COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, May 12, 2025
QUESTION NO. 22
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed report into Tidy Towns groups funding as agreed by councillors in the annual Budget by each Tidy Town group and LEA, and that the report address any underspends in budget and how this will be addressed? (2019-2025 period)
REPLY:
An annual budget of €100,000 has been allocated for Tidy Town applications, with expenditure reviewed throughout the year. As the budget is classified as a Revenue Code, any residual funds at the end of the year cannot be carried forward to the next year and are reallocated to the Council’s general budget.
In 2019, €85,040 was expended. Subsequent years experienced reduced applications and spending due to Covid restrictions. Despite extensive promotion only two grants totaling €24,000 were awarded in 2022.
Subsequent years have seen an uptake in grant applications and funds allocated, a total of €98,574 was allocated in 2023.
South Dublin County Council acknowledges the critical role of Tidy Towns groups in enhancing towns, villages, and communities through volunteer-led efforts. These groups significantly contribute to environmental improvement, community engagement, and local pride. Effective communication with these groups remains a priority for SDCC. Currently, communication occurs through various sections such as Environmental Awareness, Public Realm, Roads, etc. However, a more structured approach would enhance collaboration and support the evolving needs of these groups.
To this end, the Council is actively considering regular county-wide LEA meetings with Tidy Towns groups. These meetings will serve as forums to share updates, discuss challenges, and coordinate support for issues such as waste management, storage, planting schemes, and grant funding.
Additionally, we are evaluating the use of digital platforms and email bulletins to provide consistent updates and facilitate ongoing communication throughout the year.
To support these initiatives, additional resources have been allocated to the Environmental Awareness team, which will work directly with Tidy Towns. The newly appointed Tidy Towns Liaison Officer has contacted all groups via email and is arranging formal meetings. The team aims to improve ongoing communication and promptly address emerging issues. Competitions are underway to fill the Environmental Awareness Officer vacancy and recruit a new Biodiversity Officer; both positions will also support Tidy Towns groups.
The below table outlines Tidy Towns expenditure from 2019 - 2024.
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
|
Adamstown Big Tree Community |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7,000 |
|
Lucan Tidy Towns |
8,000 |
1,650 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Woodstown Tidy Towns |
10,500 |
0 |
7,000 |
0 |
2,000 |
2,000 |
|
Templogue Tidy Towns |
0 |
5,000 |
0 |
0 |
2,000 |
0 |
|
Newcastle Tidy Towns |
10,840 |
5,000 |
7,000 |
12,000 |
10,500 |
14,000 |
|
Palmerstown Meitheal Tidy Towns |
7,660 |
5,000 |
6,000 |
0 |
2,000 |
0 |
|
Brittas Tidy Towns |
4,644 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Ballyboden Tidy Towns |
2,000 |
5,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Rathcoole Tidy Towns |
16,206 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2,750 |
2,335 |
|
Tallaght Community Council |
0 |
0 |
1,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tallaght Tidy Towns |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16,554 |
1,615 |
|
Cherrywood Tidy Towns |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2,000 |
|
Clondalkin Tidy Towns |
4,500 |
5,000 |
0 |
0 |
23,261 |
11,575 |
|
Clondalkin Tidy Towns |
20,690 |
0 |
0 |
12,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Clondalkin Tidy Towns |
0 |
0 |
7,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Saggart Tidy Towns |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6,715 |
4,000 |
|
Tymon North & St Aongus Tidy Towns |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6,020 |
2,000 |
|
Rathfarnham Village Tidy Towns |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
15,000 |
22,500 |
|
Knocklyon Network |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3,534 |
|
Repair Café |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4,640 |
0 |
|
Other Grants (Webinars, equipment, etc.) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7,134 |
0 |
|
€85,040 |
€26,650 |
€28,000 |
€24,000 |
€98,574 |
€72,559 |