Agenda and minutes

Order: Agreed

Order: Noted and Recommend to Council

Ø  Cllr. Aine Clancy, “One Region One Vision – Challenge the Consensus and Explore the Impossible Future”. The Model, County Sligo, 8^th December 2016.

Ø  Cllrs. Aine Clancy, Paddy Bourke, Mary Freehill, “AILG Annual Conference – Action Plan for Rural Development.” West Country Hotel, Ennis, County Clare, 6^th – 8^th April 2017. 

Ø  Cllr. Declan Flanagan, National Nzeb Conference – “Delivering Fast Track and Affordable nearly Zero Energy Buildings”. Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy. 2^nd March 2017.

Order: Agreed and recommend  to Council

Ø  Cllr. Aine Clancy, “One Region One Vision – Challenge the Consensus and Explore the Impossible Future”.

Ø  Cllrs. Aine Clancy, Paddy Bourke, Mary Freehill, “AILG Annual Conference – Action Plan for Rural Development.”

Ø  Cllr. Declan Flanagan, National Nzeb Conference – “Delivering Fast Track and Affordable nearly Zero Energy Buildings”.

Order: Noted

“This Committee recommends that the City Council adopt a Dublin City version of the San Jose resolution (see attached) affirming the City as a Welcoming City and that we would circulate same to the cities with which we are twinned and have Friendship Agreements, requesting that they do the same”.  

“This Committee recommends that the City Council adopt a Dublin City version of the San Jose resolution (see attached) affirming the City as a Welcoming City and that we would circulate same to the cities with which we are twinned and have Friendship Agreements, requesting that they do the same”. 

Order: Motion proposed by Cllr. D Lacey and seconded by Cllr. M Flynn. Motion agreed.

Declan Wallace updated members on discussions taking place with the tenant of the Supper Room/ Round Room. These discussions followed on from a request from the former Lord Mayor, Councillor Criona Ni Dhalaigh, to Mr. Jim Keogan, Assistant Chief Executive, asking that he engage with the lease holder of the Round Room with a view to developing an appropriate programme of events to commemorate the centenary of the 1^st Dáil in 2019.   In addition to this, as the current lease ends in 2019 the matter of a new lease was part of the discussions. The current lease is valued around € 600k. The leaseholder has been receptive to the approach regarding the production of something meaningful and sustainable to mark 2019. He has proposed a 3D recreation of the first Dáil and other installations which would be open to schools etc. Government Departments have also been involved in some of these discussions. The Round Room is also in need of upgrading to function effectively as a mid size conference venue. This mainly involves technology upgrades but also some physical changes recommended by our Conservation Officer including  improvement works to the windows, balustrades and the ladies toilets which the tenant has agreed can be carried out prior to 2019.

The tenant has also given a commitment to continue to provide the City Council with use of the Round Room without charge (other than catering) on designated days throughout the year. This proposal means that all other charges will be waived.

It is proposed to get the Chief Valuer into negotiation with the tenant with a view to coming up with a proposal to deal with the 2019 Events, physical improvement works and terms of a new lease. As an aside Declan mentioned that the Chief Valuer is of the view that a rent in excess of €800k could be negotiated as part of a renewal but could be negatively impacted by reported plans for two new high profile restaurants on Dawson Street.  The Members thanked Declan for his report and were broadly supportive of the strategy that had been presented. They identified a number of important issues which should be considered during the lease negotiations that included disability access to the Round Room which is currently inadequate, creating a clear online and marketing distinction between Fire Restaurant and the Mansion House and the resolution of the domain name conflict.

Order: Report noted. It was agreed that Declan would bring a detailed report on the outcome of the negotiations prior to a new lease being signed. This report would also include a financial breakdown of the revenue generated by the Mansion House complex including the Car Park facility. 

The Members were of the opinion that the existing arrangements were working well and could not see any substantial benefits from using the new system that could justify the expense.

Order: Report noted and referred to Group Leaders for final decision.

The Members acknowledged the importance of the issue raised by the USI presentation. However, it did not fall under an area for which Dublin City Council has any operational responsibility and therefore was not appropriate to bring before the full Council. The Lord Mayor was willing to meet with USI representatives to discuss the matter.

Order: The Lord Mayor’s Office to correspond with the USI to arrange a meeting.  

The Committee recognised the value of the Conference and were in favour of Councillors attending. The Chair also informed Members that the AILG run training courses that are very informative and which do not count as part of their Conference Budget.

Order: Agreed and to be approved under Lord Mayor’s Business at the City Council meeting on 8^th May 2017.

The Members acknowledged that as Councillors they had a duty to represent Dublin City on such forums. However, circumstances can arise were existing commitments and demands on a Councillor’s time make it difficult to fulfil such obligations.

Order: Relist on City Council agenda for June 2017.

The Manager informed the Members on the following issues:

Ø  Richard Shakespeare had taken up his position as Assistant Chief Executive with responsibility for Planning and Property Development from Tuesday 2^nd May 2017. Declan Wallace will continue as Acting Assistant Chief Executive with responsibility for Culture, Recreation and Economic Services.

Ø  The Chief Executive has established a working group with responsibility for City Hall which will primarily look at establishing a medium and long term schedule for the maintenance and development of the building.

The Members requested that the following issues be considered; Sunday opening, additional public signage, acoustics in the Rotunda, TV’s and power point’s in the Party Rooms, rotation of artwork in the Rotunda.

Ø  The Law Agent, Terence O’Keeffe has been appointed as the nominated official with responsibility for facilitating the introduction of the new EU Data Protection regulations that will be introduced in 2018. The Manager will extend an invitation to Terence to brief Members on the impact of the new regulations.

Ø  The existing Housing Welfare Office will be reassigned to provide facilities for Councillors while visiting the Civic Offices. The Manager will bring further details regarding the layout when the plans become available.  

Ø  Cllr. R McHugh enquired if iPad training would be provided.

            Order: Ollie Douglas has arranged for training and will contactCouncillors with times and dates.

Ø  Cllr. D Lacey requested clarification regarding the process for dealing with motions agreed by Area, SPC and other Committees with reference to recommendations and approval from the full City Council.  

Order: The Manager to investigate and report back to the next meeting.

Order: Agreed.