SPC 4 - Minutes

Minutes of the Strategic Policy Committee 4 - Climate Change Meeting Held on Wednesday 06th July 2022 at 11.00am in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo/Virtual Meeting Room (V)


IN ATTENDANCE:       

  • Councillor. Dara Mulvey (Chairperson)
  • Councillor. Sinéad Maguire
  • Councillor. Martin Connolly
  • Councillor. Donal Gilroy
  • Mr. Bernard Finan, PPN Agriculture/Farming Sector Representative
  • Ms. E. Concannon, A/Director of Services, Sligo County Council
  • Mr. Fineen O’ Driscoll, (V) A/Senior Engineer, Sligo County Council
  • Mr. Pete Murtagh, Energy Efficiency & Climate Action Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Lorraine Fitzgerald, Senior Staff Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Roisin Curran, Climate Action Graduate, Sligo County Council (V)
  • Mr. Daniel Conway, Climate Action Graduate, Sligo County Council (V)

 

APOLOGIES:

  • Councillor. Paul Taylor
  • Councillor. Tom MacSharry              
  • Ms. Yvonne Lang, PPN Environment/Conservation Sector Representative
  • Ms. Lisa Moore, PPN Community and Voluntary Representative

 

1.Minutes of meeting held on 30th March 2022.

The minutes of the SPC 4 meeting held on 30th March 2022 were proposed by Councillor. S. Maguire and seconded by Councillor. M. Connolly and agreed.

 

2.Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

 

3.Work Programme 2022

Mr Pete Murtagh delivered an overview of the progress of the full 2022 work programme under each topic as circulated to the members of the SPC prior to the meeting.

FASTER

There was a discussion under the topic of the FASTER project in relation to whether locations for additional EV charging points had been identified and the importance of including seaside resorts was noted. The meeting was advised that SCC are in talks with ESB Networks to encourage as many points as possible to be installed and perhaps to look to the Zero Emissions Vehicle Office for advice.

Smarter Travel Initiative

In relation to the Bolt bikes under the Smarter Travel Initiative a point was raised regarding the point of ownership of usage data.  It was confirmed that data and ownership of same will form part of any Contracts put in place, and that the Smarter Travel Office do have data regarding the e-bikes. To date data was showing that usage and popularity had exceeded expectation which was welcomed by all present.

 

4.Community Climate Action Fund

Details have not yet been made available about the Scheme but once information is available it will be circulated.

 

5.Discussion on Corporate Energy Policy

The preparation for this is ongoing and the intention is the keep the policy simple so that it will be implementable.

A discussion regarding the infrastructure, grant aid and general usage of solar power ensued.  The meeting was advised that the Energy Agency may be able to provide advice prior to anybody making an investment in this area.  Frustration around the red tape involved in getting grants from SEAI and the difficulty in getting uninflated prices from contractors for grant purposes was also voiced.  It was requested that it be noted that the SPC has a responsibility to report back to the SEAI and that a letter is sent to the Department stating that members found great difficulty with finding guidance re: pricing and spec.

 

6.Correspondence

Letter from Jim Molloy, Director of Services, which was circulated prior to the meeting was noted.

A general point was made that there may be instances whereby climate action agenda will sit better under another SPC and this SPC should be careful not to duplicate items.  It was agreed that responses from other SPCs be made available to any of SPC4’s members where appropriate or where there is an overlap.

 

7.Date of the next meeting

The next meeting will be held on 28 September at 11am.

 

8. Any Other Business

There was a request for the European Haus to be put on the agenda for discussion through excellence of design and delivery of housing.

There was a request for Sligo County Council to engage with farmers in the county to investigate how improvement in emissions could be achieved. It was clarified that currently Sligo County Council has no direct involvement with Farmers unless complains are received concerning agricultural lands. 

There was a request for a letter to be issued to the Department from this SPC regarding the 30% emission reduction target and the resulting damage to the beef herd, specifically with reference to be made of food security preservation.

It was suggested that the SPC should liaise with a Leader sub-committee to pull together information and education in this area.  It was confirmed that part of the process regarding the Climate Action Plan would be to engage with the Energy Agency, farmers, and general population in Sligo.  A trip down to Devenish was proposed as a useful study visit.

 

Councillor. Mulvey thanked all present and the meeting concluded.

 


Meeting Date 06/07/2022