COMHAIRLE CHONTAE DHÚN LAOGHAIRE-RÁTH AN DÚIN DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL Phone: 2054700 County Hall Dún Laoghaire Co. Dublin 4 th April 2006 To Each Member of the County Council Dear Councillor I am to inform you that a meeting of the County Council will be held in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin on Monday, 10th April, 2006 at 5.00 pm to consider the following agenda. A visitor's ticket is enclosed. Yours Faithfully Tom McHugh Head of Corporate Services *********************************************************************** This meeting may be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council s website. At the start of the meeting the Chair will confirm if all or part of the meeting is being filmed. You should be aware that the Council is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1997, Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act 2003 and the Data Protection Act 1988 and data collected during this webcast will be retained in accordance with the legislation. Therefore by entering the Council Chamber and using the seats around the meeting tables, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings for webcasting. Members of the public and press should confine themselves to the area provided so that their image is not captured on film. If you have any queries regarding this, please contact the Corporate Services Department on Extns. 4007/4382. *********************************************************************** 1
CLÁR/AGENDA 1. Confirmation of Minutes Minutes of County Council Meeting held on 13 March 2006. (circulated herewith) 2. Questions (see attached appendix) 3. Conferences (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l) (m) (n) (o) (p) (q) (r) (s) The Battle of the Boyne it s legacy, Europa Hotel, Drogheda, Co. Louth. 27 th -29 Cork County Council Annual Mayors Conference, Castle Hotel, Macroom, Co. Co 2006. Local Government Delivering the Future Now, Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny. 20 th -21 st Castlebar Regional Training Centre, Timeless Leadership, The TF Royal Hot Castlebar, Co. Mayo. 7th March 2006. National Forestry Conference 2006, Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore, Co. Offal 2006. The 2nd Annual Irish Public Private Partnerships Policy Forum, Gresham Hotel, Du 2006 Coláiste Uladh 1906-2006, Gortahork, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. 20th-23rd April 2 Seanchaí Kerry Literary & Cultural Centre The Importance of the Arts in Urban Listowel Arms Hotel, Listowel, Co. Kerry. 20th-21st April 2006. What Lies Ahead? How will we Heat our Homes and Businesses in an Uncer Longford Arms Hotel, Co. Longford. 28th April 2006. 4 th National Tourism Conference The Future of Our Past- The Role of Heritage Tourism Development Dolmen Hotel, Kilkenny Road, Carlow. 23 rd & 24 th March 200 Waste Management Conference, Dealing with Waste Downings Bay Hotel & Conf Downings, Co. Donegal. 24 th -26 th April 2006. Kerry Mental Health Association Conference Exercising Your Mental Health Gl Killarney, Co. Kerry. 26 th & 27 th May 2006. Quality Pathways to Excellence Workshop, Carrickdale Hotel, Co. Louth. 28 th Marc Seminar for Councillors Housing Services & Local Government Shannon Key W River Edge, Rooskey, Co. Leitrim. 28 th -29 th April 2006. Enhancing an Enterprise Culture The Role of Local Authorities, Glór Irish Music Co. Clare. 25 th 26 th May 2006. Rethinking Energy Use, Cultivate Centre for Sustainable Living and Learning, Temp 2. 21 st April 2006. 14 th Annual Kerry Environmental Conference, Golf Hotel, Ballybunion, Co. Kerry. 2 2006. Second Annual Westport Conference, The Future of Local Authorities Service Regulators?, Knockranny House Hotel, Westport, Co. Mayo. 18 th -19 th May 2006. Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly 7 th Annual Conference, Killashee House Ho Kildare. 26 th May 2006. (already circulated) 4. Approval of Nominations (circulated herewith) 5. Monthly Financial Report (circulated herewith) 2
a) Proposed Disposal of Properties (Pages 1-2) Proposed discharging of deed of covenant between the former Dublin County Council and Cornelius Neenan and Miriam Neenan on lands at Hollywood House, Mount Anville Road, Goatstown. b) Proposed Disposal of Properties Disposal of Fee Simple Interest to Lessees who purchased under Tenant Purchase Scheme. c) Proposed Disposal of Properties Proposed disposal of affordable housing units acquired under Part V of the Planning & Development Act 2000 - Cruagh Wood, Stepaside (already circulated) a) Report submitted in accordance with Part 8, Article 81 of Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 The demolition of maisonettes 35-40, 41-49, 50-55, 56-70, 71-85, 86-94, 95-106, at Fitzgerald Park and 71-84 Mounttown and construction of new three storey community facility building including crèche and administration facilities and associated site development works at Meadowlands/Fitzgerald Park, Mounttown, Dun Laoghaire. b) Report submitted in accordance with Part 8, Article 81 of Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 Construction of a two team football changing facility at Soldiers and Sailors, Dunedin, Monkstown, Co. Dublin. c) Report submitted in accordance with Part 8, Article 81 of Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 Provision of Canteen Facilities for Staff at Cabinteely Park Depot, Cabinteely. (circulated herewith) d) Report submitted in accordance with Part 8, Article 81 of Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 The construction of 39 dwellings comprising 1 house, 10 apartments, 28 duplexes and 51 car parking spaces, height of dwellings range from 2 storeys to 3 storeys with a penthouse level, together with ancillary works and environmental improvements to the existing Kingston Estate. (to be circulated) 8. Cathaoirleach's Business: Councillor P. Hand (Pages 3-4) 3
9. Manager s Progress Report on the County Development Plan (already circulated) 10. Annual Report 2005 (to be circulated) 11. Strategic Policy Committees - Report of Chairpersons (Pages 5-6) (circulated herewith) 12. Item Referred from Culture, Community Development & Amenities SPC Civic Awareness (circulated herewith) 13. Ministerial/Departmental Correspondence (Pages 7-8) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Letter from the Office of the Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform, dated 13 acknowledging receipt of letter regarding violence against women. Letter from the Office of the Taoiseach, dated 14 March 2006, acknowledging receipt of le the Third Level Maintenance Grants. Letter from the Office of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, dated 14 March 2006, re Education / Third Level Maintenance Grants. Letter from the Office of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, dated 21 March 2006, re Education / Third Level Maintenance Grants. Letter from the Office of the Director General Social Welfare Services, dated 23 acknowledging receipt of letter. (already circulated) 14. Other Correspondence (Pages 9-10) (a) (b) (c) (d) Letter from Longford County Council, dated 27 February 2006, regarding a notice the collection of used farm plastics. Letter from Monaghan Town Council, dated 1 March 2006, regarding a notice calculation of earnings for the purposes of student grants. Letter from Cobh Town Council, dated 8 March 2006, regarding a notice of moti students in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Letter from South Tipperary County Council, dated 14 March 2006, regarding a no on capping on Community Employment Schemes. (already circulated) 15. Councillor A. Culhane RÚIN POLASAÍ/POLICY MOTIONS That this Council review/examine policy with a view to broadcasting Council proceedings on the internet, and that broadcasting organisations be permitted to record/transmit Council proceedings. 4
16. Councillor J. Bailey RÚIN/MOTIONS That this Council requests that the Manager takes immediate action to ensure that all gullies and drains in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council area are fully functional and unblocked. Furthermore, that any drains or gullies blocked are immediately cleared in light of recent heavy rains and winter approaching. 17. Councillor M. Baker That the Manager implement a policy of refusing new grants of planning permission to those developers where the Council is in dispute with such developers, including where the same principal partners/directors are involved in different companies, over the non finishing of estates. 18. Councillor B. Conway That the Manager request the Department of the Environment to update the guidelines on planning applications for mobile phone masts issued in 1996. 19. Councillor K. Ireland That the Council takes immediate steps to prosecute any developer found responsible for littering in the County while engaged in building works. Particular regard should be had for building sites along the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown stretch of the M50. 20. Councillor T. Joyce That this Council adopts a scheme to encourage residents of the County to use alternative forms of nappy than the disposable versions currently used by most people in order to reduce the amount of traditional disposable nappies going to landfill. 21. Councillor E. Regan That the Manager report on the Council s policy, and system, for the clearing of gullies/drains in the County and in that context to report on how, for example, there is such a large number of gullies/drains on the main streets in the Dún Laoghaire Ward area alone, which were identified by this Councillor, as completely blocked as of 28 th August 2005, 417 in all as set out in a letter forwarded to the Director of Transportation, a situation which on a cursory examination would appear to be mirrored in other ward areas. 22. Councillor T. Kivlehan That this Council provide bin weight information online, so householders can monitor their performance from collection to collection. 5
23. Councillor L. McCarthy That this Council congratulates the County Manager, staff and all who were involved in organising the historical walks around Dún Laoghaire. 24. Councillor D. O Callaghan That this Council discuss the proposed increased addition of more antennae and dishes on structures at Garda Stations in the County. 25. Councillor C. Devlin That this Council write to Dublin Bus with a view to installing litter bins at all major bus stops to prevent litter in the vicinity of same. 26. Councillor N. Bhreathnach That this Council believes that the income threshold for grants for third level students is set at too low a level, and that the grants themselves are insufficient for the living needs of students, and calls for reform. Specifically, this Council calls for the payment of thirdlevel grants to be centralised to the Department of Social, Family and Community Affairs, and for the student maintenance grant to be increased to Social Welfare levels. 27. Councillor M. Corrigan That, given that this Council applied initially in 1998 for its Waste Licence and given the advances in relevant technology, information and systems since, this Council would immediately cease the process commenced recently to "action" the Biological Treatment Facility and identify an operator pending a review of the appropriateness now of the proposed system and an examination/investigation of newer alternatives. 28. Councillor M. Mitchell O Connor That this Council ensures that an adequate amount of personnel are employed to carry out enforcement orders in a timely and efficient manner. 29. Councillor J. Dillon Byrne That none of the proposals on display for the Heritage Plan in the Concourse at present will override the policy decisions of the Council Members in the current Development Plan. 6
30. Councillor J. O Leary That the Manager put in place a dedicated customer service department to act as the first port of call for all customer queries, that money be invested in customer query management software so that issues can be tracked and progress monitored, that customer service managers be appointed with responsibility for customer service levels and that this be initiated as part of the 2007 budget review. 31. Councillor C. Fallon That the County Development Plan be amended to include the following: (a)all new residential buildings shall have an annual heating requirement (space and water heating) not exceeding 50 kwh/m2 of useful floor area; and (b)all new residential buildings shall utilise renewable energy supply systems to meet at least 30% of heating requirements (space and water heating). 32. Councillor C. Smyth That the Manager ensures that all mandatory cycle lanes are cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. 33. Councillors C. Devlin, T. Fox, B. Conway, G. Horkan, M. Corrigan, T. Matthews and L. Butler That the Manager give a detailed report of his future plans for Kilbogget Park. In particular his plans and site location for the Dún Laoghaire Bridge Centre. 34. Councillor D. O Callaghan That this Council views with concern the recent announcement by energy group Airtricity to exit the residential electricity supply sector and calls on the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to review the operating rules regarding renewable energy operators. 35. Councillor E. Regan That the Manager report on the policy of the Council on the preservation of public green spaces and report on instances in which, either through its planning decisions or otherwise, this Council has permitted encroachment on such green spaces, in 2004, 2005 and 2006 to date. 7
36. Councillor M. Mitchell O Connor That the Manager state how this Council will support financially and professionally The Maritime Museum in the day to day running of the Museum. 37. Councillor L. McCarthy That the Manager ensures that this Council make a concerted effort to create more sheltered housing schemes within communities which would also have the benefit of increasing availability of second hand houses. 38. Councillor C. Fallon That Council meetings be recorded and that audio files of these recordings be available for download on the Council's website. 39. Councillor C. Smyth and A. Culhane That the Manager guarantee the Council, the residents in the vicinity of Shanganagh Treatment Plant and any interested parties that they will not suffer from excess smell and noise when the works are completed on the Shanganagh Treatment Plant. 40. Councillor C. Devlin That this Council as a matter of policy for all future residential developments ensures that any recreational facility planned for the development is built prior to the construction of the residential aspect. 41. Councillor D. O Callaghan That the Manager write to the Chief Executive Officer of the Health Services Executive regarding the need for a new Health Centre in the Shankill area. 42. Councillor M. Corrigan That this Council will undertake a comprehensive Review of the Management and Operation of the Waste Management Facility at Ballyogan Road in the context of both the EPA Audits and the assurances provided by this Council to Local Residents, Groups, interested parties and Councillors in the course of their application for their Waste Licence. 43. Councillor M. Mitchell O Connor That this Council adopts a policy which would ensure the provision of a substantial number of family-type units in proposed major housing and apartment developments, sufficient parking spaces, a high standard of design, finish and sound proofing, adequate open spaces and play areas for children and that an adequate site is provided for a school if needed in the area. 8
44. Councillors D. Marren, G. O Keeffe, A. Culhane and L. Butler Iarann baill na comhairle seo ar an mbainisteoir cóip d'fhógra na Cásca 1916 sa dá theanga oifigiúil a chur suas san halla nó i bpóirse an Halla Mhóir idir an bhratach náisiúnta agus bratach an chomphobail Eorpach. ( That this Council requests the Manager to display a copy of the 1916 Proclamation in both official languages in a prominent place such as the vestibule or the annexe of the Assembly Room, and that it be flanked by the national flag and the flag of the European Union. ) 45. Councillor E. Regan That the Manager report on when the street cleaning programme will be displayed on the Council web site as agreed by the Council when it adopted the new Litter Management Plan in January 2006. 46. Councillor C. Smyth That the Manager provides a graffiti wall within the County. 47. Councillor L. McCarthy That this Council, in keeping with the Development Plan, insists that all planning applications include 10% social and 10% affordable housing before it can be considered by the planning Department as a legitimate application and cease the practice of accepting either money or transfer of land as an option. 9
A1. Councillor M. Baker APPENDIX CEISTEANNA/QUESTIONS To ask the Manager to include a link under the quick links on the Council s website for information about the County s recycling centres and recycling collection points, including what items are acceptable at each point and information about what types of plastics categories can be recycled and where? A2. Councillor M. Baker To ask the Manager to confirm if a Countywide review of the Electoral Register will be taking place in the next twelve months so as to make the Register as accurate as possible for the next election? To outline the procedure if any, for informing the Council of inaccuracies that become known to Councillors in the course of their work? A3. Councillor N. Bhreathnach To ask the Manager to respond to this complaint logged onto the Council's web page during the last month - "I tried to use your automated system for payment of environmental waste charge. When prompted, I entered my account number (details supplied). The robot voice echoed my number back to me and asked me to enter my account number. I did so again, whereupon the robot said "Sorry, we cannot proceed with your transaction" or words to that effect. It is not possible to reach anyone at the phone number given on your statements, and since the automated telephone service does not work, this makes it very difficult to pay the charge? A4. Councillor M. Corrigan To ask the Manager for the full text report provided to this Council by the "East Coast Area Health Board" following the Council's previous request to the "East Coast Area Health Board" to undertake a Health Study of residents living within the vicinity of the Landfill Site at Ballyogan? A5. Councillor M. Corrigan To ask the Manager, as it has now been indicated by a number of parties including the Council's established Liaison Committee that there are views that the present site at the Waste Management Centre, Ballyogan is too small, to provide a report on: (i) (ii) the adequacy of the size of the site for its present facilities; the implications of size limitations of the site for the proposed Biological Treatment Facility? 10
A6. Councillor M. Corrigan To ask the Manager if approaches have been made to third parties along Ballyogan Road to purchase land and if negotiations are presently underway and, if so, what is the purpose and the expected timeframe? A7. Councillor C. Fallon To ask the Manager to estimate the quantity of concrete consumed by the County Council annually? A8. Councillor L. McCarthy To ask the Manager, when the Planning Department are evaluating tall building proposals that demonstrate through the submission of detail that they are of the highest architectural quality - what measures are taken to ensure that inferior details and materials are not substituted at a later date? A9. Councillor L. McCarthy To ask the Manager to please provide a full list of all Social Housing provided by this Council in each Ward within the County? A10. Councillor L. McCarthy To ask the Manager to please provide a full list of all proposed Part 8 schemes in each Ward within the County? A11. Councillor L. McCarthy To ask the Manager if there is any provision under the Planning and Development Act or the Noise Pollution Act that addresses the use of generators on building sites outside normal working hours? A12. Councillor M. Mitchell O Connor To ask the Manager -how many enforcement Officers are employed in this Council; -to state if he thinks this amount is adequate to carry out efficiently the number of enforcement orders? A13. Councillor E. Regan To ask the Manager to report on what action has been taken (i) to improve the system for the clearing of gullies and drains since the submission of a motion by this Councillor on the matter at the September 2005 Council meeting and (ii) to confirm whether the 417 roadside drains identified by this Councillor, a list of which was submitted with that motion, have in fact been cleared? 11
A14. Councillor E. Regan To ask the Manager to confirm, in the relation to the Council s Social Housing Programme, (i) the state of progress on the three social housing projects approved by this Council in Loughlinstown, Sallynoggin and Blackrock since taking office and (ii) new projects likely to come before this Council in the current year? A15. Councillor E. Regan To ask the Manager to report, in relation to the recycling of glass and plastic bottles, (i) what new glass and plastic bottle banks sites have been introduced in the County in 2004, 2005 and 2006 (to date) (ii) what new sites have been identified and the anticipated date of installation and (iii) the adequacy of the existing sites and new sites are to comply with the recycling targets of the Council? A16. Councillor E. Regan To ask the Manager, in relation to the cost of roadworks carried out by the Council either in house or by outside contractors to report on (i) how the cost of road repairs, footpath improvements and repair of roadside drains / gullies are benchmarked (ii) how the cost incurred by this Council in carrying out such work compares to that of other Councils in the Dublin Region (iii) and to confirm by way of example the cost incurred by the Council in carrying out such works road, footpaths and drains - on Clonkeen Road in Deansgrange, which have been ongoing for over two years? A17. Councillor C. Smyth To ask the Manager how much has been received by the County Council in income from the Private Residential Tenancies Board to date? A18. Councillor C. Smyth To ask the Manager are the funds received from the Private Residential Tenancies Board ring-fenced to provide funds to inspect dwellings suitability? A19. Councillor C. Smyth To ask the Manager how many inspections of dwellings have taken place since the Council began to receive these funds to date? A20. Councillor C. Smyth To ask the Manager for the number of dogs which were collected by the Dog Warden and brought to the pound, over the last four years, to be presented in monthly figures? 12
A21. Councillor C. Smyth To ask the Manager to communicate any future and existing lease agreements which are renewed with the Councillors? 13