Headed Items
CONFIRMATION AND RE-AFFIRMATION OF MINUTES
Minutes of Meeting of South Dublin County Council, 8th March 2010
(circulated herewith)
REPORTS OF AREA COMMITTEES
a) Rathfarnham Area Committee - 9th March 2010
Dealing with Roads, Planning, Development & Parks, Corporate & Library Services, Community (1 report - Community Grants), Environment, Housing
(circulated herewith)
b) Lucan Clondalkin Area Committee (1) - 16th March 2010
Dealing with Planning, Development & Parks, Roads
(no report)
c) Lucan Clondalkin Area Committee (2) - 23rd March 2010
Dealing with Housing, Environment, Community (1 report - Community Grants), Corporate & Library Services
(circulated herewith)
d) Tallaght Area Committee (1) - 15th March 2010
Dealing with Environment, Community (1 report - Community Grants), Housing
(circulated herewith)
e) Tallaght Area Committee (2) - 22nd March 2010
Dealing with Roads, Planning, Development & Parks, Corporate & Library Services
(no report)
STANDING COMMITTEES - ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE 18TH MARCH 2010
a) Draft Calendar of Meeting Dates
b) Report on Conferences/ Seminars
(all circulated herewith)
STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES
(no reports)
REPORTS REQUESTED BY AREA COMMITTEES
(no reports)
Questions
To ask the Manager if many housholds were affected by the lack of water pressure and if a review will be carried out to investigate the difficulties experienced by tenants in three storey or more buildings in the county with a view to putting in place measures to facilitate these tenants if a new water shortage crisis arises in the future?
To ask the Manager will he outline how many houses have been effected by the backlog in registering of grey bin and current waiting time for a customer in County area?
To ask the Manager can he outline in a report how much this Council is paying for valuations of housing and property in last year and per year over the last 5 years, and cost it is currently paying for the valuation of a house and if any negotiations have begun with valuers to reduce their charges?
To ask the Manager will he outline in a report what measures this Council takes to address potential racist attacks and intimidation of new and longterm Council tenants?
To ask the Manager given the present economic climate and the over production of horses over the past number years and emergence of horses practically starving in some areas of the county, will he outline what is the protocol and procedures for dealing with this situation and who should concerned residents contact if they are aware of horses left in this condition?
To ask the Manager can he clarify whether a casual trading licence for say Clondalkin area can be used in another area of the County like Tallaght?
To ask the Manager, further to my motion agreed at the January meeting, if there has been any progress in arranging a briefing for the elected members by the Dept. of Education on their assessment of the future school-place needs of our county and their recommendations to this council ahead of the next phase of deliberations on the Draft Development Plan?
To ask the Manager, further to the motion agreed at the December 2009 meeting, if he would present an update on the council’s ongoing research work on the development of social economy initiatives in the county and the potential role of social finance lending organisations in supporting future community development projects?
To ask the Manager to outline this council’s plans to improve the promotion of architectural quality within the county in line with the ‘Government Policy on Architecture 2009 – 2015’, with particular reference to Actions No. 30 & 35 of the policy?
To ask the Manager to write to the new Minister for Social Protection to request that welfare payment be spread out over the five working days so as to mitigate the serious problems of excessively-long queues and delays arising in many of our county's post offices?
To ask the Manager to write to the new Minister of State with special responsibility for 'Sustainable Transport' to request support and funding for South Dublin County Council's proposed school transport pilot project?
To ask the Manager to provide details of traffic calming schemes completed in the past five years which involved construction of ramps and/or speed cushions and to advise on the current cost of constructing ramps and speed cushions?
To ask the Manager to provide a report on the roll-out of the brown bin service?
To ask the Manager to provide a full report, including relevant statistics, on delays in the payment of student maintenance grants in the 2009-2010 academic year, and on the planned changes to application and processing of grants for the 2010-2011 academic year?
To ask the Manager if he will provide figures for the total number (under all schemes) of Affordable Units disposed by the Council to purchasers in 2008 and 2009, and if he will provide an updated figure for the number of Affordable Units which are currently in the ownership of the Council and which at this time are unsold?
To ask the Manager for an outline report on the insulation standards of the housing units owned by the Council, and request that he arrange to get comprehensive information on the programme being implemented by the City Council of Vienna (cf. Pages 46-50, The New Scientist, 27th March 2010) to refurbish about 5% of its housing units each year, with the aim of cutting their annual energy consumption to one fifth of current levels, and if he will particularly source information on the cost of such a refurbishment programme and how it is being funded, and if he will present a report to a future meeting of this Council on the feasibility of a similar programme in this County?
To ask the Manager if he can make a report on the proposed Think Local 2010 initiative adopted at a recent CDB meeting, including information on the activities being organised to promote the initiative amongst residents, businesses and organisations in the County?
To ask the Manager does the Council use, or has it any plan to use, LED based street lighting given its success in other European countries having regard to its low maintenance requirement and its significant reduced power use in comparison to sodium lamps?
What measures is Council management undertaking to ensure that the interests of constituents who live in the South Dublin County Council area are properly represented and addressed given the IMPACT Trade Union's instructions to their members not to answer communications directly or at all from democratically elected Councillors acting on their constituents' behalf?
Headed Items
DECLARATION OF ROADS TO BE PUBLIC ROADS
Newhall Court
(circulated herewith)
PROPOSED DISPOSAL OF PROPERTIES/SITES
(all circulated herewith)
b) LD 1288b - Proposed disposal of site at New Nangor Road - Change of Name
a) Proposed Disposal of Affordable Dwellings
c) Proposed disposal of portion of land at rear of 86 Tymonville Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 to Colm & Deborah Lynch
d) Disposal of three properties at 1, 2 & 3 Hollyville Terrace, Old Lucan Road, Palmerstown, Dublin 20 to Stewarts Foundation Limited
e) Proposed disposal of portion of laneway at side and rear of 65 St. Ronan’s Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 to James Mooney
PART 8 REPORT ON PALMERSTON TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES
(circulated herewith)
REPORT ON PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY OVER LANEWAY TO REAR OF 34 ST PETER’S DRIVE
(circulated herewith)
APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE CAPITAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME FROM CLANMIL IRELAND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 6 OF THE HOUSING (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT, 1992 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SHELTERED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AT VALHALLA, WATERY LANE, CLONDALKIN, DUBLIN 22
(circulated herewith)
APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE CAPITAL LOAN AND SUBSIDY SCHEME FROM CLÚID HOUSING ASSOCIATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 6 OF THE HOUSING (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT, 1992 FOR 2 NO. DWELLINGS AT KILCRONAN INFILL DEVELOPMENT, CLONDALKIN, DUBLIN 22
(circulated herewith)
FILLING OF VACANCY ON THE HSE DUBLIN MID-LEINSTER REGIONAL HEALTH FORUM FOLLOWING THE RESIGNATION OF COUNCILLOR E. COBURN FROM THE FORUM
(circulated herewith)
ADOPTION OF AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN 2009 - 2012
(circulated herewith)
AUDITED AFS 2008 AND AUDIT REPORT
(circulated herewith)
Correspondence
Ministerial
Correspondence dated 4th March 2010 from Minister John Curran in response to Council's letters on Headshops and "Legal Highs"
Ministerial
Correspondence, dated 10th March 2010, from Minister for Environment in response to SDCC's letter in relation to motion passed regarding National Adaptation Strategy
Ministerial
Correspondence, dated 12th March 2010, from Minister for Environment in response to SDCC's letter in relation to motion passed regarding planning permission & NAMA
Ministerial
Correspondence, dated 23rd March 2010, from Minister for Transport regarding SDCC's letter in relation to motion passed requesting Minister Dempsey to reverse his decision not to provide emergency funding to repair roads, damaged by the recent bad weather.
Correspondence, dated 15th March 2010, from NRA in reply to SDCC's letter in relation to motion passed regarding request to rationalise, clarify and explain apparent material changes to landscaping, boundary and roadlines, among other matters,on the M50 as it relates to Orlagh Grove Estate, Beverly Court and Orlagh Park and the Scholarstown Interchange.
Correspondence, dated 18th March 2010, from NAMA in reply to SDCC's letter in relation to motion passed regarding request for a list of all the sites in South County Dublin which are under, or to come under, the remit of the National Assets Management Agency and an explanation as to what is going to happen to those sites.
Motions
Mayor's Business
That this Council calls on the Taoiseach Brian Cowen to immediately reinstate a Minister with sole responsibility for the National Drug Strategy and to show commitment to the Communities across South Dublin County and beyond, that live with the ongoing drug crisis, that they are not alone and that he will return to the former partnership that once existed between Government and the Community.
That this Council expresses its regret and disappointment at the manner in which both M50 Concessions and the NRA have treated residents along the M50 motorway upgrade section in Knocklyon.
That this Council opposes any increase in Bin Charges this year and asks the Manager to ensure that any increase in bin charges caused by Vat changes are not passed onto the householders.
That this Council Committee concerned at the unprecendented amount of complaints regarding dampness and fungus spores in Council housing including new builds and recognising the potential health efffect this may be having on tenants, calls on the manager to give an updated report on this matter and outline the measures and new reponses, if any, that this Council proposes to introduce to this growing problem
That this Council condemns the actions of this Government that resulted in over-inflated house prices and following the downturn created a situation whereby countless home owners are facing the trap of negative equity. Further, that we outline the possible assistance that can be given by this Council to those who fall victim to issues arising from negative equity.
That this Council,
(a) building on the experience of the Intellectual Enterprise Zones and complementary to the role of the County Development Board, act as the catalyst and bring together representatives of the County Enterprise Board, The Chamber of Commerce, SIPTU, IBEC, FAS, Social Welfare, The VEC and IT Tallaght, with the specific objective of identifying and devising a range of responses and strategies for their implementaion, that can be implemented as a matter of urgency at County and local level, and which address directly the unprecedented level and scale of unemployment being experienced by persons and families in this County, and that
(b) a sub-committee, composed of representatives of all political groupings in the chamber and Senior Management of this Council, be established to guide and participate in the process and to oversee and monitor the implementation of the recommendations.
(c) the sub-committee to report progress to this Council at each Monthly Meeting
That this Council agrees to contact the RPA to get them to do a presentation on alterations to the route of Metrowest.
That this Council expresses it's alarm that the Greater Dublin Area water supply network is operating at above 96% capacity and requests the Manager to immediately consult with the Managers of other local authorities in Greater Dublin Area to seek to urgently expedite the Dublin Region Water Supply Project, including bringing proposals before the elected councils regarding the selection of a new major water supply source, such that the statutory planning process can begin in 2010.
That the Manager would present a detailed report for discussion on how this Council supports schools in the County, including schools that make a particular effort on environmental matters such as reducing, reusing and recycling? Would the Manager also report on how the Council can continue to support and encourage schools, including children, students, teachers and parents who participate in such school projects and lead by great example?
That this council writes to the Minister for Health to ask why LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) has not been prescribed for general use in Ireland. LDN helps with autoimmune related illnesses like MS, Crohn's, Cancer and many many more. The drug is available and approved in 50mg doses for the past 25 years in the state. LDN in small dosages of 4.5 MG is proven to beneficial to those who are suffering from cancerous illnesses.
That this Council, in light of existing derelict sites in the county, including the McHugh's Site in Greenhills, and the likelihood of further sites in the coming months and years, notes that existing legislation, including the 1990 Derelict Sites Act, fails to empower local authorities and communities in appropriately resolving the dereliction and neglect caused by these eyesores. This Council calls on the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government to conduct a review of the relevant legislation and practice in the area and, on the basis of such a review, to introduce changes to redress the balance between the interest of developers and those of local communities.
That this Council rejects the proposal by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to abolish South Dublin County Development Board, through the legislation to provide for a directly elected Mayor for the Dublin Region, requests the Manager to convey this view to the Minister, and to include with the correspondence to the Minister a document setting out the achievements of the South Dublin CDB in the years since it was set up, including evidence on the advances in inter agency collaboration in the County arising from the work of the Board, and further requests that copies of the correspondence and documentation sent to the Minister be sent to the Managers of the other 3 Local Authorities in the Dublin Region.
That this Council noting:
the significant cost and energy efficiencies available from the use of LED public-lighting;
the successful use of this 'green' technology in other countries;
the growing number of enterprises in our county now engaged in the supply and installation of LED lighting;
requests the Manager to increase the use of LED public-lighting by South Dublin County Council.
That this Council supports an initiative to allow older citizens free or discounted access to leisure activities within the county.
That the Council examine the possibility of innovation concerning procurement policies regarding supplies and services which could generate significant savings to local authority consumers and to the local authority itself and to outline and initiatives already underway in this regard
That this Council
* reaffirms its support for Tallaght Hospital as a vital public healthcare facility
* deplores the failure in Tallaght Hospital to read thousands of x-rays and to process thousands of GP referral letters
* welcomes the inquiry into how this happened and the proposal to appoint a new board
* urges that the inquiry should include within its remit:
- a full exploration and exposure of any or all administrative and/or clinical management failures which may have led to this serious breakdown
- the need for greater accountability on the part of consultants and recommendations as to how full compliance with the consultants' contract, restricting work in the private health sector, can be monitored and fully implemented;
* calls for an end to the two-tier public/private hospital system and the development of a new single-tier system with access for all based on medical need alone
* opposes any effort to downgrade and remove services from Tallaght Hospital
* urges the provision of essential resources to ensure that the Hospital can provide safe and effective services to patients including, if required, additional radiologists.
*supports a quicker and more transparent system of Doctor’s referral letters to the hospital and urges the immediate introduction and formal use of email
*calls for the resignation or sacking of Health Minister Mary Harney before another Health crisis emerges
That this Council values the work done by Community Development Projects in the County over recent years in addressing issues of disadvantage, social exclusion and inequality, including work and projects done in collaboration with the Council, disagrees with the funding cuts imposed by the Government in the last year, and shares many of the concerns of those involved as workers and volunteers in Community Development Projects about the new arrangements which are being put in place under the new Local Development Programme, and their concerns that a consequence of the new arrangements and reduced funding may be to pull resources from the most needy communities in the County. Accordingly we request the Manager to convene, at an early date, a suitable Meeting/Seminar which will enable a dialogue to take place between Council Management/Staff and Councillors and representatives of Community Development Projects in the County and representatives of the CPLN and Dodder Valley Partnerships, and other relevant organisations, with an objective of the meeting being to assist the Council in updating its own approach to Community Development in the County and making appropriate representations to the new Government Minister with responsibility for the sector.
That the Manager would present a detailed report for discussion by way of a Headed Item in keeping with the objective of the Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee as per my motion passed at the September 2009 Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee, and debated at the October 2009 Council Meeting where it was agreed to review my request for a new Part 8 planning process at the April 2010 Council Meeting for a left-out turn from Tandy's Lane Lucan onto the N4 in the interest of a more favourable road network and better movement of local traffic in Lucan.