Agenda and minutes

Attached herewith.

Order: Agreed.

Attached herewith.

Order: Unavailable due to Forsa Industrial Action

Reports attached herewith  - Catalin Rosca/Will Mangan

Order:  Noted. 

Information note to clarify and give context to Bus Stop and Bus Infrastructure TAG items in the TAG report.  Maggie O’Donnell

Order:  Noted.

Report attached herewith.

Order:  Noted.

Report and map attached herewith - Bláthnaid Conlon

Order:  Agreed.

Report and map attached herewith - Bláthnaid Conlon

Order:  Agreed.

Report & map attached herewith- Lynda Drysdale

Order:  Agreed subject to the report being amended to select the second option “Coyne Woods”. Councillors dismissed “Larchwell Park” and opted for “Coyne Woods”, as Anne Coyne was the wife of Oscar Traynor, thereby maintaining the link with the area.

Report & map attached herewith -  Lynda Drysdale

Order:  Agreed.

Report attached herewith – Colm Fitzpatrick/James Nolan

Order:  Noted.

Report attached herewith- Fergus O’Carroll

Order:  Noted.

Reports attached herewith – Mick Carroll/Derek Farrell

Order:  Noted.

Report attached herewith.

Order:  Noted.

Report attached herewith - Aideen O’Connor

Order:  Noted.

Report attached herewith – Slides to follow. 

Martin Donlon- DCC

Laura O’Gorman- DCC

Shauna Callaghan- LDA

Robert Farrell- LDA

Paul Kennedy- LDA

Declan Hayden- LDA

Order:  Noted.  Refer to the November City Council.

Variation Report no. 2

Appropriate Assessment Screening Report

Strategic Environmental Assessment (Sea) Screening Report

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)

All attached herewith – Deirdre Scully/Jane O’Donoghue/Fidelma Fahy

Order:  Noted.  Refer to City Council.

Variation Report no. 4

Appropriate Assessment Screening Report

Strategic Environmental Assessment (Sea) Screening Report

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA)

All attached herewith – Deirdre Scully/Jane O’Donoghue/Fidelma Fahy

Order:  Deferred.

That this North Central area committee calls upon the council to reverse the current policy of not cutting grass verges.

That this North Central area committee calls upon the council to reverse the current policy of not cutting grass verges.

Reply

The previous contract for the maintenance of verges outside residential properties ended in 2021.  It was decided not to renew this contract as this work was neither quantifiable nor verifiable.  Furthermore this work was not considered particularly sustainable to have fully equipped contractor teams attend all locations throughout the city to cut very small areas of grass which are often a short distance from domestic front lawns maintained by the residents.  Access to these verges also proved quite problematic due to the levels of parking in certain estates leading to complaints of verges being missed and due to the nature and sheer scale of the work it was simply not possible for the contractor to revisit locations to attend to these missed verges before the next scheduled maintenance visit.  It was also evident that many householders had already adopted the verges outside their homes and were maintaining same to a very high standard.  Rather it was expected that residents would adopt the small area of grass to the front of their property and maintain same to their preferred standard as is the case in all other Dublin authority areas.  It was also expected that residents, residents associations etc. would provide help to older and more vulnerable neighbours that might not be in a position to take on this work again as is the case in other Dublin authority areas.  The experience of the last 2 years has demonstrated that the vast majority of residents have taken on this work and are maintaining these verges to a high standard and neighbours are providing such help and supports in their communities.

To reverse this decision and put these verges out on contract in a manner that would be sustainable, quantifiable and verifiable and would require a mapping exercise the scale of which is just not practical nor feasible.  The Parks Service remains amenable to arrange once-off cuts of such verges that have gotten out of control in cases of hardship or illness to facilitate ease of maintenance going forward.

Contact:         Fergus O’Carroll, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent

Tel:                 222 6625

Email:             parks@dublincity.ie

Order:  Agreed.

The North Central Area Committee acknowledges the huge benefit to both dogs and their owners of dog specific parks/areas in our parks that are fenced in, have large dog and small dog areas and where they can run off lead and have water services. However, the North Central Area Committee recognises that not all parks within the Artane/Whitehall Ward (e.g. Ellenfield Park) are suitably large enough to incorporate a designated dog park. Therefore to support the expressed desire for a dog park in the Santry/Whitehall area of the ward, that the North Central Area Office liaise with Fingal Co. Co. with a view to establishing a designated dog park in Santry Demesne, a large expansive park area within the Santry area but just outside the DCC administrative area. 

That this North Central Area Committee acknowledges the huge benefit to both dogs and their owners of dog specific parks/areas in our parks that are fenced in, have large dog and small dog areas and where they can run off lead and have water services. However, the North Central Area Committee recognises that not all parks within the Artane/Whitehall Ward (e.g. Ellenfield Park) are suitably large enough to incorporate a designated dog park. Therefore to support the expressed desire for a dog park in the Santry/Whitehall area of the ward, that the North Central Area Office liaise with Fingal Co. Co. with a view to establishing a designated dog park in Santry Demesne, a large expansive park area within the Santry area but just outside the DCC administrative area. 

Reply

The Parks Service has been in touch with our counterparts with responsibility for Santry Demesne who have advised that Fingal County Council have plans to designate an off leash area in Santry Demesne and will liaise with Parks Users and DCC as part of this process.

Contact:         Fergus O’Carroll, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent

Tel:                 222 6625

Email:             parks@dublincity.ie

Order:  Deferred.

That this area committee agrees that a thorough inspection of all trees in Grace Park Heights and Meadows be conducted, ahead of the resident’s association AGM on the 3^rd October, with a report issuing from the inspection on condition, health and need for crown lifting, tree removal or any other necessary actions. As the parks staff are I’m sure aware 8 trees came down in these estates in the last storm event – including on top of a resident’s car – and the residents are understandably concerned about the safety of the remaining trees.

That this North Central Area Committee agrees that a thorough inspection of all trees in Grace Park Heights and Meadows be conducted, ahead of the resident’s association AGM on the 3^rd October, with a report issuing from the inspection on condition, health and need for crown lifting, tree removal or any other necessary actions. As the parks staff are I’m sure aware 8 trees came down in these estates in the last storm event – including on top of a resident’s car – and the residents are understandably concerned about the safety of the remaining trees.

Reply

The Parks Service share concerns in this regard and have added both estates to the annual independent recorded tree surveys contract. 

Contact:         Fergus O’Carroll, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent

Tel:                 222 6625

Email:             parks@dublincity.ie

Order:  Agreed.

That this area committee agrees that there should be an agenda item annually in October with an update on progress and status of all agreed discretionary fund commitments to improve delivery and accountability.

That this North Central Area Committee agrees that there should be an agenda item annually in October with an update on progress and status of all agreed discretionary fund commitments to improve delivery and accountability.

Reply

A progress report on each of the items approved for inclusion in the Discretionary Fund will be provided to the October Area Meeting. 

Contact:         Mick Carroll, Local Area Manager Donaghmede/Clontarf LEA

Derek Farrell, Local Area Manager Artane/Whitehall LEA

Phone             222 8546

Email:             Mick.carroll@dublincity.ie 

Derek.farrell@dublincity.ie

Order:  Agreed.

That the Area Committee call on the manager to arrange for an update/presentation on Dublin Port Company’s Liffey Tolka/Tolka Estuary Greenway project to this Committee.

That this North Central Area Committee call on the manager to arrange for an update/presentation on Dublin Port Company’s Liffey Tolka/Tolka Estuary Greenway project to this Committee.

Reply

Dublin Port Company would be delighted to make a presentation on our Greenway projects, which will have huge benefits for Dublin City.

Unfortunately due to annual leave and work commitments we are unable to make a presentation before Monday 16^th October 2023.

Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Contact:         Edel Currie, Dublin Port Company            

Email:             ecurrie@dublincity.ie

Order:  Agreed.

That this north central area committee support the aims of the Dublin City transport safety policy to create a traffic school, that this could be close to the Clontarf old traffic school, this should be modernised to increase understanding of protection of all road users especially children, older persons and persons with disabilities, that a suitable site is found on land owned close to the Clontarf dart station, the all-weather pitches and new active travel route, as there are lands owned by DCC and zoned Z15 that could be provided, it could also be the site of a traffic exam for children similar to that taken in the Netherlands at age 10 to 12 so children can better learn to cycle and walk to school independently before secondary school.

That this North Central Area Committee supports the aims of the Dublin City transport safety policy to create a traffic school, that this could be  close to the Clontarf old traffic school, this should be modernised to increase understanding of protection of all road users especially children, older persons and persons with disabilities, that a suitable site is found on land owned close to the Clontarf dart station, the all-weather pitches and new active travel route, as there are lands owned by DCC and zoned Z15 that could be provided, it could also be the site of a traffic exam for children similar to that taken in the Netherlands at age 10 to 12 so children can better learn to cycle and walk to school independently before secondary school” 

Reply

Dublin City Council Environment and Transportation Department, in partnership with the Micro mobility unit and Dublin City Sport & Wellbeing Partnership, is actively engaged in the search for a suitable location to establish a Mobility Educational School. This facility aims to educate children on safe cycling practices within Dublin City.

The road safety engineer is currently exploring different sites for suitable locations for the mobility education school within the Dublin City Council area.

The Clontarf area's sports pitch will be added to the list as a possible site for the Mobility Educational School. The Councillor will be updated on securing a suitable location for the Mobility Educational School.

Contact:         Rossana Camargo, Executive Engineer, Transportation. Road Safety. Policy, Strategy and Innovation Section.

Email:             Rossana.Camargo@dublincity.ie

Order:  Agreed.

That the North Central Committee supports the designation of the North Bull wall as a bathing area protected by EU bathing water directive, as it continues to be used as a bathing area by large numbers of sea swimmers, that funding is sourced from capital sports funding, or elsewhere to restore the bathing shelter the steps repaired, the hand rails repaired, or replaced and strong hooks, that showers are provided by the larger mixed bathing shelters (like at the ladies and gents), more than one toilet is provided asap close to the bathing shelters and that the pavements are repaired.

That this North Central Area Committee supports the designation of the North Bull wall as a  bathing area protected by EU bathing water directive, as it continues to be used as a bathing area by large numbers of sea swimmers, that funding is sourced from capital sports funding, or elsewhere to restore the bathing shelter the steps repaired, the hand rails repaired, or replaced and strong hooks, that showers are provided by the larger mixed bathing shelters (like at the ladies and gents), more than one toilet is provided asap close to the bathing shelters and that the pavements are repaired” 

Reply

The current round of Sports Capital Funding has now closed for new applications.  As the shelters, steps and handrails are exposed to the tides and storms they are regularly inspected and made secure each year.  Arrangements will be made to have hooks replaced at the shelters.  The request for an additional shower can be investigated however water pressure may not allow same.  Pavements will be inspected and any necessary repairs scheduled as resources allow.  Once the tender returns for the modular building tender have been analysed and the framework established the procurement of additional toilets can proceed.   

Contact:         Fergus O’Carroll, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent

Tel:                 222 6625

Email:             parks@dublincity.ie

Order:  Agreed.

That this North Central Area Committee, whilst welcoming the new school zones in the NCA, the lack of pencil bollards on these front of school treatments makes them ineffective in preventing driving and parking on pavements around the schools and that this committee requests that pencil bollards are put in place, already these front of school treatments replaced safe routes to school and now it appears even the front of school treatments are reduced in effectiveness.

That this North Central Area Committee whilst welcoming the new school zones in the NCA the lack of pencil bollards on these front of school treatments makes them ineffective in preventing driving and parking on pavements around the schools and that this committee requests that pencil bollards are put in place, already these front of school treatments replaced safe routes to school and now it appears even the front of school treatments are reduced in effectiveness. 

Reply

The aim of the School Zone programme is to improve safety at the school gate.Pencil bollards are one of the key design features of School Zone treatments and are included in the design, where deemed appropriate. There are a number of School Zones being implemented in the City at the moment and works on these, including pencil bollards where appropriate, will be completed in the coming weeks.

Contact:         Deirdre Kelly, Senior Staff Officer  

Email:             Deirdre.kelly@dublincity.ie           

Order:  Agreed

That this North Central  Area Committee requests that the Parks Department would plan and prioritise an urgent tree assessment and replacement programme for the Grace Park Heights Estate, as trees there are particularly vulnerable to collapse as evidenced in the recent storm.

That this North Central Area Committee requests Parks to plan and prioritise an urgent tree assessment and replacement programme for the Grace Park Heights Estate as trees there are particularly vulnerable to collapse as evidenced in the recent storm.

Reply

The Parks Service share concerns in this regard and have added both estates to the annual independent recorded tree surveys contract. 

Contact:         Fergus O’Carroll, Senior Executive Parks Superintendent

Tel:                 222 6625

Email:             parks@dublincity.ie

Order:  Agreed.

That this North Central Area Committee calls on insurers to make good on claims submitted by householders in Castle Court after the recent serious flooding incident on Saturday 5^th August 2023.

That this North Central Area Committeecalls on insurers to make good on claims submitted by householders in Castle Court after the recent serious flooding incident on Saturday 5^th August 2023.

Reply

For discussion at meeting.

Order:  Agreed.

That this North Central Area Committee calls on Government to urgently develop a financial support scheme for uninsured householders who suffer serious flooding incidents.

That this North Central Area Committeecalls on Government to urgently develop a financial support scheme for uninsured householders who suffer serious flooding incidents.

Reply

For discussion at meeting.

Order:  Agreed.