Agenda and minutes

Agreed. 

Members welcomed newly-appointed Assistant Commissioner Pat Leahy to the committee and congratulated him on his promotion. 

Update on Housing Act 2014 (Miscellaneous Provisions) noted and welcomed by members.

Mick informed members that a new panel of project estate officers has recently been appointed meaning that additional cases can now be dealt with.  The majority of staff have now undergone training.  The termination of a tenancy now rests with The Courts, not Dublin City Council.  Any tenant with in excess of 6 weeks rent arrears is pursued irrespective of the amount.

Cllr. Ní Dhálaigh asked that we look at introducing probationary periods for tenants.  However Mick informed her that this issue was looked at a number of years ago by the Law Agent, who confirmed that, once there is any contract in place, the process to evict a tenant is identical and a probationary period would afford no additional powers to the Council.

Action:  Following a request from Councillor Cuffe for information on number of cases currently on the books and costs in terms of legal fees, Mick gave an undertaking to provide this information to the Councillor.

Les Moore, City Parks Superintendent, addressed the committee on the series of antisocial behaviour problems and associated challenges faced by the Parks Division staff in the City parks.

Action: Following discussion it was agreed that a Parks Subcommittee be established to deal with the aforementioned issues. Members interested in being involved requested to contact Chairperson or Ruth (Administrator) directly.

Minister Catherine Byrne conveyed her apologies for today’s meeting.  She is unable to attend owing to Dáil business. 

Members expressed disappointment that the Minister was not in attendance and asked that she be contacted conveying the importance of this statutory body.

Action:  It was agreed that the Minister be invited to attend a specially-arranged meeting with the Joint Policing Committee at a time of her choosing (response received from Minister’s office to confirm that she will attend the September 12th meeting).

Draft report circulated to members.  It is intended that this will be brought to the September City Council meeting for formal adoption. 

Action: Members to forward any feedback/comments on the draft report via email to Ruth (Administrator) by end of July, following which it will be referred to September City Council.

A lengthy discussion took place on webcasting of meetings.

Action: It was agreed, going forward, that members of the media present will be allowed to make a recording of the meeting, excluding the contributions of the Community Representatives present.

Report noted. 

Draft Annual Joint Policing Committee Report for 2016:  This will be brought to the September City Council meeting.  Members to submit any feedback on the draft to Ruth (Administrator) by end of July.  See also Item 5 above.

Policing Authority: Policing Authority held a conference last week for all Assistant Chief Executives and Chairpersons of the Joint Policing Committees.  The Policing Plan for 2018 was discussed and the different priorities for city and rural JPC’s, including cyber crime, organised crime, white collar crime and major incident crime and our readiness for such an event.  There was also extensive discussion on Community Policing and the need for it to be properly resourced.

Report noted.

Operation Irene has commenced in the DMR for the summer months.  This addresses alcohol-related public disorder in public spaces such as public parks, beaches, open spaces, laneways and other areas where youths congregate and consume alcohol.  See also Item 3 above.

Resources: Members will notice an increase in garda numbers on the street over the next six months. 

Assistant Commissioner Pat Leahy intends to map out the Dublin area within the next 4-6 weeks with the intention that each street in Dublin will be “owned” by a member of An Garda Síochána.  Some deployments will be carried out by the end of 2017 so that members of the public will know the identity of their Community Garda from January 2018.

Actions

·        Update on Street Mapping proposal to be given at next meeting

·        Presentation on a Security Plan for Dublin City for major events to be made to the next meeting.

Noted.

Members raised the Scoping Study carried out on behalf of Dublin City Council for the Safe City Programme on Sexual Harassment and other forms of sexual violence against women and young girls in public spaces. 

Action: Following a brief discussion it was agreed that an update would be given on the recommendations contained within the report and progress achieved to date. 

Agreed.