Agenda - July Council Meeting

CONFIRMATION AND RE-AFFIRMATION OF MINUTES

a)                  Minutes of Meeting of South Dublin County Council – 13^th June 2005. 

 b)                  Minutes of Annual Meeting of South Dublin County Council – 30^th June, 2005.

(all circulated herewith)

Report of the Area Committees
a)                  Terenure/Rathfarnham Area Committee (1) – 7^th June 2005.
            Dealing with Roads, Planning, Development and Corporate Services.
                                                                                           (no report)
b)                  Terenure/Rathfarnham Area Committee (2) – 14^th June 2005.
             Dealing with Community, Parks, Environment and Housing.
                                                                                           (no report)
c)                  Tallaght Area Committee (1) – 20^th June 2005.
            Dealing with Environment, Parks, Community (1 Report) and Housing.
                                                                                          (circulated herewith)
d)         Tallaght Area Committee (2) – 27^th June 2005.
            Dealing with Development, Corporate Services, Roads, Planning                                                                            
                                                                                          (no report)
e)                  Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee (1) – 21^st June 2005.   
            Dealing with Development, Planning, Corporate Services and Roads (1 Report). 
                                                                                          (circulated herewith)
f)          Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee(2) – 28^th June 2005.     
            Dealing with Environment, Parks, Community (3 Reports), and Housing.
                                                                                          (circulated herewith)

Standing Committees - Organisation, Procedure and Finance Committee

(no report)

Strategic Policy Committees

a) Arts, Culture and Gaeilge, Education & Libraries Strategic Policy Committee – 24th February 2005.

Reports Requested by Area Committees

Report on Litter and Unauthorised dumping as requested by Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee on 28th June, 2005

(to be circulated) 

To ask the Manager to report to the Council on his efforts to deal with the problem of litter and in reportingwill he particularly note the need to promote litter awareness in our Schools?

To ask the Manager to update the council on the situation regarding the Shamrock Rovers Stadium Tallaght?

To ask the Manager to detail to the Council his plans for house building for the next five years?

To ask the Manager for an outline of the Development of the Rental Accommodation Scheme and when it will come on stream in South Dublin County Council, also could the Manager outline how disruptive tenants in private rental accommodation will be dealt with and if people on the housing list can be shown to be behaving antisocially can they be struck off the housing list?

To ask the Manager to outline the number and location of allotments with South County Dublin?

To ask the Manager, to arrange for a public awareness advertisement to be placed in the local newspapers informing residents of the levels of Radon Gas in the County, the risks attached to exposure to high levels of the gas, what measures can be put in place to ensure low levels in the home and to provide directions to Radiological protection institute of Irelands website where residents of the County can find details relating to Radon detector kits and can he make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Manager, what monies are available through the budget for the provision of skips to individuals/communities for the disposal of items (not refuse) as a result of community initiatives such as clean-ups, what percentage of that provision was utilised in 2004 and what percentage has been utilised so far in 2005 and can he make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Manager to confirm that this local authority is meeting its housing targets across all areas in 2005?

To ask the Manager how many social housing completions he expects in the county of South Dublin by year end 2005?

To ask the Manager to outline how many affordable units are expected to be completed by year end, and to outline how many private houses are expected to be completed by year ened and how many soical houses are expected to be completed by year end?

To ask the Manager to report upon what grant applications have been made by the Council for village improvement works within all areas of the County in 2005 and to provide an area by area breakdown of the details?

To ask the Manager for a report on the implementation of local area plans?

To ask the Manager to report on whether the Council have any draft plans for a swimming pools schedule and if so what area's have been covered?

To ask the Manager if an inventory of available potential sites has been drawn up for Libraries in South Dublin?

To ask the Manager what steps have been taken to tackle chronic litter in the County; whether additional resources are required from Central Government Fund to make this more effective?

To ask the Manager for a detailed update on advanced proposals to locate a womens refuge centre within the County and will he note the widespread concern that the premises may not be located at what was considered an optimum location for such a service and will he make a statement on the matter?.

To ask the Manager for a detailed update (1)on any proposals to extend the Luas service within this County. (2)on any submissions from concerned bodies pertaining to said extension/s. and will the Manager note the positive impact such an extension/s would have on the infrastructure of the County?.

To ask the Manager to contact the Department of Education requesting a review of the guidelines for Higher Education Grants in view of a number of anamalous situations that have arisen in recent years. I would specifically request that the issue of Independent Mature Students who have lived abroad for a number of years and have just returned to Ireland and meet the age criteria as outlined in the guidelines can still be assessed on their parents income. Will the Manager please note that this question was submitted last October to a Council meeting and that it is my understanding that the guidelines still stand?

To ask the Manager to clarify whether or not the re-instatement of relevant grass verges can be a conditon of Planning Permission granted in this County as this is a matter of concern in many established estates within the County where infill housing has taken place and will the Manager make a statement on the issues raised within this question?.

To ask the Manager for a detailed update on the R.A.S project and a time-frame for implementation of the project within this County?

To ask the Manager to ascertain/clarify (1) The annual cost to this Council for the junk collection. (2) The number of dwellings included in the annual junk collection. (3) The contractual costs incurred by this Council in the operation of said junk collection. (4) The feasibility of Council staff operating said junk collection instead of private contractors. (5) The possibility of changing the dates of the county junk collection in view of its existing close proximity to Halloween and the consequent problems that arise from said proximity. and will the Manager make a detailed statement on the issues raised within this question?

To ask the Manager to report on the delivery of Affordable Housing in this County and what input will the establishement of the Affordable Homes Partnership Agency have on said delivery of Affordable Housing in this County?

To ask the Manager if he will request the Planning and Economic Development SPC to examine the issue of Community Based Planning by studying some international models of best practice, and bring forward proposals to the Council for a number of initiatives to involve local communities in the County in the planning process for their areas?

To ask the Manager if he will make a statement on the submission from the Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland re: access of landscape contractors to green recycling centres in South Dublin County?

To ask the Manager for an updated report on housing construction projects in which the Council is working, or proposes to work, with Housing Associations in the provision of supported housing for (a) senior citizens and (b) persons with a disability?

Declaration of Roads to be Public Roads

(no report)

Proposed Disposal of Properties/Sites

(a)   Proposed Disposal of Residential Shop at 79 Kiltalown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght to Mr. Christopher Fox.

(circulated herewith)

(b)   Proposed Disposal of Affordable Housing

(circulated herewith)

(c)   Proposed Disposal of Plot of Land adjacent to property at "Gweedell", Millbridge, Mill Road, Saggart, County Dublin to Ms. Ruth Keegan.

(circulated herewith)

(d)   Proposed Disposal of Site at Junction of Knocklyon Road and Old Ballycullen Road, Ballycullen, Dublin 16 to Cheeverstown.

(circulated herewith)

(e)    Proposed Exchange of Lands at Greenhills Road Extension, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24 with Stephen & Thomas Murphy.

(circulated herewith)

Report on the Public Consultation process under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 for the proposed Arthur Griffith Park/Canonbrook/Esker Drive/St. Finians Traffic Calming Scheme.

Report on the Public Consultation process under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 for the proposed Elmbrook Avenue/Esker Lane/Willsbrook Road Traffic Calming Scheme.

Report on the Public Consultation process under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 for the proposed Butterfield Traffic Calming Scheme.

Report on the Public Consultations process under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 – Proposed Riverside Walkway along Owendoher River from Edmondstown to Rathfarnham.

Report on Public Notification Procedure Under Part 8 of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001 - 2003 for the proposed construction of an infill housing project on two sites at Kiltalown Park, Kiltalown, Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

Report on Public Notification Procedure Under Part 8 of the Planning & Development regulations 2001-2003 for the proposed development of an infill housing project at Lealand Avenue, Clondalkin Dublin 22.

Report on Public Notification Procedure Under Part 8 of the Planning & Development regulations 2001-2003 for the proposed development of a Replacement Community Facility, refurbishment of the remaining existing block and development of infill housing in Avonbeg Gardens, Tallaght, as Phase 4 of the redevelopment and refurbishment of Avonbeg.

Report on Public Notification procedure under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001- 2003 for the proposed construction of Traveller-specific accommodation comprising 3no. bays for caravans and 3no. group houses and all necessary associated ancillary works on a site at Fonthill Road, Fonthill, Co. Dublin.

Report on Public Notification procedure under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001- 2003 for the proposed construction of Traveller-specific accommodation comprising an 8 bay residential caravan park and all necessary associated ancillary works on a site at Coldcut Road, Coldcut, Co. Dublin.

Report on Public Notification procedure under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001- 2003 for the proposed construction of Traveller-specific accommodation comprising 10no. group houses and all necessary associated ancillary works on a site at Fortunestown, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

 Report on the Public Consultation process under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 for the proposed remodelling of two plazas and linking footpaths in the centre of Tallaght Village, Dublin 24.

Report on the Public Consultation process under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 for the Re-Furbishment of Templeogue House.

(to be circulated)

Adoption of the Higher Education Grant Scheme

Local Government Auditor's Report Annual Financial Statements 2002 and 2003

 

Draft Social Inclusion Policy

Report on Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study - Final Strategy

Report of Gas Fired Central Heating Programme

 

Progress Report on completion of unfinished football stadium at Tallaght

Deed of Agreement between South Dublin County Council and the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in respect site at Gurteen Road, Ballyfermot - Ballyfermot Sports Complex Ltd.

Approval of registration of charge by the Health Service Executive in respect of premises at Jobstown Village, Jobstown Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24- premises to be managed by JADD Project Limited.

Letter dated 3rd June 2005 from the Irish Red Cross thanking South Dublin County Council for organizing a fundraising week during which €6,250 was raised and donated to the S.E Tsunami Disaster and relief work in Africa.

Letter dated 24th June from Macroom Town Council regarding Motion passed calling on the Minister for the Environmemt Heritage and Local Governmemt to Lift the embargo immediately on public service recuritment.

Mayors Business

That this Council urgently requests the Minister for Justice to provide meaningful increase in the number of Gardai deployed in this Councils area, with particular regard to the large working areas of Clondalkin/Lucan, Tallaght and other communities experiencing anti social activities.

That a feasibility study be carried out to examine the possibility of providing cafe type facilities in our major public parks.

That South Dublin County Council exerts its influence and energies to lobby the appropriate government departments to urgently secure funding for measures such as CCTV, public lighting, etc. to be installed in high crime blackspots, as identified by local communities, traders and Garda Siochana, which suffer concentrations of drug related crime and anti-social behaviour.

That this Council requests the Manager to immediately undertake a road safety audit of all schools within the County. Given the amount of traffic generated by schools and the potential dangers posed to children it is imperative that a full examination of the consequences of traffic be initiated in the interests of safety.

That this Council declares the area under its responsiblity to be a GM free zone. That in line with this the Council opposes the growing of all Genetically Modified crops as they will inevitably contaminate conventional and organic species.

That South Dublin County Council agrees to list the rights of way for walkers in our County and agrees to make this list available for the general public.

That South Dublin County Council, recognising that the Institute of Technology Tallaght is the Countys only higher education institution and plays an important role in the educational, business and social life of the County, calls on the Government to implement the recommendations of the Higher Education Authority Review Group on the capital funding of higher education institutions and allocate capital funding to the Institute to enable the development of the Multipurpose Student Centre and the other additional buildings prioritised by the Institute.

That this Council recommends that we treat the dogs of South Dublin with the dignity of a service in their own area .i.e. that they will have a secure place of residence -dogpound when abandoned.(b)to set up a system of dog-homing with tracking to ensure dogs are not unduly delayed in being rehomed. (c)To state what access members of the public and rescue groups have to the current pound situated in Dunboyne Co. Meath. (d)What is the rehoming rate for this pound? some dog pounds have a 95% rehoming rate. (e) to report fully on the demise of the dogpound in Stocking lane. (f) to report on the meeting that has taken place with interested parties.

That the Manager provide a detailed report on the standard of welfare afforded to impounded dogs, with particular emphasis on the changes relating to the relocation of the Dog Pound to Co. Meath and to state the service levels contracted and what steps are being taken to monitor them. That the manager would complete, as promised, the information omitted in reply to my question number 26 at the SDCC meeting of 8th November 2004.

That this Council calls on the Manager not to proceed with the proposed €4 charge for private cars to deposit re-cyclable waste or to alter in any way alter the current Policy of accepting re-cyclable material free of charge at the Ballymount Civic Centre. Furthermore, this Council agrees that the introduction of a charge would be counter to the Council's own policy for waste management and would seriously frustrate the commitment of the general public towards re-cycling.

That this Council calls for a report on the discussions to date with the Department of Education in relation to funding the management and maintenance of the School/Community dual use halls, currently being constructed under the Schools Building Programme.

That this Council request a meeting with the NRA AND APPROPRIATE Government Departments to examine the need to remove the toll booths owned by National Toll Roads by renegotiating the contract entered into twenty years ago and if necessary buying back toll facilities to facilitate improved traffic movement as the present situation is untenable.

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 the Manager would introduce a waiver of all local authority rates due for the development of childcare facilities and that all childcare facilities, both owner-operated and community operated, would be exempt from paying local authority rates. Such rates are having a serious impact on the cost of childcare facilities, the cause of which is causing serious distress to many families.

That the Council look towards allocating funding to the South Dublin Childcare Association.

That this Council will exert its influences by writing to all area Garda Superintendents calling on them to enforce the Council bye-law re Drinking in public which is enforced by An Garda Siochana and report back to Council after a 3 month period the figures re. issuing of fines in order for this Council to monitor and see if this is having any effect in combating this scourge and especially amongst the under age.

That this Council, in light of the recent proposals put forward by Sinn Fein for a green paper on re-unification and the S.D.L.Ps recently launched united Ireland strategy, calls on the Dublin Government to lead an immediate and extensive consultation process with all sections of society, including unionism on a green paper for the re-unification of Ireland and recognises the need for adequate preparation for same.

That this Council set up a lost and found dogs website , where owners could check when they have lost their pet.

That this Council calls on the Manager to replace the €40 charge for home composters to a nominal charge (less than €10) or none at all for customers who collect them. That the charge for delivery to a customers home should not be a disincentive to home composting (less than €25), and that waiver qualifiers be eligible for a free home composter to be delivered to them.

That this Council write to the Tanaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney to ask her to provide extended and necessary facilities at the A&E Department at Tallaght Hospital to cope with the dreadful lack of privacy and lack of visitor space which is currently the case.

That Councillors request the Manager to actively pursue, involving the County Development Board as appropriate, a programme of provision of small neighbourhood playgrounds (preferably open , and with small scale equipment, as eg in Portland, Oregan) in the County with a view to having costed projects ready for inclusion, if agreed by the Council, in the Council's estimates for 2006. (As a suggestion the Council might consider leasing small areas of school green spaces for the location of such playgrounds).

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