Agenda - October 2012 County Council Meeting

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Date:
08/10/2012 15:30
Location:
Council Chamber
Standing Orders:

Headed Items

H-I (1)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate

CONFIRMATION AND RE-AFFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Minutes of Meeting of South Dublin County Council, 10th September 2012

(circulated herewith)

H-I (2)
Submitted by:
Roads Department, Housing Administration, Planning Not is use
Responsibility:
Roads Department, Housing Administration, Planning Not is use

REPORTS OF AREA COMMITTEES

a)  Rathfarnham Area Committee - 11th September 2012

Dealing with Planning & Development, Corporate Services & Libraries, Community, Housing, Parks, Environment, Roads & Water Services

(no report)

b)  Clondalkin Area Committee - 19th September 2012

Dealing with Planning & Development, Corporate Services & Libraries, Community, (1 report - Community Grants), Housing, Parks, Environment, Roads & Water Services

(circulated herewith)

c)  Joint Tallaght Area Committee (1) & Tallaght Area Committee (2) -   24th September 2012

Dealing with Community (1 report - Community Grants), Housing, Environment, Parks, Planning & Development, Roads & Water Services, Corporate Services & Libraries

(circulated herewith)

d)  Lucan Area Committee - 25th September 2012

Dealing with Planning & Development, Corporate Services & Libraries, Community (1 report - Community Grants ), Housing, Parks, Environment, Roads & Water Services

(circulated herewith)

H-I (3)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate

STANDING COMMITTEES - ORGANISATION, PROCEDURE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE 

a)  Draft Calendar of Meeting Dates

b)  Report on Conferences / Seminars

(all circulated herewith)

H-I (4)
Submitted by:
Marian Dunne
Responsibility:
Teresa Walsh, Billy Coman, Frank Nevin, Philip Murphy

STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES

a)  Economic Development  (incl. Planning & Development) Strategic Policy Committee

(i)  Report of Meeting 4th September 2012

(ii) Minutes of Meeting 8th May 2012

b)  Sports, Recreation, Community Development & Parks Strategic Policy Committee

(i)  Report of Meeting 5th September 2012

(ii) Minutes of Meeting 30th May 2012

c)  Transportation Strategic Policy Committee

(i)  Report of Meeting 6th September 2012

(ii) Minutes of Meeting 17th May 2012

d)  Arts, Culture, Gaeilge, Education & Libraries Strategic Policy Committee

(i)  Report of Meeting 11th September 2012

(ii) Minutes of Meeting 8th May 2012

e)  Housing & Social Development Strategic Policy Committee

(i)  Report of Meeting 24th September 2012

(ii) Minutes of Meeting 28th May 2012

(all circulated herewith)

H-I (5)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate

REPORTS REQUESTED BY AREA COMMITTEES

(H5 - no reports)

H-I (6)
Submitted by:
Anne Byrne - Community
Responsibility:
Anne Byrne - Community

JOINT POLICING COMMITTEE REPORT

(circulated herewith)

Questions

Qu (1)
Submitted by:
Councillor B. Bonner
Responsibility:
Maire Ni Dhomhnaill

Thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of council staff, the social credits scheme is proving very successful, as is the assistance given to Tidy Towns groups in the county.  To ask the Manager can we be assured that these initiatives will be adequately funded so that they can respond to the requests of community groups for materials such as bags, gloves, pickers, hi vis jackets etc.?

Qu (2)
Submitted by:
Councillor P. Cosgrave
Responsibility:
Mary Maguire

To ask the Manager to give a report on the rules of mobiles phones to Councillors to include Ministers Roches Bill or law country wide for Councillor, and could the Manager give a layman’s report on the workings of the Bill.

Qu (3)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Devine
Responsibility:
Maria O'Neill

To ask that the Manager report on the volume of applications for Education Grants with particular reference to Gender / age / successful or otherwise?

Qu (4)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Devine
Responsibility:
Brian Sheehan

To ask the Manager to assess the feasibilty of using Rubber Mulch Rings around trees and poles through the County?

Qu (5)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Devine
Responsibility:
Brian Martin

To ask the Manager what is being considered to replace the Tenant Purchase Scheme at year end?

Qu (6)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Devine
Responsibility:
Dermot Finch

To ask that the Manager provide a report on the monitoring of and reports received with regards to inspections for Tree infestation of pipes, gullies, culverts etc. across the County?

Qu (7)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Higgins
Responsibility:
Brian Sheehan

To ask the Council for a list of trails/walks or ways available to members of the public in the County (either on public property or public rights of way) and a list of possible trails which could be developed?

Qu (8)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Brian Sheehan

To ask the Manager for an update on the County's Tree Surgery programmes as planned and as executed to date?

Qu (9)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Laura Leonard

To ask the Manager to update members on the numbers of households that are liable for the septic tank charge within the county and how many have paid to date (by region if possible)?

Qu (10)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Maria O'Neill

To ask the Manager how much this Council will pay in Student Higher Education Grants for this academic year 2012 - 2013 and how it compares to previous years?

Qu (11)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Clodagh Henehan

To ask the Manager if, in the event that the cut in the Council's LGF Fund allocation is implemented by Government, what the impact will be on the services of the Council and what proposals has the Manager in place to deal with them?

Qu (12)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Paul Hogan

To ask the Manager to update members on the proposals to connect the Dublin Bike Scheme to South Dublin County?

Qu (13)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Bernie McCormack

To ask the Manager to update members on the amount of litter being collected county wide since the deployment of the new waste service?

Qu (14)
Submitted by:
Councillor W. Lavelle
Responsibility:
Colin Ryan

To ask the Manager to confirm if this Planning Authority is to discontinue the practice of granting temporary planning permission for takeaways in residentially-zoned areas in light of the decisions by an Bord Pleanala (PL06S.236907 & PL06S.239707) to refuse two such temporary permissions granted  by this planning authority?

Qu (15)
Submitted by:
Councillor W. Lavelle
Responsibility:
Clodagh Henehan

To ask the Manager to report on the total amount of development contribution funding still available to SDCC for investment in capital projects?

Qu (16)
Submitted by:
Councillor W. Lavelle
Responsibility:
Paul Hogan

To ask the Manager to report on discussions with the NTA and Irish Rail to develop a rail interchange hub in the County?

Qu (17)
Submitted by:
Councillor W. Lavelle
Responsibility:
Teresa Walsh, Laura Leonard

To ask the Manager to provide a detailed update on the council’s review of HGV restrictions?

Qu (18)
Submitted by:
Councillor W. Lavelle
Responsibility:
Teresa Walsh

To ask the Manager to engage with Dublin Bus to seek an update on plans, first announced as part of the ‘Network Direct’ proposals, to introduce a number 166 orbital bus service linking Tallaght, Clondalkin & Lucan?

Qu (19)
Submitted by:
Councillor W. Lavelle
Responsibility:
Andrew O'Mullane, Laura Leonard

To ask the Manager, further to my motion at the June meeting, to provide a detailed timeframe for the planned review of parking bye-laws?

Qu (20)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Looney
Responsibility:
Mary Maguire, Tommy Kavanagh , Dave Downey

To ask the Manager for an update on user and Council statistics related to the fixyourstreet.ie site since its inception; to ask what upgrades are planned to the site; to ask when it is planned to take the site out of beta testing; and to make a statement on the matter.

Qu (21)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Looney
Responsibility:
Caitriona Lambert

To ask the Manager to detail the Council's preparations for the winter months in terms of plans for road gritting, grit/salt bin locations, and other plans to deal with extreme weather events; to consider the further rollout of grit/salt bins to new estates; and to make a statement on the matter.

Qu (22)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Looney
Responsibility:
Tommy Kavanagh

To ask the Manager, in the context of overall excellent online and social networking engagement by this Council, when it is planned to upgrade the design and structure of the Council website, as previously indicated; and in particular to improve access to Councillor details for members of the public on the Council's website and in its social networking.

Qu (23)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Looney
Responsibility:
Mary Maguire, Georgina Byrne

To ask the Manager if the Council has any plans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1913 Lockout next year, and to make a statement on the matter.

Qu (24)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Tuffy
Responsibility:
Paul Hogan

To ask the Manager to make a report on the current status/position of Permeability and other projects being developed in the County for funding under the Smarter Travel Initiative? 

Qu (25)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Tuffy
Responsibility:
Larry Kelly

To ask the Manager if she will make an updated report on the percentage of households in the County which have registered for and paid the Household charge to date?

Qu (26)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Tuffy
Responsibility:
Maria Donohoe

To ask the Manager if she will provide at the October Council meeting a report outlining the role and current activities/projects in which the Children's Services Committee and the County Childcare Committee are involved? 

Qu (27)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Tuffy
Responsibility:
Willie Sheils

To ask the Manager if she will explore  the possibility of the Council sourcing the necessary finance to carry out a survey to update the CODANS Report published by the Council some years ago?

Qu (28)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Tuffy
Responsibility:
Andrew O'Mullane, Laura Leonard

To ask the Manager for an updated report on the present status of the work being done to put in place Bye-Laws for the control and regulation of Taxi ranks in trhe County?

Headed Items

H-I (7)
Submitted by:
Roads Department
Responsibility:
Roads Department

DECLARATION OF ROADS TO BE PUBLIC ROADS

Tallaght

1. Ferncourt Phase 4A & 6

2. Maplewood Avenue & Park

3. Cookstown Way – footpath at Respond Housing

4. Charlie O’Toole bridge and approach footpaths

LUCAN 2

Station Road (part of)

(all circulated herewith)

H-I (8)
Submitted by:
Housing Administration, Development, Econ. & Transport Planning Dept.
Responsibility:
Housing Administration, Development, Econ. & Transport Planning Dept.

PROPOSED DISPOSAL OF PROPERTIES / SITES

(no reports)

H-I (9)
Submitted by:
Louise Crofton, Mary Kelly - Finance
Responsibility:
Finance Department, Mary Kelly - Finance

COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR BORROWING FOR BOHERBOY WATER SCHEME

(circulated herewith)

H-I (10)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate

SDCC REPRESENTATION /  VACANCY ON TALLAGHT DRUGS TASK FORCE  (COUNCILLOR C. BROPHY /COUNCILLOR J. LAHART

(circulated herewith)

H-I (11)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate

FILLING OF VACANCY ON THE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY & CITY COUNCILS FOLLOWING RESIGNATION OF COUNCILLOR C. KING FROM THE ACCC (COUNCILLOR M. DEVINE)

(circulated herewith)

H-I (12)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate

FILLING OF 2 VACANCIES ON THE H.S.E. DUBLIN MID-LEINSTER FORUM FOLLOWING RESIGNATION OF COUNCILLORS C. KING & T. DELANEY FROM THE FORUM (COUNCILLORS McDONAGH & TUFFY)

(circulated herewith)

H-I (13)
Submitted by:
Tony Shanahan
Responsibility:
Frank Nevin

DRAFT DEVELOPMENT CONTRIBUTIONS SCHEME

(circulated herewith)

H-I (14)
Submitted by:
Mary Maguire
Responsibility:
Philip Murphy, Georgina Byrne

SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY DRAFT LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2012 - 2016

(circulated herewith)

H-I (15)
Submitted by:
Mary Maguire
Responsibility:
Frank Nevin

LG SECTORAL STRATEGY – Supporting economic recovery and jobs  locally

(circulated herewith)

H-I (16)
Submitted by:
Roads Department
Responsibility:
Thomas Curtin

REPORT ON PROPOSED EXTINGUISHMENT OF THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY OVER GRASSED STRIP FRONTING 1 SYLVAN DRIVE, KINGSWOOD HEIGHTS, TALLAGHT

(circulated herewith)

Correspondence

Cor (1)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate

Ministerial

Letter, dated 10th September 2012, from Minister for Environment regarding SDCC's motion in relation to Domestic Waste Waivers  (M1/0312)

Cor (2)
Submitted by:
Marian Dunne
Responsibility:

Ministerial

(i) Letter, dated 13th September 2012,  from the  Department of Justice and Equality to  acknowledege Letter  received  from South Dublin County Council regarding Civil Marriages.

(ii) Letter, dated 14th September 2012, from Department of Health to acknowledge letter received from South Dublin County Council regarding Irish Drinking Water.

Cor (3)
Submitted by:
Marian Dunne
Responsibility:

Ministerial

Letter, dated 21st September 2012, from Minister for Health regarding Water flouridation (M3/0912)

Cor (4)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:

Ministerial

Letter dated 28th September 2012,  from the Department of Finance regarding Weston (M2/0412)

Cor (5)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate

Letter, dated 29th August 2012, from Donegal County Council regarding their motion in relation to Review of Commercial & Water Rates for Small Enterprises

Cor (6)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate

Letter, dated 12th September 2012, from Monaghan County Council regarding their motion in relation to a Referendum on the Introduction of Abortion

Cor (7)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate

Letter, dated 13th September 2012, from Dublin City Council to Minister for Environment regarding their motion in relation to Illegal Collections of Clothing etc. 

Cor (8)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate

Letter, dated 18th September 2012, from Leitrim County Council to Minister for Finance regarding 2013 Number Plate Registration System and the Motor Industry

Cor (9)
Submitted by:
Corporate Performance and Change Management Directorate
Responsibility:

Letter dated 1st October 2012 from Monaghan Town Council regarding (a) immediate release of Gerry McGeogh, Marian Price and Martin Corey. (b)  tax relief for 1st time buyers. (c) rules regarding the testing of cars over 10 years old every year.

Motions

Mot (1)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. King
Responsibility:
Tommy Kavanagh

Mayors Business

That this Council develops a smart phone app that maps mental health services within the County. This could be done using location services or could be based on the simpler format of the recently succesfully launched "Art Trax" app which would simply list and describe the services in each town of the County.

Mot (2)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. King
Responsibility:
Mary Maguire

Mayor's Business

That this Council calls for the immediate release of Marion Price and Martin Corey.  Everyone is entitled to due process.  Both Martin Corey and Marion Price have been denied this. Their continued detention without trial is an infringement of their human rights and clearly undermines the justice system which imprisons them. Their continued imprisonment is unjust and is in defiance of rulings by the courts in both cases. Both have been granted bail by the courts and yet remain in prison.

Mot (3)
Submitted by:
Councillor C. Brophy
Responsibility:
Willie Sheils

That this council would make available Tallaght Stadium to the IRFU as part of any Irish bid for the Rugby World Cup. The economic and tourist benefits of having the stadium included in the world’s third largest sporting will be significant and the Council should actively promote the inclusion of the Stadium as part of any Irish hosting of this event.

Mot (4)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Walsh 2009
Responsibility:
Mary Maguire

Go dtacaíonn an Chomhairle seo leis an mbeartas deireadh a chur leis an urraíocht ó thionscal na ndeochanna alcóil do chúrsaí spóirt, de réir a chéile, ag féachaint ar an díobháil a dhéantar dár sochaí agus dár dtimpeallacht de bharr mhí-úsáíd alcóil.    

That this Council supports the gradual ending of sponsorship of sport from the alcohol drinks industry having regard to the damage that is done to our society and environment because of the abuse of alcohol.

Mot (5)
Submitted by:
Councillor T. Ridge
Responsibility:
Mary Maguire

That this Council contact the operators of the Red Line Luas re. bullying and nuisance of passengers on a continuous basis by groups of youths who disturb and frighten other passengers particularly the elderly.  I was verbally abused recently when I asked a group to stop shouting and moving around upsetting, in particular senior citizens.  My journey was from Abbey St. and there was no security presence until Red Cow.  I believe an on-board security is the only safeguard for the users of the Luas.

Mot (6)
Submitted by:
Councillor G. O'Connell
Responsibility:
Clodagh Henehan, Mary Maguire

That this Council, being deeply concerned at the need for credible, transparent, accountable and proper funding for the services delivered by and through the Local Authority, requests the Manager to write to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, copied to the Minister for Finance, asking that any consideration of a property tax and/or review of the household charge be done only in the context of the funding of Local Government and that it be introduced in a manner that takes account of (a) the ability to pay by householders, (b) includes a realistic subvention from central Government and (c) that it provides for the active participation of elected Councillors in determining both the need and the level of such charges within their circumscription.

Mot (7)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Coburn
Responsibility:
John McLoughlin, John Browne

That this council discuss with the aid of a report the policy of SDCC towards the treatment and management of Ragworth.

Mot (8)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Tuffy
Responsibility:
Clodagh Henehan

That it is the view of this Council that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government was not justified in deciding, as advised to the County Manager by letter of 18th July 2012, to cut the allocation from the Local Government Fund to South Dublin County Council by almost two million Euro, almost a 12% cut in the Councils LGF grant of 17 million Euro, which in terms of the population of the County was already the lowest LGF Allocation in the Country, that this Council calls on the Minister to restore the Council's allocation to its original level,  and that this Council is seriously concerned about the approach of the Government to the whole question of introducing a Property Tax and or a "Council Charge" to partially fund local authorities, and reiterates its previously expressed view that any new Property Tax and/or revised household charge should be fair and equitable, should not discriminate against householders in South Dublin and Dublin in general, and must have regard to ability to pay.

Mot (9)
Submitted by:
Councillor W. Lavelle
Responsibility:
Frank Nevin

That that Council requests the Manager to present a detailed report, for discussion, on the funding options available to the Council to develop new community enterprise centre spaces, training space, ‘hot-desking’ facilities etc. (including though the leasing of currently vacant premises) in areas of the county currently not serviced and where there is a clear verifiable demand.

Mot (10)
Submitted by:
Councillor T. Gilligan
Responsibility:
Mary Maguire

That this Council calls on the government to criminalize the buying (and selling) of sex

Mot (11)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Mary Maguire

That this Council agrees that  (i) it is necessary for the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs to examine the new pricing structures announced by Greyhound Recycling with a view to assessing their fairness and accuracy to existing customers - and  (ii) if approved requests the ODCA to investigate the new pricing structure forthwith.

Mot (12)
Submitted by:
Councillor M. Devine
Responsibility:
Miriam Reilly, Martina OBrien, Patricia Doherty

That this Council discuss, with the aid of a report, the increasing numbers of households applying for Transfer of accomodation due to Anti-Social Behaviour

Mot (13)
Submitted by:
Councillor B. Bonner
Responsibility:
Willie Sheils

Given that the interim funding for the Community Safety Fora is due to run out at the end of the year, a report is requested on the progress made to date in the efforts made to secure alternative funding.  This Council recognises the invaluable work being done by the fora and urges the relevant ministers to find the funding to enable the fora to continue. 

Mot (14)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Higgins
Responsibility:
Maire Ni Dhomhnaill

That this Council congratulates members of the Tidy Towns Committees across the County on their fantastic efforts in this year’s competition and acknowledges the hard work of the Council staff, including Máire Ní Dhomhnaill and her team, who supported and encouraged these groups. 

Mot (15)
Submitted by:
Councillor D. Looney
Responsibility:
Mary Maguire

That this Council calls on the Government to introduce a wealth tax as part of Budget 2013.

Mot (16)
Submitted by:
Councillor G. O'Connell
Responsibility:
Teresa Walsh

Given the proliferation of the noxious weed "RAGWORTH" on the verges and medians of roads across the County, e.g. the N4 at Palmerston, the Coldcut, the N81, (and that it is illegal not to eradicate it) and as the unkept state of many of these road verges  is a source of frustration and blight on the efforts of local communities who do their best and work towards the objectives of  "Beautiful South Dublin" that Council Management bring forward realistic proposals for implementation on a phased basis begining in 2013, for low maintenance, cost effective and environmentally friendly verges and medians. .

Mot (17)
Submitted by:
Councillor A-M. Dermody
Responsibility:
Brian Sheehan

That this Council outline what justifications there can be for the reluctance of this Council not to permit advertising on the roundabouts within the County, in circumstances where this Council have hitherto fore accepted and provided advertising at these same roundabouts in previous years and where there are businesses willing to pay for such a service.  Reasons given to date include health and safety concerns, disinterest by businesses and that the revenue gathered fails to justify the effort.

Please explain what additional health and safety issues arise that would not ordinarily arise in the general up-keeping and maintenance of our roundabouts.  Please explain what possible justification there can be for this Council refusing revenue in a climate of reduced revenue sources.  There needs to be a joined up approach in supporting local businesses, these are the same businesses that provide local jobs and pay revenue to this Council in the form of rates.

Mot (18)
Submitted by:
Councillor J. Lahart
Responsibility:
Teresa Walsh, Laura Leonard

That this Council conveys to the NRA its disappointment on the quality of landscaping along the M50 from the Balrothery Interchange to the County Boundary with DLR with a view to securing a commitment to invest in the landscaping along this section of the route in coming years

Mot (19)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Higgins
Responsibility:
Brian Sheehan, Georgina Byrne, Elaine Leech

That the Manager present a report outlining what events are being considered or planned for public parks and open spaces between now and Christmas.

Mot (20)
Submitted by:
Councillor W. Lavelle
Responsibility:
Mary Maguire

That this Council calls on the Minister for Transport, Minister of State for Public Transport and National Transport Authority to commission an independent value-for-money assessment of the potential to reopen the Phoenix Park rail tunnel, to take a limited number of commuter trains from the Kildare Line to the City Centre/Docklands and to link with the Broombridge terminus of the planned Luas BXD line which was recently granted permission by an Bord Pleanala?

Mot (21)
Submitted by:
Councillor E. Tuffy
Responsibility:
Mary Maguire
That this Council, noting the decision of the Government, to merge the CPLN and DVP Area Based Partnerships, registers its support for the work of both Partnerships in South Dublin County, and requests the Manager to write to the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, conveying the view of the Council that it supports the work of CPLN and DVP,and is of the view that any proposed merger should protect specific projects of both Partnerships across the County  and ensure that the services  provided for disadvantaged communities and individuals in the County  are continued, and that there is no reduction in the financial and other resources currently available to the two Partnerships for Community Development actions.