COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 10, 2011

MOTION NO. 2

MOTION: Councillor E. Coburn, Councillor W. Lavelle

That this council calls on the Manager to establish a tailored programme to support the promotion of the county’s traditional town and village centres as highlighted in the Economic SPC working group on Traditional Urban Centres, working with the relevant trading groups and SDCC Chamber of Commerce to develop an action plan.

REPORT:

The working group on urban centres met in January and April 2011 and the following report was presented to the SPC meeting on 18th May 2011:

"Economic Development Strategic Policy Committee

Working Group on Urban Centres

28 April 2011

Report

 

Attended : Councillors Eamon Tuffy, (Chair), Emma Coburn, Pamela Kearns, William Lavelle, Gus O’Connell. Non elected SPC member:  Mr. Donie Anderson.

Frank Nevin, Director of Land Use, Economic & Transport Planning. Colin Ryan Senior Planner.

1.  Presentation on matters arising from Working Group Meeting Jan 2011

Colin Ryan outlined the background to the subgroup and presented the findings of an examination of, and site visit to, the villages of Rathfarnham and Lucan. He pointed out that :

• Both villages had been subject to significant investment in the physical public realm.
• Vacancy was not a significant issue.
• Maintenance of the enhanced public realm and marketing of the “niche” nature of villages an important challenge/opportunity.

2.  Discussion by working group members on submissions to the working group

 The members agreed that both from the presentation at this meeting and the discussion in January with stakeholders maintenance and marketing are the priority actions at this stage. It was also noted that the design and implementation lessons learned should be incorporated in enhancing other villages in the County when resources permit.

 The importance of the meeting(s) with local business was emphasised and FN undertook to schedule similar meetings with representative groups.

3.  Recommendation to SPC.

The maintenance of the public realm in our urban villages be prioritised, (in so far as possible within available resources).

• Marketing opportunities for the quality of public realm and “niche” retailing should be identified and pursued. (Presentation on BIDs to be made to SPC).
• Contacts with local business as commenced by the sub group be continued and developed.
• The design and implementation lessons learned in the two study villages should be incorporated in enhancing other villages in the County when resources permit."

The report on BIDS was presented to the SPC and the recommendations set out above were agreed. Further meetings have been held with the groups involved and can be arranged  as required with other local groups. Regular contact is maintained with the South Dublin Chamber through the Business Development and Sustainment Programme, the Economic subgroup of the CDB, Think Local Campaign etc. These initiatives will continue to be developed in support of local business.