COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, June 11, 2012
HEADED ITEM NO.4e)(i)
STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES
e) Sports, Recreation, Community Development & Parks Strategic Policy Committee
(i) Report 30th May 2012
REPLY:
PRESENT
Members
Council Officials
Cllr C. King
B. Coman Director of Housing, Social & Community Development
Cllr T. Ridge
W. Sheils Senior Executive Officer Community Services
Cllr P. Cosgrave
M. Hannon Senior Executive Parks Superintendent
Cllr B. Lawlor
A. Silke Sport & Recreation Officer
Cllr M. Duff
P. Swayne Sport & Recreation Officer
Cllr G. Kenny
J. Morrissey Area Community Officer
Cllr E. Higgins
C. McCartney
C. Johnston
An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Cathal King presided.
- The Minutes of previous meeting held on 8th February 2012 were proposed by Councillor C. King seconded by Councillor P. Cosgrave
- Matters Arising - none
- Rosaleen Dwyer, Heritage Officer. South Dublin County Council gave a presentation on Bio Diversity Action Plan. Cllr P. Cosgrave and C. McCartney congratulated Rosaleen on her interesting and detailed presentation.
- J. Morrissey, Area Community Officer gave a Presentation on the current review of Community Grants Scheme. He noted that a sub group was formed consisting of Community staff, Councillors and non elected members of the SPC. A series of meetings were held following which consensus was reached with regard to amendment of the scheme. Link to final draft
Some of the highlighted changes are:
- Employment Grants - wording changed to accommodate flexibility and a strict closing date applied to ensure best management of financial resources.
- Monetary values were changed in some grant categories in line with a review of grant applications received in previous years
- New Requirement from Revenue included - Non Profit Organisations must register for tax reference number with Revenue in order to receive payments of approved grants
- Some grant categories where amalgamated under other category headings
Link to grants review with edits
A discussion ensued to which C McCartney, C. Johnson, B. Coman and Cllrs B. Lawlor, T. Ridge, P. Cosgrave and M. Duff contributed. J. Morrissey, B.Coman and W.Sheils responded to all questions.
The Committee accepted the proposed scheme and agreed to recommend the Revised Community Grant Scheme for approval to the Council.
- P. Swayne, A. Silke and M. Hannon gave a presentation on the Play policy review The members congratulated all involved in this review. C.King, E.Higgins, C. Johnson, P.Cosgrave and C. McCartney contributed to the discussion while P. Swayne and M. Hannon responded to questions Play policy review feedback
The Committee accepted the proposed review and agreed to recommend the Revised Play Policy for approval to the Council.
There have been some amendments to the original objectives and actions;
Objective 2 - Action 5 has been removed
The wording has been amended in
Objective 4
Objective 5 - Action 9
The areas of responsibility have been amended to:
Objective 2 - Action 4
Objective 3 - Action 6
Objective 6 - Action 10
Proposed Amendments
1) Objective 1
“Facilitate and support the provision of appropriate, accessible and safe playgrounds and play areas for young people in South Dublin County”
Action no 2
Preparation of 5 year Parks Works Programme for developing and implementing playgrounds and play spaces within regional and neighbourhood parks.
2) Objective 2
“Encourage the active involvement of communities and consultations with young people in the planning, design and development of playgrounds and play areas.”
Action no 3
Actively consult with young people in the locality of any planned play facility in existing residential areas.
Recommendation:
Develop community consultation guidelines.
3) Objective 2 Action 4
Undertake regular review of aims and objectives of County Play Policy.
Recommendation:
Responsibility will now be of the Council and Sports Recreation Community and Parks SPC and remove Comhaile na nóg consultation process
4) Objective 2
Action no 5
The voluntary, community and private sectors will be encouraged to engage with children in the development of play facilities and play policies.
Recommendation:
This action is to be removed from the policy due to repetition. Any sector developing play facilities would work in partnership with the council, therefore Action 1 will suffice
5) Objective 3
“Ensure that provision of playgrounds and play areas shall be based on the needs of the community and that the provision of any facilities shall serve the common good of the community.”
Action no 6
Carry out an assessment, to include disability access, of play facilities in the county, identifying the level, range and standard of public and community play facilities available to children of all ages, and advertise the availability of these facilities
Responsibility for this action has been amended to a partnership between the Council and the South Dublin County Development Board.
The South Dublin CDB is not in a position to implement this action without the assistance of the Council.
Recommendation:
Review current provision of play opportunities. Promote “Play” within the county.
6) Objective 4
“Outline a framework for the future roles and responsibilities for the local authorities, the community and other bodies in the development and management of public playgrounds and play areas.”
Recommendation:
The word “development” is to be removed from this objective having regard to the current economic climate but can be reviewed.
7) Objective 5
Wording has changed in this objective to now read;
Support and enable local communities who wish to maximize opportunities for play provision by providing guidance on location and access, equipment and safety, the landscape and amenities, maintenance and supervision
Recommendation
This is changed to encourage the local community to take responsibility.
8) Objective 6
“Raise the awareness of play within the local authority, other relevant agencies and the wider community.”
Action 10
Area of responsibility has been amended to include the Council.
Recommendation
Encourage the Boards of Management of schools to highlight the value of play and enhanced opportunities for play as part of their overall school plan. Area of responsibility has been amended to include the Council
9) Objective 6 – Action 11 & 12
“Play” will temporarily be the responsibility of the sports office as there will be no appointment of a play officer due to the employment embargo.
Recommendation
Recommendation:
“Play” will temporarily be the responsibility of the sports office as there will be no appointment of a play officer due to the employment embargo.
“Developing Play” in South Dublin County 2006 – 2009 was very specific to the provision of playgrounds and play areas. During the review this was addressed on many levels and the wording although remains the same, the interpretation of “Play” is now to be used in its widest form and not just a physical structure of a Playground.
6. A.O.B
There was no business under this heading.
Meeting concluded at 6.55 pm