SPC 4 - Minutes

Minutes of the Strategic Policy Committee 4 - Climate Change Meeting Held on Tuesday 14th November 2023 At 10.30am in The Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo/Virtual Meeting Room (V)


IN ATTENDANCE:

  • Councillor Sineád Maguire (Chairperson)
  • Councillor Tom McSharry
  • Councillor Dara Mulvey (Online)
  • Ms. Yvonne Lang, PPN Environment/Conservation Sector Representative
  • Mr. Bernard Finan, PPN Agriculture/Farming Sector Representative
  • Ms. Emer Concannon, A/Director of Services, Sligo County Council
  • Mr. Fineen O’Driscoll, Senior Engineer, Sligo County Council
  • Mr. Paddy Hughes, Senior Executive Engineer, Sligo County Council
  • Mr. Pete Murtagh, Energy Efficiency & Climate Action Officer,                                                                                                         Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Karen Kennedy, Community Climate Action Officer, Sligo County Council
  • Ms. Imelda McCarron, Administration Officer, Sligo County Council

 

GUESTS

Teachers and TY Students from Sligo Grammar and Summerhill College

 

APOLOGIES:

Ms. Lisa Moore, PPN Community and Voluntary Representative

 

1. Minutes of meeting held on 19th September 2023

Proposed – Councillor McSharry and seconded Councillor Maguire.

 

2. Matters Arising

None.

 

3. LA Climate Action Plan

Councillor Maguire welcomed the students and teachers to the SPC and gave a brief background on the SPC, and the position of the Committee within Local Government Structure.

FO’D introduced the Climate Staff to the TY students and briefed them on the Local Authority Climate Action Plan and the statutory obligation to have LACAP adopted by 24th February 2024.

It was noted that the draft LACAP is on the Council website open for consultation until the 21st of December.

PM presented the 43 LA CAP actions for consideration by the Committee.

Group participated in a Q&A with the students about the LA CAP and actions discussed (Q&A attached Appendix 1).

 

4. Climate Action Fund

All local authorities now have a Community Climate Action Officer in post. The focus for the CCAOs for now is outreach and awareness raising of the Climate Action Fund.

The Department has issued Grant agreements to all Local Authorities for Strand 1 of the Community Climate Action Programme (CCAP). Advertisements will be put in the paper early December calling for community groups to apply with the deadline for applications at the end of February 2024.

Sligo County Council has been awarded 400k for community projects. The Council will be accepting applications for projects which can help shape and build low carbon communities from 6th December 2023. Projects should seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase the production of renewable energy, and improve energy efficiency. Also welcome are nature-based projects that enhance biodiversity and support climate resilience.

There are three categories of grant available, for small scale projects (up to €20,000), medium scale projects (up to €50,000), and large-scale projects (up to €100,000).

There are five themes and communities should try to incorporate as many themes as possible. The themes are:

  • Community Energy,
  • Travel,
  • Food and Waste,
  • Shopping and Recycling,
  • Local Climate and Environmental Action

All applications received will be assessed by the Local Authority and forwarded to the Department for final approval. It is anticipated that it will be mid-Summer 2024 before groups receive confirmation if their funding application has been successful or not.

 

5. EV Charging Infrastructure

Zero Vehicle Emissions Ireland is working with Local Authorities on a regional basis to develop an EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy for the area (Donegal, Sligo, Galway, Mayo and Clare).

Specific resources will be provided to develop the strategy. Further information will be shared when available.

2 Faster Rapid Chargers will be in operation by the end of ’23 in Sligo in Connaughton Road Car Park & Teach Laighne.

 

6. Power to Change Project Update

An overview and update of the project was given by Yvonne Lang. The TY students were thanked for their attendance and praised for their contribution to the meeting and Climate Action Goals.

The students were invited to contribute to the LA CAP consultation which is currently live, or to give their input through elected Members or Council Officers.

 

7. Date of the next meeting

IMC to consult with EC and Councillor Maguire re: 2024 dates. These would be issued to the group in due course.

 

8. Any Other Business

Adoption of the LA CAP will be brought to the full Council meeting in February. In order that the SPC Members are content with the LA CAP and the actions discussed, it was agreed that a workshop would be held in January to allow for an in-depth discussion of actions following the consultation submissions. IMC to arrange date and issue accordingly.

 

Councillor Maguire thanked all present and the meeting concluded.

 


Meeting Date 14/11/2023