HOUSING AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING

HELD ON THURSDAY 10^th NOVEMBER, 2011

PRESENT:

Members:                                           Council Officials:

Councillor M. Corr chaired the meeting.

H-I(1)  MINUTES

The minutes of the Housing and Social Development Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on 22^nd September, 2011 were proposed by Councillor M. Corr seconded by Councillor M. Duff and confirmed and approved as a true record and signed.

H-I(2)  MATTERS ARISING 

            It was NOTED there was no business under this heading.

It was AGREED to change the Order of business and take Headed Item no. 6 next.

H-I (6) Tallaght Sustainable Energy Community – SEG Stage II Evaluation

Mr. E. Conroy, County Architect, gave the presentation.

Following a discussion to which Ms B Tyrrell-Collard and  Councillors D. Looney, M. Corr and B. Bonner contributed Mr. E. Conroy, County Architect, responded to queries raised.

The report was NOTED.

H-I(3)  LOCAL POLICING FORA UPDATE

Mr B. Coman, Director of Services, gave the presentation.

There are three Policing Fora in the County. It is unlikely financially to provide another one. They are not taking over from Neighbourhood Watch. They provide a voice back to the Joint Policing Committee. It was agreed that a summary of the meeting would be published after the meeting to avoid any misunderstandings.

Following a discussion to which Councillors  D. Looney, B. Bonner, M. Corr and Ms Betty Tyrrell Collard  contributed Mr B. Coman, Director of Services, responded to queries raised.

The report was NOTED.

H-I(4)  CHOICE BASED LETTING UPDATE

Mr H Hogan, Senior Executive Officer, gave the presentation.

Social building of any sort is now completely gone. Voluntary units are to be included in the allocation in the near future. A presentation of facts over the last few years and a projection for the future are to be presented to members.

Following a discussion to which Councillors G. Kenny, D. Looney, M. Corr, and B. Lawlor contributed Mr H Hogan, Senior Executive Officer, and Mr B. Coman, Director of Services responded to queries raised.

The report was NOTED.

H-I (5) LTACC REVIEW

The following report which had been circulated was NOTED:

“South Dublin has at this stage provided in excess of 100 Group houses and 79 Permanent bays within 10 RCP sites as well as 30 temporary or emergency Bays for the Travellers in this County.  There is no traveller in either temporary or emergency accommodation that has not been offered permanent accommodation.  

In light of the above it was considered that a review of the focus and workings of the LTACC might be appropriate at this time.  A facilitator (Miller White Training & Consultancy) was engaged and following a workshop held in May last it was agreed by the members of the LTACC to establish a specific working group to examine the outcome of the review day and make recommendations for the future.

Cllrs. Guss O’Connell and Cathal King, Traveller representatives Mark Bradley, Sandra Davis and Aisling Flynn and Council staff member Hugh Hogan and Paul Fleming agreed to come together and address this issue.

The group had two quite lengthy and extensive discussion meetings in which the findings of Miller White’s report were analysed. The group have put forward the following main recommendations:

1.       Establish an updated needs assessment of the existing travellers within the County and prioritise the TAP in accordance with that assessment.  The LTACC to lobby and support that priority on an ongoing basis

2.       Maintenance of sites;  Examine new ways of working that can be seen to deliver results on the ground and to establish a maintenance sub committee to deal specifically with maintenance issues  in traveller specific housing reporting to them or LTACC .

3.       Establish a Management of Sites sub committee on which there must be traveller representatives.    This sub committee might usefully examine the following items and make recommendations on them taking into account the relevant legislation and regulations governing each matter

o           Enterprise initiatives with local enterprise boards

o           Education initiatives

o           Initiatives to address conflict, anti-social behaviour, domestic and gender based violence and addiction

·         Tenant participation initiatives including programmes, resident associations etc”

Mr. H. Hogan, Senior Executive Officer, summarised the report.

South Dublin County Council are to the forefront in providing accommodation   for Travellers. There are currently no illegal sites in the County. Feuding may be used as an excuse by some families who wish to move.

Following a discussion to which Councillors  G. Kenny, M. Corr, and B. Bonner contributed Mr. H. Hogan, Senior Executive Officer, responded to queries raised.

The report was NOTED.

H-I (7) ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Councillor M. Corr requested a change of day for the Housing and Social SPC from Thursday to Monday, 5.30pm to 7 pm.

The meeting concluded at     7.05   pm            

Siniú:_Marie Corr_             Dáta:   _27^th February, 2012_

     An Cathaoirleach