COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 11, 2010

MOTION NO. 2

MOTION: Councillor B. Lawlor

That this Council while acknowledging the hard work of the Parks and Environment maintenance staff calls on the Manager to once and for all address the ongoing problem of when residents associations or voluntary groups agree a pick up date for rubbish and green waste after an estate or park cleanup by them that this council collects within a set time frame 1-3 days of agreed date.

REPORT:

Where locally organised clean ups of public areas are arranged including prior consultation with the relevant local Litter Warden, arrangements are made by the Litter Warden with Cleansing or Parks staff as appropriate to collect material on an agreed day.  Such clean-ups and arrangements are timed to coincide with Cleansing and Parks' work schedules and this is generally satisfactory save where staff from Cleansing are required for relief bin collection duties. As part of the Public Realm proposals, the arrangements for such clean ups are to be reveiwed and improved where possible.

It should be noted however, that from time to time issues arise where residents arrange clean ups without consultation with Litter Wardens. In cases where arrangements have not been made prior to the event, the Council's resources, schedules and previous commitments may have to be re-arranged in order for the materials to be removed. This is not always a simple process given the significant demands placed on the Cleansing and Parks operations.

It should be noted that while the Council appreciates that the efforts of local Residents Associations in organising to clean up their area contributes greatly to the quality of life in the county there are often issues associated with the activities.  These include where residents also dispose of household and garden materials as well as domestic waste and this is added to the clean-up waste.  Where any evidence can be found appropriate enforcement action is taken.

The "hidden" cost associated with these clean-ups is often overlooked and the Council incurs considerable costs in the disposal of material from community clean-ups   It is costing between €350 and €1,000 per clean-up and this obviously impacts on the Council budgets.  A complete review of the arrangements to support communities in maintaining their areas and contributing towards a cleaner county is being undertaken and will be advsed to the community organisations for next year.