COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
MOTION NO. 25
MOTION: Councillor D. Ó Brádaigh
That the manager now initiates the necessary action to install CCTV to combat and eradicate the long ongoing issue of illegal dumping, occuring at the blackspot location, to the rear of Neilstown Shopping Centre and either side of the black path between Woodavens and St Ronan's estates.
REPORT:
The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 was enacted on the 21st of July 2022. The legislation provides for the use of CCTV and Mobile Recording Devices in the Local Government Sector for preventing, detecting, investigating, or prosecuting offences under the Waste Management Act 1996 and the Litter Pollution Act 1997. With the assistance of the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), Local Authorities are developing a Code of Practice for CCTV and Mobile Recording Devices as required under the Act. The Code of Practice will provide guidance on the appropriate and effective use of CCTV and mobile recording devices in waste and litter enforcement.
All reports of illegal dumping and littering are investigated by the Council's Litter Warden Service and all dumped material is searched for evidence. Where evidence is found, the appropriate enforcement action is taken under the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended. Increasingly, it is found that no personal information relating to polluters is contained within the dumped material, with personal information having been removed or shredded.
A number of initiatives continue to be implemented through the Environment Water & Climate Change directorate. The Council's Litter Management Plan has committed to the deployment of innovative and emerging technologies, including CCTV and Programmable Audio Messaging Devices to tackle the problem of illegal dumping and fly tipping. In managing this service, the Council is mindful of resources available, and requests for the installation of such technologies are assessed on a case-by-case basis, having regard to certain criteria, including site suitability and the repetitive nature of illegal dumping and fly tipping.
Village cleansing programme is ongoing in all town and village centres on a daily basis Monday to Friday and also on Sundays. Existing cleaning schedules are reviewed and modified regularly, planned and scheduled clean-ups of areas prone to repeated littering / dumping incidents is ongoing, and there is continuing liaison with community groups for Clean-Up collections. Regard is taken of reports / survey findings e.g. IBAL, and resources as available and appropriate, are applied.
An ongoing proactive anti-litter and anti-illegal dumping programmes and campaigns are delivered as per the Eastern Midlands Waste Regional Waste Management Plan and the SDCC Litter Management Plan. Some examples of the proactive initiatives that have been previously promoted/carried out include bulky waste collection pilots, bulbs not bonfires Halloween campaigns, Halloween campaigns involving tyre retailers, hazardous wastes collections and bring bank monitoring programmes.
Other proactive initiatives carried out include the Annual National Spring Clean, the PURE project, the Anti-Litter & Anti-Graffiti awareness grants, WEEE collection days, Eco -Week and annual anti-dumping schemes such as the mattress amnesties and area clean-ups.
Continued support is provided for through the Green Schools Programme, South Dublin County has 134 schools registered for this programme which has a theme specially dedicated to litter and waste. Support is provided on an ongoing basis to the green school’s programme through talks, workshops, competitions etc. and this month, 26 schools in South Dublin County will receive a green flag.
From January 2023 to date, there have been 31 new applications received and assistance provided through the social credit scheme. The following materials are available throughout the county, in the two Council offices and a number of community centres to successful applicants: litter pickers, bags, hi-vis vests, shovels and brushes, paint, paint brushes and native/pollinator seeds have been added to materials provided. Groups who avail of the supports are requested to return the materials following their clean up so that other groups may avail of them. 66 groups registered to participate in the National Spring Clean.
The council continues to examine all options available to it to improve the aesthetic appearance of the county and continues to work with the elected members to deliver the Litter Management Plan Annual Action Plans. As always, the public is encouraged to work with the Council in helping to identify culprits who engage in illegal dumping and to report any incidents observed.
Reports of littering and illegal dumping can be made on the Council’s Litter Warden hotline on 01 4149220 and on the Environmental Protection Agency’s anti-dumping hotline on 1850 365 121.
Where there is an ongoing problem of illegal dumping in any area, local residents are urged to support the Council in taking the appropriate enforcement action by making reports to the Litter Warden Service for investigation and by providing evidence, including testimony, where possible. Additionally, residents are encouraged through the medium of the Council's Social Credits Scheme to seek rewards for community-based initiatives, such as community clean ups.