Agenda and minutes

In Attendance: Cllr Justin Warnock (Chairperson)                Vincent Dwyer

Cllr Paddy Farrell                                            Francis Gaffney

Cllr Sean McGowan                                        Marie Mulligan

Eddie Mitchell (IFA)                                        Laura McEnroe

John Brennan (Organic Agri)                          Sinead Ní Thiarnáin

Jan Melia PPN (Environmental Pillar             Christina Bohan

A meeting of the Environment, Climate Action and Agriculture Strategic Policy Committee was held on the 27^th April, 2021 and the following items of business were discussed.

1.     Adoption of Minutes of Meeting of Environment, Climate Action & Agriculture Strategic Policy Committee held on 30^th March, 2021.

2.     Matters arising from the Minutes.

3.     Review of Byelaws to prevent the creation of and control litter within County Leitrim.

4.      Update on 2021 Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI)

5.     Overview of Leitrim County Council Household Waste Byelaws 2013

6.     Overview and update on Action 165 of The All of Government Climate Action Plan, 2019 – identification and development of a Decarbonising Zone.

7.     AOB

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Councillor Justin Warnock opened the meeting which was held via Zoom.

     1.    Minutes

The Minutes of Meeting of Environment, Climate Action and Agriculture Strategic Policy Committee held on 27^th March, 2021 were approved on the proposal of Councillor Paddy Farrell and seconded by Councillor Sean McGowan.

2.     Matters  Arising from the Minutes

Councillor Justin Warnock clarified that ok to work with other providers with  regard to forestry planting in County Leitrim

3.     Review of Byelaws to prevent the creation of and control litter within County Leitrim.

The Members received an overview with proposed amendments from Ms. Sinead NíThiarnáin, SO/Environmental Awareness Officer on the Review of Byelaws to prevent the creation of and control litter within County Leitrim.  In general, the amendments to the existing byelaws consisted of the inclusion of additional measures for:

1.     Control of litter around outdoor/on-street dining  

2.     Control of litter around the operation of mobile outlets

Following discussion, the SPC unanimously agreed to recommend that the byelaws should proceed to public consultation stage.

4.      Update on 2021 Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI)

The Members received an overview on 2021 Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI from Ms. Marie Mulligan, Senior Executive Engineer.  The Members engaged in a discussion regarding the various initiatives.  Mr. Eddie Mitchell commented on the cost of marketing and suggested that skips could be purchased instead of the money spent on a marketing initiative.  Mr. Vincent Dwyer, Head of Finance, Environment that the money will be used to target the message to try and influence public behaviour as this appears to be the way forward to educate on litter control.  It is envisaged that a PR company would be taken on board for this initiative and would engage with the Members for their input into the matter.

5. Overview of Leitrim County Council Household Waste Byelaws 2013

The Members received an overview on Leitrim County Council Household Waste Byelaws 2013 fromMs. Laura McEnroe, Waste Enforcement Officer.

A discussion followed regarding enforcement process on the issue of waste in the County.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

The Minutes of Meeting of Environment, Climate Action and Agriculture Strategic Policy Committee held on 27^th April, 2021 were approved on the proposal of Councillor Sean McGowan and seconded by Councillor Paddy Farrell.

There were no matters arising from the Minutes.

Ms. Marie Mulligan, Senior Executive Engineer gave an overview on the RMCEI Process which outlined and detailed the work carried out by the Environment Team which is rated by the EPA each year.

The Members acknowledged that a large volume of work is carried out by the Environment Department each year to a high standard.

Mr. Vincent Dwyer, Head of Finance, Finance, Water, Environment, Climate Action and Emergency Services gave an overview on the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2020.

He stated that preparation of the Climate Action Plan will commence in early 2022. The Members engaged in a discussion regarding various initiatives on climate action.

Mr. James Madden, Veterinary Officer gave an overview on the activities of the Leitrim Sustainable Agriculture Group where discussions are held on sustainable farming methods and the future of farming in Leitrim.

The members acknowledged the work that has been undertaken on this great initiative. 

The next Environment, Climate Action and Agriculture SPC Meetingwill take place before the end of the year, date to be confirmed.