COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 14, 2009

QUESTION NO. 14

QUESTION: Councillor W. Lavelle

To ask the Manager, further to the motion agreed at the November council meeting, to report on consultations with juvenile-only football clubs on the need to revisit the recent increase in pitch fees?

REPLY:

As agreed at the November meeting of the Council, a letter was issued to 29 clubs which were still in arrears as at the 11th November 2009, and the following is an extract from that letter.

“Following representations and discussion with the elected Members and requests from some clubs involved, the Council has agreed to withdraw it’s letter of 30th October 2009 to allow an opportunity for discussions with Clubs on an individual basis, who have not to date paid, or made arrangements to pay, the fees for the current year.  In this regard I should be obliged if you would, within the next seven days, make contact with the Parks Administration Section telephone (01) 4149275, to make an appointment to submit your insurances for the year and to discuss and agree a payment plan for the outstanding fees.

It will be important that in addition to your insurance, you bring a detailed account (on a team by team basis) of all costs incurred and the future expected expenditure for each team for the current year.  This will allow a meaningful discussion and a mutual appreciation of our respective positions at the meeting”

Report on progress to date

4 clubs have paid in full

13 clubs have entered into arrangements with Council to pay their outstanding fees

4 clubs have genuine financial difficulties and the Council is working with these clubs towards a resolution.

7 clubs have yet to contact the Council regarding their outstanding fees – further letters have issued

1 club is no longer using Council playing facilities.

From the exercise to date, it has become apparent that the main factors causing difficulty to the clubs are:

1                    Affiliation fees to relevant league

2                    Referee costs

3                    Insurance costs

4                    Lack of financial assistance from governing bodies

5                    Requirements re coaching courses, Health & Safety issues, ongoing upkeep and maintenance of kit / equipment

The pitch allocation fees received to date is now 83% of the anticipated income for the 2009/2010 season.