Cork city councillor 'strongly disagrees' that local authority is using all tools at its disposal for dereliction

A Cork city councillor has said he strongly disagrees with the council’s position that it is using “all tools at its disposal” to tackle dereliction.

In response to a question at a council meeting this month, the local authority outlined a number of measures it is taking to clamp down on idle properties.

The response stated that the council “extensively reviewed” its derelict sites processes in 2023 and increased the size of its derelict sites team.

Further, it said the local authority has increased the size of its technical team “to identify deterioration in properties and pre-empt, where possible, their descent into dereliction”.

The response said that a “robust approach” is being taken with regard to the collection of levies, with just under €428,000 collected in the last 12 months from June 2023.

“Cork City Council is using all tools at its disposal to facilitate a timely removal of dereliction and a return to use,” the lengthy answer stated.

However, Social Democrats councillor Pádraig Rice said he believes more could be done.

“I strongly disagree with the council’s position that it is using ‘all tools at its disposal’ to tackle dereliction,” he said.

“The Derelict Sites Act 1990 grants significant powers to local authorities to combat dereliction.

“However, it's evident that these powers are not being fully utilised.

“The city council need to be more proactive in enforcing this legislation.

“Under the law, the council can instruct landlords to take measures to prevent dereliction, or it can carry out necessary work itself and charge the owners for the cost.

“It can also charge levies. The council can use compulsory purchase powers for those who don't engage.

“In the last year, just four orders were made requiring building owners to take measures to prevent / end dereliction.” 

'FAR TOO LOW'

Mr Rice said such a figure is “far too low” given the hundreds of vacant and derelict properties in the city.

In addition to the four ‘Section 11’ notices issued since June last year, Mr Rice was informed in a written response to a question at the council meeting this month that 50 building control interventions were made, 59 demand letters were issued to remove dereliction and 14 written requests for improvement works were issued.

Mr Rice said the local authority must ensure that all council owned buildings are fully used and that council houses are re-let faster.

“Steps must also be taken to reduce the number of vacant commercial units in the city,” he said.

“Other European cities have the concept of ‘meanwhile use,’ where vacant units are used for a short period as pop-up galleries, offices for start-ups, or short-term community or creative spaces.

“We need to take a more flexible approach and not allow buildings to be vacant month after month and year after year.”