The minutes of the last meeting held on the 26^th March were PROPOSED by Councillor J. Newman, seconded by Councillor JK. Onwumereh .

“That the minutes of the Climate Action, Biodiversity, Environment Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on the 26^th March were AGREED.”

A presentation detailing the grant/application process on the Community Climate Action fund along with examples of the applications received was given by Sinead Fox.

Presentation Noted

“That the Chief Executive provide an overview of the programs of work for Climate Action and Environmental Awareness specifically in relation to primary and secondary school children.”

The motion, in the name of Councillor JK. Onwumereh was proposed by JK. Onwumereh and seconded by Councillor. J. Newman

Response:

The Climate Awareness and the Environmental Awareness Sections of the Environment Department, roll out awareness programs for primary and secondary school students to educate and raise awareness around climate action and the environment. Examples of these programs include: -

1. Green Schools Program

The Green Schools Program is operated in partnership with An Taisce and Local Authorities. The Environmental Awareness Officer works closely with schools on the ground to help them achieve their flag status. 

136 schools across Fingal are active in the Green Schools Program. The 10-Flag program includes Litter and Waste, Energy, Water, Travel, Biodiversity and Global Citizenship. We facilitate assessments for the purpose of awarding flags. We also provide funding assistance and information to the schools and roll out several workshops themes every year to complement their efforts in achieving the Green Schools Flags.

2. Relove Fashion Workshops

Relove Fashion is a Sustainable Fashion competition open to young people of secondary school age across the Republic of Ireland. The competition was developed and is funded through a partnership between the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices, The Government of Ireland and the Rediscovery Centre, Ireland’s National Centre for the Circular Economy. Fingal County Council promotes the initiative in secondary schools and assists students with their competition entries, offering free workshops and prizes to participating students. These workshops are run by Circular Fashion Ireland and highlight the devastating impacts of the fashion industry on the Climate, the need for change and the recognition of young people’s pivotal role in shaping innovative solutions and are proving extremely popular.

3. Repaired Musical Instruments

The RePlay.ie initiative is an ongoing circular economy initiative by Fingal County Council. Musical instruments that have been discarded in the recycling centre’s are repaired and then circulated back into the community. Schools participate by receiving lots of instruments every year from guitars and keyboards to drums and fiddles.

4. School Composting Project

Fingal County Council funds schools to participate in the Composting for Schools Program. This in-depth program is suitable for both primary and post primary schools and helps support each school’s journey in managing litter, food and landscape waste and compost. It is a perfect program to compliment Green School projects, and in particular the litter and waste theme. Approximately 70 schools across Fingal have signed up to this project to date. Many schools were provided with wormeries for food waste and leaf-mould cages to compost leaves.

5. Picker Pals

Picker Pals is an excellent initiative where 1st and 2nd Class students of primary schools can sign up to receive a take-home pack full of activities to include fun story and activity books, songs, interactive tv sessions, litter picking equipment and teacher support materials all designed to encourage  ...  view the full minutes text for item CABE/11/24

Motion: “That the Chief Executive report on the progress of the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the County, both on Council managed land and on other car park, and on the financial arrangements and revenue resulting from charging infrastructure on Council-managed land.”

The motion, in the name of Councillor D. Healy was proposed by Councillor J. Newman and seconded by Councillor JK. Onwumereh.

Report:

The four Dublin Local Authorities launched the Electric Vehicle Charge Point (EVCP) Infrastructure rollout in October 2024 following the successful appointment of ePower as the charge point operator (CPO) and preferred tenderer for the provision of the infrastructure and ongoing service contract. The initial contract is for the provision of up to 200 EVCP’s at 50no local authority owned or operated sites across the four Dublin Authorities. These sites are typically local authority car parks, libraries, public parks and community centers. The works contract should be complete within two years.

Over the past 2 months the Council has worked with ePower to progress the initial list of sites and we have engaged with ESB networks to establish the timelines and complexities around the provision of the required electrical supplies. Most sites have been surveyed and site designs are being developed and agreed at present. ESB connection applications have been made.

The four Dublin Local Authorities are also engaged with Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) to secure funding for the provision of the enabling infrastructure. ZEVI will finance the provision of the enabling infrastructure, and the CPO will provide the chargers. The CPO will pay the Council a concession for the use of the charging bay.

The first sites should commence construction in February 2025 and go live in April / May 2025. The completion of the initial contract of 50 sites will be dependent on electricity connections being provided, however it is anticipated that the majority will be complete within one year. ESB networks are doing a huge amount of work nationally to make the required grid upgrades to support the provision of this infrastructure.

A full Councillor briefing will be organized with ePower before the first sites go live, end Q1 2025.

The current list of initial sites is as follows. This list is subject to electrical connections being technically and financially viable and as such is subject to change.

·       Quay Street Car Park Balbriggan

·       Baldoyle Racecourse Park

·       Portmarnock Sports and Leisure Centre

·       Liam Rodgers Community Centre

·       Donabate Portrane Community Centre

·       Bridgefield Car Park Malahide

·       South Strand St, Skerries

·       Lusk Sports Hub

·       HowthHarbour Carpark

·       River Valley Carpark

·       Echlin Court, Rush

·       Malahide Town Park

·       Porterstown Park, Castleknock

·       St. Catherine's Park, Lucan

Report Accepted