Annual Report 2010 Publisher full - Offaly County Council

Private Sites
Criteria for the sale of private sites were amended and adopted by
Council to effectively remove all restrictive conditions and sell sites
on the open market. The marketing and sale of sites at 6 locations
was undertaken by a local Estate Agent following competitive tender
for services. Despite extensive marketing, only 3 sites in Banagher
were sale agreed by year end.
Rental Accommodation Scheme / Leasing Scheme
63 transfers were completed in 2010. Tullamore continued to be the
priority area as it represented the area of greatest need. 44 transfers
alone took place in Tullamore. A review of landlord contracts and
rental agreements was completed during the year which resulted in
considerable rent savings. The Council also provided a regional support
service for RAS for six neighbouring local authorities.
A new Leasing Scheme was introduced during the year providing the
opportunity to acquire long term leases on suitable accommodation
in order to house persons on the local authority’s waiting list. Lease
agreements were concluded in respect of 3 properties in 2010 with a
number of others under negotiation at year end. The progression of
both the Rental Accommodation Scheme and Leasing initiative will be
a priority as a viable social housing option in 2011.
Private Rented Accommodation – Enforcement of Standards
Offaly County Council continued to manage this function on a countywide
basis during the year. The revised Building Regulations /
standards, together with the revised system of Enforcement which
was introduced in 2009 requiring a more detailed level of assessment,
inspection and compliance, provided the operating procedure
for the 108 inspections which were conducted during the year.
Traveller Accommodation and Supports
A 5 year Traveller Accommodation Programme 2009-2013 was
adopted in 2009 which aims to provide 78 units of accommodation
over its lifetime. The following table gives a breakdown of progress
made in the two year period 2009 - 2010 under the Traveller Accommodation
Plan 2009-2013:
Families
Accommodated
Tullamore
Town
Council
Birr Town
Council
Offaly
County
Council
Total
Standard
3 4 3 10
Housing
Voluntary
4 4
Housing
Permanent
4 1 2 7
Caravan Site
Total 11 5 5 21
Target to date 21
Private rented 36
At the end of 2010 the targeted total of 21 units of accommodation
has been provided. A mid term review of the Programme will be carried
out by the end of 2011. The Local Traveller Accommodation
Consultative Committee met quarterly to co-ordinate delivery of the
Plan. Proposals for a number of accommodation schemes in the Tullamore
area are progressing and consultation has begun with residents
of Millbrook Park caravan site in Birr on the provision of a
group housing scheme.
Page 8 | Offaly County Council Annual Report 2010