COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 14, 2014

MOTION NO.

MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

That the Manager, following on from the audit requested by the Government in 2009 and carried out by local authorities, carries out an updated detailed audit of sports and recreational facilities in the County, whether owned or leased by the Council, other public bodies, schools or private operators, listed by Local Electoral Area, and reports in detail to members by January 2015; that this information be cross-referenced to ascertain likely future needs for particular facilities in given areas following the publication of full information from the latest census, with a further report to be issued to members whenever this is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPORT:

A Facilities Audit was carried out approximately 5 years ago by the Sports Office of the Council. This was part of a nationwide audit requested by the Department Of Arts, Sport & Tourism which set the parameters for the study. In the main the audit recorded top line data such as the number and type of facilities, uses, location etc. but didn't take into account factors such as the condition of the facility, the population trends and the likely demands.

While the results of this audit would be a good starting point for a thorough and more comprehensive countywide audit, it is considered that the proposals in the motion will require additional resources to be set aside to enable the completion of this task and it is essential that such resources if allocated would represent good value for money from a longer term planning perspective.

It is therefore recommended that in the first instance this matter should be referred to the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) and to the relevant Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) to be considered in the context of the work programmes to be assigned. If the matter is to be considered by the SPC then significant work will be required to define the Terms of Reference of the Study and to ring fence the resources including the appropriate budget allocation to enable the Study to proceed.