COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, April 11, 2011

MOTION NO.13

MOTION: Councillor C. Keane

That this Council recommends that an electronic system be developed in house for Arboriculture Works Programme - (it would save staff time on inspections/duplication/efficiencies etc. as not complicated should be cost neutral -) listing the Tree pruning/planting/requests submitted from the public & elected members (as requested by this councillor for the past 5 years - nothing done) This would enable residents/cllrs etc to check progress on requests online (or members net) It would also  enable an analysis of work committed /work carried out updated regularly, some (not all) of this information is readily available in the annual Arboriculture Works programme.  While the current pruning/cutting system of working through estate by estate is more cost effective and effective than servicing individual requests (and I am not recommending a change) It should be possible to type in no. of house and get an update on request, with background information on when/why/how/ work will be carried out or not as the case may be.  That a date be given for the implementation of this request - as it is a request long standing.

REPORT:

The idea of an electronic system for the surveying, recording  and management of the tree population of South Dublin and in particular for dealing with the extensive street tree population is one that the Council has considered for some time.  Different systems are in use in other Countries and some of these have been examined.  Fingal County Council has investigated over a number of years and used a system that has also been considered by this Council.  This system is now being rolled out to all areas of Fingal on a phased basis and it may be prudent that this Council would also consider using it in the future.   

The use of an electronic system requires a complete survey of the entire tree population (initially the street tree population) and this in itself is time and resource consuming.  It is a system that, following the completion of the surveys, could provide an instant solution for tree management and the dissemination of information to the Elected Members and the public.