COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, May 09, 2011
QUESTION NO. 16
QUESTION: Councillor E. Tuffy
To ask the Manager if he will consider publishing in hard copy a limited number, say 1000 copies for distribution to libraries, schools, historical societies, local community organisations etc., of the Country Heritage Plan, and if he will present an updated progress report on the implementation of some of the actions in the Plan, including reference to the role of FAS Placement participants in assisting the County Heritage Officer, recognising that implementation of the whole plan is constrained by the Council's financial position?
REPLY:
Heritage Plan Printing
Quotations for a limited print-run of the Heritage Plan are being sought to determine cost base per numbers printed. Subject to received quotes and best value, it is anticipated that a limited print-run will be ordered in early May for distribution to the Libraries and other interested groups and organisations. The Plan will also be made available in digital format on the Council’s website and on CD for distribution.
Heritage Plan Actions and Projects
The County Heritage Forum convened on 8th March 2011 and a programme of works under the Heritage Plan was presented by the Heritage Officer which will form the foundation for heritage activities for 2011. The Heritage Forum approved the work programme and the agreed projects include those listed in Table 1.
Where possible, utilising in-house staff expertise has reduced the need for much external consultancy, while the Heritage Council has provided 70% funding towards two agreed projects: the County Habitat Survey and an Industrial Heritage Desktop Survey. In addition, a significant number of archaeological actions under the Heritage Plan have been made possible following the placement of two archaeological graduates under the FáS Work Placement Programme.
FáS Placements
Since the beginning of March 2011, the Heritage Plan has availed of the assistance of two graduate archaeologists placed under the FáS Work Placement Programme. The placements are for 9 months and the two archaeologists have commenced on their initial task of preparing a Historic Area Assessment for Newcastle. This work will trace the development of the parish area of Newcastle from the Norman period and involves utilising mapped GIS layers and published source material for this area of the County. An archaeological sub-committee of the Heritage Forum is assisting in overseeing and advising the project. A presentation of the Historic Area Assessment will be made available at the completion of the project.
Table 1: Agreed Heritage Plan Projects for 2011
| Theme | Heritage Plan Action | To be undertaken By: | Budget Source | |
| Architecture | 3.1.4 2.2.5 1.1.1; 1.2.6; 1.3.4 |
· Building Survey of Council-owned Protected Structures · Industrial Heritage Survey* · Collation of architectural conservation reports |
Architectural Services & Conservation Officer Consultancy Heritage Plan Assistant |
In-house Staff Heritage Council and Heritage Plan In-house Staff |
| Archaeology | 1.1.1; 1.3.7; 1.2.6; 1.1.4 3.1.3 3.1.6; 2.2.3; 2.2.6 |
· Collation of archaeological reports, excavations, and information on recorded artefacts · Collation of information and survey the condition of agreed selected sites listed in the RMP · Historic Landscape Character Assessments |
Heritage Plan Assistant and Archaeological Heritage Assistants Archaeological Heritage Assistants Archaeological Heritage Assistants |
In-house Staff and FAS Placements FAS Placements FAS Placements |
| Natural Heritage | 3.1.8 1.2.4 3.3.6 2.1.4, 2.4.2, 2.5.4, 3.2.2, 4.2.3 |
· County Biodiversity Plan * · County Habitat Mapping · Hedgerow Maintenance Course · BioBlitz! National biodiversity recording event in Waterstown Park, 20/21st May |
Heritage Officer and Biodiversity Forum Consultancy Consultant Trainer National Biodiversity Data Centre, Heritage Officer, Parks Department |
Heritage Council and Heritage Plan Heritage Plan Heritage Plan Heritage Plan |
| General | 1.1.1; 1.2.6 2.1.4, 2.4.2, 2.5.4, 3.2.2, 4.2.3 2.3.5 |
· Heritage Database Construction · Heritage Week · Peace Park |
IT Services, Heritage Officer, Conservation Officer, Heritage Plan Assistant Heritage Officer, County Library Heritage Officer and Steering Group |
In-house Staff Heritage Plan Heritage Plan |
* Heritage Council contributing 70% of project costs to County Habitat Survey and Industrial Heritage Survey