Agenda item

                  (i).        Presentation on the Liberties Business Forum

                 (ii).        Request to accept a Delegation from Labre Park to speak on a proposed Horse Project.

                (iii).        Report on a naming and numbering  proposal for of new Apartment Block at Tyrone Court, Thomas Davis Street West, Dublin 8, (report attached).

                (iv).        Gully Cleaning Programme Report for the South Central Area, (report attached).

                 (v).        Area Manager’s Report.

 

                  (i).        Presentation on the Liberties Business Forum

                 (ii).        Request to accept a Delegation from Labre Park to speak on a proposed Horse Project.

                (iii).        Report on a naming and numbering  proposal for of new Apartment Block at Tyrone Court, Thomas Davis Street West, Dublin 8, (report attached).

                (iv).        Gully Cleaning Programme Report for the South Central Area, (report attached).

                 (v).        Area Manager’s Report.

Order:   (i)      Presentation given by Stephen Coyne, Liberties Business Forum 

Programme Manager. Presentation noted. Matters raised by

Councillors were: - need for skills development plan to enable 

local people access jobs especially in planned hotels and other

businesses; need for Tourist/Investor/Information Office in

Liberties; need to address issue of Iveagh markets.

             (ii)      Agreed.

                  (iii)      Noted.

                  (iv)      Noted.

                  (v)      The following report was given and was noted by the Members: -

 

 

 

 

 

Area Manager’s Report

South Central Area Committee

Wednesday 19^th April 2017

 

 

SOUTH WEST INNER CITY AREA OFFICE REPORT

 

New Public Park, Cork Street

Works to develop a 0.6 hectare neighbourhood park on the site of the demolished Chamber Court flats on Cork Street commenced in February and are progressing well. It is expected that the park will be completed by summer 2017.

 

Dolphins Barn

A Public Realm Improvement Plan for Dolphins Barn is being prepared at present. The cost associated with the plan is provided for in the 2016 Discretionary Fund. A very well attended community workshop took place in St. Andrew’s Community Centre on 28^th November last year. Councilors will be informed of a second community workshop which is expected to take place shortly.

 

Newmarket

A Public Realm Improvement Plan for Newmarket Square and its environs is now complete. The Plan describes, supports and guides the implementation of improvements to enhance the use and attractiveness of the area. Following agreement at the February Area Committee meeting a Part 8 planning application for the project was advertised on 20^th February. A copy of the plan was available for inspection in the Planning Department in the Civic Office for 6 weeks from that date. The closing date for the receipt of submissions or observations is 20^th April.

 

Francis Street

A Public Realm Improvement Plan for Francis Street has also been completed. As part of this process Councilors, local residents and retailers were invited to an information meeting which took place on 14^th March. The plan provides for a more pedestrian friendly environment which encourages people to visit the area on foot. The plan also supports the continued commercial operation of the Arts and Antiques quarter. Following agreement at the March Area Committee meeting a Part 8 planning application for the project will be advertised shortly.

 

Michael Mallin House

Works to convert 4 bedsits into 2 x 1 bedroomed units are due to commence later this month. Similar work is ongoing in Basin Street to convert 8 bedsits into 4 x 1 bedroomed units. 

 

New Public Park, Bridgefoot Street/Island Street

Plans to develop a high quality neighbourhood park at Bridgefoot Street have been re-activated and it is planned to hold public workshops from 11am to 12.30pm and from 6.30 pm to 8pm on Thursday, 20th April in St. Catherine’s Church, Thomas Street.

 

Dublin City Canals Action Day

Dublin City Council, in partnership with Waterways Ireland, Inland Waterways Association of Ireland and local environmental groups, has organised a Dublin City Canals Action Day on Saturday, 25^th April from 10.45am to 1pm. This will involve volunteers removing litter and rubbish along both the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal. A photo call was held on Monday 10^th April 2017 at the Brendan Behan statue on the Royal Canal at Lower Drumcondra Road / Binns Bridge to raise awareness of the event.

 

Update from Kilmainham Inchicore Network

·         WEBSITE - The Website will go live in the next few weeks - www.kinetwork.ie.  The website will be for all to share information, events, community LINKS/businesses you want to promote on the information and we can put them up on the website.

·         There will be a newsletter with updates once the website is up and running

·         Declan Lavelle, Head of Valuation Services, Valuation Office – gave a presentation to businesses in Inchicore and Kilmainham on 14.3.2017, Inchicore College of Further Education, organised by the Kilmainham Inchicore Network.  The outcome from the meeting was a commitment by the Valuation Office to review rates valuation of some businesses on Emmet Rd.

·         Childcare Professional Group from Inchicore met with Officials from DCYA 29^th March to draw attention to a localised unique area within Inchicore that suffers greatly from intergenerational poverty, high levels of disadvantage with underprivileged vulnerable children’s needs not being met.  This group is chaired by Aoife Hannan, Kilmainham Inchicore Network.

·         Shop Front Improvement Scheme Inchicore Village is under development, given ratification from the SCA Committee.

·         Inchicore and Kilmainham Environmental Improvement Scheme is work in progress, €25k from DCC Discretionary Fund has been made available.

·         Vincent St West Lighting Discretionary Fund €15k is also work in progress, given ratification from the SCA Committee.

·         Oisín O hAlmain & Vawn Corrigan submitted proposal for a Kilmainham and Inchicore Festival, third week in September 2017, the proposal is in a review process.

·         JC Decaux billboards on Emmet Rd.  A request for upgrading of fencing at this site was requested by KIN and Inchicore Environmental Group.  This was requested to stop illegal dumping into the Camac River at this point.  JC Decaux have completed this work.

·         Further Kilmainham Inchicore Network Community meetings will be carried out in May 2017.

·         Inchicore College of Further Education Art and Design Students are designing banner for Inchicore - work in progress. 

 

 

SOUTH INNER CITY COMMUNITY UPDATE

 

Creating a sence of Pride in Modern Ireland: The Irish U.N. Veterans Association, (IUNVA)  will visit schools  throughout the South Central Area, to raise awareness of how Ireland is percived around the world. 

 

Culture Date for Dublin 8: The South Central Area Community Development team are delivering ongoing support for this initiative in identifying ways to link it to the wider community. 

 

Swift Conservation; The Swift is the quintessential City Bird, they come to Europe each Summer arriving in this country at the end of April beginning of May. They make their way back to Africa in August. Sadly our swift populations are in serious decline and are now on the Amber List. This is mainly due to the modernisation of our buildings, (no nooks and crannies in which to nest). These birds have been written into DCC’s biodiversity plan for the city. Two swift conservation projects are now under way at the following locations: St. Brigids School on the Coombe & Francis Street CBS.  Six Triple Cavity Schwegler nest boxes will be erected on both school’s giving a total of 18 potential nest sites. Swift calls will be played from a sound system in order to attract the birds to their new homes.

 

‘Welcome the Barges Weekend’  In association with Rialto Environment Group, this family fun event will take place on Friday 5^th & Saturday 6^th May with a number of talks and interactive workshops aimed at increasing awareness around the biodiversity and beauty of the Grand Ganal.  Programme of events are as follows:

 

·                     Friday 5^th May 7.30pm at Rialto Parish Centre  a talk and slide show by one of

            Irelands leading ornithologists Eric Dempsey on the Birds & Wild Fowl of the

            Grand Canal.  Light refreshments will be included.

 

·                     Saturday 6^th May Family Fun Biodiversity Day at Suir Bridge

            Irish Peatlands Conservation Council interactive workshop: Discover what lives     

            beneath Irelands fresh water habitats.

 

·                     Dublin Bee Keepers Association: learn about bee keeping and the fascinating world

            of pollinating insects.

 

·                     ‘Naturally Wild’ workshops with Australian Ecologist, Dale Treadwell.

 

·                     Dublin Swift Conservation Group: “ Keeping The Skies Alive”

 

·                     Face Painting with an ‘Environmental Theme’

 

·                     Tea / Coffee & Cake Station

 

 

 

CRUMLIN AREA OFFICE REPORT

 

New Children’s Playground – Stannaway Park

Works to create a new children’s play area in Stannaway Park were completed in March.

 

This small play area caters for young children between 2 and 7 years of age and is natural in style to blend in with the grassland of the existing park.  Play features are constructed of natural materials and are set into the landscape within gentle mounded forms.  Seating has been provided as part of the works. The play area was funded from the South Central Area Discretionary Fund 2016.

 

Improvement works at Cashel Avenue and Captains Avenue

Improvement works at Cashel Avenue consisting of new parking zones, new footpaths and a plinth wall surrounding the green commenced on 16^th January and were substantially completed by the end of March. Similar works at Captains Avenue started on 6^th March with an expected completion date of late April. The works are funded from the South Central Area Discretionary Fund 2016. It should be noted that landscaping (reseeding and planting of new trees) will take place at both locations when the construction works are finished.

 

Brickfield Park

Works to install an all weather pitch in Brickfield Park are now complete. The new pitch was funded by Dublin City Council and Sports Capital grants.

 

Councillors have been invited to the official opening by the Lord Mayor which is scheduled to take place at 2.30pm on Monday, 24^th April.

 

 

Windmill Park

A new upgraded footpath has recently been installed on the ‘green’ at Windmill Park, Crumlin.

 

Drimnagh

It is planned to install 3 ‘Welcome to Drimnagh’ signs in the near future. Following consultation with local community representatives the signage will be located at Davitt Road/Kilworth Road, Davitt Road/Slievenamon Road and Rafters Road/Crumlin Road.

 

Crumlin/Kimmage (Drimnagh & Walkinstown) Community Report 

Bealtaine Festival

To mark Bealtaine and celebrate older people the City Council are working with Walk and the Green Café to organise an afternoon Victorian tea party with music and entertainment in the Green Café. The event will be open to older people from the Walkinstown Green area and a group from WALK Association. The event hopes to promote the Green Kitchen as a hub of community activity and get more elderly people involved in activities.

 

Linkage Group

The Linkage group was initially set up by the City Council and Rathmines Partnership to provide a network and programme of events for older people. The Group is based in Walkinstown and has become a social club for older people in the area. The City Council provide aerobic classes weekly for the group and they hold a monthly talk on issues of interest. This month’s talk is on fire safety talk in conjunction with Dublin Fire Brigade. The community staff supports this group on an on-going basis.

 

Summer Projects

Dublin City Council in conjunction with Crosscare has circulated summer project applications to potential projects this year. Closing date for applications for non voluntary projects is Friday 28^th April 2017 and voluntary projects is Friday 12^th May 2017.

Dublin City Council Community & Social Development Section continues to fund all voluntary Summer Projects in conjunction with Crosscare.  Funding is also available to Youth Organisations who meet the criteria and wish to organise Summer Projects in 2017.

 

St. Martin’s Residents Association

Dublin City Council Community and Social Development Team are continuing to support St. Martin’s Residents Association in Kimmage, and are liaising with various Departments within Dublin City Council in relation to issue raised i.e., signage, dumping, parking and green spaces on their behalf. The Association will have their annual clean up day on Saturday 22^nd April 2017.

 

Bealtaine

The Community Team in conjunction with South Dublin Senior Citizens Club are hosting a one woman show performance ‘Beezie,’ on Monday 8^th May 2017 at 10.30a.m. in the Iveagh Grounds, Crumlin Road, Dublin 12. Light refreshment will be served on the day and booking is essential as places are limited.

 

Environmental Projects

The Community and Social Development Team continue to encourage existing and new residents/environmental groups in the Crumlin and Kimmage area with environmental enhancement projects. The Community Team will work with groups to identify areas within their road/estate, when areas are agreed the group will then be provided with a number of plants to enhance the allocated spaces.

 

 

 

 

Dublin City Council Community and Social Development Environmental Talks

Team in conjunction with GIY (Grow it yourself) Crumlin/Walkinstown are orgainsing environmental talks for the Crumlin, Kimmage and Walkinstown area. These talks will take place in Walkinstown Library and will include Gardening for Beginners; Ireland’s Summer Birds; and Plant and Seed Swap. 

 

 

BALLYFERMOT AREA OFFICE REPORT

 

Ballyfermot Road Public Realm Improvement Plan

A presentation for the Councillors of the draft design proposal for the Ballyfermot Road Public Realm Improvement Plan was held on 6^th April.  A further public consultation will be held on 24^th April in the Ballyfermot Library from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.  It is intended to meet with internal stakeholders by mid-May and give them a month to give their consideration and comment on the plan. This will then be fed by the Consultants into the final draft.

 

BALLYFERMOT COMMUNITY UPDATE

 

Ballyfermot / Chapelizod

Passion Project D10

D10 Has Passion. Ballyfermot/Cherry Orchard Community hit the news for all the right reasons over the week-end of April 8^th and 9^th.  The project was a joint initiative in collaboration with Dublin City Council’s Local Area and Arts Office, Dublin Culture Connects, Ballyfermot Community Civic Centre Social Economy Ltd., and various community and local school projects, commencing in Cherry Orchard and finishing up in Markievicz Park  lower Ballyfermot.  Although the theme of the event featured on the serious ongoing housing crisis, the production captured   community participation through art, drama, music, dancing and community forum debate.  Some of the highlights of this event was the “mock eviction of a family”, the Best of D10 concert which was also a fund raiser for Dublin Simon Community (€1,116.60) was collected on the day, a presentation on homelessness by students from local schools, in The Ballyfermot Library, and the public trial and procession to the crucifixion site at Markievicz Park.   For a taste of the event view

https://youtu.be/4jCE-Md5dr8

City Neighbourhood Competitions 2017

Application forms for the above competition are now available and are being distributed throughout communities.

 

Restorative Practice Cherry Orchard

Community staff will support the restorative practice and capacity building programmes that will be rolled out in Cherry Orchard. This initiative will be aimed at community organisations and residents in the area. The initiative aims to build relationships and improve communications and problem solving between Dublin City Council, the Gardaí and other statutory agencies in the area. Community staff are also supporting the Community Forum.

 

Resident Groups / Community Clean Ups

Gardening talks

As part of the summer growing season in conjunction with the local allotments the City Council are organising a series of gardening talks with Fiann O Nuallain in the following locations:

·         Cherry Orchard Community Garden and Allotments on the 26th April @7pm

·         St. Patrick’s National School, Chapelizod on the 29th April @ 11am

 

 

 

Spring Clean Ups

To support Team Dublin Clean up the City Council are supporting a number of clean ups in the area during the month of April. Community staff have contacted residents to encourage support them to organise clean ups. Council staff targeted the Cleggan Green area to re establish a group there. Clean ups are also planned for Raheen Drive and Croftwood Drive

 

Ballyfermot Garden Club

The first outing of the Ballyfermot Garden Club takes place on Saturday 29^th April.

 

Cherry Orchard Summer Fair

Plans are developing steadily for the Summer Fair which is due to take place on Friday 19th May in the Equine Centre and Saturday 20th May in Cherry Orchard Pk. Activities confirmed for the event include a football competition, boxing, majorettes performance, face painting, music, ''build your own boxcar’’, beauty therapies, the Garda mounted unit and the culmination of a road race involving the newly formed Cherry Orchard runners.

 

Chapelizod

The City Council have met with and are supporting the Chapelizod Festival committee that are planning a week of events which will take place in July.

The City Council are supporting the Chapelizod Environment Committee who are carrying out improvements in the village.

The Council are linking with the residents in River View to organise environment enhancements in the complex.

 

 

General

Councillors have raised the issue of changes being made to the role, location and management of the Community Sports Officers. The following summarises the position as stated by the Sports and Well Being Partnership: “Feedback received over the past year highlighted feelings of disconnection between the Sport Officers and the current management structure.  To address this issue, a decision was made by senior management to place the Sport Officers under the line management of the area based Sport & Recreation Section Centre Managers.  It is envisaged that this will lead to improved communication, support and guidance for Sport Officers whilst also enhancing cohesion between the Sport Officers and the facilities.  Sport Officers were initially informed of this impending change of management structure at a team meeting held on the 20^th of January 2017.

This change ties in with Goal 4 of our Strategy, STRIDE: 2017-2020 – Good Practice: Build trust and strengthen communication with Sport Officer Team through collaboration, teamwork and effective leadership.  It also relates directly to the guiding principles of STRIDE, specifically:

Strategic Partnerships – Working in partnership to maximise the benefits and opportunities for the City

Teachings – Understanding where we are and learning from the experience of others to build a solid foundation for the future

Refreshing – Approaching our work with new energy, enthusiasm and embracing new ideas to develop forward thinking. 

To ensure a smooth transition, managerial responsibilities were discussed and agreed at the Sport & Recreation Section Managers meeting on Thursday, the 9^th of March.  In summary Sport Officers will be managed by the local Centre Manager on a day-to-day basis while the Manager of the Partnership will take a more strategic role.  A date for transfer of managerial responsibilities has been agreed for Monday, the 24^th of April, 2017. 

To coincide with this and in adherence with Dublin City Council’s Mobility Policy, we have an ideal opportunity to change the work locations of many of the Sport Officers who have been based in the same location for many years.  The relationships they have built up within these communities and the work and programmes rolled out are highly commendable.  However, with the new Strategy, we wish to refresh our ideas, create new opportunities and renew our energy. 

The above was recently communicated to Area Managers but there was no prior consultation or discussion with Area Managers.  Changes in the location and work of these sports staff have begun and it is our understanding that in concentrating on key theme areas they will not be able to run the variety of local programmes that would have happened previously.  The Sports Officers involved have worked in close partnership with and support for the Community Development staff. We have asked for a presentation on these changes to be done at the May Area Committee.

 

Action: Councillors raised the following matters:-  Annoyance and confusion as to the moves in respect of the Sports Officers. They requested that a letter be sent on the issue by the Manager on behalf of Councillors to relevant internal Management and the issue raised at the relevant SPC and at the CPG.