The minutes of the meetings of the 20^th of December 2022, were AGREED. The minutes were proposed by Cllr Healy and seconded by Cllr Mulville.

Presentation was given by Deborah Coleman and Martin Sweeney, SSE renewables. Presentation to be circulated to members following meeting.   Presentation NOTED.

Presentation given by Mr Enda Hoey which was followed by discussion and questions from the members. Presentation to be circulated to members following meeting. Mr Hoey also informed members that updates are available on the monthly CE report and the National Enforcement Priorities (NEP) annual progress reports are also available on Fingal’s website.  Presentation NOTED.

“That the Chief Executive report on how litter and dog fouling byelaws are implemented including details and locations for fines issued this Summer.”

Response:

The litter wardens are responsible for enforcement of the Litter Pollution Act.

Over the summer months the Litter Wardens continued their campaign to raise awareness of the issue of dog fouling on beaches and carried out extra patrols over the weekends. They spoke with dog walkers about their responsibilities as dog owners and handed out dog fouling bags. They also erected anti dog fouling signage in areas where complaints were received.  

Over the period June – September a total of 1089 planned route inspections on litter black spot areas were carried out.  Inspections were also carried out on the bring banks in the Fingal area to ensure that there was no dumping.  Any dumping found was investigated under the Litter Pollution Act.  Investigations were also carried out on reports of abandoned cars.  Local businesses were also inspected to ensure they are keeping their premises free of litter. The Litter Wardens have commenced with Halloween business inspections in an effort to reduce the levels of material that may be collected by individuals for use in bonfires.

The Dog Wardens are responsible for enforcement of the Controls of Dogs Act and also Fingal’s Regional Parks and Open Spaces Byelaws.

The Dog wardens' issue 10-day notices for dog licences to members of the public through both door-to-door licence checks and patrols in Fingal’s parks and beaches.

 10 Day Notices/Fines Issued June – September 2022

Currently there are 3 cases with our solicitor for court and a further 7 prepared to be forwarded for court action.

During September a two-week pilot of evening patrols took place in parks following a number of reports made regarding restricted breed dogs. During this pilot, 4 fines were issued for restricted breed dogs not being muzzled in public and one for an unlicenced dog.

Over the period June – September 2022 there were 193 CRM cases set up relating to dog complaints made to the Environment Department.  These calls related to dog bite/attacks, reports of dogs off leash/not under effectual control, stray dogs, dog fouling – all of which are investigated and reported back by the Dog Wardens.   

The litter wardens and dog wardens also assisted Howth Tidy Towns with their Community Open Day with particular focus on the Green Dog Walker pledge, attended the Howth Maritime Festival and launched the Bag it, Bin it campaign with Howth Tidy Towns and Rush Tidy Towns.  The dog wardens also attended Flavours of Fingal in June, paying particular  ...  view the full minutes text for item CABE4/23

“That the Chief Executive, given the recent making of the new County Development Plan, outlines her best estimate as to when the process can commence to put in place Special Amenity Area Orders (SAAO) for Rogerstown, Malahide and Baldoyle Estuaries given the urgent need for Special Amenity Area Orders designations as vital to aid the conservation of these European sites and the habitats, flora and fauna that they have been designated to protect, given the Climate and Biodiversity Emergency declared by Dáil Éireann in May 2019, and the recent pressing recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss in November 2022.”

Response:

It is anticipated that significant survey work will be commissioned at these designated sites over the coming two to three years in line with the provisions of the Fingal Biodiversity Action Plan and specifically the ongoing management of these areas.  It is further expected that this data will as appropriate be directly relevant and necessary to the proposed SAAO process.

Report ACCEPTED.