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Public Document Pack DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL Minutes of County Council Meeting held in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin on Monday, 10 June 2013 at 5.00 pm PRESENT: Bailey, John F Lewis, Hugh Bailey, Maria Marren, Donal Baker, Marie McCarthy, Lettie Bhreathnach, Niamh Murphy, Tom Boyhan, Victor O'Callaghan, Denis Devlin, Cormac O'Dea, Jim Dillon Byrne, Jane O'Keeffe, Gearoid Fitzpatrick, Stephen Richmond, Neale Fox, Tony Saul, Barry Halpin, Melisa Smyth, Carrie Hand, Pat Stewart, Patricia Horkan, Gerry Tallon, Grace Humphreys, Richard Ward, Barry Joyce, Tom Absent: Councillor Aoife Brennan OFFICIALS PRESENT: Owen Keegan (County Manager), Kathleen Holohan (Deputy Manager and Director of Corporate Services and Human Resources), Frank Austin (Director of Transportation and Water Services), Helena Cunningham (Director of Finance and I.T.), Gerard Hayden (Director of Planning and Enterprise), Tom McHugh (Director of Housing and Community), Richard Shakespeare (Director Of Environment), Andrée Dargan (County Architect & Director of Culture), Ian Smalley (Administrative Officer, Corporate Services) and Pamela Graydon (Senior Staff Officer, Corporate Services) C/457/13 Presiding Chairman It was AGREED that the outgoing Cathaoirleach would preside until the election of An Cathaoirleach. C/458/13 Address of Outgoing Cathaoirleach An Cathaoirleach, Councillor T. Joyce thanked the Members, the Manager, the Management Team and staff for their support during his year as An Cathaoirleach. Outgoing Cathaoirleach’s Speech “I would like to begin by thanking my fellow Councillors for the honour of electing me as Cathaoirleach for the last year. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in office and hope that I have discharged my duties effectively. In addition I thank the Leas Cathaoirleach, Stephen Fitzpatrick for his help over the year. Secondly, I would like to thank the County Manager, Management Team, Council staff for their help and assistance. In particular I would like to thank Aoife Farrelly, Lucia Crowley, Bríd Gaffney and Jim Ryan for their help over the past twelve months. 1 Some Highlights • It was a pleasure meeting individuals and groups across the County who are working tirelessly for the social, cultural and economic development of this county, for example - local residents and community groups, business associations, Arts and Cultural organisations and so many other areas. • I was delighted to progress long awaited schemes for community facilities in areas of the County that need it, for example – Shanganagh Bray Waste Water Treatment Plant and Loughlinstown Leisure Centre. • I was particularly pleased that at a time when businesses across the Country are struggling, this Council was able to provide some relief in the form of a 2% rates reduction. While the reduction was quite modest, the fact that we were practically the only Local Authority in the Country to reduce rates reflects positively on us. • It was an honour for me to collect the Local Authority of the Year Award at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards last November. Having first hand knowledge of the work that goes on behind the scenes by management, staff and my fellow Councillors, I have no doubt that this award was completely justified. Finally, I would like to wish the incoming Cathaoirleach the very best of luck in the coming year. It is both a privilege and an honour to represent the people of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown as first citizen of the County and the political head of the Council. I see the role as an unrivalled opportunity to promote all that is good about local government, together with leading the way for change where necessary. I am sure that the incoming Cathaoirleach elected tonight will put his/her own stamp on the role and articulate a vision for the year. I am also hopeful that he/she will continue to promote the idea of working together for the benefit of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and ultimately for ‘better local government’.” C/459/13 Election of An Cathaoirleach An Cathaoirleach, Councillor T. Joyce invited nominations for the election of An Cathaoirleach. Councillor C. Smyth was proposed by Councillor J. Bailey and seconded by Councillor R. Humphreys. NO OTHER CANDIDATE PRESENTED THEMSELVES FOR ELECTION. AS COUNCILLOR C. SMYTH WAS THE ONLY CANDIDATE SHE WAS DECLARED ELECTED AS CATHAOIRLEACH TO HOLD OFFICE UNTIL THE ELECTION OF HER SUCCESOR. COUNCILLOR C. SMYTH WAS INVESTED BY THE OUTGOING CATHAOIRLEACH WITH THE CHAIN OF OFFICE. The new Cathaoirleach then took the Chair. Cathaoirleach’s Acceptance Speech “Thank you very much for electing me Cathaoirleach. Firstly I would like to thank my proposer the Labour Group Leader Richard and my seconder Fine Gael Group Leader John and all the members for their support particularly my own group the Labour Party, Fine Gael and my Ballybrack Ward colleagues Denis, Donal, Hugh and Maria. I would like to thank the former Cathaoirleach Cllr. Tom Joyce who has had a great year and has been very helpful over the last couple of weeks introducing me to my new role. You don’t become Cathaoirleach on your own. There are a large number of people I would like to thank who have helped and supported me being a Councillor and becoming Cathaoirleach. 2 I would like to thank my family for their ongoing loyal support especially my husband and mum. Members of the Labour Party who have continued to support and help me since my co option ten years ago especially Betty, Clare, Martin, Nora and William. My work colleagues who have allowed me to take time off work to attend meetings, which as you all know as a Councillor is a full time commitment. My friends who have provided a distraction from politics especially in the last two years. Owen Keegan, County Manager, the Management Team and the Council Staff who have always facilitated and responded to the queries I receive from constituents and helped me fulfil my role as Councillor. I can’t continue without acknowledging the role Owen Keegan has played in the last seven years as County Manager and I wish him every success in his new role as Dublin City Manager. Finally the people of the Ballybrack Ward now the Killiney/Shankill Ward who have voted for me in 2004 and 2009. I couldn’t have done it without your support. I started my political journey as soon as I could walk and drop leaflets for various Labour Party candidates in Local, European and General Elections. My public political journey started ten years ago after I won an internal Labour Party selection convention, which was a bitter sweet victory. I was then co-opted onto the Council and have retained my seat because the people of the Ballybrack Ward supported me in 2004 and 2009. I have travelled along smooth roads, bumpy roads, hills and bends on this journey, which I have tackled and enjoyed. I never thought I would get the opportunity to become a Councillor never mind Cathaoirleach. I feel very privileged becoming Cathaoirleach it is to date the highlight of my political life and I am humbled and honoured to be Cathaoirleach in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown where I was born, grew up, work and live. In these on going difficult times that we are all experiencing it is not the time for political point scoring and I hope we all can work together for the betterment of all the citizens of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown. We can all work together to look out for each other especially the elderly, the young, the disabled and the most vulnerable. I am not going to promise the sun, moon and stars. However there are a number of projects I would like to see initiated during my year as Cathaoirleach: Shanganagh Castle The acquisition of the mid 18th century Shanganagh Castle as part of the proposed land swap, which was first mooted over a decade ago prior to the rezoning of the Woodbrook lands. The Castle is now in a serious state of disrepair. It is imperative that the Castle and the surrounding lands are brought into Council ownership without further delay. This will enable the final completion of Shanganagh Regional Park. Dalkey Island Dalkey Island is an extraordinary heritage resource of national significance. As such it offers a unique insight into our past. The Dalkey Island project, which includes the preparation of a Conservation Plan, Bye Laws, a new management regime for the island and a programme of physical works will conserve this wonderful asset for the future. Dun Laoghaire Baths The refurbishment of the Dún Laoghaire baths complex and the general upgrade of the area between Newtownsmith and the East Pier has long been an ambition of this Council ever since the baths closed in the mid 1980s. 3 The current position is that an application for a foreshore licence in respect of this project was submitted to the Department in December 2012. Once the foreshore licence is granted a Part 8 process will commence. I intend to do everything in my power to ensure that this long awaited project gets on site before my term as Cathaoirleach ends. Marlay Park Regional Sporting Hub I am also committed to the continuing development of a sporting hub in Marlay Park, which will include, a full size athletic track, improved tennis courts, a modern golf Clubhouse, improved cricket facilities and a White Water Course and Centre. Once again thanks very much for this honour and I look forward to working with you all over the next year. Thank you very much.” An Cathaoirleach, Councillor C. Smyth presented the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Councillor T. Joyce, with a replica of the medallion of office to commemorate his year as Cathaoirleach. C/460/13 Election of An Leas Chathaoirleach An Cathaoirleach, Councillor C.

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