Headed Items
CONFIRMATION AND RE-AFFIRMATION OF MINUTES
Minutes of Meeting of South Dublin County Council, 11th October 2010
(circulated herewith)
REPORTS OF AREA COMMITTEES
a) Rathfarnham Area Committee – 12th October 2010
- Dealing with Community - (1 report - Community Grants), Environment, Housing, Roads, Planning, Development & Parks, Corporate Services & Libraries
(circulated herewith)
b) Tallaght Area Committee (1) – 18th October 2010
- Dealing with Community (1 report - Community Grants), Environment and Housing
(circulated herewith)
c) Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee (1) – 20th October 2010
- Dealing with Development, Parks, Planning, Roads
(no report)
d) Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee (2) – 26th October 2010
- Dealing with Housing, Community (1 report - Community Grants), Environment, Corporate Services & Libraries
(circulated herewith)
e) Tallaght Area Committee (2) – 27th October 2010
- Dealing with Roads, Planning, Development & Parks, Corporate Services & Libraries
(no report)
STANDING COMMITTEES - ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
(no report)
STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES
(no report)
REPORTS REQUESTED BY AREA COMMITTEES
(no reports)
Questions
To ask the Manager to provide an update with regard to the status of the works on Boherboy Water Scheme and to outline what works are outstanding and the timeframe for completion. Can the Manager also outline the status of the relationship with the contractor and what plans are in place to ensure the completion of the scheme and to highlight any potential risks to SDCC (including financial) for completion of this project?
To ask the Manager who is responsible for the maintenance of the banks of River Liffey in the South Dublin County Council Area? Many sections of the banks are overgrown and I would have concerns in relation to flooding during the winter.
How many people can South Dublin County Council place on the FAS Work Placement Programme and what is the nature of the positions they can be offered?
How many apprentices can South Dublin County Council place on the FAS Redundant Apprentice Rotation Scheme and what type of positions can be offered?
To ask the Manager to confirm that it is Council policy to replace all damaged litter bins, especially bins located at or near Luas stations or bus stops and areas of high pedestrian usage?
That the Manager would report on the Halloween 2010 related activities including:
- The number of bonfires reported in the South Dublin area
- A report on the volumes of materials gathered in South Dublin
- The approximate cost if reinstatements were to take place in all public places where damages occurred
- The number of emergency calls reported in South Dublin, including the Gardaí and Fire and Ambulance Fire Services?
To ask the Manager to outline the number of administrative staff and the number of technical staff by department and to compare these figures from 2009 and 2008?
To ask the Manager to outline the original tender cost for the Boherboy scheme and to detail the cost to date along with the final estimated cost and to explain the overrun and outline from where these cost will be met - to also set out the original timeline and the expected date of completion?
To ask the Manager as to whether the Council applied for funding under the Sustainable Travel project in 2010 given the successful applications by other Dublin authorities and to outline whether the scheme is open for applications in 2011?
To ask the Manager to provide an update on the Brown Bin system?
To ask the Manager to outline whether or not biodegradeable bags can be used in Brown Bins as happens in other Dublin Local authorities?
To ask the Manager to report on the total amount of capital spending by this council on parks development and improvement works in each of 2008, 2009 & 2010 including details and costs of any significant individual projects?
To ask the Manager for a detailed breakdown of the cost of the Christmas Tree recycling service in 2009 and to request that a similar service be provided in 2010 noting that it would not be appropriate to ask residents to cut-up Christmas Trees and put in their brown bins, in particular in the case of elderly residents or those with reduced physical ability?
To ask the Manager to advise if this council has established, or is planning to establish, an ‘Unfinished Housing Developments Team’ to prepare prioritised actions and to assist in developing Site Resolution Plans in conjunction with developers, banks, receivers and NAMA, as recommended at the recent publication of the National Housing Development Survey?
To ask the Manager to provide an update on the Eastern River Basin District plan and to report on the initial programme of works now planned and to advise on how these works are to be funded?
To ask the Manager to provide an update on both the tender process for the provision of a regional Horse Pound and Seizure service and my request for the inclusion of nominated members of the DSPCA on the list of Authorised Officers under the Control of Horses Act 1996?
To ask the Manager to provide a preliminary report on Halloween 2010 including the number of bonfires detected on open spaces in the charge of the council and the number of residents and community groups who registered for the 'Bulbs not Bonfires' initiative?
To ask the Manager, if small businesses in the County would be allowed to defer payments on their commercial rates if they find that they are in serious financial difficulties?
Given that rates are one of the biggest single expenditures for any business, I would appeal to the Manager that an arrangement could be arrived at, where such businesses can defer their rates for a period of twelve months.
Ultimately no business in S.D.C.C should be forced to close its doors, because of rate arrears. In the same vain – businesses shouldn’t be forced to reduce employee hours or let staff go because of their liability to S.D.C.C.
To ask the Manager, to outline the Council’s Cleansing plan that is implemented in the area surrounding Tallaght stadium following major sporting and entertainment events.
And if the provision of temporary bins could be used when such events are taking place?
To ask the Manager to prepare and provide a report on the number of vacant housing units in the area of South Dublin County Council, broken down by accommodation type, size of development and Local Electoral Area?
To ask the Manager for an update on my question in June of this year regarding any existing or planned scheme to enable redundant apprentices to complete their qualifications working for the County Council, and to make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Manager for a report on the costs associated with Hallowe'en clean up this year, and to make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Manager to provide a report on the potential for micro hyrdoelectric generation on rivers in the County, including the Liffey, Dodder, Poddle and Camac, while noting the need to preserve and protect the visual and environmental amenity provided by those rivers?
To ask the Manager if there has been any progress in identifying potential suitable work through which the Council could participate in the FAS Work Placement Programme, and if the matter has been explored with the Trades Unions and if he will make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Manager if he will present an updated report on the implementation of the Brown Bin system in the County since its introduction, and if he will include figures for the tonnage collected in the Brown Bins, and the reduction, if achieved, in the tonnage presented in Black Bins since the introduction of the Brown Bins?
To ask the Manager for an updated report on progress on the implementation on the two projects under the Mayor's Initiative, at Balgaddy and Mac Uileamm Estates, and to compliment the Manager and staff of the Community and Housing Departments in achieving additional funding for these projects?
To ask the Manager how many applications have been received by the Council to date for grants under the Higher Education Grants System (including applications from new applicants and applications for continuation grants), how many applications have been determined, and how many students have received payments of parts of their grants to-date?
To ask the Manager if he will provide a report on the current activities of the Housing Department in the provision of housing for persons who were deemed to be homeless by the Council, the report to include information on direct provision by the Council and provision by Housing Agencies/Homeless Agencies where SDCC has an involvement, including securing Government funding, or otherwise?
To ask the Manager if he will write to the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government requesting the Minister to advise when it is intended to publish the National (Climate Change) Adaptation Strategy, noting that intended dates announced by the Government for its publication have long passed?
Headed Items
DECLARATION OF ROADS TO BE PUBLIC ROADS
Hunter’s Wood, Old Court, Tallaght
PROPOSED DISPOSAL OF PROPERTIES/ SITES
(all circulated herewith)
H7b) Proposed Disposal of Fee Simple Interest
H7c) Proposed Disposal of Fee Simple Interest -Small Builders Scheme
H7a) Proposed Disposal of Affordable Dwellings
(no report)
H7d) Proposed Transfer of lands at Greenhills Road – Calmount Road to BWG Foods Limited.
REPORT ON PART VIII OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2001 - 2008. PROPOSAL 1 FOR TEMPORARY SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION AT 2 - 4 LISCARNE GARDENS (deferred from October Council meeting)
(circulated herewith)
REPORT ON THE PART 8 PUBLIC CONSULTATION IN RELATION TO THE PROPOSED ROAD TO THE REAR OF DODSBOROUGH COTTAGES, LUCAN
(circulated herewith)
OVERDRAFT ACCOMODATION FOR 2011
(circulated herewith)
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR STRATEGY
(circulated herewith)
Correspondence
Letter, dated 05th October 2010, from HSE regarding motion passed in relation to Neurological Care
Letter, dated 12th October 2010, from North Tipperary County Council regarding Glass Bottle refunds
Letter, dated 12th October 2010, from Monaghan Town Council regarding proposal to abolish Town Councils
Letter, dated 27th October 2010, from Waterford City Council regarding Minimum Wage
Letter, dated 1st November 2010, from Donegal County Council regarding Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia
Letter, dated 1st November 2010, from Donegal County Council regarding PSO Levy on Electricity
Letter (email), dated 02nd November 2010, from New Ross Town Council regarding Radon Testing
Motions
Mayor's Business
That this Council urges the Minister for Transport, Mr. N. Dempsey to recognize that his decision to establish a Taxi Regulator has failed the taxi industry and should be immediately abolished.
That this Council, in light of the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people, recognises (1) that Veolia is a leading partner in the consortium contracted to build a light railway system linking Israel to illegal settlements in occupied East Jerusalem, (2) that the Irish government and the U.N does not recognise Israel’s annexation and occupation of East Jerusalem and have repeatedly stated their views that the Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank contravene international law and (3) that Veolia’s involvement in the project is in contravention of the UN’s stated demand that Israeli settlement activities and occupation should not be supported, and calls on the County Manager not to sign any new or renew any existing contracts with Veolia.
That this Council Condemns the Israeli attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla’s aid mission that resulted in deaths and injuries of those attempting to bring much needed aid to the besieged city of Gaza, which has been subject to an illegal Israeli blockade.
Commends those Irish citizens who participated in this humanitarian mission to bring 10,000 tones of aid to the people of Gaza.
Recognizing that this attack is an affront to international law and has endangered the lives of Irish citizens, calls on the Irish Government to expel the Israeli Ambassador, use it’s influence to discontinue the EU’s preferential trade agreement with Israel and Support and seek the backing of other countries for a new international aid mission to Gaza which will ensure that necessary vital supplies reach the suffering people of that besieged area.
That this Council asks the Minister of State for housing to meet a delegation of local Cllrs. and housing staff to request him to review the Housing (miscellaneous) Act 1997 to allow for realistic and effective methods of dealing with the escalating anti-social problem in local authority housing. The review to include effective measures to prohibit tenants engaging in said activities and to include measures to deal with same problem in privately owned houses in Council estates.
That the Manager will give a report on the progress of the Social Housing Leasing Scheme within the County.
That this Council affirms its support for the publicly provided and managed houshold waste management system operated by SDCC, acknowledges the importance of certain features of the system including the Council funded Waiver Scheme, the absence of a standing charge, and the 3 Bin system to promote waste reduction and re-cycling. We express our commitment to working with the Manager and staff in solving the problems experienced in recent months, including Bank Holiday Monday collections, and uncertainties and difficulties being experienced by many householders in using the Brown Bin as effectively and safely as possible, and requests the Manager to provide a report on the Bin collection system and its operation since the beginning of the roll out of the Brown Bins, and to confirm that the instructions for use of the Brown Bin have been fully assessed and are compliant with best practice and all regulations. We further request the Manager to consider an expanded programmme of providing information to householders on using the 3 Bin system correctly and with maximun cost effectiveness to them.
That this council calls for -
1 The reintroduction of the Saturday Collection of Bin for customers of this Council who have Black bin Collections on a Bank Holiday Monday.
2. The introduction of a new system to inform people of problems, collection date changes and increases in charges as the current methods are not working satisfactorily.
3. A rotation of the day that households have there bins collected, a 5 year rotating basis would ensure fairness for all households in relation to the impact of bank holidays.
That this Council requests the Manager review the current collection sequence for Black & Brown Bins in order to maximise the collection options for households and minimise the type of non -recyclable waste accumulating (eg nappies).
That this Council requests the Manager to present a detailed report to form the basis for discussion with the elected member on proposals to improve the management of the public realm in our county, including the need for improved and more regular litter-cleansing and grass-cutting services and the need to pursue greater coordination and innovative working arrangements between council departments and noting the provision of funding in the adopted budget for 2010 for ‘public realm transformation’.
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 South Dublin County Council enacts the Parks Bye-Laws so that the Gardai can enforce them.
That this Council agrees to introduce a Freefone 1800 Litter Line Number to facilitate the public in contacting the Council to report illegal dumping. This new initiative is in response to the growing environmental issues, including increased dumping and fly-tipping, and will encourage and facilitate more residents to support this Councils efforts to resolve this menace, including providing additional support to the work of our litter wardens throughout South Dublin. Further the public launching of this project will give new hope to the residents of this county for a cleaner environment to the future.
That this Council recommends that South Dublin county Council signs up to the The Covenant of Mayors which is a commitment by signatory towns and cities and counties to go beyond the objectives of EU energy policy in terms of reduction in CO2 emissions through enhanced energy efficiency and cleaner energy production and use.
That this Council contacts the Department of Environment & Local Government and asks them how much money is granted to the NRA from the Government? From the government through the National Development Plan? From the EU? In general how much money do they get for free? Is it a case that the NRA should be abolished and its functions brought back under the Department of Transport?
Go ndeánfaidh An Chomhairle a chinntiú go mbeidh Bailiúchán na gCrann Nollag ar leith i mbliana.
(That this Council will ensure that there will be a specific Christmas Tree Collection this year.)
That the Manager would present a detailed report for discussion on the range of supporting services this Council provides for our youth and children in the areas of sport, music, play, social, drama and the arts, indoor and in our parks. At a time of deep recession many families in this county appreciate these services, and would the Manager set out what services can be developed or extended for the benefit of the many young people and families of this county, and would the Manager also consider producing an A-Z of free facilities available for the families of this county, hard copy or electronically?
This Council calls on the Manager to investigate whether New York has dog friendly areas in public parks; if so, how they operate, and whether we could use a similar system in our parks so as to avoid the problem of dog fouling.
That a report be brought to this committee re road margins and open spaces owned or maintained by this council where youths congregrate for drinking and drugging activities resulting in debris (needles and broken bottles) being discarded on these spaces to the danger of young children, my query is to ascertain whose responsibility is the removal of this detritus.
That this Council, in light of the severe inconvenience caused to many local residents due to the non-collection of bins on the August Bank Holiday and the increased health and safety risk caused by delays in collecting the newly-introduced brown bins, calls for the implementation of either (a) Bank Holiday Monday refuse collections or (b) the organisation of alternative collections for residents missing out on collections due to Bank Holidays, in advance of the October Bank Holiday.
That this Council supports the recommendations contained in ‘Reclaiming our Parks’, the report of the South Dublin Joint Policing Committee parks sub-group which was adopted by the September meeting of the JPC; and requests the Manager to present a detailed report on the progressing of implementation of these recommendations.
That the Manager outline as a result of the revenue deficit as projected in this years budget what departments and areas in departments will suffer cutbacks and can the Manager confirm if cutbacks will total €7m between now and end of Dec 2010?
Specifically can the Manager outline what programmes will have all funding stopped and or partially withdrawn in Parks, Roads and Housing?
That this council confirms that it will provide a Christmas tree recycle facility to all residents in South Dublin on the same basis as last year
That the Manager assure the members and residents with regard to the completion of the Boherboy scheme by pierse Contractors, and in particular outstanding works at Orlagh Grove, Propsect Manor and the Green Route from Old Bawn to Scholastown.
That this Council requests the Manager to write to An Taoiseach and to the Minister for Communications, and convey to them the Council's views on the postal services provided by An Post and the need to protect the Universal Services Obligation by legislation, as expressed in the following:
"South Dublin County Council calls on the Government to recognise the unique and vital role of the postal service in Ireland, as a means of communication, as a vital economic tool and as an intrinsic part of the fabric of the community.
Our postal service has a social value and an economic value; these must be properly protected as the Government drafts legislation to open the postal market to full competition. Postmen and women provide an important public service and also function as an integral part of the social fabric of their community, particularly for the elderly and the isolated citizens whose only human contact might be their post person. Furthermore An Post’s extensive delivery and collection network, is an intrinsic part of the economic and business infrastructure of the country. Reaching every corner of the country and by delivering to every front door An Post is an essential partner in business from a marketing, payment collection and business generation point of view.
As Ireland prepares to liberalise its postal market it is essential that the Government acknowledges this important public service, ensures that the Universal Service Obligation is protected by legislation and does not allow the opening of the market to lead to wide spread job losses, social dumping and an erosion in service levels as has happened in other countries who have already opened their postal market to competition."