Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of Meeting of Environment, Climate Action and Agriculture Strategic Policy Committee held on 16^th December, 2021 were approved on the proposal of Councillor Paddy Farrell and seconded by Councillor Gerry Dolan.

Mr. Vincent Dwyer, Head of Finance, Water, Environment, Climate Action and Emergency Services stated that there were no Minutes of the Environment, Climate Action and Agriculture SPC Meeting to be approved due to no quorum present at that meeting.  The Chairperson had agreed to proceed with the Presentations on request from Mr. Vincent Dwyer.

There were no matters arising from the Minutes

The Members received an overview on the Waste Presentation Byelaws from Ms. Marie Mulligan, Senior Executive Engineer.  Councillor Felim Gurn raised the issue of the cost of the bin collection service and also stated that some householders encounter problems as the road they reside on is not serviced and bins require to be transported to access the collection route. Mr. Vincent Dwyer, Head of Finance, Water, Environment, Climate Action and Emergency Services addressed Councillor Gurn’s concerns and  informed the Members that any further issues which may arise can be explored.  Mr. Dwyer also stated that inspections regarding the management The Members received an overview on the Waste Presentation Byelaws from Ms. Marie Mulligan, Senior Executive Engineer.  Councillor Felim Gurn raised the issue of the cost of the bin collection service and also stated that some householders encounter problems as the road they reside on is not serviced and bins require to be transported to access the collection route. Mr. Vincent Dwyer, Head of Finance, Water, Environment, Climate Action and Emergency Services addressed Councillor Gurn’s concerns and  informed the Members that any further issues which may arise can be explored.  Mr. Dwyer also stated that inspections regarding the management of  household waste disposal would soon re-commence as these inspections had been suspended due to Covid 19 restrictions and also that a date for the disposal of household hazardous waste would be finalised in the Autumn.  Councillor Caillian Ellis raised the issue of Bring Banks contents overflowing and Mr. Dwyer stated that the bring banks are regularly inspected by the Community Wardens and that servicing is requested when required.

of  household waste disposal would soon re-commence as these inspections had been suspended due to Covid 19 restrictions and also that a date for the disposal of household hazardous waste would be finalised in the Autumn.  Councillor Caillian Ellis raised the issue of Bring Banks contents overflowing and Mr. Dwyer stated that the bring banks are regularly inspected by the Community Wardens and that servicing is requested when required.

The Members received a presentation from Ms. Marie Mulligan, Senior Executive Engineer on the Draft River Basin Management Plan 2022 -2027.  Ms. Mulligan informed the Members that Leitrim County Council had made a submission and that various issues affecting the county had been highlighted.   Mr. Vincent Dwyer stated that there is ongoing pressure from the EPA to carry out septic tank inspections and that the county has a problem with a high failure rate. A discussion took place regarding the possible solutions to help reduce the failure rate of septic tank inspections.   In the meantime, publication of the 3^rd Cycle River Basin Management Plan is awaited and is due to be published in late Autumn.  Mr. Dwyer stated that the final draft would be brought to a meeting of the SPC before Christmas and would also be on the Agenda for discussion at the Council Meeting. 

At this point, Councillor Ellis (Chairperson), Councillor Dolan and Mr. Francis Gaffney apologised they had to leave and excused themselves from the meeting.

Councillor Paddy Farrell proceeded to chair the meeting in the absence of Councillor Ellis.

A discussion took place regarding the necessity for the engagement and education of farmers with regard to agricultural practices.  The Members were informed that there will be an increase in the number of agricultural inspections rolled out in the future to help alleviate water quality problems in the county.

Mr. Vincent Dwyer, Head of Finance, Water, Environment, Climate Action and Emergency Services gave an update to the Members on Irish Water.  Mr. Dwyer stateMr. Vincent Dwyer, Head of Finance, Water, Environment, Climate Action and Emergency Services gave an update to the Members on Irish Water.  Mr. Dwyer stated that the agreed framework on the Service Level Contract had been finalised and that the transition to Irish Water will commence in January 2023 with the aim of being fully operational by Irish Water by the second quarter of 2023.  Mr. Dwyer informed the Members that Leitrim County Council will have no role in the provision of water services from 1^st January, 2023.

Mr. Vincent Dwyer, Head of Finance, Water, Environment, Climate Action and Emergency Services  gave an update to the Members on Climate Action.  The Members were informed that a three year funding programme had been approved for Climate Action and that 2 No. staff would be involved in the preparation of the Climate Action Plan which would take approximately 12 months to complete.  Resources have not yet been provided but it is planned that  2 No. staff will be provided before Christmas. At present, there is a 3 No. county project ongoing in conjunction with Cavan and Monaghan County Councils which focuses on our energy requirements.  Assessments have been carried out on our buildings and an application has been submitted to the SEAI for 50% funding with a view to assisting in the meeting of our 2030 targets.

There are two no. meetings scheduled to be held before Christmas and issues to discuss on the Agenda for the next meeting will include septic tanks and mining in North Leitrim.  The next meeting will be held at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 19^th October, 2022.  Mr. Vincent Dwyer requested that preference be sought from the Members approximately three weeks in advance as to whether they wish the meeting to convene by in person or by Teams.