Headed Items
CONFIRMATION AND RE-AFFIRMATION OF MINUTES
Minutes of Meeting of South Dublin County Council, 08th November 2010
REPORTS OF AREA COMMITTEES
a) Rathfarnham Area Committee – 9th November 2010
Dealing with Environment, Housing, Roads, Planning, Development & Parks, Corporate & Library Services, Community
(no reports)
b) Tallaght Area Committee (1) – 15th November 2010
Dealing with Environment, Community (1 report - Community Grants), Housing
(circulated herewith)
c) Clondalkin Area Committee – 17th November 2010
Dealing with Community, Environment, Housing, Roads, Planning, Development & Parks, Corporate Services & Libraries
(no reports)
d) Tallaght Area Committee (2) – 22nd November 2010
Dealing with Roads, Planning, Development & Parks, Corporate & Library Services
(no reports)
e) Lucan Area Committee –23rd November 2010
Dealing with Community, Environment, Housing, Roads, Planning, Development & Parks, Corporate Services & Libraries
(no reports)
STANDING COMMITTEES - ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE 18th NOVEMBER 2010
a) Draft Calendar of Meeting Dates
b) Report on Conferences/Seminars
(all circulated herewith)
STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES
a) Economic Development (Incl. Planning & Development) Strategic Development Committee
(i) Minutes of Meeting 28th September 2010
(ii) Report of Meeting 10th November 2010
b) Housing And Social Development Strategic Policy Committee
(i) Minutes of Meeting 27th September 2010
(ii) Report of Meeting 11th November 2010
c) Environment Strategic Policy Committee
(i) Minutes of Meeting 20th September 2010
(ii) Report of Meeting 15th November 2010
d) Sports, Recreation, Community Development & Parks Strategic Policy Committee
(i) Minutes of Meeting 15th September 2010
(ii) Report of Meeting 17th November 2010
e) Arts, Culture, Gaeilge, Education & Libraries Strategic Policy Committee
(i) Minutes of Meeting 27th September 2010
(ii) Report of Meeting 22nd November 2010
f) Transportation Strategic Policy Committee
(i) Minutes of Meeting 30th September 2010
(ii) Report of Meeting 25th November 2010
(all circulated herewith)
REPORT OF JOINT POLICING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 19th NOVEMBER 2010
(circulated herewith)
REPORTS REQUESTED BY AREA COMMITTEES
(no reports)
Questions
To ask the Manager can he give a report outlining what is causing the actual delay in the availability of the Council's various housing lists and the position of applicants?
To ask the Manager does the Building Energy Regulation (BER) Cert for newly allocated housing stock include the need for quality windows and at what grade of windows are relets being given?
To ask the Manager will the proposed changes in relation to polling stations as recommended and agreed by this Local Authority be in operation for the next election?
To ask the Manager will he outline what he has done to source a new site for homeless accomodation in the County since the failure of Part 8 Proposal at the last Council meeting held to discuss this issue and what timescale is he working towards supplying this accomodation?
To ask the Manager will he/she give a report outlining how the scheme is functioning and how many fines have actually been given and processed in relation to individuals drinking alcohol in parks and public spaces since the passing of the South Dublin County Council Byelaws in relation to this matter?
To ask the Manager to consider locating local salt/grit banks throughout the County where resident & community groups can collect same and distribute within estates, school & church yards, etc.?
To ask the Manager to provide the following information in relation to litter fines:-
(a) How much has been collected-
1. In 2009.
2. In 2010.
(b) What is done with the money collected?
To ask the Manager how many days and nights of gritting can be achieved with our current levels of grit and salt reserves?
To ask the Manager to ensure that all roads that facilitate public transport i.e buses, be included on the priority gritting routes as some areas such as Killinarden Heights were excluded earlier in the year leaving workers with no means of getting to their place of employment?
To ask the Manager to ensure that internal cemetery roads and paths are gritted sufficiently to ensure safe access for mourners, as this was not the case weekend 26th-28th/Nov/2010 where hearses and family cars were stuck in snow and ice significant distances from relevant gravesides?
To ask the Manager to advise if a decision has been made on provision of the Christmas Tree recycling service in January 2011; 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 report on implementation of the Croke Park Agreement with respect to South Dublin County Council and to advise on what reform proposals are being put forward by management?
To ask the Manager to provide a detailed update on the roll-out of both the council's Work Placement Programme and apprentice training scheme and and to outline what council work areas are to benefit from these programmes?
To ask the Manager to report on this council’s current or planned engagement with philanthropic organisations on joint projects to provide community facilities and/or programmes throughout the county?
To ask the Manager to outline all supports, other than the Innovation Enterprise Network, offered by this council to aide start-up enterprises in the county?
To ask the Manager if the council would distribute salt/grit to interested residents associations who could disperse themselves on roads not subject to the council gritting schedule?
To ask the Manager for safety guidelines regarding access to fire hydrants in residential areas in view of blocking of same by vehicle owners who park blocking hydrants?
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 advise if the Council will provide a Christmas Tree Re-Cycling Service, with tree collection points located throughout the County, in early January 2011, as it has provided in recent years?
To ask the Manager if he can advise if any progress has been made in discussions with the DoE,H and LG to have South Dublin treated on a par with the other Dublin Region Local Authorities in regard to the amount of the Local Government Fund Grant per resident allocated to the County, and in particular if the Department accepts that South Dublin should at least be allocated funding at the level of Fingal. and if he will make a statement on the matter?
To ask the Manager for an updated report on the operation to date by the Council of the Government's Social Housing Leasing Initiative?
To ask the Manager for an updated report on the Council's Innovation Enterprize Zones Initiative, including a report on the extension of the IEZ Initiative to other Dublin Local Authorities?
To ask the Manager for an updated Report on the Council's participation in the FAS Work Placement Scheme, and in particular if he can advise on the number of Council placememnts which have been filled to-date?
To ask the Manager if he can provide to members a report identifying those aspects of the Government's National Recovery Plan 2010 - 2014 which will significantly impact on the services provided by this Council, and if he will make a statement on the matter?
Headed Items
DECLARATION OF ROADS TO BE PUBLIC ROADS
Hayden’s Lane Access Road
(circulated herewith)
PROPOSED DISPOSAL OF PROPERTIES/SITES
(all circulated herewith)
H8c) Proposed Disposal of Fee Simple Interest - Small Builders Scheme
H8b) Disposal of Fee Simple Interest
H8d) Proposed Disposal of site at Esker, Lucan to Minister for Education and Skills.
H8a) Proposed Disposal of Affordable Dwellings
(no report)
CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING PROGRAMME
(circulated herewith)
FILLING OF COMMITTEE VACANCIES:-
a) Joint Policing Committee
b) Alternating of Position of SPC Chair
c) Nomination to Local Traveller Consultative Committee
(all circulated herewith)
PROVISION OF FOOD SAFETY ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND (FSAI) STATUTORY FUNCTIONS ON BEHALF OF DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL BY SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL. (PROPOSED AGREEMENT UNDER SECTION 85 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2001)
(circulated herewith)
PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF PARKING BYE-LAWS
(circulated herewith)
REPORT ON PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY OVER EXISTING PATHWAY ALONGSIDE 1 RAHEEN DRIVE, TALLAGHT
(circulated herewith)
PROPOSED EXTINGUISHMENT OVER LANEWAY TO SIDE OF 2 BEECHFIELD CLOSE AND TO REAR OF 2 - 18 (EVEN) BEECHFIELD CLOSE, DUBLIN 12
(circulated herewith)
RAISING OF LOANS FOR HOUSING PURPOSES FOR 2011
(circulated herewith)
Correspondence
Ministerial
Correspondence, dated 16th November 2010, from Minister for Community, Equality & Gaeltacht Affairs regarding motion passed in relation to Drugs Task Force funding.
Ministerial
Correspondence, dated 17th November 2010, from Minister for Health regarding motion passed in relation to Tallaght Hospital Review
Ministerial
Correspondence, dated 22nd November 2010, from Minister for Transport regarding motion passed in relation to Taxi Regulator.
Ministerial
Correspondence, dated 24th November 2010, from Minister for Health & Children regarding motion passed in relation to closure of childrens hospital in Tallaght.
Correspondence, dated 03rd November 2010, from Dublin City Council regarding Cash for Gold enterprises.
Correspondence, dated 04th November 2010, from Monaghan Town Council regarding Plight of the Self-Employed
Correspondence, dated 12th November 2010, from Offaly County Council to ESB regarding proposed electricity price increase.
Correspondence, dated 25th November 2010, from North Tipperary County Council regarding JPCs
Correspondence, dated 25th November 2010, from Monaghan Town Council in relation to Fuel Allowance.
Motions
Mayor's Business
That this Council condemns the government decision to punish the lowest paid in society by reducing the Minimum Wage
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?
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.
Recognising that the State Pension and associated supports form a crucial safety net for the elderly, and recognising that over 84% of older people in Ireland rely on the public pension and related supports to keep them from the risk of poverty, and believing that the State Pension must not suffer any cuts, direct or indirect, in the next budget, this Council declares its support for the campaign to Defend the State Pension organised by the Older and Bolder Alliance and calls on the Taoiseach and the Government to make a long term commitment to a fair and secure State Pension now and in the future.
That this Council, following the enthusiastic support for the geothermal planning application at the October Council meeting now resolves to write to Minister Conor Lenihan asking him to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that deep geothermal technology becomes part of the renewable energy feed-in tariff scheme, REFIT, without which the project is unlikely to proceed.
This Council comdemns the importation and sale of real fur in Ireland and supports the campaign by CAFT Ireland by agreeing to ban the importation and sale of real fur in South Dublin County.
That this Council calls on the Taxi Regulator to abolish the 9 year rule that is due to come into force in 2011.
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 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."
That this Council mindful of the severe budgetary restraints imposed will nonetheless ensure that in its budgetary allocations for 2011, that monies be provided for the provision and/or construction, this coming year of specially adapted housing for the fewer than 20 persons previously determined as being a 'medical priority' by the Council's medical assessors given the fact that many of them are waiting on that list for a number of years.
That this council discuss the result of the talks that have taken place with with NAMA and the County and City Managers Associations re the shortfall in development levies - taking into consideration that Councils issue the certificate of compliance which can only be issued when development contributions are paid to the satisfaction of the local authority. That the course of action to be taken on each development in the SDCC area be discussed and agreed with this council, this discussion to take place with the aid of an up to date report on outstanding development levies of circa 34m broken down into (a) not developed (b) partially developed (c) completed developments ; as levies are only collectable on completed works, and to state the current economic value of outstanding levies.
That South Dublin County Council calls on the Taxi Regulator and the Minister for Transport to, abolish, or at the very least postpone the introduction of the 9-year rule.
That this Council calls on the Manager to explore the possibility of setting aside a proportion of the trees that the Council cuts down in the County for converting into logs for distributed via charitable organisations to people who cannot afford to buy heating fuel this winter.