COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, September 22, 2014
HEADED ITEM NO. 12c)
HEADED ITEM: C. Services Department
ADOPTION OF SCHEME FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES
(circulated herewith)
REPLY:
Managers Report on the Consultation Process on the Draft Scheme for the Establishment of Strategic Policy Committees
Following the July CPG meeting, the Draft Scheme was publicly advertised in the local media and forwarded to the national pillars (Business, Trade Unions and Environment) and the Public Participation Network (PPN) for their feedback and comments. Only 1 submission was received from the Environment Pillar, which is summarised below.
The Environment Pillar submission:Request to alter the last two paragraphs on Page 2 of the Draft SPC Scheme as follows;
Second last paragraph – insert the phrase “the underlying principles of sustainability”
Last paragraph – insert “the PPN, other sectoral interests and the Chief Executive”
Response: There are no difficulties with the proposed amendment.
The Environment Pillar submission: “The inclusion of the ITT and the ETB rather than the PPN representatives or those of the Social Partners is contrary to the SPC guidelines, and ignores their important role in representing the wider community. Their inclusion would seem a contradiction to the statements on pages 24 and 25 of the Guidelines of the establishment of SPCs (LG07 2014”
“Local Development agencies represented at Strategy Group / LCDC level, should not be represented on an SPC. Arrangements should be in place however, to facilitate meaningful engagement and consultation with such Local Development Agencies as part of the policy making process (See paragraph 6.4)
Response: If agreed, Sectoral membership could be amended to reflect one third of overall membership coming from the PPN and national pillars accordingly
The Environment Pillar submission:
State and Local Development Agencies should not be included as nominating bodies to the sectors and should not be represented on an SPC. However, sectors may nominate persons from a local development agency to sit on an SPC. Consideration should be given by SPCs and the Council to inviting officials from such agencies and others operating in the local authority’s area to attend and participate in SPC meetings where such would be beneficial in providing input and expertise in matters of direct relevance to the SPC’s work. See also paragraph 3.8 above”
The Pillar suggests that “if it is felt necessary to include representatives of these institutions then this should be additional to the one third other sector representation provided for in the guidelines.”
Response: Agreed. It is recommended that bodies such as the ITT and ETB are invited to attend meetings of an SPC as relevant, and that the membership of the SPC is changed accordingly, in favour of the PPN if the recommendation above is agreed.
The Environment Pillar submission: recommends a revised configuration of membership from the PPN and national pillars
Response: It has been agreed at the September CPG to convene a meeting of the Group Leaders to agree SPC membership. It is proposed to review the Sectoral membership at this meeting and to make recommendations to the next meeting of the CPG, for full adoption of the Scheme at the October Council Meeting.
The Environment Pillar submission:“in the absence of the PPNs the Environmental Pillar retains its right to nominate representatives from the local environmental community to the environment sector seats on the SPCs. It does so on an interim basis until the PPN is up and running. This right given by national government cannot be handed to any other body”
Response: It is envisaged the PPN will be formally established by the end of October. If nominations are required before then the Environment nominees will be sought from the national pillar
The Environment Pillar submission:“the unfortunate absence of an important layer of participatory democracy in South County Dublin. The Metropolitan Districts PPNs which would provide for a greater cohesion within, and connectivity between, the communities in this diverse county have yet to be established. We hope that this will be remedied asap”
Response: It is assumed the submission is referring to Municipal Districts. This submission is beyond the scope of the SPC scheme. No amendment recommended.
The Environment Pillar submission: four additional items requested for inclusion in the scheme:
- All members of the SPC should be able to add relevant items to the agenda, with the draft agenda being agreed at the start of every meeting
- Recommendations from an SPC to the Council may, where a consensus isn’t possible , include a minority report or statement. This will give the Council the benefit of the full range of expertise and opinion
- Training for all SPC members is essential to allow each SPC to fulfil it’s role. This should include training in conflict resolution and out of office hours
- The timing and location of meetings should be arranged by agreement amongst the committee members to facilitate maximum participation and proximity to public transport
Response: The above can be forwarded to each SPC for consideration on their establishment. No amendment to the Scheme is recommended