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SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 14, 2008

HEADED ITEM NO. 6(a)(ii)

Arts, Culture, Gaeilge, Education & Libraries Strategic Policy Committee

Minutes of Meeting  held 20th September 2007

Attendance

Members: Cllr J Hannon Cllr G O’Connell Cllr S. O’Conchuir Cllr C Keane Cllr T McDermott, B Bollard, J Fay

Officials P Smith, Director of Community Services, B. Coman, Senior Executive Officer Ian Stobbart, County Librarian Orla Scannell, Arts Officer, Rachel McAree Arts Co- Ordinator

Apologies: Cllr M Ardagh, Cllr C Jones Cllr J Neville J. Lloyd-Hughes

A Fitzpatrick

An Cathaoirleach Cllr. J. Hannon presided.

1.Minutes of meeting of 21st May 2007 - Proposed by Cllr J. Hannon and seconded by Cllr G. O’Connell and agreed.

2.Matters Arising – Agreed that any matters arising were on agenda for the meeting.

3. Library Development Plan

A presentation on progress and the draft Library Development Plan was presented by the County Librarian Ian Stobbart.

Following a debate on a number of relative matters to which Cllrs J. Hannon, G. O’Connell, C. Keane and S. O’Conchuir and B. Bollard and J. Fay contributed the report was welcomed and noted and all queries raised were responded to by Ian Stobbart.

Among the issues for consideration raised were further extension of the library network, provision of English Language Classes, youth participation and interest, marketing of the services, provision of Digital Hubs, technology within the service,

4. Arts Centre update

A report and presentation on progress in relation to this report was given to the meeting by Oral Scannell Arts Officer.

Progress was welcomed and following a debate to which Cllrs J Hannon, C Keane, G O’Connell and J Fay contributed the report was agreed and further agreed that a future report be presented to the Committee on the Cultural Quarter at this location and discuss the further facilities that should be included, their location, and the linkage between the historic core and the new Town centre. Agreed that an international visit to such a similar type venue be organised for Committee Members.

5. Arts - In Context

Rachel McAree, Arts In-Context Co-Ordinator presented a report to the Committee on the progress and work of the Artists selected under the IN CONTEXT 3 Programme.

Following a lengthy debate to which Cllrs G. O’Connell, C. Keane, S. O’Connchuir, J. Hannon and B. Bollard and J. Fay contributed this ambitious and pro-active international renowned programme was welcomed.

6. A.O.B.

J Fay requested that hard copies of reports be made available at the meetings as not all members have access to lap tops for the purpose of the meetings.

Asked that consideration be also given to access cards to the Council Chamber for non elected members of the Committee.

Agreed that both requests be investigated.

Also the matter of early availability of the minutes for distribution to relevant associated committees be investigated by the Community representatives was discussed and indicated that this may not be possible as the minutes of meetings to be official public records must first be adopted as a true record of that meeting by the Committee at its next meeting.

The meeting then ended at 7.40 pm