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

Naomi Weir Senior Executive Officer, discussed the policies that are to be presented to the SPC throughout 2024 which include:

·  Community Development Strategy 

·  Age Friendly Strategy 

·  Community Integration 

·  Sports Facilities Audit 

·  Local Sport & Physical Activity Plan 2024-2029  

·  Review of Community Grant Schemes 

·  Fingal Library Service Development Plan 2024 – 2029 

·  Review of Sports Grant Schemes? 

·  Public Art Policy 

·  Review of 2003 Arts Act funding scheme 

·  Youth & Education Policy 

·  County Arts Plan Review 

·  Fingal Heritage Plan 2024-2030 

Cllr Ryan enquired about the date of the June 2024 SPC considering a new Council will be elected in June 2024. Naomi Weir Senior Executive Officer advised the date is currently agreed by the current members and set corporately for 26^th June; however, the Community Dept will make Corporate aware of the proximity of the next SPC to the newly elected Council dates.

Cllr Maguire enquired how we evaluate plans/strategies. Naomi Weir  Senior Executive Officer explained that the CE monthly report and Annual Report outlines the progress made in key areas. Betty Boardman County Librarian also advised that the Annual Service Delivery Plan lists out departmental strategies and objectives which measure accomplishments.

Cllr Walsh enquired if the Childcare committee would feature on the 2024 workplan. Naomi Weir Senior Executive Officer advised that currently it is not on the workplan as it is not a specific strategy or policy for review. The topic remains open to discuss should the need arise throughout the year. Cllr Walsh suggested the possibility of setting up working groups at the beginning of the year to progress and prioritise matters early.

The workplan was proposed by Councillor Maguire and seconded by Councillor Walsh.

Christine Baker, Heritage Officer gave the committee a presentation on the Fingal Heritage Plan 2024 – 2030 which was launched on 1^st March 2024, the main points to note were:

Plan for the implementation of the following projects:

Ø  Blas: Fingal’s Food Heritage- Phase 2

Ø  Fingal Oral History Audit

Ø  Fingal Coastal Zone project 

Ø  Fingal Traditional Skills

Ø  Community Graveyard Surveys

            Community Monuments Fund 2024

Ø  Lanistown Castle, Donabate Conservation Works

Ø  Mulhuddart Church Conservation works

Ø  Balrothery Tower House Works (Phase 2)

Ø  St Columba's Towers, Swords, Works (Phase 3)

Ø  St Doulough's Conservation Management Plan

Ø  St Fintan’s, Sutton, Conservation Management Plan

Cllrs Hopkins, Ryan & Walsh enquired on FCC’s comparative spend and staffing to other Local Authorities. Christine Baker Heritage Officer advised that Fingal County Council has a substantial budget in this area and rank in the top four in comparison to other Local Authorities.

Lilian Whelan, Senior Executive Librarian gave the committee a presentation on the Update on Creative Ireland - Funding Call and Cruinniú na nÓg, the main points to note were:

Creative Communities open call from the following:

Ø  Community engagement?

Ø  Fingal based?

Ø  Creative practitioner led?

Ø  €5-€10 k per award?

Ø  4/5 awards?

Ø  Open until 29th March?

Ø  Widely advertised, website, social media etc?

Ø  Projects to be linked to one of the 5 main themes of Creative Fingal strategy

Voice of the Child:

Ø  Informing our decision making around Cruinniú?

Ø  Online consultation?

Ø  Surveys distributed through libraries & schools?

Ø  Lots of feedback?

Ø  Music & rap, art, author visits, STEM activities

Cruinniú na nÓg:

Ø  15th June?

Ø  Library programme?

Ø  Orchestral experience-schools in Swords, performance in Carnegie library?

Ø  Evening event for children and young people in Millennium Park, Blanchardstown?

Ø  2 stages- musical performance?

Ø  Creative zone 

Commemorations Programme 2024:

Ø  Allocation of €15,000?

Ø  €5,000 for an artistic/creative programme?

Ø  Proposed project: ?

Ø  Democracy and local government in North Dublin in the period 1924- 1930’s?

Ø  Research project, published work?

Ø  Creative project, possible portrait of a prominent figure in North Dublin politics at the time

Creativity in older age shared island project:

Ø  Cross border Alzheimer's choir?

Ø  2 years?

Ø  €50,000?

Ø  Forget-me-nots and CAP Belfast?

Ø  Cross border trips?

Ø  activities?

Ø  Song commissioned?

Ø  Video diary

Cllrs Ryan, Hopkins and Walsh welcomed the north Dublin history project which will focus on Democracy and local government in North Dublin in the period 1924- 1930’s?. Suggestions were made that the focus of the project should be placed on a female, involved in trade union activities.

Lilian Whelan Senior Executive Librarian advised the Cllr’s that the plans were in an early stage, but she would mention their suggestions and ideas.

Lilian Whelan Senior Executive Librarian also advised Cllr Walsh that the Cruinniú na nÓg programme of events will be launched ASAP.

Gerard Reardon, Principal Sports Officer gave the committee a verbal update on the Local Sport & Physical Activity Plan 2024 – 2029, the main points to note were:

Ø  S3 Solutions were hired to prepare the Plan

Ø  Plan contains six commitments:

Ø  Making Sport & Physical Activity a priority

Ø  Improving opportunities and choices for everyone to be active

Ø  Raise the profile and visibility of Sport & Physical Activity

Ø  Focus on participation in the outdoors

Ø  Enhance our access to quality sport and physical activity facilities

Ø  Stakeholder Collaboration

Cllr Hopkins commended the plan and its progressiveness. She mentioned the requirement for needs-based facilities, which the Sports Facilities Audit will hopefully show.

Cllr’s Hopkins and Maguire complimented the Sports Dept on the installation of the volleyball nets on Balbriggan beach which are being put to great use by the community.

Cllr Maguire commended the sports Dept for their ‘outside the box thinking’ and welcomed the results of the Sports Audit which has yet to be finalised.

“That the Chief Executive consider entering into a pilot partnership with a 3rd party to run a swimming pool, for example the pool belonging to St. Michael’s House in Baldoyle has been closed to the hospital and the public since Covid as St. Michael’s House does not have the €150,000 annual running costs required.” 

A written report was provided as follows:  

Currently there is no funding provided in the annual budget for the request, however the Sports Section will meet with St Michael’s House staff and review the facilities.  

Cllr Hopkins thanked the Sports team for their support and for engaging with St. Michael’s House, she stated she hoped for a favourable outcome.

The Motion was proposed by Councillor Hopkins and seconded by Councillor Maguire