool Programme which the Council unfortunately missed out on in 2000; This commitment, following years of pressure from the Green Party and others and indeed a very large number of families in Lucan who directly contacted the Manager with a petition. And also that the Manager equally respects the spirit of the commitment given to the late Mayor of South Dublin Cllr Billy Gogarty who was told by a senior official, early in his term, that the Council would aim to have him turn the sod for the facility by June 2008, suggesting clearly that this was in the pipeline. Recent replies to questions from members of this Council indicate a dilution of this commitment, especially since January 2008 and the Council needs to honour the memory of two of its members by recommitting to its promise, given that such a long-anticipated and very much needed pool would be commercially viable from day 1 and this motion requests that the Manager start the process of construction while simultaneously actively seeking any Government support funding that may become available.
That the Manager would present a detailed report on consideration given to my earlier request for support for the Lucan Community Festival 2009. Such a Festival would be of great benefit in enhancing the quality of life of a growing and developing community. Perhaps beginning with a weekend, say for example linked with St. Patrick's Day, the Lucan Community Festival 2009 would provide an opportunity to showcase local music, dance and performing arts, food exhibitions, including diverse cultures, sport, history, culture, folklore and more - a community celebration of all that is good in Lucan.
That this Committee recommends that South Dublin County Council attempts to acquire the front part of the Lexington site in order to expand facilities at the Clondalkin Library.
Parks
Questions
To ask the Manager to outline how many acres of orchard are currently in public and private ownership in South Dublin, if he is aware the thousands of tonnes of apples, organic and otherwise that are imported from other EU countries and the Southern Hemisphere each year, clocking up millions of air miles and, in this context, would he examine the setting aside of more acreage in the county's parks for orchards, nut trees and other food resources that would enhance biodiversity, be a valuable learning aid to school children. As a start, would the manager investigate the possibility of a walled garden in Corkagh Park, Liffey Valley Park or Griffeen Park?
To ask the Manager to present a report on the possibility of clearing glass off the grass before the grass is cut in the Woodford/Knockmitten area and in Lealand Estate as pets and people are being cut from the glass?
To ask the Manager to agree to give consideration to the provision of a special and restricted area in our parks to provide freedom for dogs, who are accompanied by dog owners, in a controlled and supervised environment? Such a facility would be of great benefit to dog owners who are fully compliant with laws governing the control of dogs, and may encourage those who are not fully compliant with laws governing the control of dogs to avail of this facility. In giving consideration to this suggestion, that has been suggested to me by a number of dog owners, Griffeen Valley Regional Park, Lucan, may offer an ideal location for a pilot project or on a trial basis?
To thank the Manager for the recent works carried out on the hill from the Lay-By on the Lucan Road up to the junction at the entrance to Esker Lawns, Lucan Heights and Beech Park. As requested, the planting of new trees at the Lay-By, and on the hill up to the entrance to the estates, the re-seeding of the grass verge, the installation of the wooden bollards in the interest of safety and convenience of the local community, including school-going children, as well as the future protection of the new trees and grass verge, following the re-surfacing of the road at this location and the resurfacing of the footpaths on the Lucan Road which recently commenced, is appreciated in the interest of the up-keep on the entrance to this local residential area and Lucan Village, especially since I consulted with local residents, local school committee and the Tidy Towns Group.
To ask the Manager to audit the number of pavement trees that might need pruning that are impacting on natural light into houses or blocking out street lighting in the following housing estates; Westbourne, Cherrywood Upper and Lower, Deansrath and Lindisfarne?
To ask the Manager for an up to date report on the level of anti social behaviour in Waterstown Park over the summer months, if the situation is improving, to indicate in his reply when it is intended to officially open the Park for public use and that provision be made in the 2009 budget for resident Park Rangers to be shared between Waterstown and Glenaulin Parks?
To ask the Manager for an up to date report on the tidying up of the open space between Whitethorn Estate and the Prison/Cherry Orchard that I requested some time ago?
To ask the Manager for grass cutting in Wheatfield and Oatfield to include long grass collection and that grass be cut on verges to allow for road signs to be visible?
To ask the Manager for an updated report on the works being carried out in Waterstown Park, Palmerstown?
Correspondence
Correspondence
No Business
Headed Items
New Works
No Business
Motions
Cathaoirleach's Business
That the Manager would present a detailed report for discussion on the two outstanding areas where I have made regular representations owing to the excessive delays of approximately twelve years in the taking-in-charge of the open spaces at:
a. Abbeywood Court, Lucan
b. Brookvale, Lucan
What definite progress has now been made following our most recent discussions, and what is the precise time-scale for the conclusion of the taking-in-charge of these areas by South Dublin County Council?
That this Committee recommends that South Dublin County Council initiates the procedure to close the pedestrian gap from Woodavens Estate, North Clondalkin in the direction of Neilstown Shopping Centre.
That this Committee requests the Manager to acknowledge that there are many examples of small, often narrow strips of grass verges that can be the cause of great inconvenience in the local community owing to the absence of regular maintenance by the Council, and because of the difficulty in maintaining these grass verges by local residents, residents associations, tidy towns groups etc. Would the manage agree to review such a grass verge on Ballyowen Lane, opposite house nos. 13-51 Liffey Terrace, Liffey Valley Park Estate in the interest of managing a small local pilot project that would be of benefit to the wider local community in Ballyowen Lane, particularly since the local Residents Association in Liffey Valley Park Estate continues to be pro-active in working to maintain the area, the road had been resurfaced, the traffic calming has been concluded, efforts have been made to control graffiti etc?
That this Committee calls on the Manager to implement public lighting in St Cuthbert's Park as a matter of public health and safety as this walkway is increasingly being used as an access route for the Community.
That the Manager takes steps to preserve all the remaining apple trees on its Golf Course alongside those adjacent to Baldonnell House, including the issuing of an annual licence for maintenance and harvesting, which could be provided in the first instance to the current owners of Baldonnell House, given that they are trying to make use of this valuable resource in a positive way and provide additional sustainable commercial and community facilities on their own land. I am sure the Council does not want to be associated with the continued destruction of a valuable resource that has taken years to create, particularly in the light of rising food prices and greater environmental awareness.
That this Committee notes that the grass verges on the right hand side along the entrance road to Tullyhall/Rossberry Estates, Lucan from the roundabout on Griffeen Avenue have been left uncut and untidy for long periods in the last year, to confirm that the maintenance of the area concerned is the responsibility of a developer/landowner and to formally request the developer to maintain the area in a satisfactory condition including regular cutting of grass.
That the planted area between the N3 and Palmerstown Ave be restored to a satisfactory standard including the provision of a fence that (in the absence of the wall that was promised in 1980 and which has yet to be built) will prevent access to the laneway from the N4 and thus restore the area for residential use.
That this Committee is concerned about reports of illegal drinking and anti-social activity in the part of Griffeen Valley Park around the running track and the car park at the clubhouse and that action be taken to address the problem, including liaising with An Garda Síochana.