Dear Madam/Sir 

I wish to make the following submission regarding the proposed Strategic Policy Committee Scheme (SPC).

The submission is made in the context of the dual Climate and Biodiversity emergencies and the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, and the response of South Dublin County Council to these challenges.

Community stakeholder representation on SPCs is key to their success and the inclusion of the Public Participation Networks (PPNs) in each SPC will be vital to this success. It is easy to assume that the people living in the county are sufficiently represented by the councillors but the PPN reps are selected from their communities to provide the experience and knowledge of the public. Through the Linkage groups that are built around each SPC, the PPN reps have the support of the whole community.

The overarching driver of policy creation in the county must be for sustainable development.  This requires the integration of social, environmental and economic considerations in all aspects of decision-making. 

Inclusion of representatives with knowledge and expertise in climate and biodiversity are paramount for the creation of policies that are working towards a sustainable future.

The SPC Scheme

I agree with the general scheme, however I believe that the PPN is under represented on each scheme. There should be a minimum of two PPN reps on each SPC, with one of the reps being sourced from the Environmental college of the PPN. At a very Minimum, there should be am environmental PPN rep on the

• Economic Development, Enterprise & Tourism
• Land use Transportation and Planning
• Environment, Public Realm & Climate Change
• Housing 

SPCs