CLARE’S CLIMATE Action Plan is expected to be signed off on by elected members of the County Council on Monday.
February’s meeting of the local authority will see the Clare Climate Action Plan come up for discussion and it is anticipated that this will be adopted. Councillors were briefed on the plan on Wednesday last.
Climate action co-ordinator, Morgan Lahiffe has led a small but dedicated team which included Chris Dixon O’Mara and Kelly Slattery to compile the document. The climate action page spans 85 pages with eleven objectives, five thematic areas and 120 actions.
Addressing Tuesday’s meeting of the Physical Development SPC, Morgan pointed out, “We’ve put in a number of case studies which show Clare County Council isn’t starting from scratch, all our new housing schemes are fossil fuel free, driven by air to water heat pumps”.
Three quarters of respondents to the pre-draft consultation outlined their belief that the Council has a strong role to play in climate action. “In our pre-draft consultation, respondents believe Coucnil has a strong role to play in climate action & 75% said this in the pre-draft consultation survey. We know the ball is in our court, we have full accountability and we can chase the funding, we’d hope to influence, advocate and coordinate”.
Engagement was high for the public consultation part of the plan with 151 submissions received at the draft stage and 250 during the pre-draft stage which was “a massive amount of submissions compared to other local authorities,” the Barefield resident flagged.
While the plan is currently in a review period, it goes before councillors on Monday for adoption. “The plan will then be published in 30 days of that period, the work of implementing the action then starts,” Lahiffe said.
Chair of the SPC, Cllr John Crowe (FG) commented, “this is a massive project and you’ve done an outstanding job. I knew from first day you came in to do presentation that it would be positive”.
“Morgan came onto new ground and has done a super job,” Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) remarked while praising how they got TY students involved. Climate activist, Theresa O’Donoghue said, “I presume it is going to be brilliant”.
Director of Physical Development, Alan Farrell acknowledged the public who made submissions for the plan. “This is a hugely important document for us as a county”.
