Agenda - December 2005 County Council Meeting

CONFIRMATION AND RE-AFFIRMATION OF MINUTES

a) Minutes of Meeting of South Dublin County Council, 14th November 2005.

                                               (circulated herewith)

• Minutes of 14th November 2005

a) Terenure/Rathfarnham Area Committee (1) - 1st November 2005

Dealing with Roads, Planning, Development and Corporate Services.

                                                                    (no report)

b) Terenure/Rathfarnham Area Committee (2) - 8th November 2005

Dealing with Community, Parks, Environment and Housing.

                                                           (no report)

c) Tallaght Area Committee (1) - 21st November 2005

Dealing with Environment, Parks, Community (1 report - Grants) and Housing

                                                           (circulated herewith)

d) Tallaght Area Committee (2) - 28th November 2005

Dealing with Roads, Planning (1 report-Material Contravention), Development and Corporate Services

                                                                  (circulated herewith)

e) Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee (1) - 15th November 2005

Dealing with Development, Planning, Corporate Services and Roads

                                                                    (no report)

f) Lucan/Clondalkin Area Committee (2) - 22nd November 2005

Dealing with Environment, Parks, Community (1 report - Grants) and Housing

• H2(c) Community Grants
• H2(d) Planning Report
• H2(f) Community Grants

Standing Committees - Organisation, Procedure and Finance Committee, 24th November 2005

(a) Calendar of Meeting Dates

                                                    (circulated herewith)

• H3 Calendar of Meeting Dates

Strategic Policy Committees

a) Report of the Environment SPC, 9/11/05

b) Report of the Housing & Social Development SPC, 10/11/05

c) Report of the Sports, Recreation, Community Development SPC, 16/11/05.

d) Report of the Transportation SPC, 17/11/05

e) Report of the Economic Development (Planning and Development) SPC, 30/11/05

f) Report of the Arts, Culture, Gaeilge, Education & Libraries SPC, 1/12/05

                                (all circulated herewith)

• H4(a) Environment SPC Report
• H4(b)(i) Hsg and Social Minutes
• H4(b)(ii) Hsg and Social Report
• H4(b)(iii) Hsg and Social Report
• H4(c)(i) Sports Minutes
• H4(c)(ii) Sports Report
• H4(d)(i) Transport Minutes
• H4(d)(ii) Transport Report
• H4(e) Eco Dev Minutes
• H4(e) Eco Dev PPT
• H4(e) Eco Dev Report
• H4(f)(i) Arts Minutes
• H4(f)(ii) Arts Report

Reports Requested by Area Committees

                                                           (no report)

To ask the Manager to state in how many instances has the Council required as a condition of planning permission that a Management Company be established to provide specified services to apartment blocks and other residential developments and will he detail the developments where such arrangements now obtain and if he is aware of the fees that obtain in each case?

 

• Qu1ManagementCompanies

To ask the Manager what additional resources will be put in place in the County to deal with the usual enormous increase in volume of glass recycling over the Christmas period - given the unacceptable and dangerous situation that arose last Christmas whereby bottle banks were full and recycleable glass was indiscriminately abandoned in the areas surrounding the bottle banks?

 

 

• Q2 Glass Recycling

To ask the Manager to update the Council on developments resulting from the council,s involvement with the education initiatives for the Travelling Community and will he make a statement on this?

• Q3 Education Initiatives

To ask the Manager what action he will take to increase the level of waste reduction at origin or point of purchase within the County?

• Q4 Waste Reduction

To ask the Manager to give an account of the level of take up of the disability home improvement grant. Will he outline the number of applicants, time of adjudication, % level of approvals and number of cases rejected by Medical Officer?

• Q5 Disability Grant

To ask the Manager will he outline his proposals for the roll out of brown waste collection/house composting for 2006?

• Q6 Brown Waste

To ask the Manager to clarify the position of all contractors working on behalf of the Council that they are in compliance with the optimum Health & Safety Standards and compliance with proper industry rates of pay?

• Q 7 H & S

To ask the Manager to update this Council on the siting of a commemorative plaque in County Hall to the 200^th anniversary of the Emmett Rebellion as passed by motion of the full council and agreed to by management?

• Q8 Commemorative Plaque

To ask the Manager for a detailed report on the experiment in Cork City Council where renewable fuels, based on oil seed rape, were used to propel some of that city's council vehicles?

• Q9 Renewable fuels

To ask the Manager if she would consider developing a policy whereby older Council tenants whose families have left their homes can exchange their homes for sheltered accommodation and to give her response to this idea?

• Q10 Fin Count Scheme

To ask the Manager (a)  many dogs were impounded from the South Dublin Co. Council area in 2003, 2004 and to date in 2005 (b) what was the re-homing rate for this area? (c) what was the put down rate? that the proprietor of the Dogs home be contacted to ascertain this information if it is not available, (d) what proposal do we have to publicize the “national spay week”  in conjunction with the National Stray dogs and Cats Society in order to reduce the numbers of dogs being neglected?

• Q11 Impounded Dogs

To ask the Manager to agree to introduce by way of a pilot project, the facility of Flashing/Warning Lights at Schools. Such lights would be of practical assistance in enhancing the safety of many people, including school-going children and students, whose safety is now more at risk with increased traffic volumes, including Heavy Goods Vehicles on our roads, and where there are increased pressures on car parking spaces in the vicinity of schools in the county owing to increased traffic volumes and growing traffic congestion?

• Q12 Warning Lights at Schools

To ask the Manager, in light of the ever increasing congestion being experienced on the roads of South Dublin, to request that the DTO and An Garda Siochana make arrangements for Gardaí to be allocated to direct traffic at all “free-flow” junctions on a year-round basis at peak traffic times?

• Q13 Traffic Congestion

To ask the Manager to make arrangements for a double green bin collection following Christmas due to the fact that most households produce a great deal of recyclable waste during the festive season? 

• Q14 Green Bin Collection

To ask the Manager to outline what measures will be taken over the Christmas period to ensure that Bottle Banks and Plastic recycling facilities are regularly emptied, on a daily basis if necessary, and that the surrounding areas are kept free from rubbish at all times?

• Emptying of Bottle Banks at Chrismas

To ask the Manager to report upon the Council’s library building programme with specific reference to what area is next on the list for the provision of a library according to the County Development Plan and to detail what steps are being taken to ensure that this schedule is being adhered to? 

• Q16 Library Building Programme

To ask the Manager to indicate when it is envisaged that provision will be made in the capital budget for the furtherance of the Council’s Water Leisure strategy and to provide reassurances that the current review of the programme will in no way be used as an excuse not to put finance aside given that funding will invariably be required one way or another? 

• Q17 Water Leisure Strategy

To ask the Manager to outline what the extent of the Council’s landownership is of green-field sites within the county and to list, site by site, the area involved in each parcel of land and the current zoning status of each? 

• Q18

To ask the the Manager to explain what are the new provisions that come into effect when the Council takes over the administration of Social Welfare rents. In particular will the Council have any role in vetting tenants, is there provisions to cap rents and is there a change to the system to encourage longer periods of tenure.

• Q19 RAS

 To ask the Manager to provide a list of Developments which had Estate Management Companies included as a condition of Planning Permission.

• Q20 Estate Management Companies

To ask the Manager to report on the proposed Park and Ride services for this County?

• Q21 Park and Ride

To ask the Manager if he would provide a report on the Council's involvement, financial and otherwise, in supporting the provision of community childcare services in the County?

• Q22 Childcare Services

To ask the Manger if he would provide a report on projects through which the Council secures housing units for letting to tenants additional to the Council's housing programme? 

• Q23 Housing Units

To ask  the Manager if he would provide a progress report on the development of the Council's Play Policy and a summary of proposed additional playground facilities in the County in 2006? 

• Q24 Play Policy

To ask the Manager to set out the policy of South Dublin County Council in respect of the erection of sound barriers close to the M50 motorway as  a means of reducing noise pollution for residents who live in the adjoining estates to the m50, or within a reasonable distance from the M50, if this matter has been discussed with the NRA, and the natureof those discussions, if in the context of the proposed work on upgrading the M50 over the next three years, if this matter could be considered and acted upon, and if he will make a statement in the Matter.

• Q25 M50 Sound Barriers

To ask the Manager to set out reasons why South Dublin County Council makes a condition of various planning applications to have management and licenced companies employed to run essential services on new  housing developments, if the Council is aware of the considerable public controversy surrounding fees charged by such companies for the services they provide, and if, in the light of recent statements from the Government,South Dublin County Council will change its policy in relation to this matter, and if he will make a statement on the matter.

• Qu26MngmntCompanies

To ask the Manager to set out the implications for South Dublin County Council in respect of the Government's recent announcement concerning "Transport 21", and if at this stage he could indicate the general route which will follow the introduction of new Metro and Luas lines in the functional area of South Dublin County Council, and if he will make a statement on the matter?

• Q27 Transport 21

Declaration of Roads to be Public Roads

                                                                 (no report)

Proposed Disposal of Properties/Sites

a) Proposed Disposal of Affordable Housing

b) Small builders scheme - proposed disposal of fee simple interest at 159 Alpine Heights Clondalkin Dublin 22

c) Small Builders Scheme - Proposed Disposal of Fee Simple Interest at 19 Limekiln Avenue Walkinstown Dublin 12

d) Small Builders Scheme - Proposed Disposal of Fee Simple Interest at 12 Limekiln Avenue Walkinstown Dublin 12

e) Small Builders Scheme - Proposed Disposal of Fee Simple Interest at 132 Balrothery Estate Tallaght Dublin 24

f) Proposed disposal of property at  1 Drumcairn Green,Tallaght, Dublin 24.

g) Variation in proposed disposal of land at Cookstown Road, Fortunestown, Tallaght, Dublin 24 to Avorado Holdings Ltd.

                             (all circulated herewith)

 

 

 

• H7(a) Affordable Housing
• H7(a) Russell Square Map
• H7(a) Westend Gate Map
• H7(b) 159 Alpine Heights
• H7(b) 159 Alpine Heights Map
• H7(c) 19 Limekiln Ave
• H7(c) 19 Limekiln Ave Map
• H7(d) 12 Limekiln Ave
• H7(d) 12 Limekiln Ave Map
• H7(e) 132 Balrothery Estate
• H7(e) 132 Balrothery Estate map
• H7(f) 1 Drumcairn Green
• H7(g) Avorado
• H7(g) Avorado Map

Report on the Public Notification Process under Part 8 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations 2001-2003 for the creation of a pedestrian priority amenity corridor from the Civic Theatre to the student gate of the Institute of Technology , Tallaght, known as the Tallaght “ZIP” Project.

 

                                   (circulated herewith) 

• H8 Part VIII Tallaght ZIP Project
• H8 Zip ITT Entrance
• H8 ZIP Middle section
• H8 ZIP Overall Layout
• H8 ZIP Student Accommodation
• H8 ZIP Typical Plan and Section

Report on the Public Consultation Process under Part 8 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations 2001-2003 in respect of the completion of a new football stadium at Whitestown Way, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

                                          (circulated herewith)

• H-I(9) Report Part 8 - Stadium
• H-I(9) Report Part 8 - Stadium Drawing
• H-I(9) Report Part 8 - Stadium Map of optional car park site
• H-I(9) Report Part 8 - Stadium Map showing extended pitch

Report on Provision of Cafe Type Facilities in Regional Parks

                                              (circulated herewith)

• H10 Cafe Facilities

Recent National Awards to SDCC from Chambers of Commerce in Ireland and Irish Planning Institute

                                (circulated herewith)

• Award 2
• Award 3
• Award 4
• H11 Awards Report

Authorisation of Over Expenditure for 2005

                                             (circulated herewith)

• H12 Authorisation of Over Expenditure

Proposed Raising of Loans

(a) Arthurstown Landfill Development

(b) Housing Purposes

                                 (circulated herewith)

• H13(a) Raising of Loans -Arthurstown Landfill
• H13(b) Raising of Loans - Housing

Letter, dated 9th November 2005 from Passage West Town Council regarding two motions passed in relation to (1) regular monitoring for bacteria in hospitals, and (2) the treatment of cardiovascular disease as a chronic illness.

• Passage West Town Council

Letter, dated 9th November 2005 from Bantry Town Council regarding motion passed in relation to continued support for Fair Trade Mark.

• Bantry Town Council

Letter, dated 15th November 2005 from Killarney Town Council regarding motion passed requesting the Department of the Environment to stop penalizing motorists who cannot afford to pay motor tax in one payment.

• Killarney Town Council

Letter, dated 17th November 2005 from Ennis Town Council regarding motion passed calling on the Minister to the amend  the regulations governing voluntary housing to allow tenants to purchase their dwellings on a similar basis to tenants of Local Authority dwellings.

• Ennis Town Council

Letter, dated 17th November 2005 from the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly regarding motion passed calling for the total ban on drift net fishing off our shores.

• Southern & Eastern Reg. Assembly

Letter, dated 24th November 2005 from Longford County Council regarding motion passed regarding legislation governing unauthorised fireworks.

• Longford County council

Letter, dated 25th November 2005 from the County Sheriff in reply to question approved at South Dublin County Council's meeting of 14th November regarding the cost of storage of electronic voting equipment.

• County Sheriff

Letter, dated 30th November 2005 from the Private Residential Tenancies Board in reply to question approved at South Dublin County Council's meeting of 10th October 2005.

• PRTB

Mayor's Business

That this Council agree to seek an urgent meeting with the NRA re preparations for trucks from the Port Tunnel coming on to M50.

• Motion 1

Mayor's Business

That in the absence of the promised buses this Council approves the limited use of empty bus lanes for ordinary car drivers at peak hour traffic given the fact that we have lost half our road space and have not received the promised buses.

That this Council calls for a report on the discussions to date with the Department of Education in relation to funding the management and maintenance of the School/Community dual use halls, currently being constructed under the Schools Building Programme.

That the Council look towards allocating funding to the South Dublin Childcare Association.

That the Manager would please outline in detail the newer and most recent efforts made by South Dublin County Council in order to ensure that all Swimming Pools are provided to communities as outlined in the earlier Water Leisure Strategy Report and that the Manager would specifically outline what new efforts are being made to provided Swimming Pools to communities where the earlier preferred option of a Public Private Partnership arrangement has to date failed.

• M5 Water Leisure Strategy

That this Council will exert its influences by writing to all area Garda Superintendents calling on them to enforce the Council bye-law re Drinking in public which is enforced by An Garda Siochana and report back to Council after a 3 month period the figures re. issuing of fines in order for this Council to monitor and see if this is having any effect in combating this scourge and especially amongst the under age.

That this Council calls on the Manager to replace the €40 charge for home composters to a nominal charge (less than €10) or none at all for customers who collect them. That the charge for delivery to a customers home should not be a disincentive to home composting (less than €25), and that waiver qualifiers be eligible for a free home composter to be delivered to them.

That this Council write to the Tanaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney to ask her to provide extended and necessary facilities at the A&E Department at Tallaght Hospital to cope with the dreadful lack of privacy and lack of visitor space which is currently the case.

That this Council adopt a "Name & Shame" policy in regard to litter offences.

That South Dublin County Council recognises that the existing national School Transport System operated by the Department of Educational and Science and Bus Eireann was designed in another era for the principal purpose of increasing educational participation at second level, and that the issue to be addressed in school transport in the County in the new century has to do with traffic congestion, safety at school locations and pressure on parents to bring children to school by car, and requests the Manager to undertake an initiative, in consultation with the Government  to provide a Council operated School Transport System in the County. 

That the Council, as a response to damages caused to grass verges, footpaths and outside driveways, as a consequence of private development work, be it residential, commercial or industrial, introduces a bye -law or introduces the provision of a Notification Certificate for residents and businesses, that enables the Council to examine locations prior to the commencement of building/developments, as a means of guarantee that either (a) sites are restored to original order (b) the Council can charge a fee to the occupier or builder or developer , to cover the expense of reinstatement by the local authority.

That this Council, in light of the recent proposals put forward by Sinn Fein for a green paper on re-unification and the S.D.L.Ps recently launched united Ireland strategy, calls on the Dublin Government to lead an immediate and extensive consultation process with all sections of society, including unionism on a green paper for the re-unification of Ireland and recognises the need for adequate preparation for same.

That this Council discuss the request from the Co. Childcare Committee that childcare facilities in the County be exempt from rates. 

That this Council notes the widespread damage caused by unauthorized bonfires at Halloween in the administrative area of South Dublin County Council and the widespread dumping thereof and in an effort to minimise such dumping of household goods calls on the Manager to schedule the annual Council junk collection for the month of September each year.

• M14 Damage caused by bonfires

That South Dublin County Council (a)  Report on the impact of composters in terms of reducing waste in our County  and (b)  Agrees to set up a pilot scheme in a given area using sophisticated food and vegetation digesters to see the impact that has on dealing with waste.

That this Council set up an information drive for the county to encourage citizens to return their bulk packaging to the point of purchase and encourage REPAK and all commercial businesses to participate in a package reduction scheme which will reduce the amount of waste and reduce the amount of costs to the local environment and business.

That the Manager would please provide an up-to-date and detailed report on progress made to build the Council's first Skate Park. Specifically would the Manager please report on the local consultation process which I requested at the outset, with the delegation from the local Skate Board Club regarding the design, lay-out and materials to be used in the Skate Park, and the time scale for the building and completion of this Skate Park.

In view of recent job losses, that South Dublin County Council takes the initiative and brings together all interested parties - such as FAS, the unions, employers' organisations, local chambers of commerce, community representatives and government bodies such as the IDA and so on - to ensure that everything possible is done to promote and maintain the attractiveness and suitability of the area for new industries.

That a detailed report be brought to this Council outlining the actual numbers of staff working directly on anti-social issues.  The report to include staff on part time hours, maternity leave and a breakdown re Clondalkin and Tallaght areas.

That South Dublin County Council calls on the Dublin City Manager to restrict access to the city centre (between the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal ), by vehicles of three axles and more between the hours of 7AM and 7PM unless such vehicles are carrying a permit issued by the City Manager. And that such restriction becomes effective when the Dubin Port Tunnel opens - in order that the citizens of South Dublin County enjoy the benefits promised when funding for the Port Tunnel project was approved.

That the Council undertakes a review of the regulations governing the siting of planning application roadside public notices, particularly in light of obvious flaws relating to where a planning application may be lodged within an estate that directly affects residents to the rear of that house but located in a different estate.

That this Council calls upon the Manager to immediately provide funding in the 2006 estimates to initiate the process to provide a Swimming Pool in Lucan given that the Minister has indicated that it falls to the Council to do so. 

That the Council notes with concern that individuals and families who have been approved for apartments and houses under the Council's Affordable Housing Schemes are being required to pay Management Charges of € 800 per annum and more, that the requirement to pay such charges is effectively adding about € 20000 to the cost of their homes, and requests the Manager to have these charges taken into account when arriving at prices to be determined for Affordable Housing units.

That this Council recommends that we make representation to the Colombian Ambassador in London to ensure that the  military rescue operation proposed by President Uribe  to rescue hostages held by FARC be cancelled.  Mindful of the fact that FARC leaders have ordered their men to execute hostages in such a rescue operation, by proceeding in this way, it is imposing a death sentence on the hostages one of whom includes Ingrid Betancourt on whom we have bestowed the Freedom of the County of South Dublin.