COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

"That this meeting welcomes the Council's commitment to maintaining and managing the allotments at Corkagh Park on a long term basis.  In doing so the meeting recommends that the Council adopt best practice in supporting the allotment holders, in the first instance by establishing ongoing communications with them.  This meeting also recommends that the Council phases in any fee increases for existing holders based on a remeasurement of plots".

REPORT:

Communication is often described as simply imparting or exchanging information, either by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.

The Council has developed a very successful medium for communicating with allotment holders via the South Dublin Allotment Association, which represents allotment holders in the South Dublin County Council administrative area.

While this forum currently predominately represents Friarstown and Tymon plot holders, other plot holders are encouraged to join this association with whom the Council has regular meetings, and who in turn communicates effectively with individual allotment holders.

The Council also proposes to pilot circulation of a bi - monthly newsletter which is expected to be of interest to plot holders in general.

In the course of an end of year review involving revised mapping techniques and realignment of plots, discrepancies in respect of the recorded size of numerous plots in Corkagh emerged.  While the subsequent correction of the fees on some allotment plots has been notified to allotment holders for year 2017, it is not intended to pursue retrospective charges where undercharge occurred. Similarly, it is intended to take a flexible approach to plot holders whose fees have increased in Corkagh Park, such as acceptance of payment by instalment.