Meeting Pack City and Strabane District Council

Dear Member of Environment and Regeneration Committee

You are hereby summoned to attend the Monthly Meeting of the Environment and Regeneration Committee to be held remotely on Wednesday 10 March 2021 at 4.00 pm.

Yours faithfully

John Kelpie Chief Executive

AGENDA

1 Notice and Summons of Meeting

2 Member Attendance and Apologies

3 Statement for Remote Meetings

4 Declarations of Members' Interests

Open for Decision

5 Presentation - To receive Mr A Herron, Director of Service Delivery Playboard NI to Present a Play Plan Update (Pages 1 - 24)

6 Chairperson's Business

7 Matters Arising from the Open Minutes of the Environment and Regeneration Committee held on Wednesday 10 February 2021 (Pages 25 - 52)

8 Play Plan - Update (Pages 53 - 54)

9 Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Consultation (Pages 55 -

66)

10 Sustainable Food Places - Development Grant (Pages 67 - 70)

11 Street Naming and Property Numbering - Request for Development Name at Central Drive, Creggan (Pages 71 - 76)

12 Delegated Authority - Minor Works (Pages 77 - 78)

Open for Information

13 Building Control Applications (Pages 79 - 80)

14 Mobuoy Update (Pages 81 - 110)

15 Acorn Farm - UK Climate Action Fund - Update (Pages 111 - 116)

16 Pollinator Plan - Update (Pages 117 - 124)

17 Implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy (Pages 125 - 132)

18 Procurement of Council's Natural Gas Supply (Pages 133 - 134)

19 Northern Ireland Water - DfI Minister's Response (Pages 135 - 138)

20 Amendment to Footway (Prohibition of Waiting) Order (Pages 139 - 142)

21 DfI Proposed Speed Limit - Haw Road (Pages 143 - 146)

22 DfI No Waiting Restriction - Bonds Hill (Pages 147 - 150)

23 Proposed Provision and Removal of Disabled Parking Bays at St Canices Close, Eglinton and Rosemount Avenue (Pages 151 - 156)

24 Amendment to Exceptions for 7.5 Tonne Weight Restriction at Urney Road, Strabane (Pages 157 - 164)

Confidential for Decision

25 Matters Arising from Confidential Minutes of the Environment and Regeneration Committee held on Wednesday 10 February 2021 (Pages 165 - 170)

26 Full Business Case (FBC) for the Development of Waste Management Infrastructure for Kerbside Collected Recyclates (Pages 171 - 318)

27 Rural Development Programme - Village Enhancement - Development Agreement - Fencing for the Cricket Club (Pages 319 - 320)

28 Maintenance of Green Space at Nualamont Drive, Jacqueline Way (Pages 321 - 324)

29 Boomhall Lands - Conacre Agreement with Mr McCloskey - Update (Pages 325 - 328)

30 Lease Arrangements Recycling Centre (Pages 329 - 330)

31 ER-17-09 Retaining Walls and Flood Damage Remedial Works - Meetinghouse Path Strabane - Appraisal of Options 4 and 5 (Pages 331 - 342)

32 Eglinton Glen (Pages 343 - 346)

33 1 No New 17000Kg MAM Vehicle Lift (Skeoge Workshop) (Pages 347 - 348)

Confidential for Information

34 St Columb's Park House Rent - Update (Pages 349 - 360)

4 March 2021

This page is intentionally left blank Derry City and Strabane Play Plan Update March 2021 Page 1 Page Agenda Item 5

Alan Herron Director of Service Delivery & Development PlayBoard NI Why a Play Plan?

Commitment to UNCRC Article 31 Page 2 Page Embed Participative DCSDC Strategic Approach to Framework meeting play Play for Play need Plan

Maximise Investment in Play Process to Date

Baseline Study

• Review of existing approaches to meeting play need • Review of wider strategic context (Local, Regional, International)

Play Value Audit

Page 3 Page • Completed play value audit of 83 play areas • Establishment of play value rank for each site • Recommendations made for each site (Maintain & Monitor, Upgrade, Transformation)

GIS Mapping

• Mapping of all fixed play areas • Assessment of continued level of demand based on household/demographic need • Identification of potential gap areas through population, household and catchment criteria • Establishment of criteria relating to the upgrading/renewal of play areas based on condition reports/age/play value/demographic need etc. Community Engagement

• Online surveys with Children and Young People, Parents/Carers and Community Organisations

DEA Sessions Page 4 Page • Overview of Play Plan development process • Overview of DEA specific findings and recommendations • Overview of non-fixed approaches to meeting play need • Focused session on meeting Rural Play need

Design Standards

• Provision of design guidance for the future development of fixed play areas Fixed Play Areas Current Play Value Scores

• 6 play areas fall within the top band (600 to 800) • Geographically spread across 6 of the 8 DEA’s (Derg and Waterside do not have a play area in the top rank) • Sites offer a high level of play value and require ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure PV does not degrade Page 5 Page Fixed Play Areas Play Value Scores

• 23 play areas fall within the upper mid band

• Sites offer a fair to good level of play value and require 6 Page ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure PV does not degrade • 25 play areas fall within the lower mid band

• Sites offer a low to fair level of play value 7 Page

• Sites will require upgrading in order to ensure adequate level of play value • 28 play areas fall within the lowest PV band

• Sites offer a low level of play value Page 8 Page

• Sites require upgrading as currently offer minimal level of play value Developments since Play Value Assessments

Play Area Nature of Original PV Projected PV Work Score (Plan based) Magheramason Full Upgrade 405 570 Sion Mills New n/a 590 Mourne Park New n/a 500 Page 9 Page Eglinton Full Upgrade 475 560 Ardstraw Partial Upgrade 370 445 Artigarvan Partial Upgrade 395 460 DCSDC Agreed Accessibility Benchmark Standards

DCSDC Description Radial Designation Distance (m) Local Play Area Designed to cater for local residents within easy walking distance. Typically located in rural 400 areas, areas of lower population density, villages and smaller urban estates.

Neighbourhood Offer greater variety of play, attracting users from larger area. Features can include: 750

Play Area 10 Page • Free play space/MUGA/kickabout area • High quality play provision including inclusive play equipment • Dependent on wider site, may include access to Community Hub (centre) with toilets and possibly Changing Places Toilet facility • Car-parking District Play Area The largest in terms of size and scale, offer a wide variety of fixed and non-fixed play 1,000 opportunities. Often set within larger parklands, features can include: • Support services (café, toilet etc. to facilitate longer term site use) • Changing Places Toilet • High quality play provision including inclusive play equipment • Greenway connections/pathways • Car parking • Pitches/grassed areas to facilitate ball games and free play Ballyarnett DEA

Action Location

Potential New • Carnhill Play Area subject • Elmore/Earhart to land • Country Park availability (design development (council led) ongoing) Enhancement • Templemore (to District) Page 11 Page • Ballyarnett (inclusive equipment) • Culmore (relocation and enhancement of Ballynagard to Neighbourhood - planning approved, design underway) No Immediate • Action • Glenabbey • Leafair Note: Identification of Developer led Play Sites is ongoing • Galliagh Waterside DEA

Action Location

Potential New Play • Top of the Hill Area subject to • Waterstone Pk/ land availability Windridge Way/ (council led) Thornlea Gdns • Knightsbridge/ Pelham Rd/ Sevenoaks • Lincoln Court Page 12 Page Upgrade • Curryneiron (planning approved) • Stevensons Pk • Fountain Hill Enhancement • St Columbs Pk

Removal/ • Faughan Crescent Transformation • Faughanview (subject to detailed • Rossdowney Drive consultation) • Milltown View No Immediate • Lapwing Way Action • Rose Court • Roulstone Ave Note: Identification of Developer led Play Sites is ongoing • Irish Street • Kilfennan • Derg DEA

Action Location

Potential New Play • Drumlegagh (dependent Area subject to land on future need) availability (council led) Upgrade • Killen (relocation) • Hillview Pk • Glebe • Cluny Gdns Page 13 Page • Ardstraw • Listymore • Spamount • Millbrook Gdns • Sion Mills (under construction) Enhancement • Castle Park (to District) • Vaughans Holm (located in Sperrin DEA) Removal/ • Mitchell Park Transformation (subject to detailed consultation) Note: Identification of Developer led Play Sites is ongoing No Immediate Action • Killeter • Victoria Bridge • Mourne Pk, N’Stewart Strabane DEA

Action Location

Potential New Play • Tulacorr, Grangewood & Area subject to land Glenside availability (council • Ashdale, Fernbrook & led) Brookvale • Belladoo, Laurel Drive & Five Acres • Adria site • Page 14 Page Castletown Road Upgrade • Carlton Drive • Ballycolman (Bottom) Enhancement (to • Ballycolman Community N’hood) Centre • Lisnafin • Courtrai Park No Immediate Action • Melvin Play Park • Melvin Pirate Ship • Melvin Grass area • Springhill Pk • Patrician Villas Removal/ • Beechmount Ave. (due Transformation to Aria devt. – possible (subject to detailed development for older consultation) children/ teens e.g. MUGA) Note: Identification of Developer led Play Sites is ongoing Foyleside DEA

Action Location

Potential New • St. Ethne’s, Ard Play Area Grange & subject to land Grangemore availability • Coshquin (planning (council led) approved) • Lower Strand Road Page 15 Page (Playable Features) Enhancement (to • Hazelbank (beside N’hood) new CC) Enhancement (to • Templemore District) (neighbouring DEA - under Masterplan) No Immediate • Ballymagroary Action • Glen • Pennyburn

Note: Identification of Developer led Play Sites is ongoing Faughan DEA

Action Location

Potential New Play • Area subject to (Neighbourhood / land availability District provision) (council led) • Tannaherin • Bready Page 16 Page Upgrade • Magheramason (under construction) • Primity Crescent • Eglinton

Enhancement (to • (inclusive District) equipment) No Immediate • Carnmoney Action • Pinewood Crescent • Nicholson Gardens • • Goshaden • Enagh Crescent

Note: Identification of Developer led Play Sites is ongoing Sperrin DEA

Action Location

Potential New Play • Area subject to land • Ballymagorry availability (council led) • Cranagh Upgrade • Douglas Bridge • Artigarvan • Glenmornan • Camus • Learmount (partial) • Cumber House (partial) Page 17 Page Enhancement • Plumbridge (Dergborough Rd) • Donemana (to N’Hood) • Vaughans Holme (to N’Hood/ District) Removal/ • Sperrin Heritage Transformation • Allen Park (subject to detailed consultation) No Immediate Action • Riverside (Plumbridge) • Faughanview • Mourne Pk (located in Derg DEA)

Note: Identification of Developer led Play Sites is ongoing The Moor DEA

Action Location

Potential New • Nixon's Corner Play Area subject • Glenowen to land • St Ethnes/ availability Ardgrange/ (council led) Grangemore (located in Page 18 Page Foyleside DEA) Upgrade • Bull Park

Removal/ • Kildrum Gardens Transformation (subject to detailed consultation) Enhancement • Oakland Park (inclusive equip) No Immediate • The Fountain Action • Iniscarn Rd (Bishops Field) Note: Identification of Developer led Play Sites is ongoing • Brandywell • Riverview Park • Brooke Park Overarching DCSDC View

Action Number Potential New Play Area 23 Upgrade 24 Enhancement 14 Page 19 Page Removal/ Transformation 9 No Immediate Action 34 Wider Issues Identified

Youth Provision

Rural Play

Page 20 Page Urban Sports Need

Play and Recreation

Non-Fixed Inclusive Play Approaches

New Residential Development Play Partnership

• Overarching Play Partnership to be established to support Council as its seeks to address the cross-cutting issues (Possible strand within Community Partnership) Page 21 Page

Disability Council Political Youth Service PSNI Representatives Reps.

University of Planning Dept. NIHE Ulster (Playwork) Meeting Rural Play Need Option Based Approach

Dual Development Dual Development with Primary Schools with Sports Clubs Page 22 Page

Dual Development with Statutory Land Purchase Partners (Landbanks)

Enforcement of Planning Powers to ensure provision of play space Next Steps

Activity Purpose Status

Identification and mapping of To provide a complete picture Ongoing play areas not in council of provision, including non- ownership council managed

Identification of new planning To identify future areas of Mapping ongoing, will require

Page 23 Page developments (ongoing) need and address gaps regular updating through planning process Mapping of Primary Schools To identify potential play Mapping complete, will (to support rural play) development sites in rural require ongoing update areas Consultation on Draft Play To provide an opportunity for April/May Plan further community feedback Costing of final To provide costings in support June/July recommendations of the Play Plan Finalisation and adoption of To finalise the Play Plan and Sept/Oct Play Plan by Council move to operationalisation Page 24 Page

Contact Details Alan Herron

Tel: 028 9080 3380 Email: [email protected] Agenda Item 7

Derry City and Strabane District Council

Open Minutes of the Environment and Regeneration Committee held remotely on Wednesday 10 February 2021 at 4.00pm

______

Present:- Alderman Devenney (in the Chair), Aldermen Hussey, McCready, Ramsey; Councillors J Boyle, Carr, Durkan, Edwards, Fleming, Jackson, McCann and McHugh.

In Attendance:- Director of Environment and Regeneration (Mrs K Phillips), Head of Environment (Mr C Canning), Head of Capital Development and Building Control (Mr F Morrison), Regeneration Manager (Mr T Monaghan) and Committee Services Assistant (Ms N Meehan).

Non-Member of Committee – Alderman Guy and Kerrigan; Councillors J Barr, Ferguson and Reilly. ______

ER31/21 Notice and Summons of Meeting

The Director of Environment and Regeneration read the Notice and Summons for the Meeting.

ER32/21 Member Attendance and Apologies

The Director of Environment and Regeneration took the roll call and there were no apologies.

ER33/21 Statement of Remote Meeting

The Director of Environment and Regeneration read the Statement for a Remote Meeting.

ER34/21 Declaration of Members’ Interests

Agenda Item 10 - DfC Recovery and Revitalisation – Update on Proposed Public Realm Interventions - Alderman Hussey.

Alderman Hussey advised that he had a pecuniary interest in regards to paragraph 2.2 of Item 10 on the Agenda. He sought guidance on whether it would be necessary for him to withdraw completely during

1 Page 25 discussion on this item, pointing out that there were other issues within that report on which he would wish to comment from a Council perspective.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration said it was at the discretion of the Chairperson if the Member could remain in the Meeting during consideration of Item 10. However, she assumed that if the said Members had declared an interest, and the Chairperson was satisfied, he could comment on a matter unrelated to the interest.

The Chairperson acknowledged that Alderman Hussey had declared a pecuniary interest in regards to paragraph 2.2 of Item 10. He said he was satisfied if Alderman Hussey commented on aspects of the report not related to the interest declared by him.

Chairperson’s Business

ER35/21 Condemnation

The Chairperson condemned outrightly an attack on a number of Council refuse collection vehicles which had occurred in the Skeoge area earlier that week. This involved bricks and stones having been hurled at the three vehicles which, fortunately, in this instance, had not proved fatalistic. He referred to the dangers presented by such an attack for both the drivers of the vehicles involved and pedestrians in the area. He said he understood that similar attacks had been carried out on other vehicles in the area and condemned all such attacks. He appealed to anyone with information regarding these attacks to contact either the PSNI or a public representative.

He also condemned an assault which had taken place on a member of staff at Pennyburn Recycling Centre. He referred to the level of verbal abuse directed at staff at the various recycling centres. He referred to the need for Council to support its staff and ensure that they were neither verbally or physically attacked by members of the public using Council services.

The Head of Environment confirmed that three Council vehicles had been attacked on the morning of 4 February at the Skeoge Road. He said that thankfully, due to the skill shown by the drivers of these 32 tonne vehicles, a serious outcome had been avoided. He said the PSNI were still carrying out investigations into these attacks.

2 Page 26 The Head of Environment also confirmed that a member of the external security staff at the Pennyburn Recycling Centre had been physically assaulted by a member of the public on 5 February 2021. He stated that the employee in question had sustained an injury to his head and back and had to attend A&E for treatment. He said thankfully his injuries were not serious and he was discharged later that day. He said any attack on staff, whether physical or verbal had to be condoned. He said Council were providing a valuable and public service and staff on- site were doing their utmost to provide this service during such challenging times. He pointed out that Council had reviewed all of its risk assessments and were content that it was doing everything possible given the circumstances. However, there was always the possibility that a member of the public could carry out a verbal or physical attack on a member of staff at any time, which, unfortunately, was beyond Council’s control. He appealed to members of the public to be mindful that staff were there to provide a vital role and Council would provide as much back up and support to staff as was possible.

Councillor McCann condemned the attacks on Council staff and vehicles. However, he referred to the need to recognise that this was part of a wider pattern. He said he was not convinced that the attacks on Council staff and property were motivated by a hostility towards Council but was part of a more general phenomenon, which included violence against citizens. He referred to the recent shootings in the Creggan and suggested that this was a continuing aspect of “The Troubles” and had to be addressed. He said one could not ignore the justifications being provided in regards to such brutal attacks. These suggested that the perpetrators were defending the community from vandalism and anti-social behaviour because the PSNI either, could not or would not do it. He said this was certainly no justification and the only effects of such attacks was to brutalise people and belittle their role in addressing anti-social problems in their community. The organisers behind these attacks were seeking a twisted credibility. He reiterated that this was all part of a phenomenon which involved much more sinister forms of violence.

Alderman McCready said the attacks which had taken place were despicable. He said he was not content with the information provided in regards to the dangers facing members of staff on a regular basis. He sought an update in regards to those members of staff involved in the various attacks. He expressed concern that the attacks which were carried out were not indiscriminate and had singled out Council staff and vehicles with complete disregard for their victims. Whilst

3 Page 27 acknowledging the skills of the drivers involved he referred to the potential for disaster which an attack on such a vehicle would have. He referred to the fact that there were multiple incidents and reports. In terms of risk management, he queried, at what point, following the first incident and the concerns arising therefrom, was a decision taken to continue to allow Council vehicles to use this route and encounter similar risks. He referred to concerns expressed by the drivers of these vehicles which did not make for harmonious working within Council. He referred to the need for additional work to be carried out to address this problem. He also sought an update from PSNI in regards to these attacks.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration assured that the health, safety and welfare of Council staff was paramount to Council and its Senior Leaders Team. She said, as Members would be aware, Council had been awarded the ISO 45001 Accreditation which clearly endorsed such an approach. She stated that Officer had, and would continue to engage with PSNI in regards to each of the incidents.

The Head of Environment explained that the attacks on all three vehicles were carried out within the space of a few minutes between 6.50-7.00 am on 4 February 2021. He said Council had reported the incidents to PSNI at 7.25 am that morning who attended the scene shortly afterwards. He said they had revisited the area to capture the footage from the cameras in the area. He said he had spoken personally to each of the drivers shortly after the attack who were obviously disturbed by the incident. However, despite being offered an opportunity to go home, were insistent upon remaining to complete their duties. He agreed that this was an intolerable situation. He said Officers had completed risk assessments and safe systems at work and had all of the supports in place. Council also provided back up in terms of external services in terms of health and wellbeing which were made available to all members of staff. He stated that, from a management perspective, whilst possibly more could be done, officers had done all they possibly could in this situation. He continued that the PSNI had revisited the site in terms of trying to assess what had taken place that day. He pointed out that a number of other business vehicles had also been attacked that morning at approximately the same period of time. It was impossible to suggest that the perpetrators were specifically targeting Council vehicles given that there were a number of non- Council vehicles also attacked. He assured Members that, in going forward, management had, and would, continue to offer support and assistance to Refuse Collection Crews where necessary.

4 Page 28

Councillor Jackson, on behalf of Sinn Fein, endorsed the comments made by the previous speakers in regards to condemning the attacks which had taken place on Council vehicles and staff. All of these members of staff were providing a valuable role within the City. He said these attacks were despicable and intolerable and reiterated his condemnation in the strongest possible terms.

Councillor Jackson referred to the Working Group which had been established in regards to Recycling Centres. He referred to discussions which had taken place through that forum on the challenges presented particularly in regards to the external security company currently deployed at the Pennyburn site. He requested that a meeting of the Working Group be convened to discuss these latest attacks and possible measures to be put in place to assist those members of staff involved in these attacks.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration undertook to convene, as a matter of urgency, a meeting of the Recycling Working Group to discuss the issues raised.

Councillor Dobbins, on behalf of the SDLP, condemned the attacks which had been carried out on Council and other business vehicles. She said she was mindful of those employees who had been affected and the impact this might have in the longer term. She welcomed the fact that Council was addressing the needs of those concerned as far as was possible.

Councillor Burke reiterated her Party’s condemnation of the attacks on both staff and Council vehicles. She also expressed her Party’s condemnation in regards to the shootings which had been carried out in Creggan and all incidents of a similar nature, regardless of where these had taken place. She stated that this, and similar incidents in Creggan, were not a reflection of the local community. She stated that those responsible had no place in society. All such incidents placed a further unnecessary pressure on NHS staff who had worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to help protect and save lives.

Alderman Guy expressed his condemnation of the attacks which had taken place on Council staff and vehicles. He acknowledged the extent of verbal abuse directed at Recycling Centre staff on a daily basis. He requested that Officers consider setting aside a specific time for small business vans to dispose of waste at recycling centres. He also referred

5 Page 29 to the possibility of introducing an extension of the current booking system for such purposes.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration undertook to address the issue raised.

Councillor Ferguson expressed her condemnation of all the attacks which had been carried out. She said there was no justification for attacks on Council staff and referred to the need to adopt a zero tolerance approach in this regard. She said the fact that it had been necessary to deploy security at some of the recycling centres was, in itself, a matter of great concern. She said she would be willing to work through the Recycling Working Group in order to identify a solution to the problem.

Councillor Carr concurred with the sentiments expressed by the previous speakers in condemning all of the acts of violence which had been carried out. In regards to the shootings in Creggan, he said such attacks had not proved successful in the past, nor would they in the future.

Councillor Carr referred to a number of requests which he had received from members of the public regarding the installation of new signage at Pennyburn Recycling Centre. He acknowledged that the current signage, in regards to providing direction, was inadequate. He suggested that more adequate signage may assist in the process of directing people to the correct dumping area/skip. This could also be places on the agenda for consideration by the Working Group.

The Head of Environment agreed that the Working Group would be the most appropriate forum through which to discuss the issues raised, many of which were extremely complex. He assured Members that consideration was being given to an online booking system which would be much more user friendly than the existing arrangements at Glendermott Road. This system would be applicable at the majority of recycling centres and would hopefully address issues in regards small business vans, in so far as, whilst there was no time restriction per se, it would allow Council to control the flow. He acknowledged the issues in regards to the signage at Pennyburn Recycling Centre. He said it was anticipated that signage at all of Council’s recycling centres would be replaced, over a period of time. He referred to the general delay in accessing sites due to the fact that these were still operating within the restrictions and the advice given by DAERA in regards to numbers. He

6 Page 30 said unfortunately this situation would remain for some time to come until the current Covid regulations were reviewed. He reassured Members that Officers were aware of all of the issues raised and were endeavouring to address these.

Councillor Boyle suggested that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Environment and Regeneration Committee, write to the drivers of the vehicles attacked and commend them on their forbearance and professionalism during these incidents and to relay the comments of Members. He welcomed the fact that these attacks had not resulted in serious injury or death. He also condemned the shootings which had been carried out in Creggan and concurred that this was by no means any reflection of the view and aspirations of the majority of the residents of Creggan and the citizens across the City and District. He referred to the general malaise in society and to those who made definite attempts to justify brutalising people. He urged that the Committee stand collectively in its opposition to this type of activity.

Councillor McCann expressed concern that an item on the Mobuoy Road had not been included on the Agenda for consideration, particularly, given the Committee’s earlier decision to have the Mobuoy Road included as a regular item for consideration.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration apologised that the report had not been included on the Agenda for this Meeting. She explained that this had been due to an administrative error resulting in the report from DAERA not having been forwarded to Committee Section for inclusion on the Agenda. She undertook to circulate the DAERA report to Members following the Meeting and include both reports from DAERA at the March Meeting of Committee.

Councillor McCann welcomed the explanation.

The Chairperson welcomed the overwhelming condemnation of all of the attacks on Council staff and vehicles which had taken place. He said the welfare and wellbeing of Council staff was paramount. He assured that work would be carried out to ensure the wellbeing and welfare of staff.

The Chairperson also condemned the barbaric shootings which had taken place in Creggan. He referred to the fact that one of the victims had been left with life threatening injuries. He agreed that this was not a reflection on the people of Creggan. He appealed to anyone with

7 Page 31 information regarding any of the attacks carried out to contact the PSNI or a public representative.

ER36/21 Forest Parks/Community Walkways

Councillor Edwards referred to issues relating to Forest Parks and community walkways within the Council area. He referred to the fact that these had grown in importance since the onset of the pandemic in terms of people spending time outside and carrying out exercise. He said his Party had been lobbying the new DAERA Minister, Gordon Lyons, regarding forest parks and pathways within this Council area. The Minister had subsequently informed the Party, in writing, that he would be providing additional capital funding for the next financial year. He said he wished to ensure that the entire Council area would be addressed through this funding, and more particularly his own DEA in Derg as well as Sperrin. He referred to a number of facilities within his general area which were outside this Council area such as Gortin Glens and Strabane Canal. He referred to the massive demand for Strabane Canal by local people and to the parking problems arising therefrom. He referred to the need for additional facilities within this Council area. He referred to the dilapidated condition of Sion Mills which was in major need of additional investment. He referred to the fact that work had not yet begun of the walkway at the river which had been guaranteed for this area. He acknowledged the level of investment into Clear Forest in the Derg, however, this was not adequate. He also referred to a walkway from Mitchel Park in Castle Derg to the Castle site which needed to be addressed.

Subsequently the Committee

Recommended that within the context of the additional funding from the DAERA Minister Council Officers prepare a report addressing the current provision of forest parks/pathways particularly in both the Sperrin and Derg DEAs with a view to further investment in both areas.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration undertook to prepare a report on this matter for submission to a future Meeting of Committee. She reminded Members of the lead-in time in respect of these types of capital projects. She stated that, even if funding did become available during the next financial year, it was necessary to bear in mind the

8 Page 32 timescale involved in terms of scoping a project of this scale, carrying out the procurement process and appointing contractors. This was why, as Members would be aware through the Capital Working Group and other mechanisms, Officers endeavoured to prepare for possible funding opportunities in advance. She referred to the close proximity of the next financial year in terms of funding being made available. She said Officers would endeavour to deliver whatever was possible. In regards to facilities which were not Council owned, or managed, she pointed out that it may be necessary to engage with other agencies in order to secure their support and buy-in in terms of legal agreements. She reiterated that all of these processes were time consuming. She referred to the importance of Council’s Capital Team as well as its Green Infrastructure Team. Whilst welcoming the news of additional funding and assuring that Officer would do all in their power to bring forward suitable projects, she reiterated her concerns regarding the timescale involved in terms of being able to deliver.

The Chairperson said he did not underestimate the level of work involved in bring forward capital projects.

Councillor Edwards reiterated that both the Sperrin and Derg DEAs were lacking considerably in terms of provision.

Matters Arising from the Open Minutes of the Environment and Regeneration Committee held on Wednesday 13 January 2021

ER37/21 Deputation – Firmus Energy (ER5/21)

Councillor Jackson referred to the presentation on Carbon Saving given by Firmus Energy at the January Meeting of Committee. He referred to a funding opportunity which had arisen in respect of electric charging points within the Council district. However, he understood that Council had not been eligible to apply for this funding because the particular funding stream did not include charging points for off street car parking. He requested that a report be presented to a future Meeting of Committee, outlining any barriers which were in place regarding the installation of electric charging points. He referred to the significance of this in relation to achieving Council’s wider objectives in terms of climate emergency and reducing its carbon footprint. He pointed out that electric vehicles would play a major part in terms of Council achieving its objective and it was therefore necessary to be in a state of readiness. He said it was disappointing to learn that Council had not been eligible to avail of this particular funding opportunity.

9 Page 33

The Director of Environment and Regeneration confirmed this situation. She stated that it was an opportunity which had been made available to Councils across the UK. However, there were different responsibilities here compared to Councils in Britain. She said a report on the matter would be presented to the next Meeting of Committee to update Members. She advised that Council’s Energy Manager was currently investigating this matter in conjunction with Sustainable NI.

The Chairperson acknowledged the disappointment expressed by Councillor Jackson in regards to this matter. He stated that Alderman McClintock had raised the issue of electric charging points on a number of occasions. He referred to the need for Council to promote the use of electric vehicles in regards to reaching its targets in terms carbon saving and reducing its carbon footprint.

ER38/21 Access to Salt Bins (ER10/21)

Alderman Hussey referred to the recommendation made at the January Meeting of Committee that Council write to DfI Roads requesting an update in regards to the provision of small salt bins throughout the Council area. He queried if a response had yet been received from DfI in regards to this issue.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration advised that she was not aware of any response from DfI Roads in regards to this matter. However, she undertook to contact the Divisional Roads Manager thereon.

Alderman Ramsey pointed out that the problem was due to a lack of resources. Whilst the salt and the bins were available the staff to deliver and deposit these were not. He pointed out that there had been a reduction in staff throughout a number of areas and in particular Newbuildings. Some areas were experiencing a 75% reduction in staff. He acknowledged that a letter had been sent to DfI Roads and pointed out that Gary Middleton MLA would also address the Minister on the issue of staffing. He anticipated that a funding package would be made available to the Department for Infrastructure during the next monetary round to address the problem. He suggested that other Members request their MLAs to join Gary Middleton in addressing this issue with the Minister. He referred to the need to encourage local communities to look after their more vulnerable members of society in terms of the provision of salt boxes.

10 Page 34

Councillor Jackson referred to assurances given by DfI Roads at the December Meeting of Committee that their winter preparation was complete. He expressed concern, however, that this did not appear to have been the case. He referred to frustrations felt within local communities in terms of being able to access salt. He said it was disappointing to learn that, despite reassurances given, the Department was not in a position to address the problems which winter presented.

Councillor McHugh referred to his suggestion at the January Meeting of Committee that Council adopt more responsibility in terms of gritting those areas which did not meet the criteria of DfI Roads in terms of the provision of salt bins. He acknowledged that a Service Level Agreement was in place with DfI Roads in regards to towns and City centres during prolonged periods of inclement weather. He queried if consideration had been given to his suggestion in regards to what role Council could play in terms of gritting. He reiterated his opinion that Council should be taking a more active role in addressing this problem. He referred to the resiliency groups which existed within the various areas who were willing to carry out the work. He referred to the possibility of Council providing local resiliency groups with salt bins and an agreement with DfI Roads to provide salt.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration undertook to ascertain the work being carried out by the Adverse Weather Working Group, led by Council’s Emergency Planning Team, and advise Members accordingly. She reminded Members that Council teams were committed to gritting car parks, cemeteries and all civic building. However, Officers were in the process of preparing a report outlining the resources required in order for Council to carry out additional gritting works.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration undertook to request that a meeting of the Adverse Working Group be convened to discuss all of the issues raised.

ER39/21 Bin Provision (ER11/21)

Alderman Hussey, acknowledged that there was no set policy in regards to purchasing a second bin. However, he enquired who was responsible for replacement costs in situations where a bin had been stolen, removed or vandalised.

11 Page 35

The Head of Environment explained that Council would replace bins which had been stolen or vandalised or damaged by the Refuse Collection Crew during collection. However, if the bin required to be replaced because of general wear and tear, this was the responsibility of the property owner.

ER40/21 Annual Independent Street Cleansing Survey (ER16/21)

Alderman Hussey referred to previous discussion regarding the possibility of identifying dog owners via the DNA of dog foul samples. He enquired as to the current position in relation thereto.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration reminded Members that the issue of Dog Control was the responsibility of Council’s Health and Community Directorate. She said she understood a report on the matter would be presented to a Meeting of that Committee the following day for Members’ consideration. She presumed this would include the issue in relation to DNA. She pointed out, however, that the Head of Environment would be able to comment on additional cleansing undertaken by the Street Cleansing Team in relation to dog fouling.

The Head of Environment advised that following Members’ comments at the January Meeting of Committee, the Street Cleansing Teams had focused their attention on those higher footfall areas in order to remove dog excrement as quickly as possible. He pointed out that the major issue was in regards to educating dog owners to be responsible and not to allow their dogs to foul or, when his had occurred, to remove the waste.

ER41/21 Green Infrastructure Action Plan 2019 -2032 – Annual Report (ER21/21)

Alderman Hussey enquired if the sites had yet been identified which would be used in the “Don’t Mow It, Let It Grow” initiative, whether Council or DfI sites.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration confirmed that a number of sites had been identified in respect of the “Don’t Mow It, Grow It” initiative. She undertook to request Council’s Bio-Diversity Officer to contact Alderman Hussey directly in regards to this matter.

12 Page 36 She requested that Members submit any suggestions to herself or the Head of Environment for consideration in terms of their suitability.

ER42/21 Strabane Street Trees – Management (ER22/21)

In response to a request from Alderman Hussey, the Director of Environment and Regeneration undertook to request the Tree Woodland Officer to carry out a survey of the street trees in Casltederg for the purposes requested. She urged Members to relay their concerns regarding any trees within the Council area to herself or the Head of Environment in order that a survey could be arranged in respect thereof.

Councillor Edwards commended the Tree Woodland Officer on the work he carried out prior to Christmas at Urney Road in terms of carry out improvement and maintenance works in the area.

ER43/21 Mobuoy Road Update (ER25/21)

Councillor McCann enquired as to the current position in regards to this issue. He referred to the Committee’s earlier decision to request that the Public Inquiry, guaranteed by the former Minister for Infrastructure in February 2014, be carried out. He expressed concern that there had not been any progress in regards to this. He enquired as to the procedural route to having a Public Inquiry carried out. He referred to the need for this to be regarded as a cross-departmental issue by the Executive which was not the responsibility of a single department. He queried why, those Parties represented on the Executive, who had indicated their support for a Public Inquiry, were not adopting the Executive route to having a Public Inquiry carried out. He also sought an explanation as to why this might not be considered a practical way forward and possible alternatives in terms of achieving this objective.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration advised that, as requested by Members, she had written to the First and Deputy First Minister in December, advising that this was a cross cutting issue and requesting a Public Inquiry. This correspondence had been copied to all of the Executive Departments. However, a response thereto had not yet been received. If Members requested, a further letter could be sent requesting a response to Council’s original correspondence.

13 Page 37 Councillor McCann said it was outrageous that Council had written to all of the Executive Ministers and not a single response had yet been received. This was of particular concern given that, all of the Political Parties represented at Stormont, had, in their local manifestations declared their support for this idea.

Councillor McCann referred to earlier suggestions that this should be a matter for the North West Ministerial Council. He enquired if there had been any attempts to progress this.

The Chairperson reiterated that a letter had been sent to the Executive and a response thereto had not yet been received. He suggested that it would be unwise to speculate on their decision until a response had been received.

Councillor McCann reiterated his concerns that no responses had yet been received to Council’s original correspondence.

Councillor Durkan concurred with the sentiments expressed by Councillor McCann. She said she was eager that the matter be raised with North West Ministerial Council which was why it was necessary to have the Executive Office on board and the Executive collectively. She agreed that individual Political Parties had a duty to lobby strongly through their MLAs at Stormont.

ER44/21 Play Plan Update (ER27/21)

Alderman Hussey pointed out that the extreme deprivation which existed throughout this Council area in terms of play provision, identified by the Play Board was well known. He expressed serious concerns regarding the condition of a number of existing facilities and referred to the urgency with which this must be addressed. He enquired as to what funding had been identified in the next financial year to address the play provision deficit, particularly in regards to the wider rural area.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration advised that a further presentation on the Play Plan would be presented to either the March or April Meeting of Committee as the consultation had now been completed and the necessary feedback received. She acknowledged the deficit in terms of play provision throughout the Council district which had been identified. She stated that the next phase would be to agree a funding strategy to ensure that Council would be in a position

14 Page 38 to address the needs which had been identified. She said, as Members were aware, Officers had been working to provide play facilities in a number of areas across the Council District. Officers had also been investigating the extent of repair works and upgrades which could be carried out to existing facilities. She referred to the need for a funding strategy to be agreed by Members. She stated that this was a long- term strategy. She said it would take considerable time to agree how Council would prioritise the provision of play facilities and the level of investment required in terms of upgrading facilities for local communities. She referred to Officer’s expertise in terms of play provision and identifying funding across a variety of sources. She reiterated the need to focus on this issue in the coming months. She said that all of the issues would be presented to Members and Officers would continue to engage with Members through the Committee structure and other mechanisms. She anticipated that agreement would be reached in the coming months in terms of a funding strategy and a programme for going forward.

Alderman Hussey expressed his serious disappointment at the response received from the Director of Environment and Regeneration. It appeared that the issue would not begin to be addressed until the following financial year. He queried if any funding had been put aside in the current financial year to begin the process of addressing, in particular, those sites which were in a dire state.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration clarified that Officers were examining every opportunity to improve existing facilities and a report specifically addressing this issue would be submitted to a future Meeting of Committee. She reiterated that the Play Strategy was a long-term strategy which did not deal primarily with the maintenance and improvement of existing facilities but the provision of play facilities within the local and wider district. She pointed out that this had been clearly indicated in every report regarding the Play Strategy. She said Officer were, and would continue to take every possible funding opportunity to provide and improve existing play facilities.

Councillor Edwards concurred with the sentiments expressed by Alderman Hussey in regards to play parks. He enquired if there were any immediate plans in terms of investment into improvement and maintenance works being carried out to existing play facilities.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration advised that Officers had considered this as an opportunity and had been scoping what

15 Page 39 works could be carried out to existing play facilities during the current financial year. She pointed out that a report thereon would be presented to the March Meeting of Committee outlining the specific details in regards to this.

Alderman McCready sought an update, on behalf of residents, in regards to the play park at Gulf Road, which he said had recently been removed. He stated that whilst this may be a small community, they were already facing huge disruption as a result of road closures due to the erection of the A6.

Alderman McCready also sought an update in regards to progress in respect of Eglinton play park.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration advised that she was not in a position to provide Members with an update at that stage. However, she undertook to prepare a report thereon for presentation at the March Meeting of Committee. She also undertook to request the Play Officer to update Alderman MCready on the matter prior to the next Meeting.

The Chairperson echoed many of the concerns expressed by the previous speakers regarding the Play Plan in regards to the rural area and particularly the Derg and the Sperrin areas.

ER45/21 Street Naming and Property Numbering – Request for Development Name

The Head of Capital Development and Building Control presented the above report, a copy of which had previously been circulated. He advised that the purpose of the report was to gain Members’ consent to name a new development at 174 Bishop Street, Derry.

The Committee

Recommended that the new housing development at 174 Bishop Street, Derry be named Bishop Park.

ER46/21 Street Naming and Property Numbering – Request for Installation of Bilingual Signage

16 Page 40 The Head of Capital Development and Building Control presented the above report, a copy of which had previously been circulated. He advised that the purpose of the report was to inform Members of the outcome of recent applications to provide bilingual signage at Brookvale, Castletown Court, Ferndale and Iona Villas, Strabane and Ardanlee Park, Road, Lindenwood Park and West End Park, Derry.

The Committee

Recommended that given the outcome of the plebiscite, approval be granted for the erection of bilingual street signage at Brookvale, Castletown Court, Ferndale and Iona Villas, Strabane and Ardanlee Ballyhanedin Road, Lindenwood Park and Westend Park, Derry.

ER47/21 Updates to Fleet Safety Policy

The Head of Environment presented the above report, a copy of which had previously been circulated. He advised that the purpose of the report was to seek Members’ approval with regard to the adoption of a revised Fleet Safety Policy following a review recently completed by the Fleet Manager.

Councillor Jackson welcomed the revised policy. He referred to discussion which had taken place earlier in the Meeting regarding attacks on Council’s fleet and said that the policy highlighted the importance of specific standards being adhered to in regards to Council’s fleet. This was particularly in regards to ensuring the safety of employees which was paramount.

The Committee

Recommended that approval be granted to the updated Fleet Policy for Derry City and Strabane District Council.

ER48/21 DfC Recovery and Revitalisation – Update on Proposed Public Realm Interventions

17 Page 41 The Regeneration Manager presented the above report, a copy of which had previously been circulated. He advised that the purpose of the report was to update Members on the current Recovery and Revitalisation Programme funded by the Department for Communities and to seek Members’ endorsement to continue to develop these initiatives in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Councillor Fleming welcomed the report and commended the Regeneration Manager on its content. He noted the work carried out within such a short timescale by both the Business and Culture Directorate and Environment and Regeneration Directorates. He said this was a positive outcome in response to media coverage in regards to Covid. He referred to the need to engage stakeholders in all of the work being carried out by Council. He enquired about the feasibility of the projected timescales in regards to some of the projects.

Alderman Hussey referred to the two elements of the report. First, the DfC business grant administered by Council, in respect of which he had declared a pecuniary interest earlier in the Meeting.

However, he wished to concentrate on the remainder of the report which was Derry City and Strabane District Council’s input into marketing and animation. He stated that whilst the DfC funding was in respect of the entire Council area, the input in terms of marketing and animation from Council related to two urban areas. He welcomed the proposals in terms of street life and the creation of vibrant places and outdoor vibrancy. However, he referred to rural communities such as Eglinton, Donemana, Newtownstewart which were settlements which were equally deserving of receiving street life and vibrancy within their areas and creating outdoor vibrancy within their areas. This would provide confidence for the public to utilise Council’s rural settlements. He assumed that this DfC grant did not apply to rural areas and enquired if consultation had taken place with the Local Community Growth Partnership Boards regarding this matter.

The Head of Capital Development and Building Control confirmed that the timescale indicated in the provisional programme was extremely tight and currently indicated work commencing during the summer period. However, he said that in light of the outcome of evolving project stakeholder consultations and still to be fully resolved matters such as lands, legal, planning, etc, there was still a considerable amount of work that needed to be completed prior to beginning the tender

18 Page 42 process and as a result, project progress was now behind the timeframe set out in the reported programme.

The Regeneration Manager referred to the timeline in regards to funding and the funders were advising that the funding would carry into the next financial year. Therefore, Council were working in accordance with this advice.

The Regeneration Manager acknowledged the points made by Alderman Hussey in relation to the interventions in regards to Council’s rural towns and villages. He confirmed that the funding through DfC had an urban focus which was Derry City and Strabane town centre. He pointed out that when the programme was being devised and developed, DAERA had come forward with funding to add to the original funding from DfC. It was considered that this initial funding of £85,000, would be best administered in the form of business grants to those businesses most in need where it would have the greatest impact. He continued that given the success and interest generated in the rural area as a result of these grants, DAERA had provided an additional £85,000 which had also been administered throughout the District in the form of business grants. He said this was a very flexible form of assistance.

The Regeneration Manager noted Alderman Hussey’s comments in regards to marketing and animation. He referred to campaigns initiated by Officers from the Business and Culture Directorate, in terms of delivering the message in regards to shopping local and providing safe and welcome shopping environment in respect of Strabane and Derry city centres. He said it would prove worthwhile to liaise with Officers from the Business and Culture Directorate to request them to consider how similar marketing and animation processes might also be delivered and rolled out in the rural area. He reiterated that the DfC funding was urban focused but referred to possible engagement with Officers from the Business and Culture Directorate and DfC in relation to taking forward marketing and animation activities as outlined by Alderman Hussey.

Whilst sharing Alderman Hussey’s issues in regards to the rural area, Councillor Edwards welcomed the work being carried out in Castle Street and anticipated that this would continue.

Councillor Edwards enquired as to the current position in regards to the Strabane Public Realm Scheme.

19 Page 43

The Director of Environment and Regeneration advised that planning permission had been granted in respect of the Strabane Public Realm Scheme. She said Members had decided to move to more detailed design in preparation for the Scheme. She pointed out that there were currently a few finalisations in regards to the economic appraisal which Council’s central government partners were considering. She stated that the next phase would involve a funding announcement by the Minister in relation to the Scheme. She said Officers were hopeful that this would take place in the near future and she undertook to update Members on any progress which had been made. She said Council was getting prepared physically to be able to deliver the Scheme as soon as funding in respect thereof had been made available.

Councillor M Boyle welcomed the progress to date. She referred to the obvious challenges being faced during the current climate and looked forward to the return of some sense of normality when outside entertaining would be allowed. However, she acknowledged that things would be different from what they had been previously and the challenges this presented together with the transformational change of City centres. She urged Members to do all they could within their DEAs to ensure against problems arising. Whilst acknowledging that some businesses might be reluctant to change outside their properties, she pointed out that this work would benefit everyone, including those businesses concerned. She encouraged elected representatives to work with Officers in terms of bringing forward proposals which could enhance the commercial heart of town centres. She pointed out that the funding in respect of the Public Realm Scheme had been signed off by the Minister.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration explained that the Public Realm Scheme was high on the list of priorities for the Department for Communities. However, Council had not yet received a formal funding announcement in regards to any of the major Public Realm Schemes. She stated that Council continued to liaise with the Department through its monthly Boards Meeting in relation to this project. She said Council would welcome the Minister’s funding announcement on this as soon as was possible.

The Chairperson commended Officers on the progress to date in regards to this scheme which was extremely beneficial for urban areas. He referred to the considerable number of rural villages also in need of

20 Page 44 enhancement and suggested that funding be sought in respect of these areas.

The Committee

Recommended that Members endorse further development of the initiatives in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Open for Information

ER49/21 Building Control Applications

The Head of Capital Development and Building Control presented the above report, a copy of which had previously been circulated. He pointed out that the purpose of the report was to advise Members of applications processed under Building Regulations between 1 December 2020 and 31 December 2020.

Members noted the content of the report.

ER50/21 Northern Ireland – Climate Change Bill

The Director of Environment and Regeneration presented the above report, a copy of which had previously been circulated. She pointed out that the purpose of the report was to advise Members on the submission of Council’s response to the discussion document on the Northern Ireland Climate Change Bill.

Councillor Durkan commended the Climate Officer and her team on the detailed response prepared on behalf of Council to DAERA’s consultation on the Climate Change Bill. She acknowledged the limited timescale provided in respect of the consultation process. She also referred to the work being carried out by the Climate Officer and her team in regards to Council Climate Adaptation Plan.

Councillor McCann, whilst welcoming the response, expressed disappointment that it did not contain any reference to rail. He considered rail to be a necessity in dealing with climate change in terms of shifting the balance of public spending on transport away from roads and toward rail. He said railways were not given the prominence they required or deserved and referred to the importance

21 Page 45 of rail transport from a climate change perspective and in terms of providing a cleaner environment. He referred to the need for further investment into rail transport in terms of upgrading the current rail system. He also referred to the need for further consideration to be given to air travel.

ER51/21 Update of Killen Recycling Centre

The Head of Environment presented the above report, a copy of which had previously been circulated. He advised that the purpose of the report was to update Members on the current status with regard to Killen Recycling Centre and options with regard to improving the current facility on constructing a new facility at another location.

Councillor Edwards expressed his disappointment at the lack of progress in regards to the Killen Recycling Centre. He sought clarity in regards to the report and enquired if the other recycling infrastructure referred to in Paragraph 2.2 referred to the Spamount Centre. He also sought an update in regards to paragraph 2.4 and the comments regarding the wider Castlederg area and queried if a budget been identified in respect of this area. He enquired as to the current position in regards to the ongoing negotiations with the landowner of the existing Killen site.

Alderman Kerrigan referred to paragraph 3.1 of the report which indicated that the landowner was willing to dispose of the site to Council. He referred to the fact that there was only one access on to the site. He said if Council wanted the site and the lane it would leave the landowner with no access to his land. He acknowledged that negotiations were ongoing in regards to this site. He referred to possible alternatives regarding access onto the site.

Alderman Kerrigan referred to considerable opposition within the village in regards to the two sites referred to in paragraph 3.2 of the report of these sites. In regards to 3.5 he sought clarification in regards to the location of the site on Willow Hill Road.

Alderman Hussey endorsed the remarks made by the previous speakers. In regards to the final section of paragraph 4.2, and the suggested requirement that this be progressed immediately, he enquired what was considered immediately, particularly, when considering paragraph 4.1 which stated that all options would have financial implications. He continued, that if this was to be dealt with

22 Page 46 immediately, it would be necessary to have the financial implications addressed within the current rates process. He enquired as to the timeline and when it was likely that this situation would be resolved. He said that whatever the preferred option, it was important that this was progressed as soon possible. He agreed that the current location would be acceptable if the issues in regards to access could be resolved. He referred to the need for this to be addressed as a matter of urgency for the benefit of the electorate in that area.

The Head of Environment acknowledged the frustrations of Members and local residents in regard to this matter. He understood that the former Strabane District Council had, for many years, endeavoured to identify an alternative site.

The Head of Environment explained that within a planning context, the preference would be that these facilities would be developed within the development limits of any settlement. This would therefore mean that within the confines of Castlederg or Killen or Spamount. He stated that moving outside of these confines it would be, although not impossible, much more difficult to obtain planning permission. These were some of the major issues facing Council in regards to identifying a suitable alternative site.

In regards to alternative infrastructure, the Head of Environment explained that it was hoped to get bottlebanks and other containers onto these site. However, again, with the exception of bottlebanks, being able to get skips and other types of containers onto sites was dependant on planning permission being granted. This issue could not be disregarded, even on a temporary, short-term basis. Subsequently, a Waste Licence would not be approved until planning permission had been granted. He said the issue of identifying an interim solution was not straightforward.

In regards to the wider Castlederg area, the Head of Environment explained that the preference from a Planning perspective was to identify facilities which were within the development limits of any settlement. Council was therefore focusing on sites which included the sites within Killen which were inside the development limits from a planning perspective. He stated that, notwithstanding the concerns raised by Members and local residents, from a planning perspective this may be achievable in terms of the wider site. The Head of Environment explained that with specific regard to the existing Killen site and the access road, the main issue was in regards to the sight lines deriving

23 Page 47 from Killen Village. He advised that a traffic survey of the area had been carried out and it had been established that the field between the lane and Killen Village would have to be reduced significantly in order to give the sight lines from the Village onto the road in question. He stated that even if the access road was placed on the right hand side of the approach on the existing laneway, additional lands would still be required on the left hand side in order to obtain the required sightlines.

The Head of Environment continued that in terms of access to the site itself, one of the issues identified was site security. He agreed that there was only one road onto the site and the current owner required twenty-four-hour access onto that site. It was therefore not possible for Council to secure the site in its entirety which was a matter of concern going forward. He said Council accepted the need for immediacy in regards to having the situation resolved and was considering all possible options. He pointed out that more time was required to addressing all of the issues pertaining to this in terms of planning and road access.

He pointed out that the Scraggy Road/Willow Hill site was indicated on the map of the area and he had been provided with directions in respect thereof. He pointed out that Council had been approached by the owner of the site which was located to the rear of the junction and slightly towards the Killen side. He said this could be identified on the map of the area and Planning Officers would be carrying out an inspection of the site in order to assess it from a planning perspective.

The Head of Environment acknowledged Members’ concerns and frustrations in regards to this matter. Whilst agreeing with the need for immediacy in terms of having this resolved, he referred to the constraints which existed in terms of all of the issues relating to planning which had to be addressed regardless. Whether this was in regards to the existing site and how Council could ensure sole access from a security perspective. However, part of this field was still required in order to achieve the sightlines and, as indicated in the report, the landowner was reluctant to dispose of any of his land. He said that one of the options was to consider alternative access roads onto the site, however, this was still under discussion with the landowner.

The Head of Environment pointed out that there were multiple issues which still had to be addressed which Officers continued to address. He stated that the immediacy was to try and resolve the issues in

24 Page 48 regards to the existing site to the satisfaction of all or, to identify an alternative location which could be progressed. In the meantime, Officers would proceed with interim, temporary arrangements to allow the residents of the wider Castlederg area access to recycling facilities.

Alderman Kerrigan welcomed the update provided by the Head of Environment. He said he was still unsure of the location of the site at Willow Hill Road. He accepted that there were issues which had to be addressed but did not consider the problems in regards to access to the site to be insurmountable. He said he understood that only a small piece of land would be required in order to provide the landowner with access to his site which would not interfere with the area of land controlled by Council in regards to the site. He reiterated the need for the problems to be addressed as a matter of urgency. He pointed out that there was currently no recycling centre to service the Derg DEA and the wider rural area. He expressed concern that this would continue throughout the remainder of the existing electoral term.

Councillor McHugh referred to the report which suggested that Officers would be in a position to bring forward detailed recommendations on the preferred site for Members’ consideration. He queried if a further Expression of Interest was to be advertised in the local media during the following week. He enquired if the preferred site/s would be inclusive of all of the sites offered to Council.

The Head of Environment said it was intended to provide a matrix of all of the sites, including the existing site, which would allow Officers to identify a preferred option in terms of all of the issues which had been discussed regarding access, planning etc. He pointed out that in regards to the Killen site, discussions had taken place with the neighbouring landowner regarding the possibility of constructing a separate access onto the existing site. These discussions were ongoing in an effort to take these forward both the sightline issue and the access issue.

Alderman Hussey appreciated the work being carried out by Officers in an effort to have this problem resolved. However, he referred to the considerable level of frustration among Members and residents in regards to the length of time it would take to have this issue resolved. He queried if Council would be in a financial position to enact a solution immediately if this was identified in the coming months.

25 Page 49 The Head of Environment explained that the project was listed as a priority on Council’s programme of Capital Projects. However, it would not be possible to establish the costs involved until the preferred option had been agreed. He reiterated that it was listed and there was a commitment to fund these works. It was not possible at this stage to anticipate the cost involved as this may involve the purchase of land and the construction works involved. It would be a matter for Members to prioritise these works.

Councillor Edwards reiterated the comments expressed by Alderman Hussey and anticipated that this project was prioritised given that this was an essential service which was currently not being provided by Council.

R52/21 Proposed Provision of Disabled Parking Bays Across the District

The Director of Environment and Regeneration presented the above report, a copy of which had previously been circulated. She pointed out that the purpose of the report was to advise Members of correspondence received in January 2021 from DfI Network Development Section regarding proposed disabled parking bays at Windsor Terrace, Infirmary Road.

Members noted the content of the report.

ER53/21 DfI Greening of Alleyways Programme

The Director of Environment and Regeneration presented the above report, a copy of which had previously been circulated. She pointed out that the purpose of the report was to advise Members in relation to recent communication received from the Minister for Infrastructure regarding DfI’s new launched Greening of Alleyways Programme.

Councillor Jackson welcomed the report and the need for a plan in terms of addressing the issues being presented in regards to laneways. He said the lack of information accompanying this was disappointing. Whilst welcoming the Minister’s announcement he referred to the level of expectation that this would provide something substantial to address the ongoing issues being experienced in regards to laneways. However, unfortunately, issues such as landownership, maintenance, management and insurance liability were all issues which were yet to be addressed which was disappointing. He said he had been contacted by members of the public enquiring as to how they could avail of a

26 Page 50 potential scheme. He said he did not wish to have to advise these people that it would be necessary for them to establish a constituted group and adopt full responsibility for the maintenance, management and insurance liability. He referred to the need for a partnership approach in relation to this. He said it would have been preferable if the scheme being rolled out by the Minister had been full-proof and addressed all such issues. He anticipated that Council would work with those groups who currently provided assistance in regards to the upkeep of laneways throughout the Council district. He referred to the need to develop a partnership approach to address the problem and address the issues which had been overlooked by the Department.

Alderman Ramsey fully concurred with the sentiments expressed by Councillor Jackson. He referred to the need to be realistic in regards to addressing these issues particularly in terms of the lack of available revenue. He referred to the need for a scoping exercise to be carried out by Council Officers in terms of identifying land ownership and the likelihood of this being transferred for community purposes, or would they regard this as a potential for making money. He referred to problems in regards to changes in the makeup and leadership of community groups. He suggested that the problem would be more successfully addressed by Council in conjunction with DfI with Council adopting responsibility for the maintenance of these laneways. He referred to the numerous attempts which had been made in the past to address the problem by local community groups. However, these had not been consistent. He reiterated the need for a scoping exercise to be carried out to identify ownership of these laneways and identify possible options. He also requested that Officers prepare a report outlining ideas to address the problem. He referred to the problem with funding in that there would not be any continued revenue to address the problem.

Councillor McCann pointed out that these laneways presented a health hazard and an open invitation to anti-social behaviour. He referred to organisations such as the Woodland Trust who provided a scheme through which “growing packs” containing shrubs, bulbs and grass seeds were provided free to assist in refurbishing and enhancing areas of neglect throughout the community. He suggested that such a scheme could prove beneficial in terms of addressing the problem in the longer term. He said he was unaware in regards to the insurance implications in regards to such schemes. He felt, however, that it would be possible to obtain insurance in respect of a series of such initiatives. He suggested that Council contact the Woodland Trust and similar

27 Page 51 organisations regarding this scheme and felt it would prove popular in the local community.

Alderman Hussey enquired as to the definition of what would be classified as a laneway/alleyway.

Councillor Boyle acknowledged the need for clarity in respect of a number of issues in relation to this programme. He agreed that Council Officers should continue to engage with DfI officials in an effort to resolve the various challenges which had been identified. He referred to the need to remain positive in regards to such initiatives and establish how best to make this work for local communities. He welcomed the programme which he felt offered great potential to improve the environment throughout the City and District. He felt assured that Officers had the professionalism, the skill and the knowledge to deliver this programme.

Alderman Hussey enquired if lighting, for security purposes, would be provided as part of the proposals.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration reassured Members that Council had written to the DfI Official responsible for this scheme seeking clarification and engagement in respect of a number of issues. Such clarification would be required in order for Council to bring forward a scheme in respect of these areas. She said Officers would be able to identify those areas which would be potentially suitable for such a scheme. She said Council welcomed the programme and were currently carrying out scoping works in terms of identifying the issues in regards to implementation and to discuss with the relevant officers within DfI responsible for progressing the scheme.

The Chairperson acknowledged the ongoing issues in regards to laneways. He suggested that a partnership approach would provide the most successful outcome.

The Meeting then went into Confidential Business

28 Page 52 Agenda Item 8 Title of Report: Officer Presenting:

Play Plan – Update Director of Environment & Regeneration

Author:

Play Development Officer

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To present an update on the Play Plan to Members.

2 Background

2.1 Members will recall that Council previously commissioned Play Board NI to undertake and develop a Play Plan for the Council area.

2.2 Play Board NI hosted Public Information Sessions across all 7 DEA’s between 12th November and 5th December 2019. The purpose of these meetings were to highlight the process involved in assessing the quality, quantity and accessibility of existing play provision across the city and district and In addition, to gather information from participants in terms of their local views on play provision.

2.3 Since then Play Board NI have undertaken an individual site assessment of all 82 existing play areas and scored them accordingly using a RAG (Red, Amber, and Green) traffic light system based on play value score (PVS).

2.4 Play Board NI have assessed each location set against population densities of young people using a radial catchment. The hierarchy of provision ranges from Local Provision (400m), Neighbourhood Provision (750m) and District Provision (1000m).

2.5 Further consideration has been given to the catchment area in rural areas given the dispersed nature of settlements and rural communities.

2.6 Play Board NI acknowledge that there can be physical barriers to accessing play provision within a radial catchment such as the River Foyle or busy roads, therefore a sensible approach needs to be taken in these circumstances in the siting of new play provision.

2.7 The emerging findings also highlight where the gaps are in provision and in some circumstances, where’s there’s over provision.

Page 53 2.8 All Members were invited to a series of Member briefings between 23rd and 27th November 2020 for the 7 DEA areas hosted by Play Board NI. A significant number of Members participated in this process with Officers subsequently offering one-to- one presentations for Members who could not attend.

2.9 Following the DEA meetings, correspondence was circulated and key feedback given to all Members for each DEA which outlined the state of play in their area.

2.10 An update was provided to Members during January’s Environment and Regeneration Committee meeting.

3 Key Issues

3.1 Alan Herron from Play Board NI will present an overview of the Play Plan to Members.

3.2 This will include an overview of the play value audits and a summary of the identified gaps in play provision.

4 Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 The next stages of the process and indicative timescale are as follows:

o Draft Play Plan to be presented to subsequent Committee outlining the consultation process to the wider community in May 2021

o In tandem it will be equality screened and rural proofed during June/July 2021

o The Play Plan is to be costed up over the summer thereafter with Members appraised of the outcome of these processes during June/July

o Final Play Plan to be presented to Committee during September/October 2021

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members are asked to endorse the timescales for the implementation of the Play Strategy as laid out in 4.1 above.

Background Papers

Page 54 Agenda Item 9 Title of Report: Officer Presenting:

Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Director of Environment & Regeneration Scheme Consultation Author:

Energy Manager

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To appraise Members of the draft response to the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Consultation and seek their endorsement of the response before submission to the Department.

2 Background

2.1 In January 2020 the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) document, published by the UK and Irish Governments, provided the basis for restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland. NDNA included a commitment for reform to take account of the findings of the Independent Public Inquiry into the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme and, in relation to the Executive’s potential Programme for Government strategic priority of addressing climate change, a specific commitment to closure of RHI itself and replacement with a scheme which effectively cuts carbon emissions. This consultation seeks views on options for the future of the Non- Domestic RHI Scheme.

2.2 The Department for the Economy is consulting on options for the future of the Non- Domestic RHI Scheme. The final decision on the future of the Scheme will be taken by the Executive collectively and the outcome of this consultation will assist the Executive in making its determination.

2.3 The Consultation opened on 11th February 2021 and will close on 9th April 2021.

3 Key Issues

3.1 The Consultation paper sets out four options for the Future of the Non-Domestic Renewal Heat Incentive Scheme. These options are as follows:

Option 1 – The scheme remains operational for current participants with present tariffs for all technologies (status quo)

Page 55 Option 2 – The scheme remains operational for all current participants with all tariffs subject to review and adjustment as necessary

Option 3 – The scheme closes with no further payments made to participants

Option 4 – The scheme closes with compensation paid to legitimate current participants.

3.2 The Northern Ireland Executive’s preferred approach is Option 4: Scheme closure with compensation paid to legitimate current participants. Given the cross-cutting nature of RHI, it will be for the Executive to take the final decision on the future of the Scheme, informed by the outcome of this consultation. Closure of the Scheme, or amendment of its tariffs should it remain operational, will also require passage of legislation through the Northern Ireland Assembly.

3.3 The Consultation also considers a proposed compensation methodology for option 4.

3.4 The Council’s Energy Manager has reviewed the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Consultation documentation and the Proposed Approach for the Calculation of the Non-Domestic RHI Scheme Early Closure Compensation Payments Scheme.

3.5 The Energy Manager has provided a draft response to the consultation answering the six questions posed by the Department, a copy of which is contained in Appendix A.

4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 There are no Financial, Legal, HR or Improvement issues for Council and the Department provided an Equality Screening Form, a Rural Needs Impact Assessment and a Data Protection Impact Assessment in the Consultation documentation.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members’ are asked to note the content of this report and endorse the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Consultation Response to be submitted to Department for Economy.

Background Papers

Appendix 1 – RHI Scheme

Page 56 NON-DOMESTIC RENEWABLE HEAT INCENTIVE SCHEME

FUTURE OF THE SCHEME

CONSULTATION QUESTIONS ANSWER TEMPLATE Page 57 Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Future of the Scheme Consultation Questions Answer template

HOW TO RESPOND

This public consultation is open until 5pm on Friday 9 April 2021. Please respond using the question and answer template provided. If you wish to do so, please explain your answers providing reasons and any evidence or information you believe is relevant within the space provided on the template.

Your response will be most useful if it is framed in direct response to the question posed.

We encourage respondents to respond to this consultation online wherever possible as this is the Department’s preferred method of receiving responses. This can be done at: consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/dfe-rhi-task-force/nirhi-consultation-2021

Responses submitted in writing or by email will also be accepted. Should you choose to respond online, you may submit any supplementary material that you consider may be relevant and of assistance in writing or by email. Email responses to this consultation should be sent to [email protected].

Alternatively you may post your response to the Department at:

Non-Domestic RHI Scheme Consultation RHI Taskforce Department for the Economy Netherleigh Massey Avenue Belfast BT4 2JP

If you require an alternative format (Braille, audio, CD, etc.), please contact the Department on [email protected] and appropriate arrangements will be made as soon as possible.

A Privacy Notice, which sets out what we process your personal data for and how we apply data protection principles is attached at Annex A.

Page 58

2 Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Future of the Scheme Consultation Questions Answer template

What is your name?

What is your email address?

If you are responding on behalf of an organisation or company, please provide the name of the organisation / company.

Are you a participant of the Northern Ireland Non-Domestic RHI scheme?

Yes No

1. Do you agree that the Non-Domestic NIRHI Scheme should be closed, as set out within the New Decade, New Approach document?

Yes No Don’t know

If you wish to do so, please provide comments and any evidence or information you believe is relevant in support of your answer to this question within the space provided on the template.

Page 59

3 Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Future of the Scheme Consultation Questions Answer template

2. Do you agree that if the Non-Domestic NIRHI Scheme is closed, compensation for its early closure should be paid to legitimate participants?

Yes No Don’t know

If you wish to do so, please provide comments and any evidence or information you believe is relevant in support of your answer to this question within the space provided on the template.

3. Do you agree that if the Non-Domestic NIRHI Scheme is closed with compensation paid for its early closure, the proposed approach defined in Option 4 and Annex A, in terms of rationale, assumptions and quantum of payments, would be appropriate?

Yes No Don’t know

If you wish to do so, please provide comments and any evidence or information you believe is relevant in support of your answer to this question within the space provided on the template.

Page 60

4 Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Future of the Scheme Consultation Questions Answer template

4. Do you agree with the proposed criteria associated with receipt of any closure compensation payment, as set out in Section 6?

Yes No Don’t know

If you wish to do so, please provide comments and any evidence or information you believe is relevant within the space provided on the template.

5. If the Non-Domestic NIRHI Scheme remains operational for current participants, do you believe it should operate on the basis of present tariffs (Option 1), or informed by future reviews of tariffs to ensure that the Scheme continues to appropriately incentivise generation of heat from renewable sources (Option 2)?

Option 1 Option 2 Neither

If you wish to do so, please provide comments and any evidence or information you believe is relevant within the space provided on the template.

Page 61

5 Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Future of the Scheme Consultation Questions Answer template

6. Which of the options set out in this consultation document would be your preferred option for the future of the Non-Domestic NIRHI Scheme? Please select one of the following four options:

Option 1: Scheme remains operational for current participants with present tariffs for all technologies (status quo);

Option 2: Scheme remains operational for current participants with all tariffs subject to review as necessary;

Option 3: Scheme closure with no further payments made to participants; or

Option 4: Scheme closure with compensation paid to legitimate current participants.

If you wish to do so, please provide comments and any evidence or information you believe is relevant within the space provided on the template.

Page 62

6 Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Future of the Scheme Consultation Questions Answer template

7. If you wish to do so, please provide any additional observations or relevant information which you consider may be of assistance to the Department.

Please identify any information which you do not wish to be disclosed and explain why you regard that information as confidential. An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system will not, of itself, be regarded as binding on the Department. If we receive a request for disclosure of the information we will take full account of your explanation, but we cannot give an assurance that confidentiality can be maintained in all circumstances.

Page 63

7 Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Future of the Scheme Consultation Questions Answer template

ANNEX A

Privacy Notice Data Controller Name: Department for the Economy

Address: Netherleigh, Massey Avenue, Belfast

Email: [email protected]

Why are you processing my personal information? Personal data collected in this consultation exercise will be used for analysis and reporting of consultation responses, including publication, under the lawful basis of public task in line with access to information legislation.

What categories of personal data are you processing? The personal data collected in this consultation exercise will consist of name, email address and any additional personal data you provide in your responses.

Where do you get my personal data from? Information is collected from you when you complete this survey and submit your consultation response.

Do you share my personal data with anyone else? The personal data collected in this consultation exercise will not be shared outside of the Department for the Economy unless disclosure is required under access to information legislation.

Do you transfer my personal data to other countries? No.

How long do you keep my personal data? The data you provide in your response will be stored on the Department’s Record Management system and will be retained for seven years after the end of the consultation and destroyed in line with the Department’s Retention and Disposal Schedule.

What rights do I have? • You have the right to obtain confirmation that your data is being processed, and access to your personal data • You are entitled to have personal data rectified if it is inaccurate or incomplete • You have the right to ‘block’ or suppress processing of personal data, in specific circumstances • You have the right to object to the processing, in specific circumstances

Page 64

8 Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Future of the Scheme Consultation Questions Answer template

How do I complain if I am not happy? If you are unhappy with how any aspect of this privacy notice, or how your personal information is being processed, please contact the Department’s Data Protection Officer at:

Data Protection Officer:Bernard McCaughan

Email: [email protected]

If you are still not happy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House Water Lane Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF

Tel: 0303 123 1113

Email: [email protected]

ICO Contact Us

Page 65

9 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 10 Title of Report: Officer Presenting:

Sustainable Food Places - Development Grant Director of Environment & Regeneration

Author:

Natural Environment Regeneration Manager

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To update Member’s on Councils application to Sustainable Food Places (SFP) to become a Sustainable Food Place.

2 Background

2.1 The ambition at Sustainable Food Places is to create a transition to a healthy, sustainable, and more equitable food system. This is achieved not only by having a strong national policy, but also collaborative action between policy makers, businesses, and society at the local level.

2.2 Sustainable Food Places promote a systems approach that involves and connects key actors at all levels and across all parts of the food system. Since 2013, SFP have helped places across the UK to establish multi-sector food partnerships, develop local food strategies, and implement positive action across a wide range of food issues.

2.3 Sustainable Food Places has until recently largely consisted of a network of cities within England. A key strand of their work going forward will focus on adapting and extending the model to new places and geographies across all four nations.

2.4 Their long-term aim is to support the development of a critical mass of food partnerships working individually and collectively to transform the food system in each of the four nations. To achieve this, they will work closely with groups of food partnerships in each area to co-design programmes, grow membership and implement structures to ensure SFP is relevant and accessible.

2.5 They recognise that the greatest learning happens when food partnerships can learn from each other. In consideration of this they will convene a space and facilitate networking, knowledge and skill sharing amongst food partnerships within and between each nation. They will also support places to build and strengthen their food partnerships by offering guidance, advice and small grants.

Page 67 2.6 As a first step SFP offered a short-term Development Grants to places in Northern Ireland, and Wales.

2.7 Grant recipients will be expected to work closely with the SFP UK team and national partners during the period of their grant as they test out the best approaches and models for food partnerships and programmes in each nation. This will include online workshops with other grant recipients facilitated by the SFP team.

2.8 The Development Grants are to be spent over a 6-month period, at the end of which it is expected that places will be on track to apply for SFP membership if they have not yet joined the Network.

3 Key Issues

3.1 SPF is a holistic approach to the food system and is based on 6 key issues - these are as follows:

 Taking a strategic and collaborative approach to good food governance and action

 Building public awareness, active food citizenship and a local good food movement

 Tackling food poverty, diet related ill-health and access to affordable healthy food

 Creating a vibrant, prosperous and diverse sustainable food economy

 Transforming catering and procurement and revitalizing local supply chains

 Tackling the climate and nature emergency through sustainable food and farming and an end to food waste.

3.2 With the support of Belfast Food Network, an initial audit of the 6 key SFP issues across the Council district was undertaken. Presently there are 3 Food Partnerships across the region as follows:

Page 68  The Legenderry Food Network: Started in 2019 alongside the launch of the Local Food & Drink Strategy 2019-2025. The overarching aim is for the region to becoming the number one food destination in Ireland with 4 pillars and over 60 actions. These are being delivered by a strategic food group in conjunction with the food network which has a committee of 10 and a wider group of 140 members.

 Acorn Farm Food Partnership: This project is a partnership between Community Foundation (NI), Council, The Conservation Volunteers and University College Cork. This partnership aims to ‘create a sustainable urban food system which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and is resilient to the effects of climate change’. The project focused on supporting life-long learning, branding, marketing, food vulnerability research and the creation of a ‘food movement’. A specific output is to establish the Northwest as a Sustainable Food Place to structure, support and drive this movement.

 Food Access Partnership: is a direct response to the Covid19 food crisis 2020 lockdown. The partnership aims to develop short, medium and long term food poverty/access strategy and embed this working into Council’s Strategic and Local Community Plan/s. The partnership comprises of Council, Local Growth Partnerships, Foyle Food Bank, Fare Share, APEX Social Supermarket, Churches Voluntary Trust and Strabane Community projects.

3.6 It is planned to bring these 3 partnerships together as one forum namely, the Northwest Food Partnership to work together to create a new sustainable food system for the region.

3.7 This project is strategically aligned to the Acorn Farm successful bid to the UK Climate Action Fund to create a ‘new food movement’ in the Northwest.

4 Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 Development Grants (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) are offered of up to £5,000 each to be spent within 6 months (Jan 2021– June 2021) in each nation.

An application was submitted and has been successful. Council propose to match this £5,000 with an additional £5,000 from within existing budgets.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Council endorse the SFP aims and allocate £5,000 from within existing budgets to match the SFP development grant award of £5,000 as detailed above.

Page 69 Background Papers

Page 70 Agenda Item 11

Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Head of Capital Development & Building Control Street Naming & Property Numbering – Request for Development Name at Central Author: Head of Capital Development & Drive, Creggan Building Control

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations 1.1 To gain Members consent to name a new development at Central Drive, Creggan, Derry.

2 Background 2.1 Applications have been received by Council in respect of a name for a new development at Central Drive, Derry.

3 Key Issues

3.1 The applicants have proposed the following names in order of preference:

No. of Does name Location of Developer proposed Preferred Names Comply with Development units Council Policy?

Yes, This name

pertains to the

Arran former name st 1 Court of a former Martin Sheehan street at this Central Drive, Preference Stonebrook location. Creggan, 6

Developments Ltd. Derry Yes. This name 1B Labarnum Terrace

pertains to the Derry Arran nd name of a BT48 9EN 2 Terrace former street at

Preference this location.

Page 71 4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 There are no financial or other implications to Council.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members’ approval is hereby sought for the adoption of the first preference name Arran Court for the housing development at Central Drive, Creggan, Derry.

Background Papers

Appendix 1 –SNPN – Arran Court

Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 12 Title of Report: Officer Presenting:

Delegated Authority – Minor Works Head of Environment

Author:

Head of Environment

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To seek Member’s approval to delegate authority to the Chief Executive with regard to a number of minor works contracts.

2 Background

2.1 Members will be aware of the significant impact of the pandemic on Council finances. Thankfully, at this point all financial losses have now been completely mitigated due to funding secured from Central Government through furlough, Department for Communities support for financial losses and DAERA support for waste management losses.

2.2 Alongside this, due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, numerous works have not been able to be advanced in this financial year. It is critical in preparation for recovery that these types of work are urgently advanced. These include essential maintenance works, repainting of play areas within the Strabane area, replacement fencing at the riverside walk at Prehen and the repainting of street furniture within Derry City and Strabane Town centres, as well as purchase of essential additional grounds maintenance equipment for winter gritting as well as to equipment to support the ‘Don’t mow, let it grow’ campaign.

3 Key Issues

3.1 As identified above, all these works can be funded from existing budgets for the year ended 31st March 2021 which have not been able to be spent as a result of the pandemic. It is important therefore that these are progressed in advance of 31st March 2021.

3.2 Whilst the majority of these works are sub £30k the total when combined requires that the works be publicly advertised. As per Council procedures, Member approval would be required in this instance.

Page 77 3.3 In addition to the above Council have also secured external funding of approximately £50k to replace litter bins within Derry City and Strabane Town Centres, the bins will be purchased through a Single Tender Action – to ensure consistence with existing bins – that again will require Member approval. The funding has been provided on the basis that the bins are in place before the 31st of March.

3.4 In order to ensure that all of the above progress in a timely manner Members authority is sought in terms of delegating authority to the Chief Executive with regard to approving the returned quotations / tenders.

4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 All of the works / purchase of equipment will be procured in line with procurement requirements. As detailed above additional in year budget provision has been identified and secured in terms of the works and equipment purchases.

4.2 Reports detailing the outcomes of the various procurement exercises will be brought to Member’s for information in due course and all agreed appointments will be recorded on the Register of Decisions which will be reported to Members at the end of the financial year.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members are asked to delegate authority to the Chief Executive to take forward these minor works as laid out in the report.

Background Papers

Page 78 Agenda Item 13 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Head of Capital Development & Building Control Building Control Applications Author: Head of Capital Development & Building Control

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To advise Members of applications processed under Building Regulations (NI) between 1 January 2021 and 31 January 2021.

2 Background

2.1 Applications:

During the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 January 2021, 269 applications have been received for assessment involving 340 separate addresses.

3 Key Issues

3.1 Certifications

3.2 199 Building Notice Applications were approved 31 Full Plan applications were issued with Approval Certificates, covering 31sites 12 Regularisation applications were issued with Regularisation Certificates

3.3 Inspections:

529 inspections were carried out in this period including 102 commencement inspections and 171 completion inspections, of which 159 were deemed satisfactorily complete.

Property Certs:

156 Property Certificates were received in the report period, of which 79% were processed within 10 working days and the overall average response rate was 12 working days.

Page 79 3.4 Income Generated

The total income generated by the Building Control Section for the ten months to end of January 2021 was £ 531,954.00

3.5 In the ten months to end of January 2021 the Building Control Section received applications with a construction value of £ 73,197,547.

4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 There are no financial or other implications.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members are asked to note the contents of this report.

Background Papers

None

Page 80 Agenda Item 14 Title of Report: Officer Presenting:

Mobuoy Update Director of Environment & Regeneration

Author:

Director of Environment & Regeneration

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To advise Members of the monthly update from DAERA on progress in relation to Mobouy Rd remediation.

1.2 To bring to Members attention DAERA’s progress report for January which was not brought to Committee due to an administration error.

2 Background

2.1 Members will be aware of the large illegal landfill site discovered at Mobuoy and previous reports and presentations to Committee on this matter.

2.2 Members will recall that they agreed that a report would be brought to each Environment and Regeneration Committee to document progress by DAERA on the remediation of the Mobuoy Rd illegal landfill site.

3 Key Issues

3.1 Officers have requested an update from DAERA officials in respect of the progress of remediation of the site. This is attached at Appendix 1.

4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 There are no other Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs or other implications associated with this item for Council at this time.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members are asked to note the contents of this report.

Background Papers

Appendix 1 – Mobuoy Project Update Page 81 This page is intentionally left blank

MOBUOY REMEDIATION PROJECT ERC COMMITTEE UPDATE Project Update – January 2021

Remediation Further to our last update the ICT Prequalification submissions received have been reviewed and the assessment panels have met in accordance with procurement procedure. The panels have submitted their evaluations and CPD are moderating the submissions. It is envisaged that the Invitation to Tender (ITT) will be issued to the qualifying consultancy teams in early February and the ITT Documents are to be returned in early March 2021.

It is anticipated that this procurement process will be completed with the appointment of an ICT by early April 2021. Annex A below shows the Project Implementation Plan updated accordingly.

Criminal trial

There have been no further developments and a new date has not been set for the trial.

Joint Project / D&SDC Task and Finish Group The Task and Finish group last met via conference-call on 14th January 2021. During this meeting a full project update including all the topics covered in this report were discussed.

Stakeholder Governance Appendix 1 included along with this report brings together the previous work in relation to the Mobuoy Stakeholders and develops the proposed timeline to have the agreed stakeholder groups established. In February copies of the Stakeholder Engagement and Governance, Terms of Reference and selection process will also be sent to stakeholders (for whom we have email addresses) to seek their views on the process described.

Page 83

Continued protection of the River Faughan and drinking water supply Maintaining an effective Mobuoy environmental monitoring programme over the period of Covid-19 has been and remains a project priority. As previously reported, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, a comprehensive Environmental Monitoring Programme (EMP) has continued to be implemented at the site including site and river bank inspections and river water quality testing weekly, together with daily laboratory testing of water from the NI Water public drinking water abstraction. No incidents have arisen requiring response by the Mobuoy emergency response officer and no pollution incidents in the River Faughan have been reported by members of the public or identified through the monitoring carried out under the EMP during this period.

Covid-19 Pandemic While Covid-19 has had a significant impact on normal business, the Mobuoy team has been working to ensure that effective environmental monitoring on the site has continued and that the project remains on course to the extent that is possible in the current circumstances.

Jonathan Gray January 2021

Page 84 Annex A

Page 85 Page

This page is intentionally left blank

Mobuoy Public Engagement and Governance

Proposed Selection Process and Timeline for Steering Groups for comment

 Mobuoy Public Engagement Steering Group Phase 1 Remediation

 Mobuoy Public Engagement Steering Group Phase 2 Post Remediation

For Consideration at DCSDC ERC February 2021 and

For Consideration by the local and interested stakeholders through The Gathering in February 2021

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Introduction

This document outlines how DAERA plans to progress the establishment of the two Steering Groups that will assist in moving the Mobuoy project forward.

 Mobuoy Public Engagement Steering Group Phase 1 Remediation

 Mobuoy Public Engagement Steering Group Phase 2 Post Remediation

A stakeholder is any group or individual who may be affected by or can affect the achievement of the objectives of the remediation process for the Mobuoy site and the post remediation visioning process of the Mobuoy site.

Ensuring active and meaningful participation of stakeholders in the deliberations and discussions about the project is very important to DAERA.

DAERA wishes to ensure that it engages stakeholders for the two stakeholder groups in a way that overcomes stakeholder fatigue, deals with time constraints that people may have to commit to what is a relatively long project and that ensures buy in to the process by all involved.

It wishes to ensure that consideration has been given to the diversity of interests, values and perspectives that exist locally about the Mobuoy project. This means that the Steering Groups will include central and local government officials and community stakeholders – including a community of place e.g., those representing the local geographical area, as well as a range of communities of interest / concern – e.g., environment, and communities of affiliation e.g., local fishing club or local farmers.

Stakeholder participation it is hoped will result in transparent information flow between all parties, inclusive decision-making, and the development of practical solutions to which all stakeholders have contributed.

The Proposed Nomination and Selection Process It is proposed that each Steering Group will comprise invited representatives from central and local government and selected representatives from local community and sectoral interests. The council will be asked to nominate 2-3 elected members on each of the two committees. Government bodies and other relevant experts listed will be invited to nominate a representative for each of the Steering Groups. It is proposed that the process for the selection of those from local community and sectoral interests is undertaken through a process of nomination and selection for each of the categories. The DAERA Remediation Team will develop and agree the following with the TFG and will manage the administration of this process throughout.  An agreed list of stakeholder groups that should be represented on the Steering Groups  the background information explaining the role of each Steering Group and the role of the individual as a member  the selection criteria  the short application form – most probably on line

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 the commitment required over a year from members and confirmation that they can commit to this  role and responsibilities of members of the Stakeholder Groups, and  the assessment and selection process with the Task and Finish Group. A selection committee will be established inclusive of three representatives – a representative from DEARA, a representative from Council and an independent representative. It will be a requirement that all representatives from local community and sectoral interests are nominated by a local group or individual. A four-week timeframe will be given for the receipt of the nomination forms in order to give groups time to meet with their committees and seek relevant permissions and nominations. The process will be advertised in local papers and on line with closing date included All applicants will receive a confirmation email of receipt of their Nomination Form. Decisions will be made within four to six weeks of the receipt of nominations and will be communicated in writing to successful and unsuccessful candidates by email. (Note, Covid restrictions may affect this timeline, but any changes will be communicated in writing to all candidates). All information received will be treated in confidence by DEARA and will comply with all GDPR guidelines. All successful nominees will be invited to the first meeting of their respective Steering Group and will be given at least a weeks’ notice of the date and time of this meeting. Nomination forms can be accepted from individuals for either or both Steering Groups. Also, nominations can select to represent a number of categories if relevant – e.g. as a local resident or a farmer or from an environment perspective. (Applicants will however have to demonstrate how they would represent these interests separately on the form). However, as much as is possible, DEARA would like to see different people on each Steering Group given the different purposes of each group, the commitment required for each and to ensure as wide an engagement in the stakeholder engagement process as possible. It is likely that each Steering Group will meet quarterly.

The next couple of pages outlines the purpose and make up of each Steering Group, followed by a few questions about the process. A timeline is also proposed for the process.

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Mobuoy Public Engagement Steering Group Phase 1 Remediation

Purpose To ensure that there is open and transparent channel of communication and dialogue between local residents and other interested stakeholders with those tasked with remediating the site. This will be a two-way open and transparent process. It will provide a formal platform for key stakeholders to raise queries and concerns and to promote good neighbour liaison during this phase.

Membership Membership will reflect the various sectoral, community and geographical interests, and being mindful of S75 considerations, with a stake or interest in the Mobuoy remediation process including, but not exclusively, the following. The Steering group will consist of invited and selected representatives: DAERA will invite the following representatives onto the Steering Group.

 DCSDC councillors from relevant DEAs and interests  NI Water  DFI Roads  DfI Planning (where relevant)  Other relevant statutory bodies  Relevant DCSDC officers  Other relevant experts

DAERA will initiate a selection process for sectoral, community and geographical interests with a stake or interest in the Mobuoy remediation process. It is suggested that there should be one per sectoral interest, with the exception of local residents where 2 representatives are suggested.

 Local residents (2)  Wider public (1)  Environment stakeholder group (1)  Community stakeholder group (1)  Farming stakeholder group (1)  Business Stakeholder group (1)  Fishing stakeholder group (1)  Youth Stakeholder group (1)  Recreation/ sport stakeholder group (1)  Other (1)

Selection Process for sectoral, community and geographical interests The selection process will be an open and competitive process with representatives selected on the basis the following criteria:  Ability to equitably represent the selected interest  Depth of knowledge and skills regarding the selected interest  Capacity to communicate effectively with other stakeholders within the selected interest and feed back to the wider interest group  Ability to commit to and attend all meetings

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Mobuoy Public Engagement Steering Group Phase 2 Post Remediation

Purpose To ensure that there is open and transparent channel of communication and dialogue between local residents and other interested stakeholders with those tasked with developing a vision and plan for the future use and community benefit of the Mobuoy site. This will be a two-way open and transparent process. It will provide a formal platform for key stakeholders to raise queries and concerns and to promote good neighbour liaison during this phase.

Membership Membership will reflect the various sectoral, community and geographical interests with a stake or interest in the Mobuoy vision building and benefits realisation process including, but not exclusively, the following. The Steering group will consist of invited and selected representatives: DAERA will invite the following representatives onto the Steering Group.  DCSDC councillors from relevant DEAs and interests  NI Water  DFI Roads  DfI Planning (where relevant)  Other relevant statutory bodies  Relevant DCSDC officers  Other relevant experts

DAERA will initiate a selection process for sectoral, community and geographical interests, and being mindful of S75 considerations, with a stake or interest in the Mobuoy remediation process. It is suggested that there should be one per sectoral interest, with the exception of local residents where 2 representatives are suggested.

 Local residents (2)  Wider public (1)  Environment stakeholder group (1)  Community stakeholder group (1)  Farming stakeholder group (1)  Business Stakeholder group (1)  Fishing stakeholder group (1)  Youth Stakeholder group (1)  Recreation/ sport stakeholder group (1)  Arts stakeholder group (1)  Other (1)

Selection Process for sectoral, community and geographical interests The selection process will be an open and competitive process with representatives selected on the basis the following criteria:  Ability to equitably represent the selected interest  Depth of knowledge and skills regarding the selected interest  Capacity to communicate effectively with other stakeholders within the selected interest and feed back to the wider interest group  Ability to commit to and attend all meetings

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Questions for consideration by DCSDC ERC and other stakeholders

Do you have any views on the following ….?

1. The option that the steering group will consist of invited and selected representatives?

2. How many elected members should be invited onto each of the two Stakeholder Groups to ensure political representation in the process?

3. Membership: Are there other stakeholder interests from sectoral, community and geographical interests that need to be represented on each of the two steering groups that are not suggested here? Are there some that do not need to be listed here? Are there any target groups who are not listed…? e.g., Women, University,

4. Do you have any comments on the proposed nomination and selection process or the proposed timeline?

5. Are these the most appropriate criteria for the selection process for sectoral, community and geographical interests for each Steering Group?

6. Do you have suggestions for other criteria?

7. We have included “local residents” as one of the stakeholder groups …. How would you define “local” in this context?

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Proposed Timeline

Ideally members of both Steering Groups would be in place by May 2021.

In order to establish the two Steering Groups, the following is proposed.

What Who By When Jan Feb Mar April May June Seek comments on the draft selection process DAERA for the two Steering Groups from Council’s ERC and from The Gathering The DAERA Remediation Team will develop DAERA and agree the following with the TFG and will manage the administration of this process TFG throughout:

Page 93 Page  An agreed list of stakeholder groups that should be represented on the Steering Groups  the background information explaining the role of each Steering Group and the role of the individual as a member  the selection criteria  the short application form  the commitment required over a year from members  role and responsibilities of members of the Stakeholder Groups, and the assessment and selection process with the Task and Finish Group Note: It will be a requirement that all representatives from local community and sectoral interests are nominated by a local group or individual.

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What Who By When Jan Feb Mar April May June Council will be requested in writing to DAERA nominate 2-3 elected members for each of the two Steering Committees Government bodies and other relevant DAERA experts listed will be requested in writing to nominate a representative for each of the Steering Groups Establish a selection committee inclusive of DAERA three representatives – a representative from DEARA, a representative from Council and an independent representative Agree timeline and dates for Selection DAERA Committee to meet Page 94 Page Finalise all papers for the nomination process DAERA with TFG and Selection Committee (SC) TFG, SC Advertise nomination process in local papers DAERA and on line with closing date included Close process within 4 weeks for the receipt of DAERA the nomination forms in order to give groups time to meet with their committees and seek relevant permissions and nominations Send a confirmation email to all applicants DAERA confirming receipt of their Nomination Form Host selection meeting/s and agree list of DAERA successful applicants. Write up process SC Meet with Task and Finish Group to agree DAERA dates of meeting and communicate results of TFG, SC process Decisions to be communicated in writing to DAERA successful and unsuccessful candidates by email within 4 weeks Invite successful nominees to the first meeting DAERA of their respective Steering Group giving at SGs x 2 least a weeks’ notice of the date and time of

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What Who By When Jan Feb Mar April May June this meeting and Introduce to ICT (Dates TBC)

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MOBUOY REMEDIATION PROJECT ERC COMMITTEE UPDATE Project Update – February 2021

Remediation Further to our last update on the procurement of the ICT; The OJEU notice was published week commencing 16 November 2020 and Stage 1, the Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (PQQ) completed by 4 February 2021. Stage 2, Invitation to Tender (ITT) was issued w/c 15 February 2021 and is due to complete by 21 April 2021. It is anticipated that this procurement process will be completed with the appointment of an ICT by April 2021. Annex A below shows the Project Implementation Plan updated accordingly.

Criminal trial The criminal trial had been set to commence on 7 September 2020 however this was adjourned as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Public Prosecution Service has now indicated that the case is to be reviewed by the Court in mid-April 2021 with a view to the trial proceeding during July 2021. Protecting the integrity of the criminal prosecution imposes severe restrictions on the public release of information associated with the site and especially on material that is also in evidence in the trial.

Joint Project / D&SDC Task and Finish Group The Task and Finish group last met via conference-call on 17th February 2021. During this meeting a full project update including all the topics covered in this report were discussed.

Stakeholder Governance Annex B included along with this report brings together the previous work in relation to the Mobuoy Stakeholders and develops the proposed timeline to have the agreed stakeholder groups established.

Page 97

In March copies of the Stakeholder Engagement and Governance, Terms of Reference and selection process will also be sent to stakeholders (for whom we have email addresses) to seek their views on the process described.

Continued protection of the River Faughan and drinking water supply Maintaining an effective Mobuoy environmental monitoring programme over the period of Covid-19 has been and remains a project priority. As previously reported, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, a comprehensive Environmental Monitoring Programme (EMP) has continued to be implemented at the site including site and river bank inspections and river water quality testing weekly, together with daily laboratory testing of water from the NI Water public drinking water abstraction. No incidents have arisen requiring response by the Mobuoy emergency response officer and no pollution incidents in the River Faughan have been reported by members of the public or identified through the monitoring carried out under the EMP during this period.

Further work has been carried out including a new baseline monitoring well to provide baseline data on groundwater quality in the Faughan groundwater body. This was installed at Drumahoe Park in January 2021. Additional perimeter groundwater monitoring wells were installed during February 2021 to monitor groundwater flow downgradient of the site. This enhances the early warning system for monitoring the site and installation of further monitoring wells during March 2021 will provide additional pathway monitoring points.

Covid-19 Pandemic While Covid-19 has had a significant impact on normal business, the Mobuoy team has been working to ensure that effective environmental monitoring on the site has continued and that the project remains on course to the extent that is possible in the current circumstances.

Jonathan Gray February 2021

Page 98 Annex A

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Mobuoy Public Engagement and Governance

Proposed Selection Process and Timeline for Steering Groups for comment

 Mobuoy Public Engagement Steering Group Phase 1 Remediation

 Mobuoy Public Engagement Steering Group Phase 2 Post Remediation

For consideration at DCSDC ERC March 2021 and

For consideration by the local and interested stakeholders through The Gathering in March 2021

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Introduction

This document outlines how DAERA plans to progress the establishment of the two Steering Groups that will assist in moving the Mobuoy Project forward.

 Mobuoy Public Engagement Steering Group Phase 1 Remediation

 Mobuoy Public Engagement Steering Group Phase 2 Post Remediation

A stakeholder is any group or individual who may be affected by or can affect the achievement of the objectives of the remediation process for the Mobuoy site and the post remediation visioning process of the Mobuoy site.

Ensuring active and meaningful participation of stakeholders in the deliberations and discussions about the project is very important to DAERA.

DAERA wishes to ensure that it engages stakeholders for the two stakeholder groups in a way that overcomes stakeholder fatigue, deals with time constraints that people may have to commit to what is a relatively long project and that ensures buy in to the process by all involved.

It wishes to ensure that consideration has been given to the diversity of interests, values and perspectives that exist locally about the Mobuoy Project. This means that the Steering Groups will include central and local government officials and community stakeholders – including a community of place e.g., those representing the local geographical area, as well as a range of communities of interest / concern – e.g., environment, and communities of affiliation e.g., local fishing club or local farmers.

Stakeholder participation it is hoped will result in transparent information flow between all parties, inclusive decision-making, and the development of practical solutions to which all stakeholders have contributed.

The Proposed Nomination and Selection Process It is proposed that each Steering Group will comprise invited representatives from central and local government and nominated and selected representatives from local community and sectoral interests. DCSDC will be asked to nominate up to 4 Elected Members on each of the two committees. Government bodies and other relevant experts listed will be invited to nominate a representative for each of the Steering Groups. It is proposed that the process for the selection of those from local community and sectoral interests is undertaken through a process of nomination and selection for each of the categories. The DAERA Remediation Team will develop and agree the following with the Task and Finish Group (following feedback from Elected Members and The Gathering) and will manage the administration of this process throughout.  an agreed list of stakeholder groups that should be represented on the Steering Groups  the background information explaining the role of each Steering Group and the role of the individual as a member  the selection criteria

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 the short application form – most probably on line  the commitment required from members and confirmation that they can commit to this  role and responsibilities of members of the Stakeholder Groups, and  the assessment and selection process with the Task and Finish Group. A selection committee will be established inclusive of three representatives – a representative from DAERA, a representative from Council and an independent representative. It will be a requirement that all representatives from local community and sectoral interests are nominated by a local group or individual. A four-week timeframe will be given for the receipt of the nomination forms in order to give groups time to meet with their committees and seek relevant permissions and nominations. The process will be advertised in local papers and on line with closing date included All applicants will receive a confirmation email of receipt of their Nomination Form. Decisions will be made within approximately four to six weeks of the receipt of nominations and will be communicated in writing to successful and unsuccessful candidates by email. (Note, Covid restrictions may affect this timeline, but any changes will be communicated in writing to all candidates). All information received will be treated in confidence by DAERA and will comply with all GDPR guidelines. All successful nominees will be invited to the first meeting of their respective Steering Group and will be given at least a weeks’ notice of the date and time of this first meeting. A list of the full year’s Nomination forms can be accepted from individuals for either or both Steering Groups. Also, nominations can select to represent a number of categories if relevant – e.g. as a local resident or a farmer or from an environment perspective but will be chosen to represent just one. (Applicants will however have to demonstrate how they would represent these interests separately on the form). Ideally selected members should be able to commit to attending all of the Steering Group meetings, to ensure continuity. Dates of meetings for the full year will be agreed and circulated at the start of the year to assist with this planning process. A note of each meeting will be available on the DAERA web site. Applicants can choose to submit applications to sit on both steering groups. It is likely that each Steering Group will meet quarterly. The next couple of pages outlines the purpose and make up of each Steering Group, followed by a few questions about the process. An indicative timeline is also proposed for the process.

While it is likely that the Steering Groups will run concurrently, the Mobuoy Public Engagement Steering Group Phase 1 Remediation will commence first.

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Mobuoy Public Engagement Steering Group Phase 1 Remediation

Purpose To ensure that there is an open and transparent channel of communication and dialogue between local residents and other interested stakeholders with those tasked with remediating the site. This will be a two-way open and transparent process. It will provide a formal platform for key stakeholders to raise queries and concerns and to promote good neighbour liaison during this phase.

Membership Membership will reflect the various sectoral, community and geographical interests, and being mindful of S75 considerations, with a stake or interest in the Mobuoy remediation process including, but not exclusively, the following. The Steering Group will consist of invited and selected representatives: DAERA will invite the following representatives onto the Steering Group.

 DAERA  DCSDC nominated councillors (up to 4)  NI Water  DfI Rivers and Roads  DfI Planning (where relevant)  Other relevant statutory bodies  Loughs Agency  Relevant DCSDC officers  Other relevant experts

DAERA will initiate a nomination and selection process for sectoral, community and geographical interests with a stake or interest in the Mobuoy remediation process. It is suggested that there should be one per sectoral interest, with the exception of local residents where 2 representatives are suggested.

 Local residents (2)  Wider public (1)  Environment stakeholder group (1)  Community stakeholder group (1)  Farming stakeholder group (1)  Business Stakeholder group (1)  Fishing stakeholder group (1)  Youth Stakeholder group (1)  Others? (1) (To be defined)

Selection Process for sectoral, community and geographical interests The selection process will be an open and competitive process with representatives selected on the basis the following criteria:  Ability to equitably represent the selected interest  Depth of knowledge and skills regarding the selected interest  Capacity to communicate effectively with other stakeholders within the selected interest and feed back to the wider interest group  Ability to commit to and attend all meetings

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Mobuoy Public Engagement Steering Group Phase 2 Post Remediation Purpose To ensure that there is an open and transparent channel of communication and dialogue between local residents and other interested stakeholders with those tasked with developing a vision and plan for the future use and community benefit of the Mobuoy site. This will be a two-way open and transparent process. It will provide a formal platform for key stakeholders to raise queries and concerns and to promote good neighbour liaison during this phase.

Membership Membership will reflect the various sectoral, community and geographical interests with a stake or interest in the Mobuoy vision building and benefits realisation process including, but not exclusively, the following. The Steering Group will consist of invited and selected representatives: DAERA will invite the following representatives onto the Steering Group.  DAERA  DCSDC nominated councillors (up to 4)  NI Water  DfI Rivers and Roads  DfI Planning (where relevant)  Other relevant statutory bodies  Loughs Agency  Relevant DCSDC officers  Other relevant experts DAERA will initiate a nomination and selection process for sectoral, community and geographical interests, and being mindful of S75 considerations, with a stake or interest in the Mobuoy remediation process. It is suggested that there should be one per sectoral interest, with the exception of local residents where 2 representatives are suggested.  Local residents (2)  Wider public (1)  Environment stakeholder group (1)  Community stakeholder group (1)  Farming stakeholder group (1)  Business Stakeholder group (1)  Fishing stakeholder group (1)  Youth Stakeholder group (1)  Recreation/ sport stakeholder group (1)  Arts stakeholder group (1)  Other? (1) (To be defined)

Selection Process for sectoral, community and geographical interests The selection process will be an open and competitive process with representatives selected on the basis the following criteria:  Ability to equitably represent the selected interest  Depth of knowledge and skills regarding the selected interest  Capacity to communicate effectively with other stakeholders within the selected interest and feed back to the wider interest group  Ability to commit to and attend all meetings

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Questions for consideration by DCSDC ERC and other stakeholders

Do you have any views on the following ….?

1. The option that the steering group will consist of invited and selected representatives?

2. How many Elected Members should be invited onto each of the two Stakeholder Groups to ensure political representation in the process?

3. Membership: Are there other stakeholder interests from sectoral, community and geographical interests that need to be represented on each of the two steering groups that are not suggested here? Are there some that do not need to be listed here? Are there too many people on the group?

4. Do you have any comments on the proposed nomination and selection process or the proposed timeline?

5. Are these the most appropriate criteria for the selection process for sectoral, community and geographical interests for each Steering Group? Is four weeks sufficient time to receive nominations from sectoral, community and geographical interests?

6. Do you have suggestions for other criteria?

7. We have included “local residents” as one of the stakeholder groups …. How would you define “local” in this context? e.g., those affected by any “remediation works”; those who live within the wider vicinity of the site; local people across the Council area.

8. Do you have any views on who should manage the nomination and selection process for the sectoral, community and geographical interests ……should it include an independent person on the selection panel?

9. Do you think each Steering Group should have an Independent Chair and or Facilitator?

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Proposed Draft Timeline

Ideally members of both Steering Groups would be in place by July / August 2021. The first meeting is likely to be in late August/ Early September or earlier if the process can be commenced earlier.

In order to establish the two Steering Groups, the following actions and timeline is proposed. This is subject to change.

What Who By When Mar April May June July Aug Sept a) Seek comments on the draft DAERA nomination and selection process for the two Mobuoy Steering Groups from Council’s ERC and from The Gathering and amend as appropriate (taking account of Easter holidays) b) The DAERA Remediation Team will DAERA

Page 107 Page develop and agree the following with the TFG (following feedback from TFG Elected Members and the Gathering) and will manage the administration of this process throughout:  an agreed list of stakeholder groups that should be represented on the Steering Groups  the background information explaining the role of each Steering Group and the role and responsibilities of the individual as a member  the selection criteria  the short application form inclusive of nominating organisation/ person and confirmation of ability to commit to the process  the assessment and selection process with the Task and Finish Group

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What Who By When Mar April May June July Aug Sept  the selection panel Note: It will be a requirement that all representatives from local community and sectoral interests are nominated by a local group or individual. c) Council will be requested in writing to DAERA nominate up to 4 elected members for each of the two Steering Committees d) Government bodies and other DAERA relevant experts listed will be Page 108 Page requested in writing to nominate a representative for each of the Steering Groups e) Establish a selection committee DAERA inclusive of three representatives – a representative from DAERA a representative from Council and an independent representative (and taking account of all views) f) Agree timeline and dates for Selection DAERA Committee to meet g) Finalise all papers for the nomination DAERA and selection process with TFG and TFG, SC Selection Committee (SC) h) Advertise nomination process in local DAERA papers, through CVS, the Gathering and on line with closing date included i) Close process within 4 weeks for the DAERA receipt of the nomination forms in order to give groups time to meet with their committees and seek relevant permissions and nominations

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What Who By When Mar April May June July Aug Sept j) Send a confirmation email to all DAERA applicants confirming receipt of their Nomination Form k) Host selection meeting/s and agree DAERA list of successful applicants. Write up SC process l) Meet with Task and Finish Group to DAERA agree dates of meeting and TFG, SC communicate results of process m) Decisions to be communicated in DAERA writing to successful and unsuccessful candidates by email within approximately 4 weeks n) Invite successful nominees to the first DAERA Page 109 Page meeting of their respective Steering SGs x 2 Group giving at least a weeks’ notice of the date and time of this meeting and Introduce to ICT (Dates TBC)

9 | P a g e This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 15 Title of Report: Officer Presenting:

Acorn Farm – UK Climate Action Fund – Update Head of Environment

Author:

Natural Environment Regeneration Manager

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To update Members on progress of the Acorn Farm Project following receipt of funding from the National Lottery Community Fund last year.

2 Background

2.1 The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF) launched a new £100 million (over 10 years) Climate Action Fund in June 2019, that aims to enable people and communities to take the lead in tackling climate emergency. The new fund aims to build a network of people and communities, well-placed to drive change with, between and beyond their communities. The fund aims to deliver high impact community-led climate action.

2.2 On the 17th August 2020, the NLCF announced 14 projects grant awards. It is understood that over 600 applications were lodged and that Acorn Farm is the only successful bid from NI securing a development grant of £200,000 for work over the next 18 months.

2.3 The NLCF Climate Action Fund outcomes are as follows:

Community-Led; projects need to be driven by local groups with a deep understanding of local needs. Ideas will need to be develope3d by involving people who will benefit. We will need to ensure that people have been engaged and listened to what they have to say and that we are meaningfully involving people in the development and delivery of the project activity.

Page 111 Working in Partnership: projects need to be placed-based community-led partnerships that bring together a wide range of people and organisations with a shared vision on what local climate change should look like. The Lottery’s vision is to support increased collaborative working, which starts with shared goals and values between organisations and a joint understanding of the bigger picture. Partnerships, should include the environmental sector, schools, statutory services as well as the private sector. The lottery expect partnerships to include smaller grassroots groups as well as larger organisations. Partnerships will be expected to put in placed an agreement as how they will work together.

High Impact: The Lottery funding will focus on activities that have the potential to make meaningful and lasting differences on the carbon footprint of communities. This included action on sustainable energy, sustainable transport, consumption (food and Waste), and the natural environment. To make a real difference, projects may need to have an impact on a number of those areas. The lottery are gathering the latest evidence on high-impact climate action as well as practical examples, to help inspire places and communities to develop their projects.

Lasting Impact: to reduce the impact of climate change, the lottery stress the changes made are sustainable beyond the funding offered. Long-term changes in behaviour. Way of working and practices need to be at the core of all local climate action activities.

Reach: Partnerships need to engage with people outside of those already taking action on climate change in their local communities and beyond.

Learning & Engagement: the Lottery expect partnerships to produce and share their learning from the start, regularly, and to be participants in a broader movement of change.

3 Key Issues

3.1 Council supported the project lead and funding applicant Community Foundation for Northern Ireland (CFNI) Acord Fund though out the development of the successful bid in partnership with the Conservation Volunteers (TCV) and University College Cork.

3.2 CFNI (Acorn Fund) secured £200,000 to deliver the Acorn Farm project in September 2020.

3.3 The project has been broken down into 7 Work Packages – For Members information these are summarised as follows:

Page 112 Work Package 1: Awareness & Behavioural Change: this involves a Social Media Campaign of building awareness to the widest audiences possible on the vulnerabilities of the exiting food system to climate change. The WP will be coordinated by The Acorn Fund and supported by Council’s Marketing & Communications Team, with graphics and social media platforms. A Communications Plan is a key delivery tool to deliver this WP.

Update: The media campaign for the project has attracted significant public interest of over 125,000 contacts to date.

Work Package 2: Lifelong Learning: this involves TCV managing and procuring the delivery of ‘I Can Grow Programme of Activity’ to 100 household to deliver lifelong horticultural growing skills to a further 50 participants. In addition, the procurement of an accredited Permaculture Design Course for up to 10 participants from the Northwest by the Acorn Fund to form the nucleus of a local Food Movement. These participants will then support the delivery of WP3 – see below.

Update: Following an open call for the ‘I can Grow Programme’, 260 applications were received demonstrating the demand for families to learn how to grow at home. The Conservations Volunteers have appointed David Montgomery as the project’s Horticulturalist.

Work Package 3: Climate Change & Food Governance: this work package involves participating in a number of best practice visits to learn from other. These best practices visits will be coordinated by the Acorn Fund. In addition, to establish the governance arrangements going forward to establish a Derry Food Council with strong links to Cork Food Council and the UK Sustainable Food Cities.

Update: The project governance arrangement are in place. The partnership has reached out to Cork Food Council, and the UK Sustainable Food Places having secured a seed grant to commence a Northwest Food Partnership. A separate item is presented to committee outlining the SFP grant award.

Work Package 4: Research: this work package involved the academic research around the project led by UCC Climate Scientists. The objective is to gather citizen’s perceptions of the existing food system and to undertake research into Food Vulnerability for Derry City and measure the Carbon Footprint of the project.

Update: University College Cork has appointed a post doctorate to undertake this commission. Base line studies are complete. A separate update report will be brought back to Committee at a subsequent stage.

Page 113 Work Package 5: Growing Technologies: this work package involved Council commissioning an Architect to bring the geodesic dome plans to RIBA Stage 4 to secure Building Control approval and an exploration of the new growing technologies available under Controlled Agricultural Environments. This objective supports WP7: long Term Vision to develop Acorn Farm as a capital project.

Update: Quotations have ben sough with a return date of mid-March 2021 – it is intended - subject to the tender outcome - that an architect lead team will be in place within this financial year.

Work Package 6: Dissemination of Knowledge: This work package is led by Acorn Fund. The objective is to collate all the information gathered and learning across all of the WP/s by the other project partners and disseminate the knowledge locally and further afield. This WP is closely linked to WP1 through the planned Social Media Campaign and Communications Plan. In addition, will see a comprehensive outturn report for the project.

Update: This work is ongoing and involves linking in with other successful UK Climate Action funding recipients for wider learning.

Work Package 7: Long Term Vision: This work package is lead by Council and is the wider ambition of the project team to establish the Acorn Farm as a regional capital project in the future. It will be an exemplar climate change and food growing demonstration and educational facility in the NW or Ireland.

Update: the UK Climate Action fund will reopen for funding calls in June/July 2022. This presents an opportunity to secure significant capital funding. In addition, the Peace + project offers additional potential funding opportunities.

4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 There is no financial ask of Council at this time. Officer Time dedicated towards the delivery of the project will be accounted for as a ‘contribution-in-kind’.

4.2 There are no other financial, equality, legal, HR, improvement, rural needs or other implications associated with this item.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members are asked to note the contents of this report.

Page 114 Background Papers

Page 115 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 16 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Environment and Regeneration Pollinator Plan - Update Author: Biodiversity Officer

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To present Members with an update on Council’s Pollinator Plan (ER42/19) and to outline proposed pollinator actions for 2021.

2 Background

2.1 Members will recall approving Council’s Pollinator Plan and formally adopting the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015 – 2020 (ER42/19). This was an action from the Derry and Strabane Green Infrastructure Action Plan 2019 – 2032 (ER12/19).

2.2 Members will recall the Pollinator Plan update presented at December 2020 Environment and Regeneration Committee, which outlined the successful implementation of Council’s Pollinator Plan 2015-2020 (ER252/20).

2.3 Members will recall the Green Infrastructure Action Plan Annual Report presented at January 2021 Environment and Regeneration Committee (ER21/20), which outlined the completion of the green infrastructure action 6.16, ’Improve habitats for pollinators by implementing Council Pollinator Plan, Linked to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan; Designate the District as a Conservation Area for the native Irish Black Bee; and Pollinator friendly planting on publically owned land.’ The Key Performance Indicator (‘Complete Council’s Pollinator Plan; Designate the District as a Black Bee Conservation Area; and Plant 20 public spaces with pollinator friendly plants’) set for this action has been completed.

2.4 The Green Infrastructure Plan stakeholders are currently reviewing their estate and considering plans for pollinators. For example, Creggan Country Park worked in partnership with Council in 2020, to pilot a change in grass management at their site, to create species rich grasslands. Also, the Department of Infrastructure have engaged with Council to consider sites that they own and manage that could benefit from ‘re-wilding’.

Page 117 3 Key Issues

3.1 Council piloted a change in the grassland management at ten large greenspaces in 2020 (Bay Road Park, Ballyarnet Country Park, Creggan Burn Park, Culmore Country Park, Kilfennan Valley Park, Marianus Glen, St Columb’s Park, Racecourse Road, Templemore Sports Complex and Top of the Hill Park). This was an action from Council’s Pollinator Plan and involved changing the grass cutting regime at 25 ha of our estate from an average of every two weeks between March to October, to only cutting and lifting the grass once a year in late summer. This action created wildflower meadows (species rich grassland with 9 species / m2), which significantly increased the biodiversity value of these sites, by creating a habitat and food source for the declining bee population.

3.2 Creating a sustainable wildflower meadow is complicated, as traditionally planting a meadow requires infertile soil and limited grass, as the planted wildflowers will not survive if there is too much nutrients and the vigorous grass growth outcompetes the wildflowers and no longer provides a sustainable meadow after a few years. Therefore, the most cost effective method is to create a species rich grassland, by creating a significant area to have an impact and to allow machinery to operate, to provide a food source and habitat for bees. The grass is left to grow until late summer, to allow the natural wildflower seeds to set. Wildflowers need to complete a full season by growing, flowering and setting their seeds. The grass is cut and lifted in August / September, to reduce the fertility and remove thick grasses, to allow wildflowers to flourish next year.

3.3 Council have been working in partnership with adjacent local authorities in a knowledge exchange programme ‘Don’t Mow Let it Grow’. Collectively, Council in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Council, Mid Ulster Council and Fermanagh and Omagh Council, have created 90 ha of wild flowers meadows at a landscape scale. This is equivalent to creating 168 football pitches worth of species rich grasslands.

3.4 In 2021, Council plan to extend the ‘Don’t Mow Let It Grow’ campaign, to include Drumahoe District Park, to compensate for the potential change at on one of the pilot ‘Don’t Mow Let it Grow’ sites to facilitate tree planting. Also, Council’s closed cemetery sites will undergo a pilot change in grass management. This will involve strimming and collecting the grass at these 20 small sites, as the grass cutting and lifting machinery will not be able to access and operate in these historic sites. In addition, on active cemeteries with large greenspaces that are not currently, or will not be used in the short term, will be included in a pilot change in grass management.

Page 118 3.5 The aim is to convert 30 ha of amenity grassland that is cut on average 15 times a year, to species rich grassland. This will result in a pilot change of grass management at 34 sites in 2021. Appendix 1 shows the location of these sites, which will provide an ecological corridor of habitats and food sources for pollinators at a landscape scale across the District and to enable connectivity to other local authority areas.

3.6 The first year of the pilot programme in 2020 demonstrated that it was difficult to cut all the grass in the six-week period from mid-August to late September. Grass cutting was hampered by periods of wet weather. Also, the cut and lift approach takes longer than the traditional cut only approach, as the grass needs to be deposited at a suitable location on site or disposed of with a mobile green waste skip. Council was able to cut 75% of the 25 ha in late summer (a six week window between mid-August to late September), which represents 35 football fields worth of grass cut during dry weather conditions. The remaining 25% will be cut and collected with the Amazone mower before April 2021, during dry weather conditions. If the long grass is not cut and lifted, this long grass will prevent the growth of wildflowers for pollinators next season. Therefore, based on the pilot programme in 2020, we aim to commence the cut and lift process at the start of August 2021, if the flowers have set their seeds, to provide additional grass cutting capacity in the event of wet weather conditions.

3.7 Council organised a media campaign and installed ‘Don’t Mow Let it Grow’ signage at the ten pilot greenspaces in 2020, to highlight to the public the change of grass management for pollinators at the ten sites. Further information on the change in grass management was available on our website www.derrystrabane.com/biodiversity This media campaign will be replicated in 2021, to inform the public of the extension to the pilot programme to include Drumahoe District Park and the cemetery sites listed in Appendix 1.

3.8 Council have participated in the filming of a documentary to raise awareness and demonstrate best practice management for pollinators. The documentary highlights Council’s Pollinator Plan and will be shown on TG4 in March 2021.

Page 119 3.9 Council have been working in partnership with the National Biodiversity Data Centre (the main author of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan) and its partners, to deliver the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan delivery report includes a case study of Council’s actions to assist with the delivery of this Plan (https://pollinators.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/AIPP-Working-Together-for- Biodiversity-2015-2020-WEB.pdf). The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021-2025, to help conserve pollinators on the island of Ireland and at a local level within the District will be launched on 26th March 2021. Subsequently, Council will develop a new pollinator strategy, aligned to the All-Ireland Pollinator Strategy 2021-2025, which will be presented to Council in summer 2021.

4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 Due to the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in early 2020, the ten selected Council owned pilot greenspaces were restricted to large greenspaces in the Derry area. In 2021, the ‘Don’t Mow Let it Grow’ project will be extended to the Strabane area, which will include 19 cemetery sites (Appendix 1).

4.2 Council will cut a 3 m strip of mown grass adjacent to paths and the wildflower meadows at the 11 large greenspace sites. This is not necessary at the cemetery sites, as the areas subject to a change in grass management are not used by the public. Also, a 3 m strip will be cut through large wildflower areas where it is possible, to facilitate a path through the meadow. In addition, to the installation of the ‘Don’t Mow Let it Grow’ signage at the meadow locations and a media campaign, the mown paths through the large meadows will demonstrate that the grasslands are being actively managed for people and wildlife.

4.3 There are no other further financial, equality, legal, HR, improvement, rural needs or other implications associated with this item.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members are asked to note the contents of this report.

Background Papers

ER12/19, ER42/19, ER252/20 and ER21/20.

Appendix 1 – Don’t Mow Let It Grow Sites 2021

Page 120

Page 121 This page is intentionally left blank Status Name Ardstraw Old Cemetery Badoney Church Cemetery Camus Old Cemetery Castlederg Old Cemetery Corrick Old Cemetery Cranagh Old Cemetery Cumber Claudy Cemetery Derry Road (Paupers Graveyard) Donagheady Graveyard Closed Enagh Lough Cemetery Grange Old Cemetery Killea Cemetery Leckpatrick Cemetery Magherakeel Cemetery Pubble Old Cemetery Scarvagherin Cemetery Straidarran Cemetery Urney Old Cemetery Ardstraw Cemetery Claudy Cemetery Open Mountcastle Cemetery Strabane Town Cemetery Urney Cemetery Figure 1 List of closed & open cemeteries that will have a pilot change in grass management in 2021.

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Figure 2 Map of the City to show the large greenspaces that will have a pilot change in grass management in 2021.

Page 124 Agenda Item 17 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Environment and Regeneration Implementation of the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy Author: Biodiversity Officer

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 The purpose of this report is to advise Members that the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) have requested that Council provide an update on the actions detailed within the ‘Valuing Nature: A Biodiversity Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2020’, which Council have a Biodiversity Duty to implement (https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/doe/natural-policy- biodiversity-strategy-to-2020-2015.pdf).

2 Background

2.1 The Wildlife and Natural Environment (NI) Act 2011, introduced a new statutory duty outlined as follows, ‘it is the duty of every public body, in exercising any function, to further the conservation of biodiversity so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions.’ Also, this duty requires public bodies to, ‘have regard to any strategy designated …for the conservation of biodiversity.’

2.2 This legislation requires DAERA to produce a Biodiversity Strategy for the region and publish a report on the implementation of the Strategy. DAERA published, ‘Valuing Nature: A Biodiversity Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2020’, to comply with this legislation. They are currently drafting a report on the implementation of this Strategy.

2.3 The Convention on Biological Diversity in Japan in 2010, adopted a new ten year strategic plan, known as the Aichi Targets, which is an internationally agreed framework on biodiversity.

2.4 The 20 Aichi Targets form the implementation plan for the ‘Valuing Nature: A Biodiversity Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2020’. As Council have a Biodiversity Duty and are listed as a contributor towards implementing the ‘Valuing Nature: A Biodiversity Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2020’, DAERA have requested that we provide an update on the relevant actions that Council have been allocated. This information will assist DAERA to complete a final progress report on the implementation of the Strategy.

Page 125

3 Key Issues

3.1 Council have undertaken a range of measures as part of its Biodiversity Duty, to implement the ‘Valuing Nature: A Biodiversity Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2020’. These actions will also assist with meeting the international Aichi Targets.

3.2 Outlined below and in the attached letter (Appendix 1), are the main actions that Council have undertaken to meet the relevant Aichi Targets and Biodiversity Strategy for Northern Ireland Actions:

 Aichi Target 2

o Council have incorporated biodiversity, ecosystem services and biodiversity net gain into the District’s Green Infrastructure Plan 2019 – 2032 and Local Development Plan 2032. In addition Council has developed a natural capital account of Council’s 800 ha estate green and blue spaces.

 Aichi Target 9

o Developed an invasive species strategy to comprehensively prioritise and manage our own estate.

 Aichi Target 19

o Provided a range of knowledge exchange programmes in relation to biodiversity, to include hosting conferences on invasive alien species and green infrastructure. Additionally Council has hosted events to raise awareness of natural capital and liaised with other local authorities on measures to improve grass management for biodiversity. In addition, Council has installed technology to monitor priority species, for example, the installation of the first permanent bat recording station in Northern Ireland at Bay Road Park Local Nature Reserve.

 Biodiversity Action 26

o Manage Bay Road Park Local Nature Reserve for a range of species and habitats, for example, bats, a range of pollinators, woodlands and species rich grassland.

Page 126  Biodiversity Action 31

o Developed a Pollinator Plan, linked to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. Council has invested in new machinery to cut and lift the grass, to change the grass management at 25ha of Council owned estate for pollinators.

 Biodiversity Action 47

o Incorporated the Local Biodiversity Action Plan as one of the four Key Strategic Themes of the Derry and Strabane Green Infrastructure Plan 2019 – 2032.

4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 There are no financial, equality, legal, HR, rural needs or other implications associated with this item.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members are asked to note the contents of this report

Background Papers

Appendix 1 – Response Letter

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Ref: CC/CD

Mark Preston Natural Heritage Policy Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs Klondyke Building Gas Works Business Park Belfast BT7 2JA

18th February 2021

Dear Mr. Preston,

RE: Report on the Implementation of the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy

I refer to your letter received on 1st February 2021, requesting that Council provide an update on the actions detailed within the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy, which Council have a Biodiversity Duty to implement (Aichi Targets 1, 2 & 18; & Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy Action 47). Please find below the measures that Council have taken as part of its Biodiversity Duty to implement the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy at a local & regional level. Also, this includes the actions that we have taken to assist in meeting the international Aichi targets. In addition, we have included other actions that we have contributed towards, to meet regional & international targets.

To meet the international Aichi targets, we have conducted the following:

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 Aichi Target 1 We have adopted a range of measures to increase awareness, understanding & action of biodiversity. This included a Biodiversity Awareness Survey within the District that found 85% of the population were aware of & understood the term biodiversity.

 Aichi Target 2 We have incorporated biodiversity, ecosystem services & biodiversity net gain into the District’s Green Infrastructure Plan 2019 – 2032, Community Plan & Local Development Plan 2032. Also, we have developed a natural capital account of Council’s 800 ha green & blue spaces in 2019. This is currently being extended to include all public accessible green & blue spaces within the District.

 Aichi Target 9 Council developed an invasive species strategy to comprehensively prioritise & manage its own estate.

 Aichi Target 18 We have adopted a change in grass management across 25 ha of our estate, which conforms to traditional meadow management, to create a landscape scale approach of managing our estate for pollinators. Also, we have delivered training on traditional skills for biodiversity to include dry stone wall construction, hedgerow creation and laying.

 Aichi Target 19 Council have been proactive in a range of knowledge exchange programmes in relation to biodiversity, to include hosting conferences on invasive alien species & green infrastructure. Also, we have hosted events to raise awareness of natural capital & liaised with other local authorities on measures to improve grass management for biodiversity. In addition, we have installed technology to monitor priority species, for example, installed the first permanent bat recording station in Northern Ireland at our Bay Road Park Local Nature Reserve.

Council have contributed towards the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy targets by:

 Action 24 Developed approaches for knowledge exchange & expertise development, through the formation of the Derry & Strabane Green Infrastructure Plan Stakeholder Group & have become a member of the UK Green Infrastructure Partnership. Also, we have participated in knowledge exchange approaches with other local authorities for grassland management, NI Bat Group to protect bats within our estate & expertise development in invasive alien species with academic, public & private sectors.

 Action 26 Manage Bay Road Park Local Nature Reserve for a range of species & habitats on site, for example, bats, a range of pollinators, woodlands & species rich grassland.

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 Actions 27 & 43 Council have an 800 ha estate, with 25 ha currently managed as species rich grassland for pollinators & over 150 ha of woodland. We manage a range of sites for priority habitats and species.

 Action 31 Developed a pollinator plan, linked to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. We invested in new machinery to cut & lift the grass, to change the grass cutting regime at 25 ha of our estate for pollinators.

 Action 39 Council’s Natural Capital Account has assisted with raising awareness, understanding of the benefits & use of public green & blue spaces.

 Action 47 Incorporated the Local Biodiversity Action Plan as one of the four Key Strategic Themes of the Derry & Strabane Green Infrastructure Plan 2019 – 2032. The associated biodiversity actions are listed in the Green Infrastructure Action Plan.

 Action 50 Council assists local schools with their Eco Schools programme.

 Actions 51 & 52 Provided a range of volunteering opportunities through establishing the North West Red Squirrel Group to conserve the local red squirrel population, practical biodiversity & recording skills through the Faughan Valley Landscape Partnership and Riverine Environmental Programme.

 Action 53, 55 & 57 Council have surveyed & increased the number of bird species utilising the mudflats, saltmashes, islands and lagoons adjacent to , since the restoration of Culmore Landfill Site.

We would welcome the opportunity to assist with the development of the new Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy, which should consider stronger legislation and policies to assist with delivering for biodiversity, to meet future targets that will prevent any further loss of biodiversity, with our experience of working at a local level. Please contact Christine Doherty [email protected] from my department if you have any further queries.

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Yours sincerely,

Conor Canning Head of Environment

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Agenda Item 18 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Head of Capital Development & Building Control Procurement of Council’s Natural Gas Supply Author: Energy Manager

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To update Members on the outcome of the procurement of Council’s natural gas supply for the larger contract sites.

2 Background

2.1 Members are reminded of ER98/19 which awarded a one-year contract to Go Power to supply natural gas to the council’s larger contract sites commencing 1st April 2020.

2.2 Members are advised that a select list tender process was completed in February for the supply of natural gas to Council’s larger contract sites for a period of 1 year commencing 1st April 2021 in collaboration with 7 other Councils.

2.3 The select list included each of the suppliers licenced to distribute natural gas in Northern Ireland, namely, SSE Airtricity Gas, Flogas Natural Gas Ltd, Firmus Energy and Go Power Ltd.

3 Key Issues

3.1 Only two suppliers returned tenders, namely, Go Power Ltd and SSE Airtricity Gas.

3.2 A comparative analysis process was conducted on the returned documentation which has been retained on file for audit purposes.

The outcome of the process was as follows:

Tendered Price without Monthly Tendered Price Meter Charge

GoPower Airtricity Diifference % Difference Airtricity % Difference

Derry City & Strabane DC £263,059.25 £316,635.93 £53,576.68 16.92% £280,340.00 6.16%

Page 133 Go Power Ltd tendered the lowest total price for the supply of natural gas to Council's larger contract sites. SSE Airtricity Gas include a monthly meter charge for each site, which Go Power do not charge. For comparison purposes, an additional column was included to compare actual costs.

4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 GO Power Ltd total tendered cost represents an approximate increase of 20% for the natural gas supply to contract sites. This increase in cost is a combination of higher regulated pass thru prices and an increase in the wholesale gas price due to weaker world market demand as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

4.2 Due to the restricted timescale to accept this offer, Go Power Ltd was awarded the contract to supply natural gas to the Council’s larger sites for a period of 1 year from 1st April 2021 by agreement with the Head of Capital Development & Building Control and the Council’s Procurement Manager.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members’ are asked to note the content of this report.

Background Papers

ER98/19

Page 134 Agenda Item 19

Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Environment & Regeneration Northern Ireland Water – DfI Minister’s Response Author: Director’s PA

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To update Members on a response received from the DfI Minister regarding Northern Ireland Water.

2 Background

2.1 Members will recall a presentation made to November Committee by NI Water on their strategic plans and the challenges they face.

2.2 Members asked officers to write to the DfI Minister requesting to support calls made by NI Water to receive the much needed investment to allow them to provide the necessary infrastructure to our Council area.

3 Key Issues

3.1 A response from the DfI Minister was received and is attached at appendix 1 for Members attention.

4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 There are no financial or other implications to Council.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members are asked to note the contents of this report.

Background Papers

Appendix 1 – DfI Minister – Water Order

Page 135 This page is intentionally left blank Page 137 Page 138 Agenda Item 20 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Environment & Regeneration Amendment to Footway (Prohibition of Waiting) Order Author: Director’s PA

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To advise Members of correspondence received from DfI regarding a proposal to amend the Footway (Prohibition of Waiting) Order.

2 Background

2.1 Details of the amendment are attached in DfI’s correspondence dated 3rd February 2021 are attached as appendix 1.

3 Key Issues

3.1 DfI’s proposal to amend the Order are self-explanatory within their correspondence.

4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 There are no financial or other implications to Council.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members comments are welcome on the proposal and can be forwarded to DfI.

Background Papers

Appendix 1 – Amendment to Footway Order

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1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To advise Members of DfI’s proposed 30mph speed limit on Haw Road.

2 Background

2.1 DfI is proposing to introduce a 30mph speed limit on Haw Road, as detailed on attached map (Appendix 1).

3 Key Issues

3.1 DfI have asked for this proposal to be brought to Council’s attention.

3.2 PSNI have been consulted and are in agreement with this proposal.

4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 There are no financial or other implications to Council.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members are asked to note the contents of this report.

Background Papers

Appendix 1 – DfI Speed Limit

Page 143 This page is intentionally left blank Page 145 Page 146 Agenda Item 22 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Environment & Regeneration DfI No Waiting Restriction – Bonds Hill Author: Director’s PA

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To advise Members of DfI’s correspondence regarding a proposal to introduce a no waiting restriction at Bonds Hill.

2 Background

2.1 DfI’s proposal relating to a no waiting at any time restriction on Bonds Hill, is detailed at Appendix 1.

3 Key Issues

3.1 The purpose of DfI’s correspondence is to bring the matter to Council’s attention.

3.2 PSNI have been consulted and are in agreement with the proposal.

4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 There are no financial or other implications to Council.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members are asked to note the content of the report.

Background Papers

Appendix 1 – DfI No Waiting

Page 147 This page is intentionally left blank Page 149 Page 150 Agenda Item 23 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Environment & Regeneration Proposed Provision and Removal of Disabled Parking Bays at St Canices Close, Eglinton and Author: Director’s PA Rosemount Avenue

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To advise Members of correspondence received in February 2021 from DfI Network Development Section regarding proposed disabled parking bay at St Canices Close, Eglinton and removal of a disabled bay at Rosemount Avenue.

2 Background

2.1 Details of proposals are attached at appendix 1.

3 Key Issues

3.1 The purpose of the correspondence is to bring the proposals specifically to Council’s attention.

3.2 These proposals have been discussed and agreed with PSNI.

4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 There are no financial or other implications to Council.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members are asked to note the contents of this report.

Background Papers

Appendix 1 – Disabled Bays

Page 151 This page is intentionally left blank Page 153 Page 154 Page 155 Page 156 Agenda Item 24 Title of Report: Officer Presenting: Director of Environment & Regeneration Amendment to Exceptions for 7.5 Tonne Weight Restriction at Urney Road, Strabane Author: Director’s PA

1 Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To advise Members of DfI correspondence dated 21st February 2021 in relation to a consultation being carried out.

2 Background

2.1 An amendment to the proposal to introduce a weight restriction of 7.5 tonne to Urney Road is attached as appendix 1. This amendment is in response to concerns raised during the first consultation exercise.

3 Key Issues

3.1 The purpose of the correspondence is to bring the proposal specifically to Council’s attention.

3.2 This proposal has been discussed and agreed with PSNI.

4 Financial, Equality, Legal, HR, Improvement, Rural Needs and other Implications

4.1 There are no financial or other implications to Council.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Members are asked to note the contents of this report.

Background Papers

Appendix 1 – 7.5 Tonne Weight Restriction

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