COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, July 10, 2017
MOTION NO.11
MOTION: Councillor D. O'Donovan
That the Chief Executive, in light of the illegal dumping epidemic within the County and the cost to this Council of managing it, explores the possibility of setting up a Litter Warden Reserves Squad, along the same lines of the Garda Reserves Service and deliver a report on same.
REPORT:
The Council is responsible, in so far as it is practically possible, to initiate measures to control and prevention of the creation of litter and does so through the following measures:
- Enforcement and Regulation
- Public Realm operations programmes, including the collection and disposal of litter and the provision and maintenance of litter receptacles
- delivery of Communication, Education & Awareness programmes
- development of protocols for response to service requests
The sentiment of the motion is acknowledged, and the Council is eager to tackle the unsavoury attitude and actions of a small minority who contravene the Litter Pollution and Waste Management Acts by engaging in littering and illegal dumping.
The Council continues a high level of enforcement in order to prevent and control litter (including illegal dumping) through the following:
- Targeted focus on known litter generators, particularly around time of known occurrences
- Investigation of all complaints and enforce regulation and legislation as appropriate
- Continued examination of options for surveillance to reduce incidences of littering and dog fouling (CCTV / Audio devices / drones etc.
The Council was successful in being approved for grant aid to tackle three areas which are known for repetitive incidents of littering and illegal dumping through Phase 1 of Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment Anti-Dumping Initiative. The areas are Sean Walsh Park (Bottle Bank area), Rossfield Estate and Piperstown Road and work will commence on these initiatives shortly. Three further applications for additional grant aid under Phase 2 of the scheme have just been submitted.
The impact and contribution of active volunteerism through community groups / Tidy Towns / Residents' Associations etc. already enlisted and actively engaged in pro-environmental initiatives cannot be understated. Such activity being undertaken by these groups and individuals act as passive surveillance in areas and, as just recognition, assistance in the form of materials is provided through the Social Credit Scheme, and arrangements are made in conjunction with Public Realm to collect the debris / waste following these clean-up events.
The concept of Litter Warden Reserves Squad / Community Wardens is not a new one, and the practicalities of such a volunteer litter warden initiative can be considered as part of the continuous review of implementation of the Council's Litter Management Plan 2015-2019.