For the first time since 1931 local councillors gathered in Ballsbridge for a meeting of the Dublin City Council Local Area Committee on Monday 9th July at 3pm.

Present were Cllr. Mary Freehill who was elected to chair the meeting, Councillors Dermot Lacey, Kevin Humphries and Oisin Quinn from Labour, Cllr. Daithí Doolan of Sinn Féin, The Progressive Democrat Councillor Wendy Hederman, Cllr. Michael Donnelly of Fianna Fáil was joined by new Councillor Deirdre Keane who was nominated to replace Chris Andrews TD on his election to the Dáil for Dublin South East. Cllr. Paddy McCartan of Fine Gael replaces former Councillor Lucinda Creighton TD now that she too has been elected to the Dáil for Dublin South East. Eileen Brady the Area Manager of DCC also attended.

The meeting began with traffic issues concerning reducing pay and display times on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, a clearway on Grosvenor Road, a disabled parking space at 17 Sandymount Green, permit parking on Park Drive Ranelagh, and a parking solution for Prince of Wales terrace were all recommended.

Then derelict sites were discussed with a quarterly report from the management as to what work is being undertaken to move sites back to the non-derelict list.

Jim Doyle the South East Area Arts Officer answered questions about culture matters. He presented a report that outlined an Arts Work Plan, which would continue to examine the need for additional arts facilities and the possible support for existing, alternative and temporary facilities for the arts.

The meeting moved on to housing and residential issues with the role of the caretakers. Their duties of maintenance came under some scrutiny with Cllr Kevin Humphries demanding that standards be keep up around the estates. Senior Housing Officer Brendan Hayden responded to questions about the general upkeep of housing complexes.

The councillors were asked for approval or rejection for planning applications for a new Lidl outlet in Rathmines which was approved with loading restrictions and an office complex on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay was refused.

The Area Manager’s report was presented which included the Urban and Village Renewal Programme concerning a footpath upgrade at South Richmond Street, a mosaic art feature at Cheltenham Place and improvements to the footpath on the Grand Canal.

The report dealt with an update on housing projects, after which a number of local improvement issues were discussed, including a Ringsend Village Improvement scheme, Ringsend Park works and an All-Weather pitch and the surfacing of the Tennis Courts, works on the Dodder flood alleviation scheme; what to do with Sandymount baths; and finally that preparatory work has commenced on a design statement for Sandymount Village.
The meeting finished with questions to the Dublin City Manager from the councillors.