arising from the minutes of the last meeting. Um and just to say as well, that we're being live s= that there's a recording in progress. Uh there's no motions today. Um is there a volunteer to be vice chair in case my broadband goes down?
I can do if you if mine stays up.
That's great. Thanks, [anon_$032]. Okay, so uh [anon_$042] we'll head to you for um an update on the draft [anon_PL1] development plan um 2022 to 2028. So you've the floor [anon_$042] whenever you're ready. [tech noise] Is [anon_$042] with us? [tech noise]
she doesn't appear to be I'll run down the corridor and see where she is.
Okay, good to see the remote working is over there your end as well. Um [anon_$034] can I go to to you for the local economic and community plan, which I know will really form a lot of our workload for the next couple of months.
Yeah, happy to to take that item. Um so there's a a report in uh the [anon_INST81] agenda pack uh so this is, I suppose an opportunity uh with our first meeting of the year to talk about the role uh we'll play as an [anon_INST91] in relation to the development of a new [anon_PR19]. Uh it will cover a period of of six years and it's it's a statutory uh document that it's like a sister document to the [anon_PR20]. Um so the the role of it is to promote and support economic development, and the local and community development of each local authority area by both the local authority itself but also in partnership with a wide range of economic and community uh development stakeholders. Uh and it's part of the overall um uh national transformation sanitation [anon_PR21]. So we developed our first plan for the 2016 to 2021 period. Um so the process before us now uh will involve um looking at the socio economic profile updates, since the census data very much underpins uh these plans. So the first plan was based on 2011 census data, which will be reviewed for 2016. And we're aware there will be a delay with the next uh census. But once that data is available, it will be used as a review of of the new plan. Um so the [anon_INST82] and the [anon_INST83] were both involved in the development of more detailed guidelines that will support uh uh strategic policy committees and the local community development committees who take the lead role on the development of the plans in how to uh proceed. Uh so there is um a need for us now to to form an advisory steering group, uh made up of membership of the strategic policy committee of the [anon_INST84]. And it's also open uh to um bringing in external stakeholders if um it's felt that they would have a significant uh contribution uh to make. Um so we've we've had, the guidelines are now available, and and they're up on the [anon_WS10] website, there was a briefing in December on how they are to be uh applied. So the the next steps uh will be that the the chair of our uh [anon_INST91] will will talk to the chair of the [anon_INST84] and we'll agree the the uh the approach to the formation of the advisory steering group, again, the guidelines have information on how the the membership should be selected for that. And then that will start the process then. Um it's it's a six stage process. But the the first four stages will involve uh preparation, public consultation, development of the high level goals, uh objectives and outcomes and finalization of the [anon_PR19]. One of the changes in the guidelines uh this time is that as well as developing the strategic plan, we'll also be developing an action plan that will cover the first two years uh of the [anon_PR19]. And both documents need to be prepared uh for uh for 2023. Um so uh so I suppose we're we're underway uh now uh with the work and uh there's a role set out in it uh for the advisory steering group and and the critical role that they'll play. And I suppose they'll also be the communication link between the work of of our strategic policy committee and uh the [anon_INST84]. So the guidelines set out that some of the uh objectives will be shared between community and economic, some will be pure economic and some will be pure uh community. And as well as then shaping the plan will have a role in in overseeing the implementation of the actions to deliver on on the high level goals. Uh so it's, I suppose we're better supported this time around with the guidelines. The first year uh there was less detailed information available, but I suppose this commences the process. The [anon_INST84] are meeting uh with a workshop on Wednesday of this week uh so the chairs of both groups probably meet soon after that. And it'll certainly be a big part of our work program for the year ahead and and will continue to be an agenda item subject to the um agreement of of the members for for future uh meetings. So that concludes the report.
Great thanks Thanks, [anon_$034] It's great to see you back in the [anon_PL43] as well. Um is there any hands up for questions, comments, uh [anon_$035]
Yeah, just to say I was just uh hello to everybody and happy new year. Um but just to say I was just reading um the document on the [anon_INST22] just before lunch. So it was just striking me too, because that document mentioned the advisory subcommittee as well. Might be an idea. I'm sure it's already been thought of [anon_$034] anyway, to have maybe a member from that office [breath in] on the [anon_INST90] as well, because there seems to be a bit of overlap and overlay there.
[anon_$034]
Uh yeah, thanks, [anon_$035] Uh yeah, we'd be happy to to take any suggestions and and then uh through the the chairs, we can um get a way forward, then the advice is that, you know, it's good to have input on that group. But to keep the numbers to a manageable level, because they'll probably meet need to meet fairly frequently to to move the work forward.
uh councillor [anon_$036]
Uh go raibh maith agut thanks for the report. Um [breath in] so so this correct me if I'm wrong, this is our second, this would be our second uh go at this. Is there any evaluation available as to what practical uh impact or usefulness was in the first one? Because I have to say, I'm always very wary of a lot of the stuff like this comes from the Department or comes from central government. A lot of it looks like keeping us busy. And, you know, keeping the the cogs moving, but not necessarily producing anything practical or any benefit in the lives of citizens in the city um I'd be interested to see if there's any analysis, or any uh outcome uh from the first plan or is it just sitting on a shelf uh now to be updated, and to take up a lot of time of our uh staff and counselors and people who might make an input into it? Um I think it'd be interesting to see that before we embark on another uh exercise of this kind, sinn é
Thanks, I'll go to councillor [anon_$032] and then councillor [anon_$037] and [anon_$034], I'll go back to them at that point, councillor [anon_$032]
Yeah, I just I suppose we will be getting um the city [anon_PR20] which I think this really is something that should be feeding into it, if we were going to have, you know, um you know, uh economic development and enterprise, we need to have the spaces and we need to if we're looking for the 15 Minute city, we need to be looking that people are living and working, you know, as close as possible. So when we're looking at the [anon_PR20], we really should be looking to make sure that there are enterprise spaces, and there are spaces, um you know, and where there's a lack of that in in particular locations, that we don't have everybody traveling into the city center necessarily for for work, um they could be traveling into the city center for for leisure and culture and other and and and retail but um uh working uh closer to their home. So I just think that this is something really, um you know, I'm welcome the fact that there's you've going to look at how to set it up and everything. I'm just concerned that the the implementation of it might be a bit late, you know, in the day, because we'll have already put together, um you know, and prioritized where we're putting local um action plans, and you know, and the mix that we have. Um and I just think, you know, maybe this is something that we should be looking for, for part of from our strategic policy committee to implement in the development um plan at this stage, really. So um so I welcome this I'm just wondering how we're going to actually implement it um in the in the timeframe that is here, you know, with the period covering six years, thank you.
Thanks, I go to councillor [anon_$037] and then back to [anon_$034]. And if anyone else wants to come in at that point, we'll keep going. councillor [anon_$037]
Thank you. Thank you very much Chair. Um thank you for the report. I very much um agree with councillor [anon_$036] I think it would be very useful if we could have an independent evaluation, which actually gives us an opportunity to look at what else we could be doing or the effectiveness of what's been done to date. So I would very much support what he said. Um have uh I had difficulty getting in there I was held up really is [anon_$040]'s report coming? We haven't dealt with that yet. I hope.
No, no, not yet.
And the other question is that I'm trying everything in relation to item seven on the agenda uh [anon_$045]'s report where we got a separate email to say that the separate I have looked at everything, and I can't find any attachment with that, to. So I don't know is that just me? Uh if there is an attachment of maybe could come separately so that I could read it. Uh but any of, the emails I've got no matter what I try the iPad or the the laptop or whatever, I don't seem to be able to find uh a report. Thank you.
Okay, thanks councillor [anon_$037] Can someone undertake maybe to just email that attachment again to, to all of us? [anon_$038] did you want to come in there? Is your hand up?
Uh yeah, Chair. Yeah, if I could just come in for a sec there. Just to say, uh on the [anon_PR19] the previous one, it was reported to this committee on a regular basis, but we actually completed all the actions uh bar, I think one and that one was held up because of I think it was a tourism one, and it just got delayed. But uh it was reported and all the actions were completed on the economic side. We don't have a report on the community side. But I know the LE= the [anon_INST84]. Uh it it reports into there on the [anon_INST84] side which is the community side.
Thanks for that clarification, [anon_$038] [anon_$034] do you want to come in on anything else?
Um yeah maybe just uh to respond to the questions uh councillor [anon_$036] had asked about the evaluation. So as it set out in the guidelines the the key way they want the reports evaluated is based on the updated census data, and the socio economic profiles and and councillor [anon_$037] spoken about independent analysis, we did commission [anon_INST85] to update the socio economic profiles based on the 2016 census data. And I think that might be certainly information, we're happy to share it with the full [anon_INST91] but will be shared with the advisory group. Uh but if the advisory group felt there was a need to commission further evaluation or analytics, that could be examined at the advisory group. Uh and then in relation to the work with the [anon_PR20] this document is is understood to be sister document to the [anon_PR20]. And it would certainly take cognizance of that document and a wide range of national and local documents uh in its in its formulation. Um but it it is I suppose, addressing some of the common issues such as housing and and the impact of climate on the city, but it's, I suppose, approaching it through an economic and community lens. So there will be different stakeholders and different actions uh that would be supported uh by the plan. Um so it certainly needs to be cognizant of all of the other work underway. Uh but it it has a slightly different statutory roles than the the [anon_PR20] Um and uh I think that addresses the questions I hope thank you.
Thanks, [anon_$034] Uh welcome councillor [anon_$042]. I just saw saw you come in there councillor [anon_$037] you have your hand up? Do you want to come back in?
I just want to to s= to know who is this advisory group? And who's on it? Um and the second question is sure. Surely, there's no reason why members of the [anon_INST91] should not be able to get a copy of that uh evaluation report? I mean, as members of the [anon_INST91] we should we should have access to it. So I'm suggesting that we do get a copy those of us who asked for it, or anyone who wants it, please.
Very well, imagine there'd be no difficulty with a copy of that. Does anybody else want to come in before I go back to [anon_$040] Okay, [anon_$040] we'll get back to you for the update in respect of the [anon_PR20], you have the floor.
Thank you, um hang on I'll just try and share my screen. Give me a minute now. pat= I get it right.
Take your time.
Is it up?
It is thanks [anon_$040]
Great grand. [laugh] You always have that moment of panic, don't you whenever you're doing anything online, um to do with technology. Um thanks very much for giving me the time. Um I know, this is an extremely busy [anon_INST91]. And I'll try and fly through it and give more time as possible to questions. So [breath in] um I suppose we're just at a key point in the [anon_PR20] process we're halfway through, and we're in the middle of our public consultation on the draft plan. So it's a critical point in the in the entire two year timeline. And I suppose I just wanted to use the opportunity presented by the [anon_INST91] to, to I suppose, draw your attention to the draft and to draw your attention to some of the issues that are in it in relation particularly to the issues that are uh personal to the [anon_INST91] and to I suppose give people the opportunity to consider whether they wish through their organizations to make a submission on the draft plan at this stage. So um where we're at I suppose just quick background, and this time last year, we had our pre draft consultation process when we uh a lot of organizations um made submissions, we got over 700 submissions from the public and a range of different organizations, which was great, it was much higher than normal. And following that there were over 1000 Strategic Directions made by the elected members with regard to the content of the draft plan all of which have been inputted into the policies objectives, included in the text um and following the production of the draft plan, in the end of the summer, the draft plan was debated by the elected members and over 300 motions were considered um all of which made changes to the draft plan. So that's just a very short snapshot of where we are, where we were, and how we've got. So where we are now, uh just I suppose, in the overall context of what the draft plan is looking at, I'm going to just do a quick run through the chapters and then focus in on the economic stuff. Um the population targets. Some of this is just for your reading for yourselves when you have the presentation circulated. I don't want to bore you to death with numbers. But the aim of the plan we're required on to the uh the [anon_PR23] to provide approximately 40,000 residential units to be available to be built um during the lifetime of the plan. And we've gone through all the numbers looks at what's granted, what's built, what's owned, what capacities are on all the different areas. And we are uh well assured that we have the capacity to deliver that and more we have capacity to deliver deliver just around the 50,000 units, which gives a 20% approximate headroom for the lifetime of the plan which will be considered normal. Um that's just a map, we're required to produce a map of the core strategy showing the key areas where I suppose significant volumes of housing are likely to be built during the lifetime of the plan. And they're all the strategic regeneration areas that are in the draft plan. Um that's not to say that there isn't housing being delivered across the city as part of an overall infill regeneration intensification and delivering that whole vision of a 15 minute city and getting more people within walking and cycling distance of key urban villages and places of employment. The Cha= the [anon_PR18] has a new chapter on climate action. And I suppose pulling together a lot of the strands that run through the text. And it provides I suppose, a coherent vision as to what the plan is trying to do in relation to climate action, climate resilience and climate response. So there is a requirement for uh energy statements as part of a major applications, there's policies and renewable energy policies on sustainable energy, particularly supporting the [anon_PR24], that [anon_PL42] is trying to get off the ground. There's clarity and support for the decarbonisation zones that are now, uh I suppose, being rolled out on waste management, circular economy, and particularly on green infrastructure. And then I suppose this is the whole thing about that chapter kind of laces back into all the other chapters as well. There's green infrastructure policies in this that tie in support what's happening in other parts of the [anon_PL18] um on sustainable transport motor electric vehicles, and again, that ties into the development management standards that are in chapter 15, about how many you know about the charging points that require so making it very clear to those who are building what's going to be required in the next once the plan is in place. And then also in relation to built environment policies on sustainable building, retrofitting, and reuse of buildings, all of which part of our response, Chapter Four deals with the shape and the structure of the city where and this is very much, I suppose, a team that came through very strongly in the submissions that we got issues of quality density and a mixed use approach. And I suppose that ties back to the point just made there in the meeting about ensuring that we provide spaces for all types of uses within within each of the suburbs, suburbs areas. So there's greater use say of this at 10 zoning policy, which requires a mixed use of reproach for large scale, uh uh regeneration land [breath in] um compacts grow to be promoted through infill and consolidation and through brownfield development. So all of the key policies that support that set out that agenda within the [anon_PR18] and the vision that we're trying to achieve, the importance of the urban villages has been, I suppose, a a much stronger emphasis on urban villages in this plan than previous plans, and particularly the 15 minute city and the importance of getting local employment into urban villages, which wasn't there, I suppose, as strongly before in the plan. So that's something we've worked to try improve and, we've changed the zoning policies to to take that into account, um managing height um and using criteria based approach in response to the government guidelines. And there's quite a lot of detail on that and appendix three, if you're interested. And then the whole strategic development and regeneration areas and setting of quite detailed principles about how these areas will be developed out over their lifetime, including dealing with the issue of height intensification Um Housing and Sustainable neighborhoods is chapter five. And it's I suppose that whole tying in community and housing together and recognizing that you shouldn't be dealing with these issues on kind of an individual basis, again, very much the strong theme of 15 minutes city healthy places making making, encouraging people to and giving people the opportunity to choose to to walk and cycle to places. And again, regeneration, consolidation, social inclusion and housing, and as a range of new policies there in relation to, I suppose housing for a for a wider range of people within our communities or specific policy about older people about universal design and housing for people with disabilities. And then alongside that, we also have policies on what is I suppose a new development model that has emerged in the lifetime of this plan, which is build to rent and there were a locational criteria around that looking at areas uh I suppose requiring them to uh within areas of high employment and areas where there's significant transportation connections. And there was a presumption against very large scale residential developments to be BTR because it will create an unsustainable community. Um and we've also been looking at ensuring that the design of the apartments that are built are both be= you know that they aren't all just built to one typology, that they're built to the built to sell standard as well, so that in the long term, the community has the ability to provide a a quality mix um and range of apartments. Um because all apartments obviously are gonna be around for 100 years plus, you know, so I mean, it's looking at that long term uh issue of how we deliver regeneration and then discouraging BTR accommodation of less than 100 units because they don't have the capacity to provide and support the uh range of community facilities that are required under the the guidelines, City economy and retail um [breath in] I suppose just say that everything that we've written in the plan complies with the [anon_PR25] for [anon_PL44] and the strategic employment areas that are outlined in that. And again, this ties back into the climate change element supporting the key economic sectors are there um is a section on tourism accommodation. Um I suppose recognizing the importance of tourism to the city, but also how we need to balance some of the particular pressure points that have emerged during the lifetime of this plan particularly hotel accommodation. And then there are criteria around that um data centers are covered. Um we have I suppose we've we use the banner a report that we commissioned um that examines a whole retail issue that has input it into how the policies in retail have been formed. So we've um it's looking at diversifying the city center and as as was mentioned in the meeting, do= you know, encouraging people to come into the city for a wide range of reasons and of which retail will benefit from so the, I suppose, pushing forward the cultural issues um and the events and and, you know, improvements to public realm all of which encourage a greater footfall and and longer stay within the city center. [breath in] Um And then recategorisation of some of the category one and two streets So there are a kind of um detailed changes to the text to it to take on board some of the issues that came through in the study. And then we have a new chapter chapter 12. On culture, um again, I suppose to I suppose to recognize this was a big issue that came out in the submissions, and we wanted to reflect that in the text. So we have um policies on a a range of cultural quarters uh in across the city, including [anon_PL45], and there's a whole range of them there, there's one in [anon_PL46] So it's just to give you a selection of different ones to have a look at uh key cultural activities. Uh looking at po= policy regarding the protection of venues for space, uh for music, dance rehearsal, requiring the provision of cultural facilities of major reach generation and support for an Irish language quarter and the use of the Irish language and support for the traditional arts uh zoning and develop management, we've done a comprehensive review of the zoning map. So there's been quite a number of changes I suppose the biggest ones. I mean, there's a lot of change, which is just I suppose recognizing what's been built out and allowing it to evolve into a standard zoning, um there has been a change a significant change to what is called the south 15. So there's clear criteria around when residential development be considered, it's a lot more uh stricter than it was previous, and there was a much greater emphasis on the importance of of protecting uh south 15 lands for community infrastructure, recognizing that the population increase in the city is going to create demand for greater community infrastructure, particularly within the school sector. So it's ensuring that when we meet our 2040 fingers that we have the accommodation and the space to provide the schools that are needed to support that population increase. As I mentioned, as they attend the mixed use philosophy is trying to expand that and ensure that where people live and where they work, and where they engage in leisure activities, and, uh and other activities that there are within their doorstep. The employment zone is a lot more focused as an outcome of the study that was done and during the lifetime of the last plan. And we've updated a range of development standards. And we've put in new guidance around dual aspect and sunlight and daylight to ensure that the quality that we all expect of apartments is there and delivered. So that's just a list of the uh regeneration areas across the city. Um we've added a couple of new ones [anon_PL46] which is kind of more of a historic one rather than say major scale regeneration, but I suppose it's recognizing the really important role of that historic area, particularly with city walls. And I suppose the the proactive approach [anon_INST86] is taking with that area in partnership with the [anon_INST87] and I can't remember off the top of me head now what other ones are there. But we've we've updated all of the others in line with um work that's been done during the lifetime of the current plan. And I suppose just in summary, just to say what's particularly interesting yourselves is a more focused approach to the industrial zoning and greater use of mixed use regeneration zoning within the plan to try and ensure that diversity with as as areas regeneration evolve, stronger emphasis on the city center as a destination and trying to support this whole concept of multi use trips into the city center to and to, you know, support the food and beverage sector and the cultural sector in in in driving that and the importance of making the city an attractive place to work and to seeking to preserve and regenerate spaces within the city for enterprise the expansion of [anon_PL47] into the new [anon_PL47] STZ which will provide I suppose significant floorplace for uh for FDI particularly and uh and enterprise uh within the [anon_PL47] area. So it's building on its successes there and expanding the role of urban villages and places of employment recognizing what we've learned from COVID and from uh the submissions that we've received so oops, sorry. Uh that's the website, all of the information um regarding [anon_PR18] including some of the background papers um are there on that um there's also slots for people who can book if they want to talk to somebody if they're looking for advice. Um and the closing date is Valentine's Day, handy date to remember um mentally in your head. And if you've any questions on that, sorry for that speedy flight through but I know you're under pressure so so
[anon_$040] Terrific, thanks so much. So clear and and comprehensive. So I'll go to councillor [anon_$037] councillor [anon_$041] and then councillor [anon_$042] and if any other hands come up in the interim, but [anon_$040] you might come back after those three speakers. Um and then we'll go to councillor [anon_$031] councillor [anon_$037].
Um uh chair, thank you very much. And thank you particularly to uh uh [anon_$040] uh for her work, it's always very reassuring to see um uh [anon_$040] being involved in work uh from the planning department, she's a very experienced um uh senior planner. And uh she's always anything she's done for the [anon_INST86] has always been well done. So I want to acknowledge that and say thank you very much [anon_$040] Um uh they're just one or two questions I'd like to to ask just in making a statement just on that as well. I think it's extremely important today that we acknowledge and appreciate the um uh statement in the [anon_INST88] today, um in relation to us, [anon_INST89], and [anon_FN85] [anon_SN24] our city planner uh has done in relation to um um uh blocks that uh you know, the percentage of um um larger apartments uh that you can only have a certain number of uh uh build to and uh bedsitters and I think that is something that is very, very constructive and very, very welcome. Um and I'd like to even propose that we might uh agree, um a vote of thanks to both of them that we might send on if people agree with me on that. I'd like to ask a question, I have to confess now this question, I suppose really, the question should be more strictly in relation to the economic paper, but I'll be very quick um that uh in the adaptation for older people you mention about disabled, but we're talking about adaptation in houses for older people, whether it's, you know, having everything downstairs and letting upstairs or whatever, um which maximizes the use of housing and keeps people uh in their homes and so forth. And we're having a presentation on that at our next um age friendly meeting next week, if anybody's interested in that, and the next couple of weeks that's coming on, which I think could be very um useful for us to know about. And can I just say that I am delighted about the typing up with the Z 15 and the community the 25% community allowance, I mean, there have been so many opportunities lost. Uh and that's all very welcome. So, it's in in , I'm saying thanks very much to the [anon_INST92] chair.
Thanks. Thanks councillor [anon_$037] Uh easy one there to get back to [anon_$040] I'll go to councillor [anon_$041] first and then councillor [anon_$042]
Uh thanks, [anon_$040] um [anon_$040] just one of the things I've noticed that I've gone through a bit of the uh documents online, when I know it's not um within the scope of [anon_INST86] one of the things I was concerned with was a detail in relation to the transport needs. I just don't think when you take into consideration the development of areas and certainly in my own area, the biggest lack of resources is transport it wouldn't be as big an issue at the moment in my area if there was transport and proper infrastructure such as schools, etc. Um how are we addressing the transport needs in relation to developing these large areas, especially um the ones that you've got on the list, um ones in my own area, but I do notice that on another list you have [anon_PL48] which has had 8000 units across the two council areas and it's not on the main list which I just find a little concerning. And secondly in relation to areas where there's large developments and they're crossing uh border lines be= between different councils such as [anon_PL49] where um it's it would have um impact in relation to [anon_PL50] is the liaisons with the other county councils to assure that we're uh linking up with each other to ensure that there's proper development across the two county councils? Thank you.
Thanks Councillor [anon_$041]
Thanks very much uh cathaoirleach agus go raibh maith agut [anon_$040] as ocht an ![unclear]! um traithnona [anon_$040] Is there is there an item in chapter well, I presume chapter five or chapter three, explaining or defining what the 15 Minute city is. Um it's it's, it's, it's, I suppose it's on a separate issue, then it's the if there is, can you just tell me where it is? If there isn't? Can you? Can you explain it? Um or show me where I can read it um to help me with my submissions. Um it goes without saying that I think all of us bar none on the [anon_PL86] uh is not in favor of the build to rent that seems to be taking over. Uh certainly we've a huge amount of it in the [anon_PL51] and in particular, uh in in um on [anon_PL52] And uh there's there's an application for like a really small build to rent unit across the road from me here on [anon_PL53] in [anon_PL54] which was a really shocking um um proposal, and I'm hoping that [anon_INST94] will refuse it. But um in terms of uh what you said there in relation to uh uh what we're proposing in our draft, the numbers under the figure of 100 will be discouraged because of you gave a short um reason for that. I wonder, can you give me that just uh verbally again, what is the reason for it? I know that there, there's a spec is really poor, uh in terms of of of the build to rent when you compare it to non build to rent. And then finally, um is is is it a case that um government regulations, like what happened in 2018, when our [anon_PR26] was thrown out the window, uh when it came to height and density? uh will will will it be the case that if and when we approve our [anon_PR26] to include the discouragement of the build to rent schemes, uh will it be the case that government rules could override that again? thanks very much, [anon_$040]
Thanks. Thanks councillor {anon_$042] [anon_$040]. Let you in there for those three questions.
Okay and um thanks to councillor [anon_$037] for her praise I have to say I didn't write it on my own. So um there's a a large team, uh not that large, but a very dedicated team that are put a huge amount of work into this plan. And uh I don't want to take credit on me own uh
We do recognize your guiding hand, [anon_$040]
Thanks. [laugh] Thanks, a million um just I suppose just um in relation to the percentage. I mean, yeah, that's something that I suppose we've been clear about. And that we've been upfront as to our reasons, and the importance of sustainable development for the city, in relation to BTR, any pendulum swing to one particular housing model. And delivering only that, and that's the current trend we have is not a sustainable form. So we are looking, we are not, and I suppose there's been a little bit of misrepresentation of the information in the press. Um council has no uh legal rights, nor is it seeking to to specify who can buy units, it's just requiring that the design and the forum as a development is is is more flexible, and will stand the test of time. So that when, um yes, obviously, if they're built to to built to sell standard, they can be bought by one individual uh fund and unless, um but in 20 years time, or whenever they you know, that housing stock will at least be suitable to evolve into a long term housing model. And that's what we're seeking to achieve. Um as regards the the question as regards, older people, um yes, there is an objective, I can't put my finger on it right now. But there is a specific objective, we had a sorry that's very noisy outside here. And there's, we had discussions with our architect team about that whole concept of House of kind of splitting houses and allowing, say, the top half and how the whole I think I've forgotten the phrase, there was a name on it abhaile, wasn't it, that's what the original model was called. And we have policies in to support that and to recognize how uh well I suppose how beneficial it is within the community, both in keeping people at home and giving them choice and giving them an alternative income and in providing, you know, a denser form of use of an existing stock that we have, I mean, it ticks all the boxes from a sustainable planning point of view. So there is a specific paragraph and a policy to support that in the plan. If um I know there are other challenges outside of planning but planning, uh is clearly in support of it. So um in relation to councillor [anon_$041] question on transport, I mean, absolutely. I mean, transport and land use are hand in glove with each other. Um and we have and it's I suppose, a benefit and a challenge that we have is that the [anon_INST95] strategy is currently under preparation and they have published their draft at the same time as our draft is is on is on display and [anon_INST86] has made clear to the [anon_INST95] that we seek that there is significant investment made in [anon_PL42] during the lifetime of their strategy in relation to public transport both in relation to [anon_PR27] um which is a key project will hopefully deliver during the lifetime of plan, but also some of the major uh projects um the light rail and heavy rail, whether it's um upgrading the DART services, um or expanding Luas to [anon_PL55] or on all of these projects that we want to see significant progress made. Um we're also uh I suppose, working very, very closely with the [anon_INST95] as regards delivering a significant investmentsduring the lifespan, of the plan on cycling infrastructure and improvements to public realm to make it much easier for people to get around, and to build those connections that are needed to give people the quick route to different places across the city um and to offer them that alternative. And obviously, that doesn't suit everybody. So we're looking at all of those issues. And we are continually working with the [anon_INST95] And I suppose that in some ways answers the second question, because the [anon_INST95] strategy is designed to be across [anon_PL42], it doesn't look at I suppose it doesn't look at [anon_PL42] with the council boundaries on it. It does studies along corridors and when you read each, you can see how they've kind of done a big study on the [anon_PL56] corridor, particularly, which is one that we asked them at their pre draft stage to have a specific and very focused look at because we were very conscious of the pressures that are coming on certain particular corridors. With regards to the scale of development that's been granted. So we've we did ask them to do a very detailed review of the [anon_PL56] corridor as well as looking obviously a fingers as well and a few others. So, so, I suppose the [anon_INST95] ourselves um and the [anon_INST96] as a group would meet to discuss issues as regards how cross boundary issues are working and also how how we work together to deliver the the [anon_PR28] because it is it is inherent in all of the bodies involved in that to deliver that and I suppose our [anon_PR26] as part of that the [anon_INST95] strategy as part of that, but when also, I suppose just to reassure you, when we do get into the nitty gritty of dealing with very specific local plans, we do absolutely as a courtesy and as a as a key piece of ensuring that these plans are deliverable, we would engage in discussions with both their planning and their engineering teams um as regards a whole range of issues both transport drainage biodiversity and getting the green corridors right, um and and all that kind of movement and how it would work. So it is an in a key part of of preparing that plan. So it is suppose at a strategic level and and at a local level, we will work very closely with our sister authorities and continue that conversation. And and if there are issues to be raised they can be brought up and resolved at the um at the regional level. Um Display uh explain 15 Minute city, I'm sure it's in there I'll have to email you I can't remember off the top my head exactly where I'll come back to you on that. Um and I suppose um just the whole issue of the under 100 I suppose one of the things that the guidelines say about um BTR is that you're allowed, the developers are allowed to reduce the amount of storage space, um private amenity space, um and, you know, ge= oth= all the spa= was and the overall standard of the and on the basis that they provide quality communal space. So that could be like kind of a, you know, a a large room where people could maybe work from because they wouldn't have the space maybe to have an office in their in their apartment, um or places where they could have like, you know, family events. providing those type of spaces, obviously, cost money and they obviously cost money in the long term to run and to manage successfully. So if you have a very small management company, they are not going to be big enough to support the running and the management and the continuous maintenance of a range of quality communal spaces. And that is the reason why we don't support smaller spaces. The same applies to student accommodation, when they're built at a very small standard, they don't work very well they don't meet the needs of the individuals. And it it does, it's no point in building BTR when it's that small a scheme, it's much better that they're built as private apartments with the correct standard of facilities with the correct amount of private open space, because they'll never support a high range of communal open space with the management fees that they're going to collect. So that's basically in a nutshell, why why we don't support that, I suppose that's, I suppose bringing to bear the experience of development management over the number of years to see where where issues have arisen. And then in relation to government guidelines, and will they override that I suppose that's, that's in at the moment everything that we have written and the way we have written it as far as uh I suppose in our professional opinion is is that we have not breached any government guidelines, we have written it to achieve the goals that we wish to seek that you as a council have presented to us and the the agenda that you want this [anon_PR26] to drive the whole issue of sustainable city. Um and we have written them. Um okay we sail close the wind on some of the issues as regards to the standards, but we aspire, but we're 100% of the view that everything that we have written is in compliance with the guidelines and uh we will defend it on that basis. So uh but um I you know, we remain to be to see what the response of the [anon_INST97] will be in relation to the draft plan and we will take their advice when we get to that so it is I suppose we we we will argue the site so if there's any other further questions, and if I've missed anything, apologies, come back to
there is yeah, I'm going to bring in another three speakers now [anon_$040], which is given that these are very technical questions and obviously very important khangsar Councillor [anon_$037] Councillor [anon_$041] Councillor [anon_$042] do you want to come back in on anything? Councillor [anon_$042]
Yeah, just to pick up on the last uh chair, the last thing that [anon_$040] mentioned there in terms of the reasons behind the discouragement of the under 100 Because of experience of [anon_INST93] in relation to management, uh funds, etc, not being able to support those communal facilities going forward. Is that in compliance then with the regulation that's set out around BTR by government?
BTR is silent the the guidelines are silent on that issue I assume so from that point of view, they haven't directed us not to say so. So we're going to, we've put that in, because it's based on the the research and the knowledge that we have, anyway. Yeah.
Thank you very much go raibh maith agut
Okay, um councillor [anon_$032] and [anon_$043] uh councillor [anon_$032]
yeah, uh thank you, [anon_$040] for for the presentation. And and um you got you got a lot in very quickly. Um and I know we we we've had had an opportunity um to to submit and we will have again, um I suppose, I just wanted to ask about, you mentioned the Zed 15. And the changes in that, but um the Zed 12, I suppose I wanted to see what the differences now is, is the Zed 12 basically effectively what the Zed 15 was, except you need to put some sort of a master plan in to show where the 20% um you know, green space are being kept. So really, what what what is the, I suppose what is the difference in the tween the Zed 12 and what was the Zed 15? Um and just to sort of explain that a a bitclearer, and um the strategic development zones, I mean, they still need to be agreed with in terms of, of of government, and we've had difficulties with those before, we've had all the consultation, and we've put in great plans, and then found ourselves in court, uh [anon_INST86] so how can we make sure that that doesn't happen, really, that, you know, um there's no sort of, you know, I suppose, you know, time wasting and money wasting that ends up in the court. And I think the most important thing he said was about the mix, you know, the 15 minutes city having that mix? And how do we make sure and ensure that we have because of planning applications come in? Obviously, the development plan has a plan and a vision for the whole of the city and areas, but planning applications come in different landowners own different parcels of land, and they come in piecemeal, how can we manage because particularly with local area plans, there seem to be a long time in the making, you know, what I mean, you've got lists of local area plans. I mean, you know, you don't seem to don't have the resources to bring those in, it'd be ideal if we did have local area plans for everywhere. So we could, then as applications came in, we can say, how do they fit into the jigsaw? And can we influence them to make sure that they all come up with the mix that we want? Um so I suppose I just wanted to ask, How can we be assured of that? Because he can say, Alright, maybe there's an over proliferation of hotels, and yet you see that still getting planning permission, you go, Well, why did that happen? If you're saying there's an over proliferation of hotels in a particular area? So it's just, you know, I suppose I'm conscious of the mix would be ideal. But how do we how do we achieve that? Thanks.
Thanks, [anon_$043].
Yeah, no, I just want to look a bit at the industrial side and employment side. Um a lot of the industry that we have dotted particularly around the fringes of the city, and indeed quite bits in in this area, as well, are quite old and underutilized. Um you know, you you look at the kind of [anon_INST108] and the other parks on the south side of the city. Um indeed, some of the retail parks that we have, which have just one single uh usage. Um and that seems to me to be a bit of a waste of space. Um how are we going to plan for a future economic development and bring employment into local areas, I mean local areas, we used to be vibrant with kind of employment. Uh at the moment, it's about people moving and living in one place and moving into another, which is not exactly what we want to do and planning and it's probably the more much more difficult to do in in the current framework. Um I know you know that there is um resistance in some of the uh uh plans that we have for for changing some of the uh council lands um [breath in] from industrial to kind of residential. Is there a way of kind of mixing that? Or are we taking some of the industrial that we have and putting it completely somewhere else? I I I don't get that sense inside the [anon_PR26].
Thanks, [anon_$044]
Yeah, thanks, chair. And just to pick up obviously on ![unclear]! point, I mean, separately, we'll we'll we'll make some comments about build to rent but there mighn't be the same as welcome around this table as, as others would be um I think the issue for us is to to make sure that the one of the recognitions is that to look at [anon_PL44] as its whole, and beyond just the the [anon_INST86a] area band beyond the four [anon_INST109], but across the the wider [anon_PL44] region, and we made the same point to the [anon_INST95] that they all these plans need to be aligned. And one of the other issues that we have is right now is not only the census has been delayed, the evidence base and the complete deal over the last two years for the for for what's going to happen, particularly on the commercial mix within the city center needs to be be assessed and how we're going to build that in over the next two or three years. Because whether or not it's [anon_FN86] a a a and the finance team, looking at the rates and the the shifting use in in in the city centre core, particularly around the retail, that a lot of those premises themselves are easy to be converted until the uses because they the they need more the the um sustainability requirements. And you know, to bring them up to scratch, the issue that I have is have they looking at the bolted on sort of support, whether or not it's around promoting, you know, mixed use in terms of food and ret= you know retail, are those guidelines sufficiently flexible enough to allow a faster um transition to a a better commercial mix over the next year or two to to to um clamp down on vacancies. Um and also separately with the the nighttime economy, you know, taskforce report, and obviously the balance around preserving the cultural and nightlife activities. But how do you make sure that there's the right mix between those that inherited contestability now what we want to do about having more people living within the urban city center, how to make sure that there is that balance from the noise perspective, and we get that vibrancy right um but that's accessible to all. Thank you.
Thanks, uh [anon_$040] I wonder can I come in there as well, just before you go to those three questions. Um can I just agree with uh everything Councillor [anon_$037] really said at the outset and particularly in respect the [anon_INST89]'s role, in this I heard her on [anon_INST106] there three o'clock just before [breath in] we started this meeting, talking about the 40,000 housing units. And I think what she's done effectively, is given the [anon_PR26] the PR, that is needed. I mean that the last time you were here, [anon_$040] we had a conversation about how it would be difficult to assess the public's view and to engage in the public consultation process because we were online. But I think she has really helped us in um bridging that that divide that's happened online. So I really want to commend the [anon_INST89] for her role in PR around this um can I just ask two questions [anon_$040] um to add to to the previous three, the build to rent, for example, in my area, um only 10% 68 houses out of over 700 um can be can be purchased. [breath in] A lot of the public objection to that was on the basis that there was no school um is it when when does the decision around the school happen? I know that's a question for, you know, planners for beginners. But the public are objecting on the basis that there's no access to schools. And yet you can't build any development if that argument was always successful. So when is that moment? Um if you'd like to lock that question around schools, and just Can I ask as well, Councillor [anon_$042] question in respect of there being less than 100 units. And the management funds therefore can't support we'll say communal working areas um the decision that [anon_INST86a] has taken uh to maybe negate that responsibility to provide those communal work areas. It's not maybe supported by the regulations, because it's silent on it. How does that fit with the [anon_PR29] then, which is really trying to progress the rights of of tenants to have those kinds of communal spaces? Um thanks for that, you might come back to those four questions. Cheers.
Thanks. So great questions. We could be here all night talking about some of these things there's so much ground to cover um in in relation to the um Zed 12 versus uh Zed 15. And what's different, um I suppose one of the big key differences um this time around for Zed 12, compared to the last plan is that we've increased the open space provision to 25%. So it's a larger cut um what uh Zed 12 I suppose was there in the last plan but it was a sma= it was a it's a number of sites, and I suppose what zed 12 does is it looks at former institutional lands that are not going to be needed for community services and allows them to come forward for residential development and significant open space. And um we've done a review of all of the zed 12s that are in the plan, and we've done a review of the zed 15 lands both in relation to their future use and those that maybe are not being used for something that's critical within the document and that's kind of where the difference between the two lies um and I I suppose and and and obviously, those all those are up for debate. And particularly, um we'll be interested to see how the owners what submissions they make in relation to them um in relation to [anon_INST110]s, how do we make sure we don't end up in court? Um I don't think there's any easy answer to that umI have to be honest um we have the [anon_INST110]s that we have and we are implementing them. And we have implemented the three that we have very successfully with obviously, we wait to see how the new act comes out with these uh new [anon_INST111]s and what they will mean for the [anon_PR26] but um I suppose the decision to create a new [anon_INST110] is one made by cabinet. So um I suppose we we will look at that issue and how it rolls out. But uh from [anon_INST86]'s perspective, we continue to work closely with uh the [anon_INST107] and also ourselves as as a development agency and continuing to to work with everybody involved to deliver the [anon_INST110]s um as much as they were granted by [anon_INST94] um [breath in] as regards the mix and the uh delivery of the 15 minutes city, um how we achieve that, I suppose it one is, I suppose, applying the whole mixed use zoning to a greater extent than previously in the [anon_PR26]s and looking at I suppose opportunity sites like the likes of suppose former industrial lands, and when they are changed to a regeneration zoning that that regeneration, zoning specifically requires a certain quantum to be commercial now commercial is a very broad church, it can be a hotel, it can be uh an office block, it can be uh it it can be somewhere where you get your car fixed. Um but it it it also can be all those other uses that often turn up in industrial estates that need to find a home within communities, which is like you your dance space where your kids go to do ballet and hip hop, you know, where people go and book different classes where, where maybe there's, you know, um I suppose, where large, large scale retail, where like the kind of the big box stuff that uh that the city needs to incorporate, but to incorporate it within a much greater mixed use developed all of these uses provide a range of different types of employment to people within the city. And I think that's one of the challenges the city needs to think about in the wider issue of employment is what is employment, what is employment in the community? Um I suppose the very traditional 1970s model has shifted, and how what are we replacing it with, and what we're replacing it with is, I suppose the provision of new enterprise hubs, both publicly I suppose promoted and those that are delivered by the private sector, um providing, I suppose a a range of back office opportunities for businesses that maybe don't need to have all their staff or don't have other staff part time. And it might suit them to be in some of these regeneration areas where they're on a good public transport route, and providing the range of service employment jobs in in the community, all of which help build out uh a vibrancy on a day to day basis within uh uh uh within the suburbs and within the rural villages. So or the urban villages that we have, um and I suppose getting that mix, particularly regeneration, what we have in it is a requirement that there's a master plan, done for, for any large area by the developer, they have to set out clearly in their planning application in a statutory process, how they're going to deliver that mix and that binds them in. And that's, I suppose, something that we've learned from doing the [anon_INST110]s, and we're incorporated into policy to try and apply that approach on a much wider basis across the city. And particularly for the very large regeneration areas where we're going to have statutory plans the likes of [anon_PL57] um industrial es= like [anon_PL58] in [anon_PL57], where we've identified as as needing a statutory plan and the likes of [anon_PL59] there will be a very again, the [anon_INST112] or [anon_INST110] or whatever it is that's used, as a statutory tool will tie in that. But what we'd like to do is particularly in the Zed, 10 Zed 14 is to tie it down, very specifically to a percentage mix. Um and I think that's something that uh we hope to see will will change a little bit in in a positive way, how we deliver a mixed use approach within the city. So I think I hope that's answering the two types of questions also retail we we're well we don't don't have as many retail parks, but what we're hoping to promote and through the zoning policy as well, that the idea of [breath in] people don't you know, people how people use kind of large retail parks is changing with the way retail is working, it's a lot more click and collect or or or view and and and order to deliver. And so I suppose the way retail space is used is going to change in this plan. So what we're looking at is ensuring that we get the vibrancy on the ground floor that you've got the uses that need that big spaces to show showcase large, large items. Um but then you can cater for for for high quality residential above that that will provide kind of a sense of of uh urban enclosure and to get away from kind of windswept isolated places that a lot of these retail places can look like. Um so I hope I've answered some of that um correct um just I suppose looking at the whole region as a whole and I suppose this is part of the discussion about what what is is is the the [anon_PR30] for [anon_PL44] and how it deals with particularly employment and looking at space and looking at the space across the city in a sustainable way and what makes sense from a land use point of view and I suppose we'd be very conscious in that particularly like in the likes of the Zed 6 study that were done that we were looking at where if those sort of large, low employment, high space uses like logistics, where do they go when they're displaced? How do we ensure that when they do move, they don't move so far from the community that they're that they're close to that they cause, you know, problems for peo= the local employment pool that they are drawing from, so say, the likes of [anon_PL60] that there is clearly opportunities across the border and [anon_INST113] very, very close, to the area so still within a reasonable and easy commuting distance for the employee, people employees in that area, if they move, and moving to that location, they're moving to a location that will never be suitable for housing. So underneath the airport runways, and around that whole area of just north of [anon_PL42] there is a I suppose capacity for the types of logistic uses that bring a lot of HGVs that bring a lot of uh disruption or maybe, uh you know, types of uses that aren't suitable in an intense urban area. And they can cater for that in an area that will never have significant residential pressure. And it makes sense for them to be there. Because they're beside the airport there beside the entrance to the [anon_PL61] Um and it makes you know, it's much better and more sustainable use of land across across the wider [anon_PL44] area. And that's something that ourselves and [anon_INST31] are also very much engaged with as a topic of discussion and looking at how we deal with that as an approach for the whole [anon_PL59] area as well, because again, there's a huge range of uses there, some of which will work really well in a regeneration setting, and some of which may need to move. And it's how those things are balanced. So but that's a very long horizon, how that's managed out. And some of that is individual decisions by individual companies, but we will work with them to try and support addressing that issue and recognizing that there does need to be certain locations, particularly on the [anon_PL62] that are never suitable for housing, that are much more optimal from a landlord use point of view, um as regards the um uh yeah, I mean, I agree, I mean, we'd all love to have the census out, you know, but, um but we have, I suppose, undertaken a number of different bits of research to try and feed into the plan and to update it. And obviously, you know, if, um if we get any more updated information or data as the plan moves on, um we will try and incorporate it into it. As regards flexibility, food and beverage, we have, as I mentioned, we've updated category one category two streets with sets the percentages of those. And so we we're shifting some of that to recognize that retail is changing, and that we need to support it by providing a wider range of mix of uses. So I suppose the the plan will come into place at the end of of this year. So those policies, that's the timeline that we have to work with, um under the acts, so there is no, I suppose, speeding that up at the moment, the plan is done when it's done. And then it will come into play six weeks later, um which will be just right at the end of the year. Um the nighttime economy. Um we've got a section on it in the culture section, and we tie it into the the economic chapter as well. And I suppose the whole issue of how you deal with space noise, um we've put in a policy around that and I suppose what we're looking at is kind of the clustering of certain type of very of nighttime noisy events onto key main streets, and that they don't spread into the back streets into the more quieter residential streets, so that you do have a situation where someone could walk out of a nightclub and walk down the road, maybe 10 minutes, and they're in a very, very quiet space, because the noise is contained onto the busy streets that are less suitable for kind of for residential uses. Um uh and would have, let's say a lot of cars and a lot of bosses, a lot of, you know, a lot of movement on them, and that they are a better location. It also works better from, I suppose a management of movement um after uh closing time and also for the guards as well. So there is that's the policy we put in, and we welcome comments on it. I mean, it's you know, it's a new policy, and we'd be very keen to hear those who are involved in it and what views they would have as to what we've put in as to how it'd be rolled out. But it is very clear that particularly as well say if apartments are being built adjoining existing commercial uses that operate late that they are required to put in higher levels of noise, insulation and sound because it's it's important that those you know, that uses aren't put under pressure to close when they were there first, essentially, you know, so it's kind of getting that balance right in the plan uh so again, it's a new section of the plan, and we'd be very keen to hear from those involved in the sector have to say in it in relation to schools and how decisions made. I mean, I suppose schools planning in a city context is wildly different to what you'd be doing in [anon_PL63] or [anon_INST113] you know, where there's large areas of green field and, you know, the department turns around and says, Oh, yeah, we'll take five acres, you know. Um so if I suppose within the city context, we have a very finite resource of community and school space. Working with the department, it's a lot more about how we uh reuse the space that that the schools have, whether it's expansion, um uh you know, recognizing certain, you know, I suppose, ensuring that they have the space to expand and that they can change as, as the as the population of an area changes, and looking at what assets they have. So they will do a very detailed study of what the existing schools capacity is and how that can be managed. And also, I suppose, an examination of the diversity of the schools in the area to see how how they can cater for uh demand. any developer who lodges a planning application for units above 500 is required to go to the department directly and discuss their needs within within before they launch a planning application. So there is, say, if you're building a very large scheme you'd have to get clearance in the department or in advance to say that they don't want a site from you to deal with the amount of population demand. So the department have their own kind of number crunching, and they will take a lot of metadata like um uh the children's allowance geodirect, you know, georeference children's allowance to see where preschool children are and where the concentrations and where the hot spots are. So they do, I suppose very in depth analysis of where demand is growing, to ensure that the primary school and secondary school sector is planned to to to address that. So I suppose they are constantly looking at how that is changing. And I suppose that there's there's no simple answer on that one, you know, that way, it is very much down to the individual context of the place in question. Um and I suppose there's no, uh there's no simple model that will kind of set that out. So I suppose I'm not answering your question directly.
No you are thank you yeah
do me best, so um and just the the management um of less than 100 units. [breath in] I mean, I agree I I I to be honest, now, the relationship between that and the [anon_PR29] I wouldn't be it's not my area of expertise, I wouldn't be able to answer your straight on that. But it's just I suppose to recognize that BTR requires an additional volume of communal space above and beyond what you'd expect in the normal planning a norm, the planning of a normal apartment development. And that is compensation for the loss of private open space. So in providing all this additional open space, that's an additional cost. So it's not to say that what your standard apartment will do is, you know, is is, you know, is enough it's BTR has to be above and beyond. And that's it's the it's the cost of running the above and beyond that, we will be concerned about that, over a period of 10 15 years, that's such a space would end up being just like the storage room or something, you know, that way and it would not be maintained, and it would slip and people would end up living then in a more substandard development. So I hope I have answered all your questions. And if you if I haven't yet, feel free to contact me by email um over the next couple of days, or if you have any further questions anyway. It's no problem at all. I'll get back.
Great. Thanks [anon_$040] uh [anon_$032] [anon_$043] [anon_$044] Do you want to come back on anything there?
Um no I think that's comprehensive enough um=
+Great. thanks and thanks=
=I'm still slightly confused about the Zed 12 and the Zed15. And the differences but um=
+but you'll can pick you can pick that up together yeah great okay, thanks. A million. [anon_$044] your hand is still up.
Sorry, I just dropped it there. I I'll put in all the responses for the 14th isn't it?
yeah Valentine's day
the 14th Valentine's Day
4:30. Don't leave it to the last minute.
Uh [anon_$044] while I have you there as well, thanks for coming back about the presentation that we mentioned on the last occasion, I know you're going to be joined by a colleague uh from [breath in] [anon_114] did I read that in an email? Um so we look forward to hearing what dates might work for for the two of you. Um okay, the next item [anon_$040] Thanks a million. And I certainly echo all the comments made by um Councillor [anon_$037] about your leadership. Thanks so much for joining us as well. It's a busy time. Um [tech noise] the next item then is the reports that were circulated in terms of our outcomes as an [anon_INST92] So they're in the reports back, uh [anon_PR32] and the [anon_PR33] the the outcomes. I'm going to move then to uh [anon_$045] if you're good to go there on the [anon_INST115] with an update [tech noise]
Thanks, chair. Can everyone see that screen?
Not yet, [anon_$045]
Hold on sorry [tech noise]
Yeah, thanks. [tech noise]
Can you see it now?
Thanks, [anon_$045] Yeah,
you can see it now. Thanks a million. Sorry chair I I I might just um fly through the pages because I'm just conscious um that a couple of the members haven't had a chance to, uh I suppose uh have a look. Go through the report in detail. So I'll fly through have I about 10 minutes chair is it?
Yes, definitely.
Okay, thanks a million. So look, thanks. Thanks a million um chair and members. This is an update um from the last report in November with regards the progress of establishing the EU uh strategy and the support office so just in the context of of the office itself. We continue to develop and implement the the [anon_PR34] that was adopted by the members. Um we also have developed uh you know the program and developments for the last quarter and for 2022. And we've we've quite a lot of detail in appendices at the end of the report, but we've continued to analyze and showcase the [anon_INST93]'s involvement in EU projects and programs we're developing uh the EU network connections we're focusing on European funding program opportunities. And further developing of the office, just in relation to [anon_INST86] 2021 Project involvement and success. There are a number of projects there that are highlighted with some information that were successful. I'm not going to go into them uh in much detail because uh most of the smart city stuff is included in the management reports later on uh in the meeting with much more detail, but it just shows you [anon_PL44] is, is actually doing quite well. The next part of the report there is uh related to the European networks and particularly the office of the [anon_INST89] and what the [anon_INST89]'s office has been engaged with um over the past couple of months or so. So there's information there with regards with engagement with [anon_PL64], with [anon_PL65] and with [anon_PL66] The uh Euro cities updates there in relation to the um the [anon_INST35], the [anon_INST89] contributed uh to the program um on the [anon_PL36] in in November, and also participated in the [anon_EV18] in December, so there's quite a lot of of political engagement there with the [anon_INST116] just with regards to the programs themselves. Um we are examining opportunities for the [anon_INST93] in relation to the various EU funding programs. And we've listed out the actual programs there themselves but but not limited to just those programs as such. [breath in] um then it with regards to open calls for the European program funding applications, we have um developed the shedule of open calls for European funding applications. It is collated uh makes reference to the programs and and the dates for 2022 for application. And it is uh uh the information is outlined uh in appendices one at the at the end of this report we'll also continue to monitor the open calls and communicate with all our colleagues uh in the [anon_INST93] updating them on any calls that may be of interest to to those departments. Um again, with regards to program events, seminars and workshop, we've developed the shedule events and seminars and workshops related to the various programs. And it's also um it's also um included in appendices one at the end of the report there and that should support uh the [anon_INST93] in training and upskilling for open calls into the future. Um just an update the uh for the expert panel um to um I suppose provide us with that with that, uh I suppose additional expertise that's required both for the office the organization and the members if required. So the tender brief has been developed to progress through procurement via via e-tenders. And um that uh tender is being currently being assessed by our uh procurement section and it is anticipated that we will publish the tender and e-tenders in the next 10 days. That will be the plan with the with the framework being in place um as early as possible, hopefully q2 2022. Just in relation to the support office strategy development, [breath in] the [anon_INST117] uh we continue to work, uh meet on a weekly basis uh and engage with regards to further developing the Eur= the the strategy and the support office. You know, we we we'd have regular meetings with um [anon_INST118] and and the [anon_INST119] as well, uh to to keep uh uh close contact with what what's going on in the region and also in [anon_PL67] Our priorities today and include resource recruitment, uh tender brief development [breath in] to establish the framework as I've just mentioned there for European expertise, uh establish appropriate corporate governance procedures and protocols to operate the office and develop a strong communication strategy and events program in 22 and beyond. So our our strategic objectives, um you know, are there I'm not going to go through them there, but I I'm sure the members are are aware of them there. But the the seven of them are are outlined uh in detail in the report. So just just just to review the progress of the seven core deliverables um that we said we that we said we would uh work work on uh over the last uh number of months since the last meeting. We've continued um uh this in 21 and 22. Uh we have a work program uh for 2022. It is completed and again it's available to the members of of this [anon_INST91] Uh for information purposes and it's it's it's again listed at the at the end of the report. So what we said we would do, we would break up the core deliverables into into seven, seven objectives there. So we break down on the update of those um members are in relation to recruitment, which I know the members are are are keen that we we we move ahead as quickly as possible. So, we we we had some recruitment, as, as you were aware, and we filled two roles. Um already in the office, we submitted a business case to the department um for two additional roles one one being a a head of of the new office, uh we've we've got sanction from the department to fill the posts and and a recruitment drive will be undertaken to fill the remaining roles uh however, in the interim, um the management and development of the office will fall uh under I suppose my department and my my remit my remit. Um just regards to the CRM systems as such, we are continuously developing in both an internal uh and an external uh I suppose uh systems of, of of communications uh using SharePoint there's councillor po= portal and websites, just in the interim, the information uh will will be stored uh under the [anon_INST120] [breath in] um and that's where uh all the uh I suppose detail and dissemination will will will stay until we move ahead with with new portals. [breath in] I um from an engagement point of view, I'm I'm engaged with the um transformation uh office um on the office's digital requirements and the rollout of the citizens portal um I'm sure some of the members are aware of that. And it's we're we're we're quite keen to be involved and and and have the right platform to engage in that at at an early stage. And I'm also sitting of a member of the [anon_INST121] um and I'll also be looking to provide uh the digital requirements for the office uh to be at least um considered for inclusion and in the draft digital strategy which is which is under development at this point in time. Um so in the context of corporate corporate governance, where we will continue to develop procedures and protocols and practices um to implement the best practice, you know, within the office, we look they will update the members with regards to next report. Uh in the context of the strategic partnerships being developed in quarter, four of 21 and 22. Today, we've engaged um with with with the following the [anon_INST122] to [anon_INST123] the [anon_INST124], um [anon_INST125], the [anon_INST126], uh including the wheel, [anon_INST127] and the [anon_INST128]. [breath in] Our strategic partnerships will continue to be developed in 22 in line with our strategic strategic objectives. Just just just to make the point earlier on um I think [anon_$035] made as well, we will continue to align our strategic strategic objectives uh within the council. And we are cognizant of the fact that there is a review um required of the [anon_PR19] to be completed in 2022. That's a statutory requirement under the new guidelines, and also the development of the new [anon_PR19] for 23 will commence. So it is important, I think, uh for the office to be fully appraised and um be involved in the [anon_PR19] process. Moving forward, uh myself as the director of service will be directly involved anyway. Um but but we just wanted to mention that that is that is a strategic requirement uh for local authorities moving forward. And that's just the basis of of our alignment to the uh the different strategies and and the matrix is used to assess projects. On the comms side of the house. There we've been we've been moving ahead with a comms uh communication strategy and action plan for both internal and external communications. We have dev= we have developed a comms plan um just at the end of last year for implementation throughout 2022 to build awareness of the of the offices opportunities internally with staff members and showcase the success of of the [anon_INST93] and EU projects to date and the implamation implementation of the plan uh if if some of the members have got the, um I suppose the [anon_INST86] um communications document that took over from first post there was a very strong article in that there. Uh this last week there just highlighting highlighting what the office uh is about and what it's one is makeup is just regards to training and development. We're currently examining a framework with potential opportunities for training and development programs for all the stakeholders um with the [anon_INST129] um um at this point in time um and then capacity building training and development programs there. Uh with regards to the [anon_INST130] focus preparatory work, we'd like to support our colleagues in the [anon_INST93] and department and the open coming [anon_INST131] opportunities. And we we'd like to assist capacity building with supporting and funding a number [anon_INST130] capacity building um events and they're and they're listed there. Um so I'll just move on to the uh the framework. Again, we would anticipate that the framework will be advertised and E tenders in January, which will be really really good support out to the office, the members and the um [anon_INST93] departments. We have developed the shedule of up and coming EU program events and EU funding program workshops and seminars and they have been collated and we will continue to to develop this um in line with our strategic objectives uh in 2022. Just Just Just to summarize then the um the work program for 22 is completed and available to the members it is on the um uh appendices uh of the report here um and it outlines our strategic objectives in the coming year. Um it is anticipated that recruitment drive to fill the post of the head of the office will commence as as soon as possible um it has been possible for me to restructure some of the business units in quest department to allow me move some staff um to the office in the coming weeks to implement the program of work plan for 2022. And to keep momentum of the office going quarter 1 and quarter 2 I have amalgamated the office uh with international relations with the um responsibility uh and direction under [anon_FN87] [anon_SN25]. Um just at this point Chair, I'd just like to offer uh uh our wishes our best wishes to [anon_FN88] [anon_SN26] who has commenced her maternity leave, and we hope all goes well uh for [anon_FN88] and that she um she enjoys her maternity leave, and hopefully she'll be back to us whenever she comes back. Just want to acknowledge the work that [anon_FN88] has done as the interim head of the Office. Um so that that really the appendices there outlines in in a lot of detail, uh I suppose what I've just been discussing there in relation to uh information and calls etc, etc. And then at the bottom there is is is our work plan for the members to um consider thanks, chair I'll take take any questions. [tech noise]
Terrific thanks, [anon_$045] Thanks for all the detail there. Um Councillor [anon_$037] and Councillor [anon_$037]
Thank you very much, [anon_$045] for that very comprehensive report. And I'd like to join with others in wishing [anon_FN88] uh well in her um maternity leave, and I hope everything goes very well for her. And uh um she certainly has done a huge amount of work uh on this uh committee and uh the department. So I want to acknowledge that some of my questions are um in relation to uh working with other institutions. I couldn't see it there. But maybe I missed it. Um I think one of the things that we talked about in the past is the need to actually work with other institutions, and particularly academic institutions, uh where we could actually enhance and extend the value and the use of any programs that we're actually uh that we're going to engage in. And I'd like to know what's happening there. And whether there's any opportunity for members to engage in that as well, which I think would be very good. Um I smiled a little bit when I heard about the difficulty in getting agreement from the department for the various um uh positions uh that we need for the for um the EU office, uh considering that it was a new office that was up and running and functioning very well in my opinion, uh up until about what 2014 2015. So it just shows you don't lose what you have because it's very hard to get it back um to it was a tragedy that went at the time. Um now specific questions really is uh the first one I want to ask Is that you probably know what I'm want to ask about. Uh I have at every meeting and I proposed and it was agreed that we would look at uh looking at programs to uh with [anon_PL68] through the [anon_PR37] and the [anon_PR38] and [anon_PR39] And I was continuously told, this will all happen when we have. And we have our meetings with the [anon_PL69] [anon_INST132], well we have had a meeting, nothing has happened. And all of that is one and a half years ago. And we're still being told I I feel I'm being kind of said the road to by and by is leading to the house of never, because clearly, that's my experience. So I cannot understand the resistance uh after uh actually wanting to make connections with a city that is considered uh another in another jurisdiction, you need to have another jurisdiction to be able to get into reg programs, a city that speaks English that was so accessible, that we have so much in common with and I just do not understand and I wish somebody would explain to me why that is so difficult. I also want to remind you that we had a [anon_INST133] in the last European um um uh department has that all disappeared, because that was a very, very useful, um, this I when I was [anon_INST89] I set this up over 21 years ago, and it was in connection uh with the [anon_PL69] agreement because it said there should be a city of the isles and that was [anon_PL44], um [anon_PL69], um uh [anon_PL70] [anon_PL2], and I think [anon_PL71]. Um and that was actually a very, very useful Now granted, we use it in some ways for European funding, that wouldn't be as relevant today. But there are many, many other relevant things that would actually be very useful and I want to know where that has disappeared, to. So they're they're the kinds of things that uh I would like to uh know um what has happened to see now that I've got sorry, just see now city of the isles, uh the economic uh uh uh I suppose really the question then on the economic corridor when are we having another meeting? We had an enor= well, we had a meeting that really kind of amounted to nothing. Then we had a meeting in person, when was that November? Was it out in in [anon_PL55] or [anon_PL72] And I'm wondering when that was just kind of setting it up, no program or anything else. So you know, we haven't even got started to work on that. So I'd be very interested to know if anybody can tell me a little bit more about that as well. Please. Thank you. Thanks for letting me uh go on a bit sorry. I didn't mean to I apologize.
I don't think you did it all Councillor. Thanks, Councillor [anon_$037] Councillor [anon_$032] and Councillor [anon_$037] and I'll get back to you then [anon_$045]. Councillor [anon_$032].
Yeah, I'm just um have thank you very much for the report. And um best of luck to [anon_FN88] on her maternity leave just the the um open uh call for the European um program funding applications. Um can we actually instead of compiling that, to see what's available, um and I suppose I think it might be useful for us to have a look at those um in advance. I mean, I asked um a question to the chief executive as to what funding we had got previously, and I got a report on it seemed to be you know, a lot of it seemed to be on education, and on putting together, you know, reports and working towards something. So I suppose I'd just like to know that we were actually getting the the follow on funding, like as if we were applying through the [anon_INST134] and we were, and you know, uh uh for enterprises, and we got our seed funding that we be able to get to the next stage of, you know, expanding that, you know, where do we follow through, if we get sort of funding on something like, um like, there was a sort of, there seems to be funding for various things like [anon_PR40], small, you know, amounts of funding and things like that, projects, but I just wonder where they go to from there, you know, do we then decide to go for the the bigger funding? And, like, Did we get any funding whatsoever, um on terms of resilience of cities in the face of climate uh change, because I I didn't see any. And I'm just conscious that [anon_PL44] is particularly, uh in need, of this funding, um because no matter what we do with the economics um of the city, if we find ourselves underwater, um you know, between the [anon_PL73] and the coast, um we are very vulnerable to that. And it's important that we do um access whatever funding that we can have um to be adapt to adapt um to, to um the risks of climate, climate change. Um so I'm just wondering how successful we've been on that. What are the timescales? Um I don't think we I don't know if we got any funding in the last um lot of funding up to to 2020. But, you know, are we applying have we made application I saw some really good applications previously. But I don't know if anything came from it. But I've been told that these things take a long time. So I'm just conscious that we get in early if they do take a long time. And I do hope we get those appointments soon so that we can progress this, but could we get a list of the possible funding applications? Um you know, that you have that once you've compiled them yourself. Thank you. Thanks. Thanks,
Thanks, Councillor [anon_$032] Councillor [anon_$036]
Go raibh maith agut cathaoirleach agus go raibh maith agut an tuairis. Thanks for the report and clearly a lot of uh constructive work done. Um and uh well done on that. Uh I want to concur with uh Councillor [anon_$037] uh on the [anon_INST132] and the to explore whatever opportunities uh exist there in the context of the European office. [breath in] But also um the need for an update. Uh I would request that between now on our next [anon_INST91] that we would get an update uh on the [anon_INST132]. And that it be that the issue we then put on our uh agenda for the next [anon_INST91] please sinn é.
Thanks, Councillor [anon_$036] [anon_$045] can you come back to those three before other speakers come in?
Certainly chair um thanks, a million everybody. Um Councillor [anon_$037] Yeah, the um working with other institutions from academic academia. Um certainly the higher education institutions uh are and continue to be involved in in the horizon process. Uh I would love to see uh opportunities uh available for members engagements. Um uh moving forward with with with EU programs, I think that's that that would be great. Um my recollection in relation to the [anon_INST133] is is is probably like your own Councillor [anon_$037] I remember when you did set it up, I am aware that we we are still involved with the EU with an EU uh proposal with with [anon_PL29] um at at this point in time. Uh however, I'm I'm pretty sure that the um the [anon_INST133] itself uh hasn't met for quite a long time. [breath in] um there has been a number of sorry, just just in relation to the um the pro= the recruitment we did get the sanction from the department that didn't appear to be um any any any real issue there um and we just want to move ahead now and and and get get get those posts filled uh unfortunately we're in a queue with everybody uh with everybody trying to get I suppose their requirements for you know, housing and and and roads and engineering and water and stuff like that, but I am talking to HR with regards to to that. Just regards to the uh the [anon_INST132] um in the um later on in the agenda uh there's a report there from [anon_FN89 [anon_SN27] that um updates uh uh provides an update with regards to the meetings, the engagement the development of the [anon_PR41] um the I suppose putting [anon_INST132] uh structures on a footing where they can actually uh commence a process of uh engaging and uh making applications for funding. So that is in in in the business reports. Um uh further further on in the agenda if if, if my recollection is right and reading them there earlier on in the week. [breath in] um so we might we might I don't know whether he want to do that now chair talk about that or do want to just wait and and and and and um deal with that at that part of the agenda?
Yeah, we can do that. Thanks yeah
um um that's fine. And um ju= just with regards to the um the open calls. I'll just if I can share if I can share my screen. [tech noice] Can everybody see that?
Yes [anon_$045]
Yeah. Ju= ju= ju= just um Councillor [anon_$032] just I just made I I I wasn't um clear, but there's a huge amount of information there, just in the appendices they go on forever. But that so thus far Councillor they they they they're the calls we're aware of and what we do is we we collate all this information. And we um I suppose distribute the information to the relevant departments that would be interested in pursuing um calls of this nature. So there's uh there's quite a bit of it there um Councillor [anon_$032] that have maybe of maybe of help to you um
I can't see it in the report we got on the appendix. Maybe it's in a different one so perhaps you could circulate that afterwards thank you
Well, I can I certainly will and and and and and that's, and that's exactly what I what I will do. Now I'll just take this down sorry, [tech noise] yeah and then uh just just in relation to uh the um recovery and resilience, we did make submission to this the the um [anon_PR42]. Um we didn't we didn't uh receive funding, but we did get an acknowledgment from the department relating to our submission. Um you know, there are a lot of a lot of funding applications being made with regards to to, uh to the green agenda at this point in time. And in our car= our cyro office, in relation to um in relation to the seed itself, are looking at are looking at making, uh uh looking at um developing an application and making an application for the city of [anon_PL44] in relation to resilience, and climate action, this point in time. Uh so I can I can, I can ask um [anon_FN90] [anon_SN28], to to provide you with information if if that would be of use, uh
![unclear]/! please, just so that we we have 2030 seems to be when the protected areas are going to be under the sea. So I'm I'm consciousness that the time is um or is it you know, time is time is uh running out you know, we've eight years [laugh]
I I I I I fully ![unclear]/! in 2030 I can tell you um I'll probably be... swimming myself in 2030. Look, I I I I understand that there are and and continue to be and I think earlier on in the report, we made reference to some of the successes there, that the you know, ![unclear]/! um you know, have secured 1.2 million worth of funding in relation to retrofitting of building so it has commenced, has commenced, uh just just just to make reference the office isn't there to make applications for the for the department or the council, the office is there to support the council. That's that's the ethos of it, it's there to provide expertise and experience either either internally or or externally to allow the core departments, you know, move ahead with those applications, because that's that's where the skill set lies um with regards to that. So it's just it's just to make that point. um thank chair I think that's what I have on my list. Is there more questions there?
Thanks, [anon_$045] uh Councillor [anon_$037] Councillor [anon_$032] Councillor [anon_$036] do you want to come back on any of that? Okay,
[cough] sorry, just are we are we dealing with the [anon_PR43] in the later report or now?
Yeah I was gonna go to to to the management.
Yeah that's okay yeah yeah yeah
Okay, unless there's any other questions then [anon_$045] thanks a million for all that really constructive work, um as was said and, and good wishes to [anon_FN88] obviously, as well. So we'll [breath in] move then to um the management reports um and we'll take questions in respect of all of the management reports um agenda item number eight. So if there's only hands for that, I might just sneak in there um around the employment survey results 2021. I think they were published on the 17th. of January. Is it safe to say they look good? Maybe [anon_$038], you might come back to me on that. um as one of the questions. um if there's any others on the management reports, Councillor [anon_$036] I think you're gonna come in there. Yeah, go ahead.
Yeah, sorry, I I I missed the um [pause] I missed the [anon_PR44] uh reference. So I've had a look at it there it's brief enough um I still think at some stage, uh we should have it as a substantive item on our agenda, preferably at the next meeting. As a stand alone um just looking at it, I would be a bit concerned in the ![unclear]/! three stage process that the actions are a come at the very end do you know I think we should always in these things where, as soon as we can, we should try to come up with practical actions and outcomes uh it doesn't really give a timeline. So maybe that could be clarified. That's it.
Okay thank you um Councillor [anon_$032]
Yeah, uh Chair. I'm just wondering, are we going back to um item six?
Sorry, no, I finished with item six. But if you want to raise something from item six
Yeah because we just sort of skipped over it and I just think they were absolutely excellent reports and I just wanted to compliment uh you know the um both the the [anon_INST135] um and the range of activities that are happening there um absolutely fantastic to see that happening in in our city and that's what makes you know, that's what makes our our city um you know, a good place to live and our communities good um there's everything from activities in the parks to, you know, recycling of of bicycles and circular economy and park it, there's just loads of brilliant things happening there. And you know, um and it's well worth reading through it um and seeing the the amount of innovation, social innovation that's happening, and just to welcome that and just uh the [anon_PR33] I I know I took participated in it myself, and um absolutely great uh reports and outcomes, I just love to see those being implemented, you know um and I'd love to tha= to see that we would have the resources to be able to do that. Because um you know, the, from everything from I mean, that in itself, you know, the resetting everything from the the social to the economic um to everything was covered in that to climate um actions and and planning and, and resilience um so I just think, you know, it might be something, we could look at that report again um and and look at where we how we could implement some of the the actual measures in that because um I think we'd have a fantastic city, and we'd be the best in the world, if we could actually implement those um and we'd be very resilient, livable city um so just just, I you know, I I we seem to we went over it, and some of us were there, and some of us weren't, and and I know yourself chair, um you know, opened the whole thing, and you participated, but I just didn't want to sort of, you know, run through it too quickly, because there's, there's so much good in in it thank you
Thanks so much for raising that Councillor [anon_$032] I certainly second all of that. And that theme of innovation runs right through those reports. And I think really it's brilliant as part of the [anon_INST136] that we have that kind of innovation coming through and we just need to implement them now. Isn't that that the reality is? Okay um so just in respect to the management reports, then there's my question around the employment survey results in 17th. January and Councillor [anon_$036] question in respect of the [anon_INST132] being on the next agenda of more substantive matter would somebody takes those from management?
Yeah, [cough] sorry, Chair. Yeah. [anon_$038], here, I'll I'll take the uh the the employment survey uh just so you know, the employment survey was um announced there this day last week by an Tainiste and uh there was a very impressive um result on job creation, net job creation uh here was 3000 jobs created throughout the [anon_INST134] network in relation to the [anon_INST134] [anon_PL42] there was 1728 jobs uh within 377 client companies in our portfolio uh and of those there was 408 jobs gained and a net increase of 147. Now in the year that's in that is quite impressive insofar as we were we were sorted of it was a difficult year. And there was the it still is quite difficult for uh businesses as at the moment. But I suppose some of the good news is uh the startups were experiencing a 30% increase. It's in in participants on our start your own business program. And I just like to draw your attention to pages 119 to 122 of the agenda. It does list the uh 66 uh measure one, as we call them grants, financial supports that were given out uh this year, which is 1.28 million uh in in was awarded in grants to and and that was to create 122 jobs. So I just wanted to highlight that that's now recorded in the agenda.
Thanks, [anon_$038] for that. Presumably though, the the PMI survey results, the business activity continued, albeit job creation is still at a good level, it seems to be a much softer pace I presume that's Omicron we don't have to be worried.
Um yeah, no, I think well, I think the news there last Friday really did [laugh] it was great to see the city reopening. And in fact, you know, the COVID restrictions reopening I think it's a it's a real celebration for all businesses, but I do think um we're probably in a in a better place than than we thought we would be. And that's all that's all I'd say and um but there's a huge amount of work to be done a huge amount of work.
Thanks, [anon_$038] Councillor [anon_$036]'s question who who's going to take that?
Uh I can take that chair if that's okay.
Thanks, [anon_$034] great
Uh Councillor [anon_$036] uh thank you for your your question around the [anon_INST132]. As you said there's a a a brief update on this report. But we can certainly do a more detailed standalone uh agenda item for the next meeting of the [anon_INST91] uh I suppose what you know has happened since uh we last met is that we had the in person meeting on the 23rd of November where the 24 elected representatives were invited uh to attend an event in in city north and supported by the administrative staff um so at that meeting uh the elected representatives elected a a chair and vice chair. So the chair is Councillor [anon_FN91] [anon_SN29] uh of [anon_INST137]. And the Vice Chair is Councillor [anon_FN92] [anon_SN30], I think from [anon_INST113] um so the chair and vice chair will now set dates for the future um meetings of the advisory group um so I I appreciate your point about the three stage process and the action plan being the the final stage. But it doesn't mean that actions haven't been uh developed um you know, in the work that has been ongoing since 2018, uh the [anon_INST38] um [anon_INST138] report has been commissioned on the corridor, the former launch event then took place in March uh a website has been developed that holds the the reporting and other content on the the corridor um [anon_INST139] and [anon_INST85] have been commissioned to um assist in the production of the development plan. And a big focus there is looking at what structures do we need going forward, because it's eight councils and two universities that form part of the corridor um so the initial thinking is that and looking to European and international examples of corridors, that uh it may be within uh on of the local authorities would support the structure initially on behalf of all corridor members and then in time, it would be looking to a standalone entity that would uh be be the the corridor support and then that would enable the application for [anon_PR45] funding or other initiatives. So a lot of work has been ongoing, including the identification of uh companies along the corridor that can be promoted. Um so there certainly is an intention that it's it's an active corridor but I suppose this period of the development plan is allowing uh a comparison with how other characters have evolved and developed and what aspects we could have in common with those or how we'd learn from their their strengths or or weaknesses uh but but certainly we can we can plan to to do a fuller uh piece for the next year [anon_INST136] uh thank you.
Very good morning go raibh mile maith agut [cough]
Thanks, [anon_$034] Councillor [anon_$037] Councillor [anon_$032] and [anon_$035] in that order. When you're ready Councillor [anon_$037]
Yes, I'm trying to. Oh God I've lost everything here.
Will I come back to you in a second?
I might is my is my there's something strange going on here can you hear me?
We can hear you but your camera's gone off yeah
Oh yeah so at least the microphone is on so
No, you're back no you're good yeah
Oh, okay um anyway, is the camera gone off?
no it's on you're perfect yeah.
you can see me not that it matters at least once you can hear me I suppose is the important point uh thanks for for letting me in. But uh what I'm I'm concerned about is when I mentioned about our connection with [anon_PL69], I pointed out that I was being told continuously that it would have to be done through the [anon_INST140], which didn't make sense to me. I am saying that one and a half years down the road, we're still no further on why it has to be the [anon_INST140] that is embraces all of the local authorities. The particular scheme that I am interested through the peace process is or the the the the [anon_PL45] um that I would like to look at whether we could have a joint um uh project in relation to older people, uh [anon_PL44] and [anon_PL69] and that we could do it through the [anon_PR38] or [anon_PR39] uh and I just don't understand why. You know, we're dragging the feet on that or why we can't do anything about it [pause] So can somebody tell me you know, what has that got to do with with something that's not functioning anyway? And why it has to be put into something I just feel I'm being put off and I'd love to be proved wrong.
Okay, I'm gonna take these three questions together thanks Councillor [anon_$037] Councillor [anon_$032]
Yeah, um, I didn't really have a question as much just to say that I welcome the amount of um you know, enterprises and new startups I can see some of them are expansion but there's an awful lot of priming um so just to welcome the fact that there is obviously you know, this time maybe uh during COVID in a way has given people time to think up um very innovative on there's a lot of innovative and very green stuff in terms of reusables and you know, mothers reusable bees on the roof limited and all that stuff and just to to welcome them umum I because I think these you know, these are providing solutions and I wish them the best of luck and I'm I'm really think without that, you know, that initial funding, they wouldn't be able to get these up off the ground and I just think they're wonderful thanks
Thanks, Councillor [anon_$032] and in that vein, uh I'd echo what you've said [anon_$035] in the, in the chat function about the big shout out to [anon_FN93] for compiling all of those uh the digital brochures sorry around the the [anon_INST141] um [anon_$035] over to you.
Yeah again, not not a question, just a comment, just to say that it was great to see that [anon_PL44] was awarded joint second place in the [anon_PR46]. I thought that was amazing, actually, I think that it was joint second with [anon_PL74]. And uh I was particularly looking at uh all the innovation that was happening, I was struck, actually, by the uh host of kitchens there automated deliver deliver robot, which delivered burger and chips to a student in [anon_INST38]. And I was just thinking myself wouldn't it be great now if you had a deliver a robot to hop up to McDonald's or somewhere like that if you didn't want to cook. [breath in] um but I I I think also just to say, I I like, I think the whole [anon_PR47] is absolutely fantastic. And I think um [anon_FN94] [anon_SN31] and team have done amazing work. [breath in] um because we're really, we're really kind of getting recognition for our own, innovative uh systems and processes. So again, just to say, look, well done, because there's so much of that going on, it's nearly hard to keep up, but it's great to see it. So that was just what I had to say. Thank you
hear hear hear hear thanks, [anon_$035] um just uh somebody to come back then to the one remaining question from Councillor [anon_$037]
um I might I might come back on that chair, if that's okay. Um yeah, just to say I suppose in relation to uh [anon_PR45] funding, there's, there's nothing to prevent any uh part of the council applying to that funding. So if it's, if it's to do with um a a project and older people, you know, that would be uh you know, not directly part of the remit of this uh [anon_INST136] or or any of the administrative staff that support it. But the thinking was that, you know, if it's if it's a strategic direction around the potential of the [anon_INST132] that, you know, that would have further strength in an application, because there will have been that work done to look at how the potential of the corridor could uh evolve, um you know, better outcomes for for all of us living and working along the corridor, and that it would have a collective impact with, you know, university and collaborative, uh local government uh um engagement. So that was the the thinking is that, uh you know, when, when we've advanced a bit further on that work, uh it definitely is an ambition of the the corridor to make an application for that funding, but it obviously will be a different type of application, then if if uh somebody was then housing in [anon_INST86] and the older persons unit wanted to make an application in relation to older persons so I suppose it's just a different approach and with a different, uh you know, um I suppose ambition in terms of of what can be realized in in applying for that funding.
Okay, is there any other business? [pause] Okay, our our next meeting is the 12th of April, which I think is a Tuesday of Easter Week, and, [anon_$035] robot will be there to deliver uh food to us all in in [anon_PL75]. Can I just make maybe a closing remark just to say=
+Sorry chair can I have a quick
oh sorry [anon_$044] go ahead yeah
matter and I didn't know whether or not to bring on the management reports, because I know they deal with events there. But one of the key things that we're getting a lot of requests, in particular for companies across the city um as we go forward is obviously around the [anon_EV19] and not necessarily while things are still up in the air flux, is, it'd be great to get as early communications out there around the thinking um that might be there in terms of, you know, obviously, with less tourism focus on retail, and this sorts of aspects. But what does the festival entail? Because it's for two things, one for what the business know what to plan for. And the second is that we actually, with the team, like [anon_FN95] and the place brands that we continue to promote people coming to stay in [anon_PL44], for that for that look four day weekend and we want them to enjoy themselves as well. And actually, you know really get to learn the city again.
Yeah chair I I I I do know what the theme is because I'm putting something in the the parade myself with the cycling ![unclear]!\ and so it's [anon_PUB2]. So, um you know, we can um all start getting into the theme of [anon_PUB2] if if any of the businesses want to go along with that theme as well.
Great. Thanks, Councillor [anon_$032] I think we'll we'll take it that [anon_$044]'s sub= submission there is reflective of of all of our view on on that um and [anon_$043], thanks for putting in the chat function about the excellent reports. And maybe just for closing remarks say we probably don't get to celebrate enough the amount of work that's going on and the amount of of positivity and innovation in those reports and [anon_$035] we got to on the last occasion at the last meeting and respect to social enterprise. But I'm delighted to see um that smart cities have been invited and it was put forward by Councillor [anon_SN32] I think at the [anon_INST93] meeting, to to share all of that um with the [anon_INST93]. I think that will be a great night um when all of that is celebrated. So I hope to see you all on the 12th of April thanks
Thank you Chair
[laughs] I hope not
I I did very well I did very well until I got to the subu= suburbs
yes yes yeah
and then it took me another kind of three quarters of an hour to the [laughs] place that I was looking for [laughs] I went around uh I'm not the best navigator uh but it was fine. But do you know, I met two men who were so helpful and they went to so much trouble um
yeah yeah very good
I'm not too sure that you'd get the same kind of attention in [anon_PL44] you know they
yes yeah yeah
good morning everyone.
good morning
oh good morning are we on air are we?
good morning
yes
um so yeah sorry we were just getting the live stream sorted there. Um it's, it's up and running. So I think we will be okay to start. We're just going to have a quick check to make sure we have seven members [tech noise] [counting] [whispers]
I hope I'll be able to get the um um the agenda and the reports on an email. [anon_$053] did you send the actual agenda itself? Because I can't get into um uh [anon_INST81] I mean please
it came from [anon_FN81] it came from [anon_FN81] so if you go to [anon_FN81]
oh [anon_FN81] thank you
yeah [anon_FN81] it will come up under that yeah
yeah we will get it sent to you again councillor [anon_$037] [anon_$053] is just gonna send it to you again so it will be at the top of your inbox.
you alright?
You can you can get in through the public website as well just go straight to browse meetings on
No, it's just that I can't I can get it on my my iPad which I'm which I'm using for this but I was trying to get it on my desktop here. And that was the difficulty.
Yeah councillor [anon_$037] it has been sent to you now uh just at this moment.
Thank you thank you very much. Thank you.
she'll you'll hardly have anything to say [anon_$037] will ya?
Sorry.
you'll hardly have anything
Right we'll get started if everyone's okay with that.
Yes, yes yeah fire away
Yeah.
yes thank you
there's something wrong it's either my hearing aid
good morning everyone
or but I'm missing a lot of what's going on [laughs] I'm not catching uh the points anyway
Okay so um eh we're in uh the civic office office So hopefully the Wi Fi will ah stay with us um well but would somebody volunteer as deputy chair on the off chance that we get shut off?
I'll I'll look after that yeah
much appreciated councillor [anon_$054] um so we're we're hoping this will be our last completely online meeting and that will move to hybrid um for our summer meeting. But bear with us um as we get all that done. The usual housekeeping applies, please keep yourself on mute if you're not talking uh we have a number of presentations today. We're going to keep the presentations to 10 minutes and the discussion afterwards for 10 minutes each um and then you can see we have a busy enough agenda um so just before we get started, uh I would like to just pick out something that um I really enjoyed over the um in May and a lot of people here were instrumental in getting it happening which was [anon_EV20] um which happened in [anon_PL76] um and the may bank holiday weekend. It was a wonderful kickoff to what will hopefully be an annual or even a more often event, um and I just wanted to recognize uh councillor [anon_$036] councillor [anon_$042] um and councillor [anon_SN34] who are uh part of that working group um and [anon_$066] as well who's a member here and has been doing great work there. So we'll kick off we have the minutes of the previous meeting. Can I get a proposer please?
I propose
I propose
Thank you. Um and are people happy to note those minutes?
Yes.
Yeah
Yeah
noted yeah
Um so we're going to move on to we've a presentation uh on the city sport and wellbeing partnership [anon_PR48] We have [anon_$057] and we have [anon_$064] here [paper shuffling] can I pass over to one of you? And are you happy to share your screen? [tech noises] [silence]
Yes, thank you we'll just share it now.
Thank you. So we'll try and keep the presentation to 10 minutes and people can raise their hands at the end if they have uh questions. So you're very welcome. Go ahead [pause]
[tech noise] [whispers] okay, can you see that?
Not at the moment [pause]
[whispers] we'll try [unclear]/! [tech noise]
Now we're getting somewhere. Yes, yeah.
great can see that that's great. Thanks very much [anon_$057] [pause]
Okay, [unclear]/!
yeah okay guys can you see enough of the screen there to to progress with it?
Yes, I think so.
Okay, brilliant. Well, good morning, everyone and and thanks for giving us the opportunity to present here today. Um and before we actually commence the presentation, I'd just like to draw your attention to the the cover sheet there where you'll see see the logo and the visual identity for active [anon_PR48] um so this was quite a long time in development and was only recently signed off so we hope you'll agree it's, it's strong, and it's vibrant, eye catching, um and something that we hope you'll all become familiar with over the next few months as as promotion ramps up um. Okay, so this is just an overview showing the the five cities who are involved in the [anon_PR48] nationally. So you've got [anon_PL77], [anon_PL41], [anon_PL78] [anon_PL79] and [anon_PL44] um the project is funded by the [anon_PR49] fund. It's managed and overseen by [anon_PR50], and it's delivered down by the respective local sports partnerships in each city um [anon_PL44] is unique in this sense, I suppose as as the other cities require its one [anon_INST142] for one city, whereas in [anon_PL44], we've obviously got four [anon_INST142]'s um broad collaborating sharing information and resources under the [anon_PR48] brand. [tech noise] Okay, so what is an active city? Prioritizes physical activity for all increases the number of active spaces throughout the city. Physical activity should become a social norm built into people's home work and community lives and also seeks to provide equal access and opportunity for all to take part. Now you=you may say that a lot of these aims and objectives would normally be associated with uh with a local sports partnership anyway, but what elevates it is that the active cities model that provides resources and structures for better and more sustainable outcomes. So essentially, what what we mean by that is enhanced programs and activities, greater collaboration and partnership, greater innovation um access to new research and data, and most importantly, a a very clear roadmap to achieve the set goals um and all this is driven by by the national lead for [anon_PR48] uh which is [anon_SN35] [tech noise] Okay [pause] so why the need for the [anon_PR48] project? Well, as you can see, there are only 42% of adults and 13% of children in Ireland meet the national uh physical activities, recommended guidelines um that's from the the [anon_INST143] media report 2021. We're only a year on from that. So the figures are probably in in around the same um so why is this initiative being rolled out solely in [anon_PL78], [anon_PL41], [anon_PL77], [anon_PL79] and [anon_PL44] well, over 33% of the Irish population live across the five cities. Um so that's the reason for that, while you might find is if the [anon_PR48] goes really well am similar initiatives might be rolled out in in some of the bigger towns across the countries and and larger population centers. Um so [pause] we know that physical inactivity impacts people negatively, but it also impacts negatively on the health economy, Environment and Community of our cities. So the the problem isn't just around individuals, it's around society as a whole. [tech noise] Okay. So here we have the the vision and the mission, the vision of [anon_PR48] is to engage, maintain and increase the numbers of citizens regardless of age and ability participating in sport and physical activity in our city. And the mission of [anon_PR48] is to create the opportunity for citizens to lead healthier lifestyles in the context of sport and physical activities. Um [anon_PR48] is is delivered um through four key kind of guiding pillars, um and you'll see them there on the right hand side. So I'm going to hand over to [anon_$057] now who'll kind of go into those pillars in a bit more detail and show how we're deliverng on on a practical level on the ground.
Thanks [anon_$064] um so the active systems piece is probably the one that's the most challenging um in terms of getting increased input into physical activity uh plans with stakeholders, and trying to put uh sport and physical activity at the forefront of all um policies and plans um linking in with the [anon_PR51] plan, there's an awful lot of objectives and actions for local sports partnerships um but we just feel that we need to have a little bit more collaboration around how we actually deliver on those actions, um greater collaboration and cohesion across departments and organizations, both internally and externally. Um so we started to work uh probably a little bit more efficiently uh internally with other departments that have a responsibility a=around physical a=activity, or engagement in the communities um greater access to and use of data on physical activity and sedentary behavior. So we've engaged on two um research project projects already ourselve [anon_PL42] sports partnership with [anon_INST144] um about seeking out the sedenentary. So one of the things that we obviously do well is that we do uh deliver physical activity programs um in disadvantaged areas and we do get great engagement, what will happen with some of those programs is we will have many participants that will be repeat participants. Our challenge is to get new participants all the time. Um and so we're hoping that this research will give us a baseline data of where we sit uh within those communities and who is actually been active and who's not been active. Um It's not as simple as just rolling out a physical activity program, you have to find the barriers and the reasons as to why they have not already engaged and that covers an awful lot around marketing promotion communications um using different channels of communications to engage with the different uh cohort groups that we we need to engage with. The active environments piece is is a new kind of piece for us as well, in terms of its improving access to spaces and facilities for all. So we'll be looking to engage with the sports department um around the facilities and the usage of facilities we already do. But this will be more on a strategic level. As we look to review our strategy for both sports and facilities side um of things. Um we would also hope to have some implementation around policy and design guidelines to strengthen so new infrastructure is physically activity friendly. Um so we are in collaboration and totally meeting with parks shortly the parks department to see how we can enhance their service in their parks around physical activity engagement um whether by it's putting in new equipment, new infrastructure, um some simple little uh extra added bits can go a long way for engagement within the community to bring them into the spaces and places. The act of societies is more around the national campaign so that we're all working together nationally, you will see a lot around Twitter and social media, uh around the [anon_PR48] campaign nationally uh with all the same logo with all the same imagery and with all the same design toolkit um so having that bigger reach um will also help we will be able to all help each other particularly with the other [anon_INST109]. Um we're also looking at more effective marketing and branding um whereby we will be seen visually more in the outdoor spaces at events and programs around the city and more se=accessible mass participation events. So looking forward to um being back in the delivery space of participation events where we will collaborate. Uh one of the examples we're look= we're working towards at the moment is the sports ability uh day out in the [anon_PL80] out in the national arena out there, uh first of all, because it's a suitable location, but it's all the [anon_INST109] coming together to offer for the first time, um an inclusion day for both where we can bring adults and children together of all disabilities, um and provide them with um a taster sessions on sport and physical activity education for the carers the tra= the leaders, the teachers and we're working towards that for October. [background noise]. The active people at peace is probably the easiest uh I suppose pillar at the moment in terms of that a lot of it is what we do as a sport sports partnership. But really our challenge or our action here is to try and enhance that service as much as we can be more innovative around what we do and to make sure that we are actually giving an increasing opportunities for people of all ages and all abilities to take part in in in the service that we provide.
[breath in] Sorry could I could I just ask you to up the pace a little bit you have about two minutes left? Thanks.
Okay, no problem. Um we can send a copy of the presentation over anyway, I think people probably get the gist of but anyway, so the other pillars will be active systems. So wa=awareness raising, am we will be setting up a steering group um internally and externally. Ah we'll be using baseline data to establish where we need to work in in specific areas of the city. And we'll be working together on collaboration and learning also. [pause] [tech noise] The active environments pieces, the public spaces am cycling and walking and innovations and as you can see, we've given a few examples there around we= how we've already started to begin collaboration ah with other departments and sections and we recently launched our couch to 5k podcasts, which which is a new innovation for ah the sports partnership, which is never done before and it's getting great reach at the moment [pause] the active societies is ah the teams under that is the focus so the focus is on people who are obviously am in disadvantaged areas or have a disability, ah we will be working on research to make sure that we establish preferred communication channels to target groups, obviously, a huge push and drive on communication, and also on promotion. On the active people, as it covered, we've already done an awful lot of work in this area but the teams under that will be targeted initiatives working with the [anon_INST145] and the schools within our areas, online and innovative initiatives and building leadership within the community. So the act of cities overview is just for all loc= uh local authority areas, each [anon_INST142] will be crew= recruiting a local [anon_PR48] officer, which we've short, just shortlisted for, and the key focus is, is there cross sector buy in am making sure the voice of those most inactive is heard and ensuring strategic input from all relevant stakeholders. And the last slide there is just some words that are associated with the [anon_PR48] I hope I got that done in two minutes [laughs]
Thank you. No excellent, thank you really appreciate it. I I think the discussion and the questions will also guide you to the areas that people would like to know more about. Um so Um if you wouldn't mind might be easier if people could see each other so if you could stop sharing your screen, but you can reshare it if people need to go back. Um the first three speakers I have are uh Councillor [anon_$054] councillor [anon_$065] and [anon_$066].
Thanks, chair I just want to thank the deputation for the excellent presentation really, really good. And just to compliment the people we have on the ground at the present time, as far as development officers, I know the one up here in [anon_INST37] does a fantastic job. [breath in] Yo=you mentioned you have funding for this and everything needs funding, you didn't mention how much funding so you could identify that and where the funding is coming from. And the other question uh I would have is, how do individuals and groups if they don't know say the local sports development officer how are they going to find out about whatever we're planning in the various areas around the city or city wide, or whatever the case may be? Thanks chair.
Thanks Councillor. We'll take three questions and then uh we'll go back to you uh [anon_$057]. So uh Councillor [anon_$065], please.
Thanks very much chair. And thanks very much for the presentation um it's great to see more been done [anon_PR48] uh arena. Um a couple of things. Just one I'm wondering will there be uh specifics, you know, a plan with specifics specific targets, uh specific goals in terms of uh you know, identifiable areas uh that are going to be um targeted in on and measures uh against them, like when deadlines for for achieving various things so that we can see um uh the progress. But the the the piece that I I hone in on regularly is our lack of swimming facilities um in the city, and that that has been going downwards rather than upward um both in terms of public provision and private provision. We saw [anon_INST146] in [anon_PL81] closing off its swimming pool um there's very quite restricted areas and a lot of [anon_INST86] pools and we just don't have enough pools. And this really impacts an awful lot of our aging population. Um but also people who want to do individual sort of um uh active approach say active things rather than team because we do a lot of good stuff in the parks but I really feel we fall down in our swimming pools in [anon_PL44] and in [anon_PL82]. Um and this was shown last weekend in a report as well. So just be interested in hearing your views and all those. Thank you very much.
and [anon_$066]
go raibh math agat ar corth a la sein ar fad I think the initiative is um very worthwhile and it's it's very much needed just [tech noise] ar ceista ar nom sa ri Gaelige uh I just noticed [tech noise] everything seems to be [tech noise] um as Bearla it seems to be very um even from the logo onwards um I'm just wondering what you're doing to I suppose um to normalize the language in what what you're doing with for I suppose Gaelscoil students, for stud= and for kids being brought up through Irish as well. Uh maybe the first thing that could be done could have a bilingual logo, especially I suppose some city council is getting more and more active and providing opportunities to use Irish um um in the city um and if this innitiative I suppose going forward, it'd be great that to see that that would be on board with it as well. So from logo to I suppose promotional to training and etc, etc. um ca ta ar suil? or what's currently happening and what might be done in the future? Go raibh math agat.
Thank you. So back to [anon_$057] and [anon_$064] and then later I'll bring in Councillors [anon_$037] [anon_$059]and then [anon_$032] Thanks.
Okay. Thank you very much for the questions Councillors. Am firstly, the funding is through [anon_PR49] funding via [anon_PR50]. And the fund that we've initially received is 435,000 um that's for [anon_PL42] alone. Um So the other local authorities would have received similar funding as well, it's based on it's some of it has been based on population size as well and that's where the funding comes through. Uh we do have to report back to [anon_INST203] um on a quarterly basis around the spend of the fund. Obviously, we received this fund during COVID, where we weren't able to spend um where restrictions were in place, and we weren't able to deliver. We have started now obviously making a delivery on it and we've started to uh spend the funds. Um we were also hoping that while the sports offices are a great um you know, I suppose on the ground in terms of getting word out. Um what we are doing is collectively we're launching our hub our sports hub at the end of the month. Uh this hub is a one stop portal for all things sports and physical activity within the city. And up there you will be able to contact our relevant sports officers, you will be able to get information on any type of program that you may be interested in any type of education and training and we'll also be keeping it up to date with an events calen= calendar. So you'll be able to see in advance what programs are coming and happening within the city. But we will also be doing as we said a national campaign and where we can we'll be attending local community initiatives to get the word out around the [anon_PR48] but also around the local sports partnership. Um still on research, it's based that still to this day, word of mouth is still one of the key ways of communication traveling around anything that we do. But we we are trying to have more of a presence on social media on Twitter. Um in terms of the plan and in terms of the the specific targets we have been set [anon_INST147], we also have to do a logic model approach [tech noise] and we have an action plan that we work towards. And this all feeds back to [anon_PR50] uh whereby they are the ones I gue= I guess you could say checking whether we're doing what we said we were going to do, the national coordinator would also have um her own [anon_INST147] within the project and we have to work on them on a quarterly basis. [pause] um in terms of the deadlines, we have to work each year to our reporting deadlines, but mid year on end of year in terms of finance reporting, and in terms of operational reporting, whereby [anon_PR48] is included within that reporting structure [pause] um in terms of the swimming pools, I will just say that that's possibly not um our area to comment on that would be more for the sports uh facility side. So maybe [anon_$036] or [anon_$045] might want to come in on that. But we have engaged and are engaging with [anonPR52] around a uh co funded swimming officer in the help to promote swimming and open water swimming and within the our swimming pools that we currently have um so that would be a huge asset to the team and sports partnership as well in terms of the promotion of swimming and there have been other initiatives that are potentially being looked at as well. But I will let [anon_$036] or [anon_$045] um answer that. And then in terms of the Irish, we actually are in the middle of uh developing our uh bilangual logo. [anon_PR53] were the first to suggest that it is needed. So that will be on the material when we produce. And we'll also be looking at trying to make sure that uh any material that we do produce is in the Irish language also.
[tech noise] Thanks very much [anon_$057] You've covered uh a lot there. So we've got um I've got four more. So we'll take four questions, and then we'll go back to you again. So Councillor [anon_$037] you're up first.
Thank you very much Chair. And thank you indeed for the presentation. I just missed the first little piece of it. So I'm trying to find this as an item on the agenda. Is this an extra item? um I can't find um
no Councillor it's it's item two
I see
two on the agenda and the slides were also sent out with the agenda pack.
Oh, right so yes it's part of the yes. I I mean, I thought that was kind of mainly [anon_INST1]. Okay, that's fine um my questions are um it it first it's great to see uh this initiative um and I'm just wondering how do local communities um engage with you? Uh I represent an area that on the face of it looks very well served. But in fact, it's not because most of the open space is privately owned and not publicly owned. So we fare out very badly in the [anon_PL44] six area um and we have a huge challenge we'll say in relation to um football for women um who are being um finding it very difficult to actually play. Uh so number one, I'm wondering how do we engage with you we also wh=where we do shine, of course is that we're as a [anon_INST86] um uh um initiative. We have a wonderful uh uh Fitness Center in [anon_PL83] uh and that is actually working extremely well [background noise] so just how do how do I will say as a local councillor engage with you to get a sense of where maybe you could help us out [child background talking] in the area that to get you to focus [background talking] um on the area. Because the trouble is that my experience with the [anon_INST93] is that if the council doesn't have an infrastructure in an area then it doesn't engage. I mean, that happens with senior citizens um uh I think the same happens a bit in [anon_44] six, we're trying to get the um partnership to engage uh for the last two years, um they have just disappeared out of [anon_83] so um it'd be useful to know how do I um um uh how do we make contact with you um and get a sense of
thank you Councillor
where we could thank you.
uh Councillor [anon_$059]
uh thanks chair thanks [anon_$057] and [anon_$064] for the uh presentation uh just three [tech noise] three questions on it just uh the the figure of 13% of children hitting the physically active recommendations is a worrying figure, is there a way we can target the the non active children and that because I I'd imagine when we run programs and courses, it's probably the active kids that are getting involved. So is there a way of targetting the ones that that aren't active on that then just following on from from problems is a way of keeping um people engaged uh again, mainly children, but but also adults as well. When they do a programme or do do something um do we do we link them into an local club or a sports organization um after after the the program is finished? And then [anon_$057] you just mentioned the the impacts COVID had. How how are we getting no as restrictions li=lift? Are we back to like, full um full pace from before COVID or are we still are we still noticing some restrictions. Go raibh math agat.
Thank you. Councillor [anon_$032]
Uh thank you, Chair. Yeah, I just um I just uh want to welcome the report and um I liked um I'm glad to hear that there are some um something going to come in in terms of a uh swimming officer or working with with open swimmers. I mean, I I would like to see more swimming pools and particularly sort of a a lido, which I hoped was going tore replace the the other plan, which was the the um uh [breath in] whitewater rafting plan. So I I did hope I'm [connection loss] a lot of these outdoor lidos that they have one in um I think I believe in um [anon_PL84], as well and they seem to be all around and other European capitals, and we don't have have one here um so I think that would be a great opportunity um for us to have that and would be uh for all ages. Um and um so just I just wanted to know how much you sort of interact with the play ah strategy as well like that sports doesn't always when people say sports think alright, I'm not competitive, I'm not interested in getting involved in something competitive, but they might like to be active in another way like you see the the equipment, the sports equipment, I'd say used on the Promenade down in [anon_PL85] they don't need to get but they can go down and they can use it and when I've been requesting say a table tennis table. I've been told that there's one trial and one park somewhere in the city. But like you just see them all around other cities just been placed um and if you put some table tennis table down the very inexpensive people turn up with their bats and play some table tennis I sometimes I just don't understand why we have to make such you know um like a mountain [laughs] out of a molehill literally just to sort of add a bit of something that could help people to become active um and I wonder could we put a few table tennis table tennis? You know down and I I'd be willing to to find somebody to fund them even I don't think it'd be that expensive. Thanks.
Thanks, Councillor. Sorry to interrupt. We are running a bit short on time. So the final question is from Councillor [anon_$068] And we'll go back to [anon_$057] and [anon_$064].
uh hi, thanks a million um I'll make it really quick because a lot of my um comments um that I wanted to make have been kind of made. Um thanks a million [anon_$057] and [anon_$064] um really good report really liked the logo um just one piece that I was picking up on would be the um the parks and um I know that there's another piece of a project kind of going on where there's a review of all the sports facilities um in especially the north central area um for uh because of the lack of spaces, particularly for football and um lit up areas um I know that there's also a lot of [tech noise] groups that are um you know, doing alternative am and using the green spaces in in other ways am so, yeah, I suppose the in the in the wintertime that becomes a little bit of a barrier with the shorter days am with the lighting and stuff ah but obviously there's environmental is=am reasons there as well am and then the steering committee that you mentioned am can councillors go on that? I was wondering am I'd be interested in in in sitting on that one um and ah good to hear about the hub am because I think that's been one of the biggest barriers am I know am [anon_FN96] and [anon_$097] are very active in the north central area. And they have been very good at kind of getting the word out. But there's a lot of people that still don't know about it and I think am a hub would be am a good benefit for that 's am and that's it thanks
thank you very much for all the questions back to uh [anon_$057] and [anon_ $064] and if there's anything you can't cover, you can get back to people in writing as well. We are short on time. Thanks very much.
Okay, no problem. Thank you very much for the questions, councillors um in terms of the first few questions in terms of how do you engage with us um you literally engage with ourselves myself and the sports officers that are on the ground. Um in each area, there's a [pause] multiple of different sports officers in particular, there's FAI officers for the football for Women program um so it's directly with ourselves or the local sports officer within the area um to engage with us and we can also circulate an up to date contact list, if that's needed for each area and break down the areas of the sports officers in each area. And with that, you'll have their email address and their mobile phone number. Um in terms of engagement, that is the best way to do it. It's through the sports officers if it's to be linked to our programs, but they would also um know the community officers and have other um networking groups on the ground as well. Um in terms of the questions around the !unclear/! the children, it is uh it is not a great figure to see in particularly the field of work that we do. But COVID had a massive impact on the five to 10 year old 13 year olds in terms of sport and physical activity, all sports ceased for the children. And uh they were very inactive. What we've looked to do now is some of our programs are after school programs now. So not necessarily going into the schools during the day, we're trying to capture the children, that not necessarily maybe don't have the time or that the parents aren't able to bring their children to their sport. We're working on an after Schools ah Initiative Program. We also have the marathon kids program where we had over 2000 children take part um in the marathon Kids program whereby they have to run um the mart, well basically run a mile each each time until they get to the 26 Miles COVID did have a very negative impact in terms of our delivery of work, uh when restrictions were in place. But what it did do was put the emphasis and focus on sport, physical activity and play. And I suppose when we say sport and physical activity, uh within the physical activity that covers all rams from walking, cycling, dancing, yoga, it's not just sport. Um just to mention that. And then in terms of how we would probably link um to the clubs as best as we can, when we deliver a program, we always try and work out what the exit strategy is or what the pathway program is, because what we want to do is engage with the participants but create a pathway for them to move forward. So for example um our couch to 2k, or couch to 5k program, we then launched our mini marathon program where we wanted to engage women who had never ran the mini marathon before. And we actually managed to capture them through a lot of the local walking and running programs. And for the first time ever, we have traveller women taking part in the mini marathon. So we've hit a target group that we've found. So it's sometimes very hard to reach, but through the work of the sports officers on the ground. And so where we kind of we always try and provide a pathway to the clubs, and also to our club grants will always make sure that the clubs are aware that we are there, and that there are other avenues and education and training available to them should they need us. In terms of just the play around the play side, we actually have as stencil packs for playgrounds. And we're actually going to be getting a few more in order, whereby we actually can provide them to schools to update their sense of playgrounds for the play side of things. In terms of the parks and the the usage of parks and how we can enhance those we actually, as I said, have a meeting with parks in the next week or two. And within that discussion, we're hoping for a table tennis tech ball. We're looking for a gym equip we're looking for what where the gaps are? And where can we help bring some initiatives to the table with with the budget that we have. And so we're hoping that that will be a positive meeting. And we can identify some gaps in parks that whereby this equipment or infrastructure is needed. And also then just in terms of the steering committee, yes, we'd be absolutely delighted uh Councillor [anon_$068] to have yourself especially someone with the knowledge around the sport and physical activity within the areas and in the city. So we'll be in touch when we know we're setting that up. And also just in terms of parks, I do agree that at the moment, we're quite lucky that we've got the right light and the good weather everyone's out and about. But we are we will always be faced with challenges around usage and challenges around access to facilities in the halls because what is happening is clubs, the clubs are growing. There's pocket clubs now being set up everywhere across the city, for every sport and for every age group and getting access to facilities and training times is a huge challenge and it's something that I think, you know, it will be something that we'll have to look at going forward to see how we can we can um try and change that a little bit if we can in terms of the swimming side and the pool side of things I will ask [anon_$069] or [anon_$045] maybe address that.
Thank you very much. Uh I'm not sure if if [anon_$069] or [anon_$045] do want to come in. We are up against it with time though. [silence] Okay, we will we'll get maybe a written response on the the swimming pool.
Sorry chair I was on mute there.
Oh sorry [anon_$045.] Go ahead.
Sorry, my apologies sorry, page 49 of the report there makes reference to um we're undertaking a significant uh sports and recreation strategy to identify where there are deficits, uh including swimming facilities also. So that that that we're making reference to that, and we will keep that on the agenda uh we hope to have that um strategic report available by the end of the year, but that will encompass everything which includes pools and and and swimming facilities also. There's another few little bits and pieces that we're working on with [anon_PR52] as well in relation to powerful pools um uh there's one out in [anon_PL86] at the minute where we're talking about bringing one into the city over the summertime also, but we' ll update the members as we um uh I suppose agree um the logistics of that [anon_PR52] Thanks, Chair.
Thanks, [anon_$045] um apologies councillor [anon_$059] we don't have any time for more questions on this presentation. um uh there was a suggestion there from [anon_$057] about circulating and updated contact list um I think that will be very beneficial and councillor [anon_$037] has asked for that as well. So that could be done. That'd be great [pause] so a massive thanks for the presentation um I think the questions have shown there's lots of interest in all the work you're doing, and we look forward to seeing uh how everything progresses.
Thanks very much for your time.
Thank you
Thank you.
Thank you very much. We'll move on to our next presentation. Item three on the agenda, which uh we in inspected the skate park over in [anon_INST37] and we have [anon_$056] and [anon_$055] uh from the [anon_INST148] with us [pause] um are you able to share your screen?
ah good morning, everybody. Yeah, if you can allow me to share the screen? I'll most certainly do that there. Good morning [anon_$055]
um he should be able to share screen
yeah he said he could yes
Yeah. Do you not have permission? Oh, yeah, there we go. Excellent.
Yeah, I think there's hope it's the right one, it is indeed I'm sure. Um again, thanks for allowing us the opportunity to make this presentation. Um I'm hoping the 10 minutes has not started yet. Um [pause] there was quite a bit of a challenge let's say to this combine um 12 years of work into 10 minutes of a presentation. Um but we done we done our best. Um I'm just gonna take you through the kind of journey of the skate park there is a small video, which um which kind of captures the essence of everything that's been going on at the skate park so far um and then we move on to some images and community cleanup and stuff like that. And then look forward to the questions at the end [tech noise] um as I said, Good morning everybody. My name is [anon_$056] I'm an outdoor education instructor for [anon_INST148] We also have present here today [anon_$055] who's the adventure center manager for [anon_INST148] And just to introduce [anon_INST148] at [anon_INST148] we believe that engagement and positive outdoor educational opportunities within naturally empowering environments can increase a young person's potential for developing essential life skills. And these important life skills can not only enhance the education of person development prospects of a socially disadvantaged area, which is the whole ethos behind= the whole delivery and package which we provided it to the actual skatepark itself [anon_INST148] [breath in] Just to take you through the journey, just the background image here just a small caption of what goes on up here in [anon_INST37] in the skate park. Um in the background here obviously, this is the pavilion it was belonging to the scouts, um it's now being licensed in the new [anon_INST149] Um we'll get into that at the very end but this is just a small caption of of some of the ongoing you can see the young people wearing the jerseys and representing themselves and representing the clubs and this clubs there and evenings uh two evenings per week. [breath in] I suppose the whole story behind the skate park itself in 2010 [anon_INST148] we had we had a BMX club and we were constantly in the area to available our facilities and other areas um so we began to lobby [anon_INST86] for our own BMX facilities to be created in the local area [breath in] that this obviously took twelve years and fast forward to 2015 [anon_INST150] and the [anon_INST151] got heavily involved and then the plans began, plans began to to develop the skate park and a BMX Park, within the the !unclear/! park. [tech noise] the whole key to the project was [tech noise] that it was a people first approach [background cough] And this was crucial to making the the play pack in [anon_INST37] a reality. So again in 2010 [tech noise] [anon_INST37] BMX club we presented to [anon_INST86] it was the youngest ever dedication to [anon_INST86] I believe at the time and we went into the [anon_INST86] chamber office until young people in the south we made a presentation [pause] and convinced local councils and stuff that back the project again in 2015 [anon_INST150]. This was a big thing that they came involved um and there was a process rolled out [pause] asking local people to help write the design brief for the new skate park and this is key and this is why the park has been so successful is the involvement in community and and stakeholders from the from the very very beginning. [breath in] Um so [anon_INST150] launched an international design competition also defined architecture designed for the park relational orders and we're choosing as the winning design team for their ambitious scheme for the new play park and [anon_INST86] commit= committed to funding to build and build a park. And then in 2017, uh planning permission was granted after a long process um to construct, construct the skatepark um, and in 2019 then [anon_INST152] were appointed theatre specialist kind of freestyle kind of skate park uh design company ah they were painted by [anon_INST86] as the contractor and subcontractor to build the new skate park um then 2020 thankfully, the skatepark the skate park opened just to move back to 2015 just to give you a little bit more of an insight and the whole process that was rolled out community engagement process as I said which was completely key to the success of one of the key parts to the success of the skatepark today, more than 360 people were documented from [anon_INST37] young and old to share their ideas um these people share their ideas concerns and ambitions with the skate park !unclear/! park. Through workshops, tours, talks, family activities, picnics and more. [breath in] a design brief was written encompassing these ideas wants and needs and an international competition to also find the best architects [clears throat] um the competition um brought four shortlisted design teams to [anon_PL44] from [anon_PL87], [anon_PL88] [anon_PL44] and [anon_PL26] to meet with students in [anon_INST153] and [anon_INST154] and a group of community representatives from the local area am and this is more just a highlight the environment an=and I suppose and and stakeholders and community [breath in] community representatives and and people from [anon_INST37] was was very very key and it was there from the start am I suppose ah a ju= jury was formed of representatives from all stakeholders organizations including myself [anon_SN36] which was a local resident [breath in] to address concerns from residents from from am !unclear/! park [anon_SN37] [anon_INST86] [anon_SN38] from the [anon_INST151] and [anon_INST155] so there's a whole combination of people got involved am plenty of meetings, plenty of writing up plenty of ideas, plenty of consultation with the community itself itself and after much deliberation, am we chose am relationships !unclear/! [anon_INST86] then began to process the tender for a contractor [breath in] am what I'm gonna just do it there's a small ski pack film that was commissioned um by [anon_PR54] and I think it's only a small it's only four minutes long we have plenty of time to get into the logic model at the end of it um but it's just I think if we just play this small movie um have a little look at it and it kind of answers and and displays everything that's going on within the actual skate park itself it's only four and a half minutes long [sniffles]
we're not getting the audio [tech noise]
we're not hearing the audio on the movie then?
no it's not coming through the zoom
when you share your screen [anon_$056] there's an option to share sound as well maybe just stop sharing and try reshare it
I might just go back there yeah [tech noise] [pause] now where's the where's the share your shared the the sound as well.
I think
yeah
you just need to stop sharing screen then reshare then there's a little tick box where it says share sound as well.
So I'll stop the share Okay. [pause] Share screen
there should be a littlle tick box somewhere that says share sounds as well.
Alright, thank you very much for that fantastic
no worries
[plays video][several minutes of video] [tech noise] [stops video] Now that's grand. So I hope that just gives people an idea of what's going on in the actual skatepark itself again, it's great to hear from the young people themselves. Um so just mo=moving on just what you would have seen is just a couple of images of the skate park itself there um again a picture paints 1000 words [pause] let me see hold on there so yeah, here's just some of our club members that we we meet every Monday and every Thursday there's a there's a variety of different clubs happening down within the area itself and um young people come up and get involved as as you can see by the video itself. I mean young people are just coming up I mean some people not even involved in bmx but the're involved in I suppose we're registered with [anon_PR55] now they're involved in taking names and, you know, registering new participants and targetiing other young people in cleaning up the park and getting involved in the management of the actual place and building a whole sense of place and sense of belonging within [anon_INST37] here's [anon_INST41] done a completely different video as well, it got some, some international kind of a national kind of recognition.
[S053]
Sorry sorry to interrupt to interrupt [anon_$056] but we're we're very tight on time, if you can rush to the last few
[S056]
yeah that's no problem at all yeah that's fine. So just again, you've seen the video here, it was a [anon_INST156] Community Action Group setup. Um and this was set up I suppose the skatepark was was opened without kind of any, any, any public kind of, say, waste disposal facility. So um the people got together themselves took action into their own hands and [anon_INST156] was set up. This was a seven day week project, it's back up and running again, where your people come up by half or every day, and clean their local park. Um and this is just a kind of a snippet of sorry I'm rushing through here. Um just some more images there of the young people coming up and cleaning the park. But the park itself I mean, it's not only successful because we offer a sport facility, it's it's it's a place and it's a heart for [anon_INST37] and it's a home for some young people. Um it's It's an escape, and it's a place where you can come down and kind kind of meet a local youth worker and get involved in other activities. The whole success of the skatepark is based on on the logic model. And the logic model is a diagrammatic representation of the overall purpose of youth work activities um and services delivered by funded organizations to various stakeholders. Um so first of all, we look at the needs of the area which the issues and obviously develop a community biking club and young person facilities and create an area wide approach to build an improved sense of place and community which I think that video kinda captures and make sure young people are involved in issues such as !unclear/! [tech noise]. We target young people who have are involved in issues such as antisocial behavior, reduce physical activity, and most young people do we have engaged in our programs, especially in that video are young people who we actually set out and target. So the objectives are to ensure that the the involvement of young people and development of community based activities identified within the education training board service requirements and en=encourage positive invole in the community based programs. Um as I said, there's a whole logic model based on this and the inputs from the [anon_INST148] at the moment that tree adventure center staff are one community employment staff [anon_PR56] and the outputs that we've we've weekly dedicated am BMX club evenings and structured and monitored Junior Leader programs we've even gone in as far as um we've first placed international uh video recognition with a young guy who achieved a special recognition garda community awards um with young people who've who've been awarded the president the gasket award for their participation, community involvement, within the actual skatepark itself. Um and these are this, this whole approach is based on seven primary um primary outcomes um seven personal social development outcomes, communication skills, it's important that we we look at that with young people confidence and agency planning and problem solving relationships, creativity and imagination, resilience and determination and emotional intelligence. Um and this this underpins exactly what we do. It's great that a young person can come down and learn a new skill on a bike, but we're really interested in how they treat the local area, and how they see the park as their own park. [tech noise] um and obviously [tech noise] improved sense of belonging, place of community ownership and for young people. Um I'll just fast track in through this kind of I know we're short on time there time but I hope the video kind of ca=captures the essence of what's going on there. Um but yeah, that's that's our presentation base. I know we're short on time again, it's hard to it's hard to go in for 10 minutes, and just present the whole thing, but am but that kind of captures the essence of what's going on. I suppose the main thing is that it's it's the community have been involved since the very very start. And [anon_INST153] are on the ground there every day, every evening, we're locking the park there as well at nighttime as well and engaging with local young people uh to ensure that the skatepark and the play park is a complete success. Um it wasn't without its its challenges, let's say there's been constant engagement and consultation with [anon_INST86] and various other stakeholders uh to make sure this park is a success. Um and as I said, it's it's the success of the Park was rolled out at the very, very initial start back in 2015. When they when young people and schools and variety stakeholders because and consulted on the actual journey, the skate park? Um but yeah I'll invite any questions. Um again, we've we've loads of presentations on the skate park itself. They're not they're definitely not 10 minutes, we just kind of fast tracked through that, but I hope people got [breath in] the essence of what we're doing. The importance of the role of [anon_INST148] within the area. Um obviously going back to as far as 2010 and the service and the and the facility that we're providing Um for young people in [anon_Balleyfermot] again, it's it's getting international and national recognition. Um and it's it's a home, the skatepark itself has become the home the heart of [Balleyfermot] And it's used by a variety of different groups, and it's it's where young people meet after school and before school. Um and it's as I said, it's become the main artery for for [anon_INST37] currently at the moment.
thanks [anon_$056]
But yeah, I'd like to invite any questions? Yep, thanks
Yep that's excellent. Um I I know we we've rushed through it but we are over the 10 minutes. Um but you've covered a lot there. So the questions will help target what people would like to know more about. So um if you wouldn't mind stop shar= to stop sharing your screen just so that everyone can see each other. And we'll begin with Councillor [anon_$054], Councillor [anon_$070] and Councillor [anon_$063] And we'll take questions in threes. So Councillor [anon_$054]
thanks, chair. And I just want to acknowledge that I am chairperson of [anon_INST148] Um I was one of those people who brought the deputation and many years ago, but I want to congratulate [anon_$056] and [anon_$055] for their absolutely sterling work there. And and the transformative effect that this project has had on the lives of young people in [anon_INST37] and the adjacent playground. And just to touch upon that and to thank [anon_SN39] and his team, because it wouldn't have happened without [anon_INST86]. But just the sustainability of a very substantial project and public investment, I'd say altogether, we must be must be coming up to about 2 million euros. And that's the one area that I'd look at. And I'd like to ask [anon_$056] just like to sustain that investment, what do you think is required to ensure that if I go to [anon_INST37] if I've never been there in five years time, that is going to be something of the magnitude we have there in a reasonable condition. And just to you know, just to say how beneficial it is to collaborations with the local services, because as chair of the youth service I'm mindful that a huge amount of our resources are put in there. We do have a residential facility in [anon_PL89] and a place along the [anon_PL90] and a number of facilities around [anon_INST37]. So just to acknowledge there's a big, big commitment of from our funders to this project as well and I'd like to see some of that reciprocated as well with day to day ah operation costs, but just well done to all concerned Chair. Thank you.
Thanks, Councillor um we we do have seven uh more questions to come in. So could I ask questioners to be brief or or to the point as much as possible to make sure [anon_$055] and [anon_$046] have time to respond uh Councillor [anon_$070]
thanks, chair. Um I mean, it was very informative there the video and you could see it straight off hand from the kids the importance of this park. Um my son and stepson use it all the time. And I think just the point that I'd like to get across is how important that [anon_INST86] and all the stakeholders support [anon_INST148] um to kind of keep this park as the vital resource that it is. We can build state of the art infrastructure, but unless we're there afterwards to make sure that we're doing that wraparound service, um we won't be able to see its full potential. And I think them the community and the youth services have invested, whether it's dedicated and directly employed staff, but aw= definitely an awful lot of volunteers have kept it going. And I'd like to see through this that the management would hear how important that is, and we can always support them going forward. Thanks, Chair
Thanks, Councillor [anon_$063]
[tech noise] uh thanks Chair and [anon_$056] and [anon_$055] thanks very much for the work on this and the presentation. Um I suppose just a quick question around the the points you've really emphasized throughout the presentation [anon_$056] was community involvement community engagement throughout been at the heart of the success of the project, and I think we heard the young fella at the start who was in the video, who was doing the clean up and he said it's not [anon_INST86] park it's our park I think that's the type of attitude we're trying to embed in communities when we when we deliver infrastructure and recreation facility such as this around that consultation piece over the long journey ahead between you know, trying to push push for the park and then actually seeing it through to fruition. How how would you sort of look at that, that process and how we can we can speed that up that consultation piece, while ensuring that that the community is voices are heard because obviously, we want to roll this out. We want to try and and and use projects like this as exemplars across the city uh but how how would you see that process? And and how would you how would you sort of improve that going forward? Thanks very much again for your presentation.
Thanks thanks [anon_$063]
Thanks I'm just gonna take one more councillor because then we're halfway through the questions if that's okay, [anon_$056.] Councillor [anon_$058]?
Thank you very much chair. No listen that that was a fantastic uh presentation. And look, it's great to see see that going out out in [anon_INST37] and I think some of the councillors may have raised good questions about wraparound and and keeping it going. I I just wanted if if [anon_$071] is there just to ask him, Councillor [anon_$042] has been raising for quite a while now about about having a similar Skateboard Park in [anon_PL91] [pause] and I think which is which is a fantastic location it's you know, passive surveillance, it's on all the bus routes, it it would really serve the [anon_PL92]. And I just want to know if there's any update on that, please. Thank you.
Thanks. So go back to [anon_$056] and and uh [anon_$071] here with us so we will get him to uh respond as well after that. So [anon_$056].
Again, thanks for your questions, um just starting off [anon_$054] thanks very much for your question and I suppose obviously [anon_$054] chairs the board at the [anon_INST148] and he'd have a better understanding than me in terms of financial stability or long term sustainability of [anon_INST148] youth service. Um at the moment I suppose we have a full complement of adventure center outdoor education staff on grounds of [anon_INST37] of the skate park itself, um ho=how sustainable that is, I I'm not sure I know the park itself, I suppose some of the staff hours have been funded by local partnership. Um I in particular applied for [breath in] uh funding from local partnership for for official Junior Leader uh positions within within the actual role itself. So we target young people from [anon_INST37] and give them a kind of an insight into the working environment. Um but I mean, this is only sporadic funding, um the local drugs task force have also come in and kind of help us out with certain funding as well. Um I suppose [pause] it's a huge investment from [anon_INST148] youth service and how sustainable that will be long term and going forward um is is a big concern for us. Um I=It would be great if [anon_INST86] sports development officers or wherever, if you can allocate maybe to other sports development officer outdoor recreation officers to be based at the skate park, um I feel would be would be very obliging to the to the situation um and and act as as a kind of immediate uh lets say protecting of of public public services and public infrastructure. Um thanks [anon_$054] for that. Um Councillor [anon_$070] thanks for your acknowledgement of the of what's going on in the park !unclear/! pioneer thanks very much, uh [anon_$063] um the consultation process was key, as I said, from the very, very start, it's absolutely amazing. Um I think, eh goo=good points [pause] most certainly could have been fast tracked to some of those young people who are you know 12 at the time are now in their 20s and have their own kids now who are bringing their own kids to the park, we definitely definitely took a lot of time. And but was definitely a key a key the key success player in the actual whole success of the whole park itself um if it ever could be improved. Look, just the timeline was just mad, obviously, look, these things take time, but it was was 10 or 12 years before after our first initial lobbying to [anon_INST86] before we actually could put a bike on the ground. Um anything can go on in the background um to speed that process up most certainly [breath in] um I think the next question was for for [anon_$071] from [anon_$058]
Thanks, [anon_$056]
can I sorry, can I just finish that I just the consultation with [tech noise] community um was quite efficient. But the planning and procurement is what took so many years.
[tech noise] Thanks [anon_$055] [anon_$071] is here with us.
yeah ju=just in relation to um [anon_PL91] um the the the construction in the fane was a major construction project and it involves um a deep excavation into the ground. So [anon_PL91] is a bit more difficult, because it's um it's a landfill area, and the port tunnel is underneath. And there's multiple utilities also. So I think what we've agreed to do is look at uh uh um adding to the skatepark facilities in [anon_PL91] uh but in the longer term, if we were to look at a larger skate park, it probably wouldn't be there in uh [anon_PL91] it might be in a more appropriate site. And as [anon_$056] pointed out you need that community [pause] engagement. So you know, we would like to see it as a place where we would we be sure that it would be um well cared for and managed into the future um so that kind of partnership [pause] link would be very important in terms of future location for a skate park in [anon_PL93].
Okay, thanks, [anon_$071] We have three more questions. So Councillor [anon_$042] is next place
Go Riabh Math agat a cathaoirleach and um thanks to [anon_$071] thanks very much for the presentation. I'm really pleased to see this [pause] uh facility for children um uh and uh young adolescents uh who who don't particularly like other sports, but they love skateboarding. So it's a real big plus for those kids. Uh really well done. 100% of the parks department. I'm absolutely thrilled to see it. Um I really welcome the response that I got to my last early committee meeting question from um [anon_SN39] talking about extending the skateboard facility that we have in [anon_PL91] uh it seemed to be kind of missed. And I just want to remind [anon_$071] again, because [anon_SN40] met us onsite for the launch of the uh [anon_PR57] works, which are huge works causing absolute and utter nightmarish, a traffic jams in [anon_PL91] and I just thought [anon_$072] that as part of those works. I know it's a separate issue. But there's so much going on there at the moment. Could we take the opportunity to extend the skatepark by whatever amount ah further into [anon_PL91] While those ma=works are ongoing. -it look at the skate park that's in [anon_PL91] at the moment. It's really, you know, it's a lovely facility we've been I you know I think it was one of the first things I I asked for when I got elected many years ago at this stage, but there's kids who love it. They they're not into soccer [anon_INST157] they're not into rugby, but they love skateboarding skateparking skate= skateboarding in the skate park ah Mer= kids in [anon_PL94] need it Kids in [anon_PL95] need it uh [anon_$071] can you have a look at that suggestion about doing something now during these works? Thanks a million cathaoirleach.
Thanks, Councillor uh [anon_$062]
uh thanks a lot chair. Um just to say as well to [anon_$056] and [anon_$055] I mean, really fantastic facility, really positive presentation as well ah It's really good. I kept watching actually there. But yeah, just one observation and with a little bit of a question. And then also another quick question as well. I mean, one of the things that struck me very quickly, especially in relation to BMXing is that this is a really valuable alternative to scramblers as well. Um and I just wanted to to I just wanted to find out. Did you have any thoughts around that? And, you know, ha= has there been any feedback in relation to that it would seem that BMXing is a little bit more of a, a performance activity, you know, or it can be, you know, just wanted to know if you had any thoughts on that as well. I know, there's ongoing, challenging=uh challenges around the image and standing of BMXing and skating, if you were to compare the likes of figure skating, for instance uh which is a little bit more graceful, versus something like skating where people are wearing hoodies and wearing runners. I mean, there is= there are image uh challenges there. But certainly, if we're, and I'm glad um Councillor uh [anon_$042] referred to as a sport there as well, because both are sports but uh just to talk a little bit or any feedback on on both of these pursuits, as as sports and and as uh art forms as well just to maybe discuss or give any feedback am in relation to that, that you might have. Thanks.
Thanks. And just a reminder, we are we are up against time. So uh please be brief um Councillor [anon_$072] and then Councillor [anon_$032]
Thanks chair. Thanks [anon_$056] for the uh presentation. Ah sorry thanks [anon_$056] for the presentation. Um just a few quick questions. How many kids were initially involved at the start of the whole process back in 2 ah 2010? And how many kids have you got involved now? I know in the northwest area, I I,ve been looking at other councillors for the last few years. Um a=activities for that bracket where one of the kids in your video says it it's never catered for. And we were looking at hangout spaces is there many kids that would hang out there and not use the facility? Um second question, if if if we could get that presentation shared to all councillors, and then my last question [anon_$056] is ha= you know we uh the northwest area had a visit out there I remember a number of months ago, I'm just wondering, after that we were told that there there would be engagement with the youth resource centers in [anon_PL55] and [anon_PL96] I'm just wondering, has there been any engagement with yourself there? thanks very much and thanks for all your work
Thanks, Councillor, uh so go back. Oh, sorry. Councillor [anon_$032]
Thank you uh chair, I'm conscious of time and how much just to say I I think it's great. And it's great to see that the community have worked with this and um young people themselves. I think it's something to to take um that learning, you know, into other projects, the success of that. And I know it's taken a lot of of commitment from the community as well, to to help the ongoing management of that. But I say in the in the fair in the [anon_PL91] I mean, it seems to be that, like, we obviously we can't go for such an extensive, um you know, because it may be that we don't have the we can't do the excavations, but just sort of simple measures in terms of extending some of it but I think that needs to be done in consultation with the actual you=young people that use that skatepark because they know like, you know, we wouldn't know what our difference between our half rails and our what type of ramps they're having or whatever, you know [laughs] uh it's a while since I've been on a skateboard though. I did. I did. I did like it for until uh my like cousin was doing a lot better than me and I I gave it up [laughs] but um, but uh just yeah, I think that you know, I mean, even like, we've had, you know, come across a Councillor [anon_$042] been bringing it up. And I think that skate park was first moted when when the port tunnel was being built as as a possibility to use some of the funding back then. So it's, it's been a long time and it's so well used. Um you know, the [anon_EV21] was in the park yesterday, which was great to see all the the cyclists+ +and young people
+Sorry [anon_$032] can I= we just have you have you got a question for [anon_$056] or [anon_$055]
+Okay, thanks. Yeah, I just wanted to ask um I see there's lights there on the skate park there and is there any how do you how did you go about putting in the lights and what was the system of lighting that you used uh for safe lighting? Because I assume that they can use it you know, the winter evenings it's its dark, you know um quite early. So what time does it close at? Or is it open you know, in=into the evenings or even early evenings and and what type of lighting do you use thank you.
Thanks. So [anon_$071] has just said that he'll get back to the councillors from the area about the uh [anon_PL91] Bu= so we'll leave the rest of the questions for [anon_$056] and [anon_$055] So back to you [anon_$056]
[tech noise] I'll just take the first question then from [anon_$062] um I suppose the whole [pause] relationship between BMX and scramblers am I=we don't see them as as connected in any way. Um I mean, what we're trying to portray uh with young people who come to the skate park itself, I mean, the BMX is only really a carrot at the end of the stick. Um and it's it's our engagement and it's it's the structure that the the BMX sport and being a member of a local club [breath in] and being a member of your local [pause] contributing member of your local area, particular for [anon_INST148] and for [anon_INST37] itself, is what's key to us um young people come down uh we do see scramblers pair and pass and all their socks off. And we do completely separate the idea of the use of a BMX and a scrambler, um in terms of of legality, let's say um and that's something that we would encourage in the development of of scrambler facilities within the area itself um [breath in] um uh just just a whole culture based around BMXing BMX worldwide carries a very, very positive culture we=we've seen young people starting to turn up and and looks so more kind of, you know uh [pause] self neglected, let's say am not looking after and not caring for themselves and and BMX, the image and, and what's portrayed in magazines and worldwide competitions, such as the [anon_EV23]. I mean, they're all wearing the hats now they're getting their hair cuts into certain kind of BMX shape, kind of um things are starting to wear certain clothes uh they're starting to kind of pick themselves up and that has an underlining kind of uplifting kind of mental health kind of factor then as well. It's a real positive image positive culture that we're trying to portray around BMX. Um just moving on to the next question that [anon_$045], how many kids were included? I know back in 2010, we had almost uh between 1001 and 1500 visits from people in that particular year, uh who were engaging in in bike related activities from BMX to mountain biking to just general cycles around the actual area itself. Um it's really hard to grasp how many people are involved in actual at at the moment. I mean if you drive past that, we don't only see it as the skate pack but the play park is what we call it, which combines the skatepark and the actual [breath in] play facility as well. I mean, there could be three four or 500 young people and families and grandfathers and mothers and so on, and connections of families using the actual park itself. When we're running our BMX club, we're not only running clubs for BMX, and we're not only allowing people to avail of the [pause] facility of the bikes, and we're also running outreach programs and engaging with other local young people within the park itself. And and and engage in those and and signing those guys up to to the fore there kind of [breath in] broad spectrum of the actual youth service itself. So in terms of um numbers itself but every Monday and every Thursday we've at least 30 to 40 young people [breath in] engaged in um BMX activities and again sure, we we be going into hundreds and after that once we run into our outreach program [tech noise] [anon_$055] might elaborate in any kind of points here. Um the lights and the security of the park have been absolutely key as well. I mean, just just we got some new fencing around the park but we didn't want it in the first place but we did just for concerns for residents and public safety. There= there's a there's a whole stream of fencing around the park at the moment. Um and the lights come on, the lights come on, say four o'clock every day. And they go off they go off at 10pm every night at the park itself is opened by [anon_INST86] parks and staff members um between eight and nine in the morning and [anon_INST148] at the moment we locked the park every single night. Um in the winter months it closes at nine o'clock up until May and then June, July and August. It'll be open until 10pm uh each night [breath in] and that's facilitated by our [pause] dedicated outreach crew, which is mainly myself and two other members of staff. It's where we closed the BMX club and we we spend some time within the park engaging with local young people and signing them up for [breath in] for for various different variety of different activities available to them from [anon_INST148] and we engage with them and make sure they understand the importance of leaving the facility then as well at the appropriate time. And then we lock up and repeat our process the next day.[tech noise] [sniffs]. Thanks for thanks for the questions.
thanks, [anon_$056] [anon_$055] would you like to add anything?
[tech noise] just really quickly [tech noise] Our initial Club in 2010 had [pause] 25 members. Um we were very restricted. We could only take 12 out in any week because that's how many fit on the bus and we would go from one [pause] park to another um the [pause] club itself at the moment um has [pause] 80 80 to 90 members at the moment. But obviously that is just the BMX club and it doesn't include all the outreach and all the other activities that we would run [pause] in the park and it doesn't include [pause] all the other um hundreds and hundreds of people who use the park
[silence] thank you very much [anon_$055] We've covered a lot there, I think you can hear the enthusiasm for the great work that you're doing, uh which is uh fabulous thank you for
[tech noise] can I just !unclear/!
oh go ahead
Can I just add one other [tech noise] thing? We are hoping and I this is a question for me back to [anon_INST86] we are hoping to have an official opening, because obviously um the skate park [tech noise] opened uh in June 2020. Um in the middle of COVID, [pause] when none of that was possible [anon_INST37] um are having a festival in the first week of July. And so we were really hoping to be able to have an official opening then, if that's um a suitable time for you guys.
That sounds excellent. We look forward to an invitation [laughs] Thank you
what?
very much uh [anon_$055] and [anon_$054] uh uh I I know, I'm pushing for time constantly, but you've packed a lot in. So thank you very much for joining us, um and well done on all of your work? [breath in] [pause] okay, everyone, we're going to move on to our motions. Um I am going to use the [anon_INST158] rules about motions, which means motors will get two minutes other speakers will get 90 seconds and the uh proposer will get one minute at the end. Um so ah item number four is referred to us from the draft development plan. Uh It was deemed um uh operational in nature compared to what's going into the development plan. So it's come back to us. Is there a member of the [anon_INST159] that would like to speak to the motion before we get management to respond?
I can speak to it um chair
Go ahead.
Am [pause] yeah, I just um just to say that I I understand that the chief executive has said that um that it's um outside the scope of the developmet plan in his mind that it's an operational matter. But I do believe that it's it's actually an objective um on in the development plan that we should enhance and look for opportunities where we can, um I suppose a lot of uh to reverse um the the destruction of of nature and the loss of biodiversity that we need to be a lot more proactive in that. And that we should be looking for opportunities to provide, um you know, space for nature within our city. And um I think even though we have a [anon_PR58], I think it needs to be clearly integrated into the the development plan, like, um you know, like heritage like anything else, if we don't actually have a proactive um part in that. And um I think that the wording that is existing there is very limited in its scope and that this is really it means that we're a lot more proactive in looking for habitats and and spaces that nature can thrive in and that biodiversity, especially the day after. Am a nat=after a national biodiversity day. And on the week of um biodiversity week. I think I would like the support of the councillors to putting this into the development plan. Thank you. [silence]
Thank you Councillor um
!unclear/! of the committee of everybody. Thanks. [laughs]
[laughs] thanks, Councillor [anon_$032] uh I believe we've a response from management?
Yep um the um I think the objective that Councillor [anon_$032] there was referring to um I I think that's really covered in the the [anon_PR58] which we uh was was approved at council in 20=or in in recent months, uh and we're due to publish it um soon. [tech noise] But there's a whole series of actions within that uh which include various surveys and uh conservation um programs [tech noise] um so I think most of that carry is co=covered within the [anon_PR58] um and [tech noise] um and, the [anon_PR58] itself is referenced within the development plan.
mhmm
So we think that's that's adequate to cover uh the objectives as set out by [anon_$032]
Thank you [anon_$071] Councillor [anon_$037 And again, speakers have 90 seconds um on on motions. So Councillor [anon_$037]
I was just simply I was just simply uh just going to make the point that I would have thought this is a motion should go to the development plan motions rather than to because if you want if you want something included in the development plan, but I do take I do take [anon_$071]'s uh points on this. And uh I can see that perhaps we do need to support the management report on it in that sense thank you.
Thank you Councillor [anon_$037] just so people know this began as a motion to the development plan and it was brought it was directed away from the development plan to [anon_INST91] !unclear/!
Oh, yeah. I see. Okay.
Thanks, Councillor uh [anon_$042]
Yeah, I agree with uh what councillor um [anon_$037] said there that it's a motion for the development plan. And if it was directed away from the development plan, I presume? No, I can't remember it uh chair. But if it was directed away from the development plan to the [anon_INST91] I don't think the intention was to put it as a motion to the [anon_INST91] to get it into the [laughs] development plan. Um I I I'm a little bit concerned about what's happening with this. But certainly, my experience with [anon_$071] and his team, [anon_SN41] um and the outgoing [anon_SN42], uh there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that everything that's in that uh proposal uh is is in the minds and hearts and souls of those individuals and the team. So I would be inclined to support the manager's report. Thanks.
Thank you, Councillor. Um I don't see anybody else raising their hand. So can I ask, Are we happy to accept the uh management report? uh
um
Considering that the policies and procedures that are mentioned do come through the [anon_INST91]
Chair, can I come back in please as the proposer? thanks
Oh, apologies, Councillor [anon_$032] go ahead.
Am yeah, well, this this came from a number of of councillors it was it was in November, why it's taken so long to get to the [anon_INST91] I don't understand and I only just just saw it on the agenda, and joined the meeting and asked for a link. Um so I wasn't aware that it was even coming up. Um but I think it's a bit um [pause] you know, it's one of the the the roles that a councillors have in terms of reserve function is to make our development plan. Um and, this I think, was a, you know, a very proactive way, not saying not !unclear/! we do have, you know, a [anon_PR58] but just to make sure that the type of the development that we have in the city that we do actually make space for nature, and that we do actually protect um you know, biodiversity, um and that it's not just a ma=managerial function, I think it is the role of the councillors to do this. Um it's it's a role of us um all to protect uh nature and to protect uh biodiversity, but I am sensing that I don't get the support from my fellow councillors on this. So um we will take the chief executives uh views um and and I'll take that I'm I'm it's unfortunate, but I would like to put it to a vote. Thank you.
So so [tech noise] Councillor [anon_$032] are you asking us to vote on whether this should go in the development plan?
Um but I'm not sure why it was reserve= why it was um put onto the this this particular [laughs] but I assumed it's because we decide on policy at this particular um um [pause] you know um that !unclear/! policy committee decides on policy of the council. And, you know, if this is a policy issue and a policy issue that should be that the members feel should be in the development plan. Perhaps that's something we should consider.
!unclear/! [coughs]
If it isn't, if it is that if we we feel that it is a a sole reserve of the management to decide in these issues. Well, that be it that um um agree.
Thank you, [anon_$032]
Thank you.
So we we don't have the authority here about development plan matters. That's a a matter for the full council. And we we have the opportunity to put in motions to the current draft um that's happening later this week. Um so I think the purpose of coming to the [anon_INST91] is for us to hear more about wh=why it's more operational and I think we've heard that. [breath in] um so I'd prefer not to put this to a vote. Um but I I can see that the manager is looking to come in here. Uh [anon_$033].
Yeah, no, thanks very much chair. Um it's a it's a reserved function that's part of !unclear/! I think the reason it was sent back uh to the [anon_INST91] was to have a broader discussion. On the issue uh [pause] that the [anon_INST159] brought over. And I think [anon_$071] has sort of dealt with it in terms of [pause] uh where !unclear/! the actions that they're doing. The [anon_RR58] was actually linked into the development plan. So it was sold out of a broader debate as opposed to uh putting a motion down for for uh agreement or not this month.
Okay Thank you, [anon_$033] Uh are we happy that we've had a chance to discuss this and that we can move on to the next motion? [silence]
Chair?
[anon_$042]
yeah look it uh that there was a kind of an implication in something that Councillor [anon_$032] mentioned there that uh all councillors need to be involved in the protection and enhancement and preservation of the biodiversity. Nothing could be further from the truth as far as I'm concerned in terms of the councillors [pause] on [anon_INST86] So [pause] we have already [pause] put this into the development plan. I'm just concerned about the way this is happening. So [pause] there's nobody here not concerned about the preservation of the biodiversity to enhance and protect all of our lives and our health. But it's, it's, you know, if if we pass this to go into the development plan, well, then every [anon_INST91] across the city is going to be putting motions that get refused into the [anon_INST91] I have concerns about the process here. Okay. So I'm happy not to accept what's being asked here, which is that this go in that this ammends the development plan. It's just the process chair. So let's be clear about all of us. We all care. Nobody cares more about biodiversity than the next person. It's a very huge, it's a huge issue in our lives. So it's the process here that I'm not happy with thanks
I support [anon_$042]
Thank you, councillors. Uh so my understanding is this was referred to us we've had a response, which shows that what is being looked for in the motion is covered within policies, particularly the [anon_PR58] We've had a chance to discuss this. I'm going to move on to the next motion.
Sorry chair, chair could I just come in on a point of information, please?
go ahead Councillor [anon_$058]
Yeah, my understanding is that councillors can put anything they like into the development plan at any stage at any motion. Um I got that impression from from speaking to [anon_SN24] at a workshop, and we're not bound by um sticking to certain certain motions at certain times. So I think they could if they wanted it, they could put that motion back in if they want. You know
Councillor
I believe they're entitled so thank you.
Thank you, Councillor [anon_$058] and thank you coun= chair
Thank you. Okay, we'll move on uh motion five is from the [anon_INST89] Councillor [anon_SN43] I'm not sure if [anon_SN43] is with us [silence] [tech noise]
Um if [anon_SN43] is not here may I propose the motion on her behalf?
You're very welcome to Councillor [anon_$037] you have two minutes.
[paper shuffling] yeah ah okay. Well, uh I just, [tech noise] uh I think the points that uh uh [anon_INST89] is making in this, um the fact that these positions are disappearing is something that is very serious. Uh and I support her. And I want to make a a a wider point in all of this, there are positions and roles disappearing in this council by the month. Um and quite frankly, I think it's time that we actually would get a report at or [anon_INST91] of any roles or any any positions that have disappeared or plan to disappear. Uh it can be said I suppose that staffing is not a role for the for the uh for councillors, but certainly the services of the [anon_INST93] is very much a role for the for councillors. Um so I I very strongly support her motion as I said, it would be very useful in fact, if we had more focus uh on ah the way staff are disappearing in various uh uh sections of [anon_INST93] tat a an alarming rate. But I think that's something for all of us to work on together.
Thank you Councillor [anon_$037] uh I believe we have an update from [anon_$069] Thanks. Go ahead [anon_$069]
Yep thanks, chair. Um I suppose just as a point of clarity, uh there's no intention of these two posts actually being terminated. Um and I suppose to echo what the [anon_INST89] has in the in her motion um ah the sports inclusion officers [anon_SN25] and [anon_SN44], uh carried out excellent work uh over the last three years, uh and have um uh had some amazing uh outreach programs. And unfortunately for us, both of them have uh now moved on to other jobs, they they applied and were successful in competitions. And I wish them the best of luck. They did great work for us while they were here. [breath in] But we're now working towards uh putting together a a new competition for the posts, uh which we will advertise as soon as we possibly can. Um uh like a lot of things at the moment there's a there's a huge demand for uh new new advertising of the posts so uh we'll be working with our HR department on doing that. And I suppose just in the meantime, we're not forgetting about the groups uh who would have been involved with uh [anon_FN98] and with [anon_FN99] uh and we're facilitating those uh and the programs as much as we can to our sports development officers. And that will continue on to the posts are filled.
Thank you, [anon_$069] Before I go back to Councillor [anon_$037] does anyone have any questions or anything to say? [silence] Okay, uh thank you, [anon$069] Again, I think that was very clear, Councillor [anon_$037]. Would you like to?
No, I'm quite happy. Just as you put it.
yeah
Yeah !unclear/! put it I mean the fact that uh they have they've reassured um that uh these posts um are being advertised that's I'm happy enough with that, and I'm sure the [anon_INST89] would be too [tech noise]
Wonderful. Can I uh take that motion as adopted? [silence]
Agreed. Yes
Thank you very much. Um motion six from [anon_$060] um would you [pause] like to introduce your motion [tech noise]
go raibh math agat
you have two minutes
go raibh math agat cathaoirleach. So the context for this motion is one of my !unclear/! which is the lack of space for culture in the city center. [breath in] long term solutions will take a long time. Um but I'm wondering if there might be uh some short term measures that could be taken, [breath in] um I realize that this is work for the [anon_INST93] and for the [anon_INST86] I'd be interested to hear their view. Um even I've even encountered the issue in [anon_PL97,] where I live and where I'm involved in organizing, [anon_EV24] the community and arts festival, we approached um an an auctioneer who had [breath in] um a premises on their books, and we weren't able to use it because the the owner was concerned about a change in their rates um but and it's still vacant. Um [pause] so yes, [anon_INST93] have a sense of what properties it has, what kind it used to be made of it, and whether they have the capacity to be the adjudicators. I note, for example, what what looks like a very promising process where the arts office are now [breath in] um looking for, I think, up to 14 um organizations or artists to use film base that has been vacant for a long time. So I certainly think that's a good precedent. And, um and the council has the capacity. And I do think that [breath in] um this could be a solution, at least in the short term. So the problems we're having around space for culture. [pause] sin é.
Thank you ah thank you, [anon_$060] um [anon_$073] is is isn't with us at the moment, but I'm um along with a few other members part of the working group.
oh [anon_$073] is there !unclear/!
Oh, sorry [anon_$073] you are there Sorry [anon_$073] [pause] I didn't think you're with us. You want to take this one [anon_$073]
[laughs]
he's in America
So the the um [pause] the proposal I think came through [anon_INST161] and the external member [anon_$060] about um +that was
+yeah that was sorry [anon_$073] that was [anon_FN100] um [anon_SN45] of [anon_EV25] he's not a member of the [anon_INST91] But is a member of the arts and culture advisory group. So I took the motion of a !unclear/! acutely as um looking for venues for young artists for the [anon_EV25] Sorry, [anon_$073]
no problem. Uh to to in some way, um you know, fast track planning [pause] around you know the use of spaces, which, which may have a different use. So for example, resume for retail, [breath in] um and there is provision, uh and I say this informally, to for the [anon_INST86] to to enter into partnership with with groups around spaces. However, you know, I I do think it's a planning issue. And I asked [anon_FN100] at the time to perhaps do some research or send me, you know, uh what she thought wo=would be the condition that we could work under. And I started to make inquiries because [anon_PL41] is where she quoted uh where it would be, but it it's a planning issue and change of views is uh is a problem, if if people go in if an owner wants to use something for cultural use if he was on for something else, but I don't think it's insurmountable. And I started to to talk to the planning uh officers about that. Am however, uh I think the the wholesale use of empty spaces very quickly, for the art is a challenge um for all for all kinds of reasons, mainly uh due to due to the ownership of those buildings. And if the council become involved, how how indeed the commercially can change the value very quickly. Um so uh I can all I can really say is that I need to do a bit more work on it and to consult upon [tech noise]
Thank you, [anon_$073] as a number of speakers just reminder to speakers that you've got 90 seconds uh on a motion. So first, we have Councillor [anon_$037]
[breath in] uh thank you very much chair. I very much support uh [anon_$060] motion. And I think one of the ways of doing this that I would suggest to him if he agrees that maybe you would amend that to the working group is established uh to find ways of doing that. So I mean, I think there's nothing better than having members of the [anon_INST91] and the staff working together and for the planning department to find um um imaginative way to deal with you know, these kinds of temporary changes [tech noise]
Thank you counc= um [anon_$062] please? [silence]
um thanks chair just to support wholeheartedly uh [anon_$060] um motion here. I mean, just to put quickly to him because I think we've been having this conversation for a little while. It's obviously one of the biggest issues probably the biggest issue that's facing the city and arts communities at the moment, but it does appear that we need dedicated personnel working on this. I know [anon_$073] has his you know, is doing his best and has his hands full with lots of things there. Um I'm not saying that the council should do it all. I think there's an opportunity here for the culture department to come on board, maybe in a one to two year partnership uh could involve the housing departments. There was a recent uh planning workshop that we took [pause] took part in, um and that uh the deputy planner uh uh was in on also, I mean, I I think we, you know, we can all point the finger at the council, it's easy to do, I do it we all do it. But at the end of the day, we want these things to happen, you know. So, um again, maybe a question back to [anon_$073] as well uh and I don't know if you'd be at liberty to answer this. But do you think it would be a good idea to get a government department on board with this, because I think it is
yeah
their responsibility to provide resources and funding for for such a project to to be ambitious with this and to and to get
thanks a million
things done ASAP.
Councillor [anon_$042] um looks like she's away from her screen. So I'll come back to her Councillor [anon_$032] again, 90 seconds.
Thank you, Chair, I just want to support this um this motion and I think it's really very necessary um that we have these cultural spaces um so that we can actually work so people can work in the arts. And I know that [anon_$073]'s been working hard on that I do welcome the the film base and other spaces. But, um you know, we there are, there are vacant spaces, a lot of this in= industrial spaces, there's empty shops. And, you know, I just think that there's often just too many things that prevent these spaces being used. And I know [anon_INST86] previously had a vacant space or um [breath in] workshops and various things. But the spaces that were actually even becoming available had so many restrictions around them, they still had full rates, we were told we couldn't reduce the rates, even though they were able to do that in [anon_PL41,] and we weren't able to do them in [anon_PL42]. And also, there may not be there would maybe be washing our even toilet facilities. And we're told we couldn't open at night. So therefore, as an exhibition space, you know, we couldn't have an opening. So it just didn't make sense. So, um you know, I just think that we need to sort of consult with those that would use the space and just be with the licensing system that you know, we could have it would mean that people wouldn't maybe get tenancy rights on it, that's a concern that people would have, I'm sure we can facilitate it and we can come to a way that works. Um because there's nothing, you know, that brings down an area more than vacant spaces. And if we can have culture and vibrancy in an area, am then it's it's all the better. So I really support this, and um you know, whatever resources that are needed, um I can't expect [anon_$073]
thank you Councillor
to be doing it all he's doing wonderful work as as it is
Thank you, Councillor [pause] um Councillor [anon_$042] are you ready? [silence] no, I'll come back to you uh Councillor [anon_$074]
Thank you. Um and I wholeheartedly support this motion. Um I think [tech noise] you know we have talked a lot about meanwhile, news for cultural purposes over the last number of years. And in fairness, I have to commend [anon_$073] and the whole team and the progress that has been made particularly around [anon_PL98] and I feel that's really welcome. Um the= but we do need to and I also support what [anon_$062] is suggesting we need to link in with the government and I wonder as an [anon_INST95] can we agree to write to [anon_INST162] because we do have commitments in the program of government around meanwhile, use and I know that the [anon_INST162] is very keen to start looking at and actively progressing that. So I wonder, can we agree to write to the [anon_INST162] [pause] suggesting a meeting to try and start that conversation? Because it'd be very important that we collaborate on a national local level on this and just in [pause] with particular reference to what we own the [anon_INST163] underneath the the old [anon_INST163] sorry I know it was something else since then in uh in the square underneath [anon_INST164]. We= my understanding is that's within [anon_INST86] ownership is that correct? And that's vacant. Can we not start? Can we not look at that as uh potential space um to support [anon_EV25] and any of the other festivals as a rehearsal space or additional workspace or something? Because it's kind of criminal that's been lying vacant for as long as it has. Thank you.
Ah thank you Councillor [anon_$074]. I'll put the question about writing to [anon_INST162] after we agree or disagree the motion whichever happens, uh Councillor [anon_$063]
[tech noise] thanks very much chair and thanks to um [anon_$060] for putting this motion down I fully support this and just to pick up on something that Councillor [anon_$037] mentioned around the working group there is an artist workspace subcommittee, um which which is which is now a bit more formalized than it previously was does have representation from the planning department of [anon_INST86] on it, as well as as well as the the development department. So it's it's it's a good uh information space where we where we share information and I think the the the priority of that subcommittee is to is to push exactly what you're talking about is to is to make active use of of derelict and vacant premises ju=just sitting around the city doing nothing. And we know the artist's sector and and and and cultural sector is absolutely starving of of spaces uh to do what they do best. So I think um referring this this this motion to that committee, and seeing what what sort of work can be done am !unclear/! [anon_INST93] and then indeed I agree with Councillor [anon_$074] and [anon_$062] about linking in with, with the relevant government department at a national level as well, just to try and put as much impetus behind this as possible. Thanks very much for the motion again,
thanks Councillor, Councillor [anon_$042]
[tech noise] thanks somebody called my door working at working from home, and I'm sorry, I didn't get the end of [anon_$074]'s, I didn't get the end of [anon_$073] uh response. But I, I I uh think [anon_$060]'s motion is is an excellent motion. [breath in] [coughs] I would like um to see um us identifying and maybe [anon_$060] could do it um in conjunction with [anon_$073] uh identifying, say [pause] 10 or 20 spaces that might be appropriate and focus in on them. Because no matter how small um the venue, I just know that um providing a space uh for people uh to either rehearse or to perform, uh to make our city alive, alive place, or more lively, lively, a living place can can only be good for the citizens and can only be good for our city. So I I suppose I'd like an answer to could we identify, say 10 or 20 spaces in our ownership? That could be we could target and we could focus in on go raibh math agat cathaoirleach
Thank you, Councillor, Councillor [anon_$075]
[tech noise] thanks, chair. And um firstly, I just wanna say I wholeheartedly support the motion. Um we've been talking about this for a long, long time, um as long as I've been on the committee and also on the advisory group. And I think it's, it's, [breath out] it's urgent now, it's not just something to keep talking about [breath out] and, as other speakers have said, it goes across [pause] several different departments and indeed, the government should be involved as well. And I wonder if the task force um under [anon_SN46] even if they could, could target this maybe look at look at as well, I'm just trying to think of some way that we could move this [pause] along, um as opposed to, you know, referring it to [pause] another committee or somewhere else, you know, for report because, let's say, for example, [anon_EV25] happens in September, and [pause] I was gonna raise the issue under under uh monetary support, but you have the artists down in in [anon_PL99] [breath in] being um made homeless. And so it is urgent that's my point, and I think we really need to move on this. Thank you.
[tech noise] thanks, Councillor, Councillor [anon_$065]
Uh thanks very much chair. Am uh and thanks very much for the the motion. Um I just want to wholeheartedly support it it makes eminent sense. And I think um uh I would go along with Councillor [anon_$037 ] in terms of maybe working group to have a look at it with the various interests or priorities, but also in the=Councillor [anon_$042] in terms of identifying a few specific ones to get moving on. If there was a uh uh couple of early wins on this um it would be excellent. Um provided tenancy, health and safety and insurance an issues are addressed. I can't see why we can't make this happen. Thanks.
Thank you, Councillor and final speaker. Councillor [anon_$058] [breath out]
Yeah, no, look, listen, every every point that I was gonna make has been made, and more so um I just want to wholeheartedly support to support this motion [anon_$060] and well done. It's an excellent motion. Thank you.
Okay, thank you very much, Councillor. Um so [anon_$060] I'll bring you back in in a moment. Um the the so there's a a few things have come up. So I'm going to just lay them out um as I see them. Um first is uh the motion and whether that motion should be referred to the workspaces um subcommittee. [breath in] um we also have the suggestion of identifying and prioritizing a number of units or spaces, to be prioritized in the work of of determining the the meanwhile use um scheme
[coughs]
or whatever you want to call it. And then finally, whether we should write to the [anon_INST167] to look for um a department to engage with us on it. Those are the three things I'm hearing from the debate. Um uh does any management want to come in before I go to [anon_$060]?
Um just to say that the uh E=formally !unclear/! [anon_INST153] space chair will will become part of an open call. Uh I think around September, it needs a big clean out. And it it would, uh it would have temporary use meanwhile, use is not a planning term. It's more of an aspirational term that people use around the arts. It it it's temporary use I've already written to [anon_SN47] about [anon_INST153] and she's suggesting the potential of a partnership. But if we don't a big point I want to make we don't own spaces [pause] it's very difficult. A lot of them are [anon_PL100] the core 1000s of euro uh to refurbish them [coughs] Units like that. And there= and there are a lot of issues around uh ... around nighttime use that and and security around those venues. There's a a lot of issues. But al= also um like some some of the councillors raised um no, why can't we just simply get all those empty spaces and move on to the [tech noise] arts that discussion has gone on for at least the 10 years [laughs] I've been in council. Uh it it is not simple we can't say for granted at !unclear/! properties and say these properties are going to change their economic value to the owner and be moved over to the arts, like in the case of [anon_PL101] And just to say, the good news here, there is going to be you know, 14 spaces that at [anon_PL101] uh we're going to have you know, temporary use of eight, nine [anon_PL98], [anon_INST163] will come you know, into into the mix, as will film base of the 1500 spaces we think are required, we might be able to get 200 uh across the line the next couple of years, that that's the scale that we're dealing with. And I think we need to move from the aspirational, we need more spaces, to just as uh people have said to identifying spaces, but also we need to work with the property department and the development department to make sure that these are spaces that we want to acquire, or that we can develop a you know, a proper commercial relationship with the case of [anon_PL101] we are subsidizing the rents directly through [anon_PR59 because owners simply won't give their spaces over at 50% of rent or 30%, which is what artists can actually afford. [pause]
Thanks very much. So I I've laid out what we um [pause] will be agreeing to if we agree this motion. Uh [anon_$060] you have the right to reply, you have 60 seconds.
Thank you all for your contributions. In a way. This is a naive motion, which just says there is a problem that can we solve it this way. So I really appreciate everything that uh those who've spoken have added to it don't want to make work for the arts office, but I think they're doing a good job so far so maybe they can increase their capacity. I'm also glad that [anon_$073] mentioned uh [anon_INST163] because we hear your reports on it through the [anon_INST161] and I think that's another indication of the the competence and credibility of the arts officer to do to Councillor [anon_$042] ah yeah, exactly. We can't get everything in one go, we= I think would make more sense to focus on [pause] a smaller number. And precisely as [anon_$073] said, I think the issue is that meanwhile, use has no legal basis. So if we were to establish the capacity for temporary use and and the planning to support that, not only would the [anon_INST93] be able to help people, but people might be able to help themselves in the case where they wanted to change the use, as long as it was clearly spelled out and not uh capable of being abused. I mean, it strikes me it's a bit odd, though that, um you know, you're talking about economic value, but these are these are spaces that it's it's more beneficial for people to lie= leave lying idle for a long time rather than let somebody use it for a short period of time along clearly um clearly established parameters, so.
thanks [anon_$060]
Thank you.
Thank you. Um so just before I ask for the Committee's agreement, can I ask which Minister um may I be writing to? Are we looking for support from arts and culture or from planning and local government? [pause] Or both?
Arts and culture
Arts and culture
Arts and culture okay thank you
arts and culture as a start yeah
Just checking um thank you very much.
Thank you
Okay.So if we are to agree this motion, I I will write to [anon_INST162] we will um uh engage with the working group that Councillors [anon_$074] [anon_$063] myself and [anon_$068] were on and um I'm I'm sure that we'll arrange for that working group to report back into um I think we agreed that it will come back to [anon_INST161] but we'll we'll make sure it [tech noise] appears on the [anon_INST91] in the future as well. [breath in] can= are we agreed?
Yes. Thank you