COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, October 12, 2020
HEADED ITEM NO.
HEADED ITEM: C. Performance and Change Management Directorate
STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEES
a) Arts, Culture, Gaeilge, Heritage & Libraries SPC
b) Environment, Water, Climate Change & Biodiversity SPC
c) Economic, Enterprise & Tourism SPC
d) Housing SPC
e) Social, Community & Equality SPC
f) Land Use, Planning & Transportation SPC
REPLY:
Meeting of the Housing Strategic Policy Committee held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, 14th May 2020
Present:
Cllr. C. O’Connor; Cllr. L. Kinsella-Colman; Cllr. K. Mahon; Cllr. C. O’Byrne; Cllr. D. O’Donovan; S. Harty (PPN) and B. Tyrrell-Collard (ICTU).
Apologies:
Cllr. B. Pereppadan; Cllr. J. Tuffy; J. Lawlor.
Officials in attendance:
C. Ward, Director of Services; M. Staunton, Senior Executive Officer; N. Hanly, Senior Executive Officer; E. Leech, Senior Executive Officer; M. Murtagh, Administrative Officer; J. Sweeney, Senior Staff Officer.
Also present:
B. Gaughran, Assistant Head of IT
The meeting was chaired by Cllr. C. O’Connor.
C. Ward briefly outlined the Meeting Etiquette as a preliminary to this first SPC meeting using Microsoft Teams.
At the commencement of the meeting Cllr. O’Connor, Chair, welcomed Cllr. O’Byrne as the new member of the SPC. She fills the vacancy left by Cllr William Priestly who was recently appointed Chair of the Land Use and Transportation SPC.
HI.1 - Minutes of Housing SPC Meeting on 20th February 2020.
The minutes of the Housing Strategic Policy Committee Meeting of the 20th February 2020 were agreed.
HI.2 – Matters Arising
S. Harty queried if additional items could be added for discussion to the Committee’s work plan outlined at the meeting of 20th February.
C. Ward reaffirmed the dynamic aspect of the programme and the expectation that it would change over the lifetime of the committee to reflect both the changing environment and changing local priorities.
HI.3 Covid 19 Housing Responses
C. Ward provided an overview of some of the key housing areas and how these services have been maintained or adjusted during the lockdown and related restrictions and noted the resilience of the organisation and the hard work of the IT Department in ensuring the continued delivery of services.
Following contributions from Cllr. Mahon, Cllr. O’Byrne and Cllr. Kinsella-Colman the report was noted.
HI.4 – Allocations Update
N. Hanly delivered an update and analysis on housing allocations, with a breakdown of Choice Based Letting, HAP and Homeless figures from 2018 to date and highlighted several key policy areas for consideration by members.
There were questions and contributions by Cllrs. O’Donovan, Mahon and Kinsella Coleman which were responded to by N. Hanly and C. Ward and the report was noted.
HI.5 - Housing Supply Update
C. Ward advised members that the Clonburris Housing Proposal Phase 1, which was endorsed by members at the May Council, will be circulated to the committee members and any feedback received will inform the ongoing discussion with the design team.
M. Staunton provided an update on the delivery of housing projects, outlining the current status and next phase of development and the impact of the Covid-19 restrictions on the projected delivery stages. Results of an assessment of all sites to examine extent and impact of delays will be provided at the next SPC meeting.
Following contributions from Cllr. K. Ward which were responded to by M. Staunton and C. Ward, the report was noted.
HI.6 –Incremental Purchase Scheme – Cash Buyers
E. Leech outlined the current Incremental Tenant Purchase Scheme which was considered by the Housing SPC on 10th February 2016 and adopted by the Council on 14th March 2016 and included a provision whereby ‘cash buyers’ would be excluded from the scheme. Members are asked to consider a review of the scheme to permit purchases where bone fide financial sources are proven.
There was a contribution from Cllr. O’Donovan which was responded to by E. Leech and members agreed to review.
Any Other Business
Cllr. K. Mahon asked that plans in relation to developments be circulated to non-elected members for input and contributions in advance of being brought before the Council for approval.
C. Ward confirmed that procedures would be revised to include non-elected members for consultation in relation to strategic developments.
C. Ward pointed out that while the current meeting was of an informative nature, future meetings would move towards discussion of current and upcoming challenging and controversial policy issues facing the Council.
The meeting concluded at 6.35 pm.