Agenda and minutes

_{Minutes of the previous meeting, which took place on 15th September 2020, were agreed by Cllr. Freehill and seconded by Cllr. Cooney.}

_{Matters arising from minutes – Cllr Freehill raised a concern regarding the delivery of a written report on the work of the International Relations & EU Affairs SPC Working Group for this SPC meeting. An initial discussion took place between the Chair and Cllr Freehill, with the Chair notifying Cllr Freehill that she would be sticking rigidly to the agenda items and asked Cllr Freehill what was her matter arising from the minutes of the 15th September 2020.  The Chair agreed to note Cllr Freehill’s matter arising as follows: the minutes did not adequately reflect that a written update in relation to EU Funded Programmes would be provided to the meeting of the 10th November 2020.  The Chair advised Cllr Freehill that a verbal update on EU Funded Progarmmes was listed on the agenda for the 10th November 2020.}

_{Emer O’Byrne, Senior Executive, BREXIT Unit, Enterprise Ireland presented to the Committee on Brexit from Enterprise Ireland perspective, noting that EI were working very closely with LEO networks and that there was over €1 billion worth of trade every week between Ireland and the UK and that the UK was still a very important destination for many Irish exporters and will continue to be.  Business are struggling both with the uncertainty of Brexit and the added obvious pressures that Covid 19 has brought.  Message that EI is getting out there is that the UK has left the European Union and that will be leaving the single market and customs market on 01/01/21.  The main topics covered under the presentation were}

_{·         9 areas of Brexit Exposure for companies & supports that would be needed to address some of the exposures.}

_{·         Brexit Communications Strategy – 2016 to present.}

_{·         The Brexit Readiness Checker.}

_{·         The Ready for Customs Grant.}

_{Comments, Feedback & Questions:}

_{The Chair thanked the presenter and opened the floor for discussion.}

_{Question: Cllr. Freehill asked what Enterprise Ireland considered to be the role of the City Council in the context of EI’s presentation. Response: Emer O’Byrne replied that it would be useful for any EI media campaigns/webinars on Brexit Readiness Checker to be promoted on DCC’s social media/communication channels.}

_{Question: Cllr. MacDonncha commented on the positive development of direct freight ferry from Ireland to the continent and asked if there were implications for Dublin Port / the Dublin Economy in relation to this.  His view was that it was positive and businesses should be encouraged to use that instead of the UK route.}

_{Response: Emer O’Byrne replied that for many years the land bridge has been used by Irish companies moving goods to Europe through the UK and that the UK has been used as a means to get to Europe.  She stated it was cheaper and took less time to travel through the UK with trucks then it was to go directly to Ports in France for example.  EI are however encouraging companies to explore alternative options with direct routes in order to avoid both cost and disruption come 1st January 2021.}

_{Question: Cllr. Cooney asked where the Brexit Readiness Checker was hosted.  She also updated the Group regarding the land bridge question. Both she and Cllr. Byrne are on the Irish Lights Committee and Cllr. Cooney raised the question of land bridge with the Minister for Transport.  The Department of Transport indicated to her that there is sufficient capacity on existing continental services to accommodate displaced land bridge traffic and there are more direct routes in place. She stated that 90% of Irish trade is freight.}

_{Response: Emer O’Byrne informed Cllr. Cooney that both the Brexit Readiness Checker and Ready for Customs Grant are hosted on www.prepareforbrexit.com website and that this simple website hosts all information and available supports and insight pieces for companies on getting ready for Brexit.}

_{Question: Cllr. Batten stated that the percentage of Brexit  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.}

_{Juliet Passmore, Economist, Dublin City Council presented to the committee on the Your Dublin, Your Voice Survey, Build Back Better. A survey which was carried out in August 2020 and consisted of an online survey between 13/8/20 to 21/8/20 with 951 respondents from “Your Dublin, Your Voice” opinion panel. A wide range of topics were surveyed varying from Change in Occupation Status, Commute Distance, Pre/Post – Covid Travel to Work/College, Behaviours since mid – March, Going to City Centre & Other Activities Pre and Post Covid to Encouraging staycations in Ireland and Dublin and Priorities for Retail Businesses. A copy of presentation was provided in ModGov pack for Nov SPC, prior to the meeting.}

_{Comments, Feedback & Questions:}

_{The Chair thanked the presenter, commented on the decrease in numbers dining in the City and opened to the floor for discussion.}

_{Comments: Cllr MacDonncha commented on the public’s mind-set since the start of the pandemic and the City Centre is not seen as safe and people are fearful of using public transport etc.  He commented on the importance}

_{of the City Centre as the economic engine of the country and that pre Covid retail was declining in use in favour of on line transactions, and that retail has picked up considerably in the suburbs with people choosing to shop local rather than travel to City Centre.}

_{Comments: Aiden Sweeny commented on current trends in line with remote working and online retail, combined with long commutes are enticing people away from the City Centre.  This was having a severe impact on footfall in the City Centre and there is a need to look at how the City Centre can entice people back.}

_{Comments: Cllr. Cooney commented on how the survey showed increasing trend preferences for cycling and active transport and green recovery / green infrastructure.  There is a need for a forward thinking Development Plan, making the City a liveable and walkable place to be.  Cultural activities have been missed, dining out, retail shopping etc.  The survey reflects the general feel people have with nature and the environment and a very strong green recovery was indicated in the survey.}

_{Question: Cllr. Freehill commented on the issue of falling rates and the serious consequences of this for Dublin City Council.  She asked if we have looked to other European Cities to see what they have done, have we used our connections with Euro Cities. Response: Juliet Passmore replied that DCC had looked to Liverpool and that their findings were very similar to that of Dublin.}

_{Comment: Natalie McGuinness commented on how people need to feel safe in the City, and what if anything could be done to make people feel safer.} 

_{Orla Veale, Project Lead, Smart Cities}

_{Orla Veale, Project Lead, Smart Cities presented to the committee on Smart D8 District, a collaborative initiative with a purpose to investigate how smart processes can utilise digital technologies and smart planning strategies to improve citizen’s health and wellbeing in the Dublin 8 area.  The initiative focuses on a people-centric approach with engagement and active participation of the community in D8. The lead partners are DCC South Central Area Office, Smart Dublin, The Digital Hub Development Agency and St. James’s Hospital. Smart D8 is a 2 year pilot programme with a Community Health and Wellbeing Survey and Analysis to be carried out in Nov and Dec 2020.}

_{Comments, Feedback & Questions:}

 _{The Chair thanked the presenter and opened the floor for discussion.}

_{Comment: Evanne Kilmurray suggested that Smart D8 link in with Social Enterprise in the D8 area, and spoke about St. Teresa’s Gardens and creating an enterprise culture within that area and suggested to link in with Heinz who are very active and keen to engage with the local community.}

_{Response: Orla Veale thanked Evanne Kilmurray for her suggestions and agreed with her comments.}

_{Question: Cllr. Cooney referred to DCC’s Cultural Area NCAD Initiative and recent application for the Urban Regeneration Funding and asked whether this initiative would fall under the Community Health and Wellbeing pillar. Response: Orla Veale thanked Cllr. Cooney and agreed with her stating that it would fit well into the wellbeing space and Smart D8 are aware of the DCC projects in Bridgefoot Street and Parks and accommodating artists spaces etc.}

_{See written update provided in ModGov pack for November 2020 SPC.}

_{Mary MacSweeney gave a verbal overview of the Reset Summit, a fully virtual event in line with Level 5 government guidelines, scheduled to take place on 26th November 2020.  The Summit will consider how to build back a better Dublin following Covid-19 global pandemic and subsequent economic crisis.  The Chair asked members to confirm their attendance at the Event via Eventbrite.}

_{Comments, Feedback & Questions:}

_{Question: Cllr. O’Driscolll thanked Mary Mac Sweeney and commented the Event was very relevant under current circumstances.  She referred to a Motion put forward by Cllr. Horner and passed by City Council a number of months ago, about using Irish Sign Language interpretation at events such as this one and questioned whether it would be available at the Reset Summit or had it been considered. Response: Mary MacSweeney replied that she was not aware of the Motion, but that it was something that would be examined further and progressed if possible. Cllr. Freehill and Cllr. Cooney were in agreement and welcomed the use of visual aids / sign language interpretation at events, with Cllr. Freehill stating that 25% of the population have a hearing impairment.}

_{Mary MacSweeney provided a verbal update on both SPC Working Groups as follow:}

_{a.       Tourism, City Markets including Night Time Economy SPC Working Group}

_{The Working Group met on 9th November 2020.  Cllr Danny Byrne, Sunil Sharpe and Cllr. Clare Byrne joined the Working Group, as approved by CPG on 25th Sept. The Chair of the Working Group, Cllr. Rachel Batten, stepped down and Cllr. Danny Byrne was nominated by the SPC chair to take over as Chair of this Working Group.  Cllr. Cooney stepped in as the Chair due to technical issues encountered by Cllr. Byrne.  There were a number of presentations at the Working Group including:}

_{·         Richard Guiney, Dublin Town, presented on the loss of tourism/students/office workers in the City Centre and the impact on economy and businesses, and how Covid has accelerated current trends.}

_{·         Mary MacSweeney presented on City Markets.}

_{·         Sunil Sharpe provided a progress update on the National Task Force on Night Time Economy. The first meeting of steering group has been held and the decision was made to create a number of working groups which would link back into the main group with a March 21 deadline.  Sunil Sharpe noted that this deadline was ambitious and could possibly require an extension.}

_{This working group will meet again in December for a fifth and final time before year end.}

_{b.       International Relations & EU Affairs SPC Working Group}

_{The working group met on 28th September and 12th October.  The external resource that was sought at the Full Council meeting on 14th Sept and the SPC meeting on 15th Sept has been secured. Wessel Badenhorst, Director, Urban Mode attended these two meetings of the Working Group and spoke to Members and set out a 3 step approach to address EU funding opportunities.}

_{1.       Compile an internal organisational survey examining the level of participation in EU funded projects within 2014 to 2020 period in October.}

_{2.       Plan and carry out 5 information sessions with staff and Councillors in November, examining what options are under the new EU Funding programme 2021 – 2027 and examine what way work was done under the previous programme with internal and external speakers.  Information Sessions have commenced and the EU Funding Information Session – Full Council Briefing is scheduled to take place on 25th November.}

_{3.       Develop a draft European Funding Strategy for DCC.}

_{Mary MacSweeney advised that at the same meeting, two presentations were given. The first presentation was to align DCC priorities with the European Funding Opportunities and to that end, Anthony Flynn gave a very detailed presentation looking at the Capital Programme 2020-2023 and aligning it against the EU priority areas of A Smarter Europe, A Greener Europe, A Connected Europe, A Social Europe and A Closer to Citizens Europe. Ciara O hAodha gave a presentation on an internal survey which was step 1 of the 3 step approach.  The survey has been conducted, the survey issued on the 1/10/20 with a deadline of 6/10/20 for responses and survey resulted outlined  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.}

_{Copy of Management Reports was provided in ModGov pack for Nov SPC, circulated in advance of meeting}

_{a.       International Relations}

_{Grainne Kelly gave a snapshot of recent communications from twinning city San Jose and discussed the strong business and personal relationship that exists between the twinning cities of Dublin and San Jose.}

_{b.       Local Enterprise Office}

_{Greg Swift gave an update as per the management report submitted in the Modgov pack centred on LEO’s Covid response, Mentoring, Training Webinars, Start Your Own Business Programmes, Lean for Micro Advice, Financial Supports, Micro Finance Offer, Brexit Supports, Customs Training.} 

_{c.       Dublin.ie}

_{Mary MacSweeney updated the Group on the Dublin Place Branding Team and referred to the Be Active Stay Healthy Campaign, the planned “Open for Christmas” campaign which is dependent on government restrictions.  The campaign will include diversity groups.}

_{d.       Economic Development Office}

_{Mary MacSweeney updated the Group on Virtual Events including Dublin Tech Summit (DTS) Virtual and Responsible Innovation Summit, Modus Circular Economy Programme, Dublin Economic Monitor, the Social Enterprise Awards, and the European Funding Programme seminars.}

_{e.       Smart Dublin and Smart Cities}

_{Jamie Cudden updated the Group on the approach to Smart Districts and how it is being used to accelerate innovation.  He gave an overview of the Smart Docklands District, Future Planning Project – 3D Virtual Model of Dockland District, a project in partnership with Microsoft and Bentley to use Microsoft Teams as an access platform to use digital planning, DCU District, and the Sandyford Business District.}

_{Comments, Feedback & Questions:}

_{The Chair thanked the presenters and opened the floor for questions/comments.}

_{Question: Cllr. Freehill requested Jamie Cudden to make contact with her or alternatively provide best contact details in relation to a smart cities project in her area which she wished to discuss further with him, namely the Harold’s Cross Smart Community Initiative. Response: Jamie Cudden to contact Cllr. Freehill.}

_{Feedback: Cllr. Cooney thanked the Group for their updates and commended the work of LEO.  She requested that the LEO breakdown figures be circulated to her and the other Members. Greg Swift advised her they were included in the management reports already circulated through Modgov. Feedback: Evanne Kilmurray commended the work of LEO, in particular, the mentoring and trading on line vouchers.}

  _{a.            Motions of Notice}

_{i.         Dublin Belfast Corridor Working Group}

_{Motion for the Economic Development and Enterprise SPC}

_{Odran Reid, PPN Representative:}

_{‘That Dublin City Council establish a working group consisting of elected members and officials (drawn from Economic and Enterprise, Planning, Transport and Community) to work on the development and implementation of the Dublin Belfast corridor with the other Local authorities involved in the process.}

_{Odran Reid stated that regional authority is critically important and stressed the importance of dialogue with different state sectors and that it is critically important in relation to Brexit that we are well connected with Northern Ireland.}

_{Comments, Feedback & Questions:}

_{Motion seconded by Cllr. Freehill and by Cllr. MacDonncha – fully support the motion and a Working Group should be established.}

_{The Chair stated that the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor Steering Committee was established in March 2018, with representatives from each of the 8 Local Authorities.  The 3 SPC nominations, which were agreed at the September meeting to represent DCC on the Political Oversight Group, have been approved by the CPG on the 25/9/20 and The Chair, Lord Mayor, and Cllr Freehill were appointed at full Council meeting on the 5/10/20 to represent DCC. A letter issued from the Chief Executives shortly thereafter to the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor.  Each of the 8 Local Authorities representatives are to meet in early January and will undertake the work that is proposed by this Motion.  The Chair stated, that in her opinion as Chair, the Working Group already exists albeit in the Political Oversight Group of the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor and that the establishment of another Working Group usurps and negates the role of the Chair, the Lord Mayor and Cllr. Freehill.} 

_{Cllr. MacDonncha proposed that instead of a Working Group establishment that the 3 members of the Political Oversight Group would link in directly with this SPC and be open to other Councillors giving insight who are not part of this Oversight Group. The Chair was agreeable to this and put it to the Members.}

_{Anthony Flynn advised the Members that in the event of another Working Group being established, the Council would not have resources in place to service this proposed Working Group.}

_{As the time allocation of 2 hours had been reached, the Chair made the decision to close the meeting and protests were made by Cllr Freehill to her Motion not being reached.} 

_{Cllr. Cooney asked the Chair to consider a proposal that had been made to extend the report on the Sub Committee Market, Tourism and Night Time Economy to a deadline of March 2021. This was agreed by the Chair in light with the changes of the working group membership.}

_{Further protests were made by Cllr. Freehill, but the Chair concluded the meeting, conscious of member’s requirements to attend other meetings etc.}

_{ii Urban Recovery, Regeneration and Revitalisation of Dublin City Strategy}

_{Not reached.}

_{iii Dublin Belfast Relations}

 _{Not reached.}

  _{b.            2021 Meeting Dates}

_{Not reached.}

_{Next SPC Meeting: 12th January 2021 (3.30pm – 5.30pm)}

_{Action items for Progression:}