COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TERENURE/RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Tuesday, 11th September 2007

QUESTION NO. 8

QUESTION: Councillor J. Lahart

"To ask the County Manager to present a full and comprehensive and detailed report of the actions taken by South Dublin County Council to improve the environment at Cherryfield traveller Accommodation with regard to the following:

litter, illegal dumping outside the boundary walls, burning of materials to the rere of the site; appalling grafitti on perimeter walls and adjacent to Cherryfield; illegal encampments outside of the site from time to time;

in addition to ask the Manager to detail what offences have been committed and prosecuted and the outcome of any such prosecutions.

The maintenance and continual update of this area is of considerable and continual concern to local residents and to me as their local representative?"

REPLY:

The following report was submitted to the Meeting of Terenure Rathfarnham Area committee (2) 12^th June 2007.

“Cherryfield Residential Caravan Park is a traveller specific development incorporating a community centre and ten bays. It was opened in December 2002, and has been fully occupied since that date. The site is subject to the normal and regular maintenance regimes as appropriate to sites of this type. The followingreport was made to the last meeting of this Area Committee, as follows:

The housing development in Cherryfield Way has been the focus of increased maintenance responses by the Council since the start of the year. Priority has been given to maintenance demands and significant time and resources are being directed at the scheme. It is noted that there has been a significant improvement over the recent past and the Council's efforts to further improve the situation will continue.

A considerable amount of illegal dumping had 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 continued and active investigation at present. Site visits by the Council’s Enforcement Staff continue to be 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. Residents have been warned that the Council is taking a zero tolerance approach to those who are proven to be engaged in such illegal activities.

In recognition of the impact some of the activities were having on the local environment, the Council increased its presence and adopted a more proactive approach to the elimination of a range of unacceptable behaviours that had been evident in times past. As previously advised, a new approach to estate management and tenant participation has been piloted and the revised arrangements now in place on this scheme have begun to deliver the level of improvements that offer the opportunity to further restore confidence. As indicated above some immediate improvements have been delivered, however the matter is being kept 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.The Council is confident that the combined effects of the new arrangements will further improve perceptions of the scheme.

The Committee in considering this report requested that a detailed report be made to this Committee meeting. In this regard the following should be noted:

• A major cleanup and estate improvements were completed both within the confines of the development and its immediate environs,in the last number of weeks. This work was co-ordinated and supervised by staff from the Traveller Accommodation Unit and in particular involved the revised caretaking regime which is now in place.

• A major cleanup was carried out along the banks of the Dodder River adjacent to the park,and all inappropriate material was removed from the area by outside contractors employed by the Traveller Unit. The Parks Department and the Cleansing unit have agreed to monitor the situation closely and will be in contact with the appropriate enforcement officials and the Traveller Accommodation Unit in the event of any illegal activity taking place.

• The graffiti was removed from the walls along the Dodder walk at the end of May by staff of the Environmental Services Department under their specialist Programme. This area will also be monitored and remedial works will be undertakenas necessary.

• All outstanding maintenance issues on the units have been completed or are in hand. Contractors are being engaged to carry out minor remedial work on two of the day house units on site.

• A monitoring system is in place to examine any instances of illegal dumping in the area of open space surrounding the site. All instances will be reported to the appropriate enforcement official and legal action will be taken as appropriate. Any evidence of the residents of Cherryfield RCP dumping in the area will also entail action by the Housing Department under the terms of the tenancy agreements in place. Some illegal dumping had taking place at and around the entrance to the development which will be specifically monitored as part of the overall programme to deal with this issue.

• The Dog Warden Service has paid a number of visits to the site. Some undocumented animals were confiscated and a number of court appearances have been scheduled for owners. The Dog Warden service are satisfied that the level of ownership licences and control is now satisfactory. Any further reports to the Council in relation to wandering or stray dogs will be investigated in accordance with normal procedures.

• A report of a leak to the rear of the site has been extensively investigated, and the leak it appears, comes from the Petrol Interceptor which separates oil from surface water on the site. The matterhas been referred to a specialist site service contractor and the necessary remedial works will be carried out shortly. In addition a full survey of the drainage network serving the development is being carried out by the Council's Architectural Services and Environmental Services Departments. If any faults are identified, appropriate remedial action will be taken.

The foregoing matters reflect the issues which the members requested be addressed at the last meeting of the Area Committee. The completion of the small number of remaining issues will address all the concerns expressed by the members.“

Since June the site has been continually monitored by all relevant departments of the Council.

There has been a marked improvement in the site, viz: no reoccurrence of graffiti, dumping/littering virtually stopped. Internal clean ups are continuing. Stray dogs removed, grass cut fortnightly.

No further complaints have been received in respect of the site or anti-social behaviour.

At present there are no families illegally in occupation of this site, the two families who had been living here illegally vacated the area in early August. The Traveller Accommodation Unit will continue to monitor any illegal encampments that may occur from time to time. In all cases where this occurs appropriate notices are served and are followed up immediately by officials of the Unit and the Gardai and contractors where appropriate.

There have been 6 no. fines issued for unlicensed dogs and one of these is due in court in the near future. No fines have yet been issued under the Litter Acts, as so far it has not been possible to identify offenders.

The Traveller Unit and other relevant departments will continue to monitor the site on a regular basis and will take appropriate action where necessary.