The minutes were proposed by Councillor Boland and seconded by Councillor Walsh.

“That the Chief Executive make provisions for an Annual Arts and Literary Festival in Fingal, the goal would be to bring writers, artists, and musicians to the next stage of their emerging development and

share with a wider audience.”

A written report was provided as follows:

As well as a full programme of events in our branch libraries which uses the skills of author, illustrators, musicians and other arts practitioners, Fingal Libraries have also developed a number of festivals. These includes the Children’s Literature Festival which comprises a full day of events in Swords castle (9th September 2023) and a school's programme which brought authors and illustrators to schools across Fingal. The Writetime Festival is held across the Fingal library network in September each year. In 2023, fifteen events will be held, with Fingal authors taking part. 

January 2023 saw the expansion into Fingal of TradFest, Ireland’s largest traditional and folk music festival which celebrates extraordinary live Irish music and culture. This was followed by the inaugural Unison Festival, Fingal’s newest and most vibrant summer music festival, which took place over 2 days in July at Bremore Castle in Balbriggan and at Millennium Park in Blanchardstown. 

Fingal Arts Office partners annually with the Irish Writers Centre to provide professional development opportunities to support Fingal writers through the National Mentoring Programme. The mentorship awards ensure an investment in the long-term literary reputation of Fingal. Four awards were offered to Fingal writers in 2023. 

Professional artists are also supported in the development of their practice through ‘Fingal Artists' Support Scheme.’ This strand of funding allows professional artists to avail of an award up to €5,000 towards travel/professional development opportunities, a residency or towards the development of work. 148 professional Fingal artists were awarded in 2023. 

In addition to the above, the Council continues to offer financial support and advice to individuals and groups, who wish to organise quality literary and arts events in Fingal, such as the recent Fingal Poetry Festival. 

It was AGREED the Motion would be amended to read: Countywide Literary Festival

The Motion was proposed by Councillor Hopkins and seconded by Councillor Walsh.

“That the Chief Executive, following on from research done in Fingal by the North Dublin Regional Drugs Task Force in 2021, based on the Planet Youth project in Iceland, provide vouchers of €300 to be redeemed through sports and culture PPN member organisations based in Fingal and to distribute these vouchers to families with members between 6 to 18-year-olds in three Fingal Estates.”  

A written report was provided as follows:

The Planet Youth Project is an ongoing initiative led by the North Dublin Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force aiming to improve health and life outcomes for young people in many areas by targeting the risk and protective factors that determine their substance use behaviours and enhance the social environment they are growing up in.    

Fingal County Council is one of many stakeholders contributing to this plan and its associated impact on public policy, which commenced in 2021 and is of five-year duration.     

The Council is working alongside other stakeholders to assist in building a process structure whereby researchers, policy makers and administrative leaders, and practitioners use the rich data set collected under the research arm of the project to set local goals and strategies which may work well in specific environments.   Part of the ethos of Planet Youth is that no two communities are identical and tailored projects may be required depending on the area.  Current focus is on the rich dataset arising from Programme 1 which informs, along with other policies, the workplans of the Community and Sports Development Staff.  

It is notable that Programme 1 does not mention or make any recommendation of a €300 fund to families in Fingal communities.  It is therefore, recommended that the Council continue to work in a structured manner on the rich data emerging from this initiative, focusing on issues which arise during the various stages of reporting as set out in the project plan and reflecting this in Council strategic documents and associated workplans as appropriate.   

The Council has a substantial track record in building sustainable inclusive communities.  It is currently working on a new Fingal Sports and Physical Activities Plan 2024-2029, an audit of Sports and Physical Infrastructure across the county and has just embarked as a member of the Active Cities project.  Along with the Planet Youth Data, our policies in this area are informed by many reports and strategies including;  

·       Fingal County Council Development Plan (particularly references to sustainable

placemaking/quality homes, recreational, sporting facilities and open spaces, sustainable travel, hubs, open space etc) 

·       The Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029 | Fingal County Council  

·       Healthy Placemaking: Eastern & Midland Regional Assembly Regional Spatial &

Economic Strategy https://emra.ie/final-rses/ 

·       Fingal Sports Office Vision Statement 2019–2021 - fingal-sports-office-final-vision-statement.pdf 

·       Fingal Community Development Vision Statement – has been extended to 2023.

https://www.fingal.ie/sites/default/files/2021-12/9139_fingal-community-dev-office-vision-statement_web2.pdf 

·       Fingal Migrant Integration Strategy

https://www.fingal.ie/council/service/migrant-integration-social-cohesion-strategy-2019-2024 

·       Fingal Open Space Strategy - keeping_it_green_oss.pdf (fingal.ie) 

·       Fingal Active Travel Strategy https://www.fingal.ie/activetravel/strategy/draft 

·       Fingal Coastal Way - https://www.fingal.ie/fingal-coastal-way 

·       Fingal Play Policy - Space for Play - A Play Policy for Fingal | Fingal County Council 

·       Fingal/Healthy Ireland - Healthy  ...  view the full minutes text for item SPC/18/23

“That the Chief Executive present a report on the role out of QR codes across the County located at/on locations of Historical, Heritage, Commemorative sites such codes to provide the background to the site and to explain its significance while also linking similar sites in the area.”  

A written report was provided as follows:

QR codes can be an effective tool in communicating knowledge and of improving the level and quality of visitor’s interaction with heritage. Heritage interpretation is complex and QR codes and other interpretation tools should be used in context and integrated with relevant projects, ideally when a Heritage Audit with community contribution has been undertaken and specific outcomes, themes and content identified.? 

For example, the use of tappable signage & QR codes are being trialled as a direct outcome of the Donabate-Portrane Heritage Audit. The website has been designed, photographs attained from community members, locations identified, map and graphics designed, and the physical posts and plaques procured and are scheduled for installation. The outcome of this project, part of the CE Innovation Fund grants 2023 will inform the future roll out of similar projects. 

The Heritage Officer was unavailable to attend this meeting and it was agreed any queries or questions would be taken back for clarification.

The Motion was proposed by Councillor Boland and Seconded by Councillor Hopkins.

The Motion was AGREED.

Eamonn Seydak S3 Solutions gave the Committee a presentation on the Local Sport and Physical Activity Plan 2023-2028 which outlined the following main points:  

·       Setting the Plan in Context

·       Developing the Plan

·       6 Commitments

1.       Make Sport and Physical Activity a Priority

2.       Improve Opportunities & Choices for Everyone to be Active  

3.       Raise the Profile and Visibility of Sport and Physical Activity  

4.       Focus on Participation in the Outdoors

5.       Enhance our access to Quality Sport and Physical Activity Facilities

6.       Stakeholder Collaboration

David Mitchell, Community Development Officer, gave the Committee a presentation on the Guidance Manual for Fingal Community Facilities which outlined the following main points:  

·       Purpose of the guide 

·       Working Group – established in 2021.

·       Process of developing the Guide and how to use it.

·       Guidance Manual Overview?

·       Facility Management

·       Governance

·       Human Resources 

·       Finance / Procurement 

·       Funding 

·       Community Development

·       Risk Management

·       Marketing & social media

·       Policy Hub

·       Policies and Procedures

Betty Boardman, County Librarian gave the Committee a presentation on the Fingal Library Service Development Plan 2024 – 2029 which outlined the following main points:  

·       Current Library Development Plan

Ø  3 Strategic Goals

Ø  7 Objectives

Ø  42 Actions?

·       Achievements to date

·       Methodology and Proposed Timeline?

·       Current Focus - Stakeholder consultations/Focus groups & Public Surveys:

Not reached