COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 14, 2008

QUESTION NO. 11

QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

To ask the Manager for an updated report on the Council's Heritage Forum and when it is anticipated the Forum will begin its work?

REPLY:

To initiate the process of preparing the County Heritage Plan and to progress work on the Plan, a Heritage Forum is required to be established.  This Forum will oversee and assist in the preparation and implementation of the Heritage Plan in conjunction with the Heritage Officer.  The members of this Forum will be drawn from elected members, Council staff, local heritage interest groups, business/commercial bodies, tourism, environmental NGOs, community fora, academia, and other relevant government agencies.  The recommended total number of Forum members will be between 15-20 individuals.                          

The names of members of the County Heritage Forum are currently being drawn up.  At the OP&F meeting of the 5^th June, three Councillors (one from each Electoral Area) were nominated to the Forum– Councillors Maloney, Tuffy and Walsh.  Potential Forum members from within and outside the Council have also been approached and a number have confirmed their intended participation.  To date, 14 members are confirmed while the decisions of a number of other potential members are awaited.

The first meeting of the County Heritage Forum is scheduled for 15^th July.  The public consultation process on the proposed Heritage Plan will commence soon after.  This consultation process will extend until mid-September at which time the Forum will meet again and 4 Working Groups will be established to assist the Forum in its work.  These Working Groups will comprise of Forum members and any other additional expertise as deemed necessary.