Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of Meeting of Environment, Climate Action and Agriculture Strategic Policy Committee held on 8^th December, 2020 were approved on the proposal of Mr. Eddie Mitchell and seconded by Mr. John Brennan.

There were no matters arising from the Minutes

The Members received a presentation from Conor Lynch, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer on the Leitrim Fire Service Fire Risk Assessment 2021.

All members agreed that the Fire Service has an excellent standard operating procedure for dealing with all fire incidents in the county.

Councillor Justin Warnock expressed thanks to Mr. Lynch and acknowledged the detailed presentation.  It was agreed that the Fire Risk Assessment 2021 would be circulated to all members.

Mr. Eddie Mitchell complimented the comprehensive report but raised the issue of fire control with regard to forestry in the county.  Mr. Vincent Dwyer, Head of Finance, Finance, Water, Environment, Climate Action and Emergency Services, stated in response, that the Fire Service can only respond to incidents and it is not under its remit to control forestry planting applications in the county.  Mr. Mitchell enquired  if the Fire Service is asked to submit comments on forestry applications, but Mr. Finian Joyce, CFO replied that he has not dealt with such applications and that Coillte have provided maps of forestry in the county and if a forestry incident does occur, the Fire Service can respond adequately to the incident.

Councillor Warnock commented that a lot of private companies are involved in forestry planting but have no prior consultation in advance to the application process.  Mr. Mitchell raised the issue of fire breaks in forestry plantations and Mr. Francis Gaffney, A/Senior Engineer, stated that the Council has no input into the granting of forestry licences and that fire breaks are not policed by the Council.

Councillor Paddy Farrell, enquired regarding the recruitment of Fire Personnel and Mr. Finian Joyce replied that a recruitment drive was successful and each station in the county will have full strength before the end of the summer.

Councillor Sean McGowan paid tribute to the Fire Service on their excellent work and also on the presentation and enquired if contact could be made with the Forestry Service to ensure that fire breaks in forestry plantations be policed.

Mr. Vincent Dwyer, stated that as it is beyond the scope of Leitrim County Council to review the guidelines.

The members received an overview on Irish Water from Mr. Francis Gaffney, A/Senior Engineer who stated that all works are ongoing with no disruptions to water supply in the county.  All water treatment and waste water treatment plants are working satisfactorily.

Mr. Gaffney gave an update to the Members on the progress of the Capital Works Programmes in the county.

Mr. Gaffney also stated that there are a number of issues ongoing at present including discussions taking place at national level re the transfer of staff to a Single Utility Service.  Another issue also is the taking in charge of estates as some estates have been taken in charge by the Council but not yet taken over by Irish Water.

Councillor Warnock thanked Mr. Gaffney for the update.

The members received a presentation from Ms. Sinead NíThiarnáin, SO/Environmental Awareness Officer on the Litter Management Plan Objectives 2020 -2023.

Councillor Warnock and the members thanked Ms. NíThiarnáin for the detailed  presentation.  A discussion followed regarding the ongoing litter problem and fly tipping across the county and compliments were paid to all the groups who participated in the Keeping Leitrim Lovely Campaign.  Mr. Dwyer stated that it is now timely to have a look at revising the Litter Bye-laws as they have not been revised since 2005.  It was agreed that the Litter Bye-laws should be revised with a view to imposing heavy fines for the lawbreakers.

It was agreed that the current Bye-Laws and legislation would be circulated to the members for their review.  This would be followed by the preparation of draft bye-laws which would be advertised seeking submissions and adopted by the Council with a view to implementation of new Bye-Laws on 1^st August, 2021.

Contact will be made with the business communities in the county re packaging and issues concerning them re litter control at their premises.

Mr. James Madden, Veterinary Officer, requested that the revised Bye-Laws include control on dog fouling as it is a major issue in the county at present.  Mr. Madden stated that an Anti-Dog Fouling Campaign will take place in May, 2021 and a new initiative on Dog Waste DNA Testing will commence at that time.

Mr. Dwyer introduced Mr. James Madden, Veterinary Officer, to the members and stated that Tom Coll, Teagasc had attended the previous SPC  Meeting at which discussions took place with Teagasc regarding climate change mitigation measures in the county.

Mr. Dwyer stated that a working group could be formed with a view to examining the potential for a sustainable agricultural project in Leitrim in view of the anticipated Climate Action Plan from government.  It was agreed that a meeting would be arranged in this regard.

§  Councillor Justin Warnock on behalf of himself and all the members welcomed Marie Mulligan, S.E.E. who has joined the Environment Section and extended good wishes to Marie and to her predecessor, Brendan McKenna, S.E.E.

§  Next SPC Meeting

The next meeting of the SPC will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, 27^th April, 2021 at

4 p.m.

This concluded the business of the meeting.