Initial Meeting, Agenda & Meeting minutes 

Beech Park Residents Association

Minutes of Initial Community Meeting

1. Chairing of Meeting

The initial community meeting was chaired by Councillor Conor Dowling, with Myles Gallagher, an area resident, acting as Vice-Chair for the meeting.

2. Purpose of Meeting

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the proposed formation of a residents’ association for the Beech Park area, to consider initial governance matters, and to agree next steps.

3. Voting Items

There were 15 voting items proposed as part of the meeting agenda.

Of these:

• 7 motions were approved; and

• 8 motions were deferred for consideration at a further community meeting.

4. Motions Approved

The following motions were passed:

1. Formation of a Residents’ Association

The meeting approved the formation of a residents’ association for the area.

2. Name of the Residents’ Association

The name “Beech Park Residents Association” was approved.

3. Annual Membership Fee

An annual membership fee of €25 per year was approved.

4. Election of Chairperson

The meeting approved the election of a Chairperson.

Myles Gallagher was elected as Chairperson.

5. Election of Committee Members

Three additional residents were elected as committee members.

5. Motions Deferred

The following matters were deferred for consideration at a further community meeting:

• Election of a Vice-Chairperson;

• Election of a Treasurer;

• Election of a Secretary; and

• Election of five additional committee members.

6. Discussion and Points Raised from the Floor

A number of points were raised by attendees during the meeting, including:

• the benefits and purpose of a residents’ association;

• the importance of ensuring all residents in the area are made aware of the initiative;

• proposed communication methods, including both social media and non-social media options;

• the proposed annual membership fee;

• how to encourage residents to participate and become members;

• the need to define the short-term priorities of the association; and

• practical next steps following the initial meeting.

7. Proposed Next Steps: Next 60–90 Days

The following next steps were identified:

1. Update the website with the meeting minutes.

2. Call an initial meeting of the newly elected committee.

3. Identify how best to communicate the formation of the association to residents across the whole area.

4. Define the “value proposition” for residents, including why residents should participate and become members.

5. Register with the DLR Public Participation Network / DLRPPN.

6. Apply for public liability insurance.

7. Set up a bank account for the association.

8. Define a mechanism for residents to pay their annual membership fee.

9. Agree social media and non-social media communication methods.

10. Define a short-term set of priorities for the association.

11. Call a second community meeting to elect the remaining committee members whose election was deferred.

12. Agree and vote on an updated residents’ association constitution.

13. Define and present a set of short-term goals to members of the residents’ association.

8. Acknowledgements

The meeting thanked all attendees for their participation and engagement.

The meeting also acknowledged and thanked Councillor Conor Dowling for his support in chairing and facilitating the initial community meeting.