COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 12, 2025

QUESTION NO. 20

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed report on how South Dublin County Council will address the storage needs of Tidy Towns groups throughout each LEA to ensure voluntary Tidy Towns groups can continue to enhance our areas?

REPLY:

SDCC recognises and greatly values the work of voluntary Tidy Towns groups, whose efforts continue to enhance the appearance and environmental quality of towns and villages across all Local Electoral Areas (LEAs). The work of these groups is a vital part of community development and civic pride, and it is important that appropriate supports are in place to allow the groups to operate effectively.

In recent years, a number of Tidy Towns groups have highlighted challenges in accessing secure, convenient storage for equipment and materials. In response to these concerns, SDCC has initiated a review of existing council-owned assets, including car parks, depots, and council owned properties, to identify potential spaces that could be adapted or shared for storage purposes.

This review is currently underway and includes engagement with relevant departments to assess the suitability, accessibility, and security of these locations. Where appropriate, options such as shared-use agreements, minor adaptations, or the provision of containers for storage purposes may be considered.

In parallel, SDCC will consult with Tidy Towns groups to gather more detailed information on their specific storage needs by LEA. This information will feed into a broader strategy to provide consistent and sustainable support across the county.

A detailed report outlining the findings of the review, identified gaps, and proposed next steps will be brought to the Area Committee Meetings in due course.