A Chairde,
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is currently undetaking a review of the workings of its Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) and I have been invited to submit my views. I have been a Sectoral Representative member of various SPCs since their introduction (1998), however, most of that time was spent as a member of the Culture, Community Development and Amenities SPC.
Hereunder, please find some random thoughts on the process.
1. The SPCs and especially, the expertise of the Sectoral Representatives, are under utilised in the formulation of policy documents.
2. The policy documents discussed / considered by the SPCs are merely 'rubber-stamped' by the SPCs with some slight amendment.
3. The current structure of the meetings of the SPCs unfortunately considerably hampers real functionality.
4. The commitment shown by the elected representatives to the SPC process varies widely and is generally a cause of concern.
5. The operation of a process that barely holds the required quorum seriously undermines the whole SPC concept.
6. The organisation of the agendas for SPCs reinforces the perception of irrelevance and process for process-sake.
7. The front-loading of the meetings with slideshows and presentations from officials hampers any real policy debate or scrutiny.
8. Agenda items should be arranged to front-load strategic policy matters rather than ordinary reports or occasional updates.
9. The lack of any feedback whatsoever from Council on any policy decisions or proposals is disappointing and damaging to morale.
10. The lack of any business referred to the SPC by Council or indeed, by the CPG reinforces the perception of function deficit.
11. The SPCs should formulate a work-programme in conjunction with officials for each coming year.
12. The SPC members should be encouraged to initiate policy by proposals and debate.
13. The use of sub-committees of the SPCs to produce policy documents / proposals should be encouraged and supported.
14. A 'Public Petition Process' which would facilitate the presentation of policy ideas by non-SPC members should be considered.
15. Reserving one Sectoral Representative place on each SPC for Student/Youth (Transition Year?) inclusion should be considered.
16. The production and publication of SPC Annual Reports should be considered and such should include future work-programmes.
17. The operation of a public comment line on the Council's Website dealing with strategic policy matters could inform the SPCs.
18. SPC Agendas should include an item specifically catering for Sectoral Representative Business to value and recognise input.
19. The electronic circulation of policy documents in advance of the SPC meetings would inform debate and decisions.
20. The right of a Sectoral Representative to attend, as an observer, the meetings of other SPCs should be upheld.
21. The parameters of the areas under the aegis of each SPC should be clearly mapped-out for each member.
22. Joint meetings of SPCs should be encouraged where appropriate to deal with matters/areas of mutual concern.
23. An information booklet containing the information on each SPC's function, details of officials concerned etc should be produced.
24. A council official should be designated as the Sectoral Representative Liaison Officer for each SPC to advise and assist the SRs.
25. The contribution of the Sectoral Representatives to the SPC process is largely under-valued or simply overlooked.
Michael Merrigan, MA, FGSI
General Secretary
Genealogical Society of Ireland
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