Headed Items
CONFIRMATION AND RE-AFFIRMATION OF MINUTES
Minutes of Meeting of South Dublin County Council, 12th April 2010
(circulated herewith)
REPORTS OF AREA COMMITTEES
a) Rathfarnham Area Committee - 13th April 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) - 21st April 2010
Dealing with Planning, Development & Parks, Roads (1 report - Provision of School Warden at Griffeen Avenue)
(circulated herewith)
c) Lucan Clondalkin Area Committee (2) - 27th April 2010
Dealing with Housing, Environment, Community, Corporate & Library Services
(no report)
d) Tallaght Area Committee (1) - 19th April 2010
Dealing with Environment, Community (1 report - Community Grants), Housing
(circulated herewith)
e) Tallaght Area Committee (2) - 26th April 2010
Dealing with Roads (1 report - Provision of School Warden at Kiltipper Way), Planning, Development & Parks, Corporate & Library Services (1 report - Emergency Motions - Jobstown Community College & Tallaght Bus Service)
(circulated herewith)
STANDING COMMITTEES - ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
(no report)
STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES
Economic Development (Incl. Planning & Development) Strategic Policy Committee
(i) Report of Meeting held 5th May 2010
(ii) Minutes of Meeting held 17th February 2010
(circulated herewith)
REPORTS REQUESTED BY AREA COMMITTEES
(no report)
Questions
To ask the Manager through the auspices of the Tourism Board to explore the development of a school tour programme for South Dublin schools to visit Council facilities such as the parks and playgrounds, stadium, libraries, theatre, art centre and swimming pools to tie in with the "Think Local" campaign?
To ask the Manager in view of crisis facing the growing number of unemployed in the County and the inability of young apprentices to finish their trades will the Manager agree to review the Tallaght Integrated Area Plan model for Employment and Training and how this might be improved, the lesson learned and formerly adopted as a strategy and replicated in the County in future area plans?
To ask the Manager to arrange, in conjunction with other relevant stakeholders, to provide appropriate signage on national routes in the County, highlighting accommodation and other tourist facilities?
To ask the Manager how many unfinished developments there are in the County and what steps are being taken by the Council to ensure the completion of these developments?
To ask the Manager to arrange a briefing for the elected members on the implementation of the noise action plan for the Greater Dublin Area with particular reference to the requests from numerous councillors for noise monitoring along major roads in our county?
To ask the Manager to outline in detail what works, including preparatory and statutory planning works, have been authorised for our county under the recently published Water Services Investment Programme 2010 – 2012, including works relating to:
- The Dublin Region Water Supply Project;
- Programmes of works stemming from the ‘Eastern River Basin District’ plan;
- Flood risk assessment and mitigation works?
To ask the Manager, further to the motion adopted at the March meeting, to provide an update on efforts to introduce an appropriate work-placement/ training programme for unemployed persons?
To ask the Manager to outline how much money was made available in 2009 for the Housing grant Scheme; how many applications were processed and a grant provided; how many applications were processed and a grant was not provided; how many applications remain outstanding and how much money is required to ensure all outstanding applications receive a grant?
To ask the Manager if he can advise if the new system of commercial valuations devised by the Valuations Office and currently operating in South Dublin and Fingal will result in periodic revaluations of commercial premises/properties in the County if rental levels fall as a result of NAMA activities and decline in property values?
To ask the Manager if he can advise what steps should be taken by a person who wishes to operate a public market on private property in the County, what role the Council has in the matter of permitting/ regulating such markets, and what regulations, such as Health and Safety, Food Safety apply to such markets?
To ask the Manager to provide a report on current Community Garden Projects in the County, and if he will advise if any Community Garden Projects under the direction of the Council involve the use of land used by other organisations, businesses or individuals?
To ask the Manager how many shared ownership agreements, if any, have been entered into by the Council with purchasers in the years 2006 to 2009 inclusive, and if the Council envisages increased activity in this form of home acquisition in the near future as a result of the substantial drop in house prices?
Noting the contents of the letter from the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, received on 15 March 2010 and tabled under correspondence at the April Council meeting, to ask the Manager if there has been any interaction between the Department and the Council in relation to the development by the Department of a National Climate Change Adaptation Framework?
To ask the Manager if there has been any discussions between the Council and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government re the installation of water meters in houses, apartments and flats owned by the Council, if he can provide an estimate of the cost of installing meters in all Council housing units, and if he can advise members as to who, the Council or the tenants or the Department will be required to pay for the installation of meters?
In light of previous questions and Motion set down by me on previous Council agenda concerning 2 constituents in the Tallaght Central constituency out of a total of 11 persons, deemed to having 'medical priority' with regard to their need for specially adapted housing:
1. Would the Council indicate what sum of money is proposed to be set aside by it from the recently announced €56,300,000.00 in the total social housing allocation given by central government to South Dublin County Council to deal with this urgent matter?
2. When the backlog of cases is expected to be cleared?
3. Would the Council ensure that it will be a priority for it to resolve this issue immediately for these cases?
Headed Items
DECLARATION OF ROADS TO BE PUBLIC ROADS
(no report)
PROPOSED DISPOSAL OF PROPERTIES/SITES
(all circulated herewith)
b) Proposed Sale of Fee Simple Interest - Small Builders Scheme
a) Proposed Disposal of Affordable Dwellings
(no report)
c) Proposed disposal of portion of laneway at rear of 34 St Peter’s Drive, Greenhills, Dublin 12 to Patrick & Mary Gahan
d) Proposed disposal of portion of laneway at rear of 7 Tymon North Green, Tallaght, Dublin 24 to Mr. Stephen Cooper
e) Proposed disposal of portion of laneway at rear of 8 Tymon North Green, Tallaght, Dublin 24 to Ms Julie O’Sullivan
f) Proposed disposal of Head Interest in Unit 2, Castletymon Shopping Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24 to Clivco Enterprises Ltd.
PART 8 REPORT FOR TALLAGHT QBC ENHANCEMENTS N81 - HARD SHOULDER CONVERSION
(circulated herewith)
REPORT ON LEFT OUT TURN FROM TANDYS LANE ONTO N4
(circulated herewith)
TO SELECT ONE SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL NOMINEE FOR CONSIDERATION BY COMMITTEE OF THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY OF DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY
(circulated herewith)
DRAFT DUBLIN REGION FRAMEWORK HOMELESS ACTION PLAN - 2010 TO 2013
(circulated herewith)
PROPOSED AGREEMENT WITH KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 85 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2001 FOR THE REMOVAL OF GRAFFITI FROM THE M50 AND N7 OVERBRIDGES
(circulated herewith)
PROPOSED AGREEMENT WITH FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 85 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2001 FOR THE STRENGTHENING (BRACING) OF THE N7 RATHCOOLE OVERBRIDGE
(circulated herewith)
DRAFT SPORTS STRATEGY 2010-2016
(circulated herewith)
COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR BORROWING IN 2010
a) Arthurstown Landfill, Ballymount Baling Station Works and Provision for Brown Bins
b) Boherboy Water Supply Scheme
(all circulated herewith)
Correspondence
Ministerial
Correspondence, dated 26th April 2010, from Minister for Social & Family Affairs in response to SDCC's letter regarding question approved in relation to queuing delays in Post Offices.
Ministerial
Correspondence, dated 27th April 2010, from Minister for Environment in response to SDCC's letters on Headshops and "Legal Highs"
Correspondence, dated 7th April 2010, from Limerick County Council calling on the Minister for the Environment to defer the Carbon Tax which comes into effect on 1st May 2010, until the economy improves
Correspondence, dated 15th April 2010, from Carlow County Council calling for
a) Reversal of Carbon Tax
b) Transfer of administration of Home Energy & Warmer Homes Grants from SEI to LAs
Correspondence, dated 20th April 2010, from Polish Ambassador to Ireland, thanking this Council for our expression of sympathy
Correspondence, dated 29th April 2010, from Cobh Town Council expressing support for the "Justice for Robert Delany Campaign"
Correspondence from Clones Town Council dated 28th April 2010 regarding their motion passed in relation to Quinn Insurances
Motions
That this Council calls upon the Minister of Education and Skills, in view of the recent serious safety incident that occurred in St Josephs Special School, Balrothery, to immediately reinstate the full compliment of Special Needs Assistants to that school.
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
South Dublin County Council agrees to confine the location of Headshops to a minimum 8km. from schools within the County.
That this Council adopt a policy of excluding planning permissions for 'Head shops' when they are found to be within a radius of 10km of any school as has been adopted in different Council's throughout the State.
That this Council undertakes a significant Anti-racism Campaign within the County, to include a major conference involving all minority ethnic groups possible in order to highlight and promote awareness of the consequences of racism and to demonstrate this Council's condemnation of all racist activities/practices.
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.
That the Manager outline the legal costs of the Council in 2008 and 2009 in total and by department as requested by me at a pre-budget meeting.
That this Council recommends that no extra charge be placed on hiring allotments this year, especially for people on low income.
That this Council supports the introduction of an online voter registration system on our website in order to improve ease of registration and facilitate the democratic franchise amongst our citizens.
That this council resolves to designate named inspectors from the Dublin SPCA as 'Authorised Officers' under the Control of Horses Act 1996 for the purpose of supporting South Dublin County Council in meeting it's responsibilities under the Act and to allow the DSPCA more effectively to undertake it's duties in relation to horse welfare.