COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TERENURE-RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE 2

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

QUESTION No.1

QUESTION: Councillor M. Árdagh

"To ask the Manager to consider  the concerns of local residents in relation to the deterioration of the management of Cherryfield Halting site and to set out how he proposes to address the problems of litter, overcrowding and general management of the site?"

REPLY:

The housing development in Cherryfield Way is maintained in a similar manner to all Council owned residential accommodation.  All maintenance defects are recorded via a computerised reporting system and are dealt with according to their priority having regard to the maintenance demands at the time and the resources available for maintenance purposes. 

A considerable amount of illegal dumping has taken place both on the site and in the adjoining Cherryfield Park .  This illegal dumping which is similar to the pattern of dumping which is taking place at a number of locations in the County is under active investigation at present.  Site visits by the Council’s Enforcement Staff are regularly carried out.  Staff are also using the latest technology to detect offenders and all offenders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.  Should any Council tenants be identified as engaging in illegal dumping then such behaviour will be dealt with in accordance with the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour policy. The Council also arranges frequent clean-ups which are carried out by or under the supervision of the caretaking service.

In recognition of the impact some of the current activities are having on the local environment, the Council has recently increased its presence and adopted a more proactive approach to the elimination of a range of unacceptable behaviours that have been evident in more recent times. As previously advised, a new approach to estate management and tenant participation is being piloted and revised arrangements are now in place on this site for the last couple of weeks.  Some immediate improvements are anticipated, however the matter is at present under constant and continuing review.  All residents have received a severe written warning and informed that their future behaviour, if not immediately improved, will lead to the severest of consequences.