COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

MOTION NO. 11

MOTION: Councillor J. Lahart

"That the Manager provide a detailed update regarding the continued deterioration of the perimeter of the Cherryfield Halting site and to include reports on dumping, offenders, prosecutions, cctv installation and monitoring; local residents are afraid to walk along this stretch of the river."

REPORT:

• The Caretaker for Cherryfield Residential Caravan Park carries out a regular routine of cleaning within the site. The open space area around the Site is monitored by the Housing and Parks Departments in relation to dumping, and a number of clean ups have been carried out.
• Any damage caused to the footpaths has been monitored by the Parks Department and previously repairs were carried out by the Environmental Services Department on a section of footpath to the rear of Cherryfield RCP where damage was caused by a leak in a drainage pipe from the Site. 
• An existing  CCTV camera is operational in the environs of the Residential Caravan Park and the open space to ensure that there is no illegal encroachment on to the open space. The camera is not monitored on a full time basis and is fixed so as to obtain a maximum view of the open space. Video footage captured during night time or when lighting is poor is not of sufficiently good quality to enable identification of dumpers. A clean up of the area around the RCP has been carried out to allow for the civil works in relation to the installation of an additional camera at the rear of the development has just completed and arrangements are being made of have this additional camera installed as soon as possible.  This camera will be night capable and much closer to the site and therefore capable of identification of those who are engaged in illegal dumping. 
• During any of the clean ups carried out so far by the Council, no evidence has been found in the household refuse that would indicate the person or persons responsible for the dumping and therefore no notices have been served by the Anti Litter Wardens under the Litter Acts.

All of the residents of Cherryfield RCP have been advised as to their responsibilities for maintaining their own bays in good condition with regard to the proper disposal of refuse from their own bays, and to adhere to the conditions of their Licence Agreements. A number of meetings have taken place between the Traveller Accommodation Unit and residents, in conjunction with the Tallaght Traveller Support Group, in an effort to establish and Estate Management Group for the RCP. This Group is intended to give the residents an opportunity to engage with the Council in the management and maintenance of the RCP and thereby engender a working relationship with the staff of the Council.