COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

MOTION NO.17

MOTION: Councillor M. Ward

"To ask the Chief Executive to provide a report for discussion at the meeting on the problem of illegal dumping on St Bridget's Cottages/Knockmeenagh Lane detailing all reports of dumping in the last six months; actions taken by the Council to date; and future planned actions to deal with this litter blackspot including more regular litter picks, adequate removal of illegal dumping & use of cctv to assist enforcement."

REPORT:

All reports of illegal dumping are investigated by the Litter Warden Service, with dumped material searched for evidence. Where evidence is found, appropriate enforcement action is taken, in accordance with the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended.

In the six month period from 1st October 2015 to 31st March 2016, 44 complaints (5 on MembersNet and 39 on Fix Your Street) of illegal dumping were received and investigated by the Litter Warden, resulting in 2 litter fines being issued. Unfortunately, it is proving more difficult to obtain evidence in relation to the identity of offenders as personal information is generally removed or shredded.

There were 26 clean-ups organised during this period. 4 in October, 7 in November, 3 in December, 4 in January, 5 in February and 3 in March.

The Enforcement and Licensing Section has two rapid deployment cameras available to it for the monitoring of illegal dumping throughout the Council’s administrative area which are constantly in use at locations where high level of incidents are recorded. A number of logistical factors must be taken into consideration when assessing a location for suitability for use of CCTV cameras, including access to an electricity source, local topography and risk of vandalism.

In October 2015, the Council’s CCTV contractor assessed Knockmeenagh Lane and unfortunately, it was deemed unsuitable. 

The Litter Warden monitors this location at least twice a week and enforcement action is taken, where possible.