Environmental Services

The Environmental Services Section is responsible for a wide range of services spanning three programme groups. The objectives outlined in the councils Corporate Plan (2004-2009) are to;

• Provide a clean living environment for the citizens of Sligo
• Promote the conservation of areas of natural environmental value
• Protect and improve water and air quality in Sligo
• Reduce the amount of waste going to landfill

During 2009, the focus was to continue to introduce and implement measures to achieve these corporate objectives.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

• Waste Management
• Water Quality Management
• Pollution Control
• Beaches
• Water Safety
• Casual Trading
• Environmental Awareness
• Environmental Enforcement
• Litter Management
• Noise Pollution
• Air Pollution
• Climate Change

AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION

• Food Safety

MISCELLANEOUS

• Control of Dogs
• Control of Horses

WASTE MANAGEMENT

The level of interest in waste minimisation and effective waste management has dramatically increased in recent years and diverting waste from landfill is one of the greatest waste management challenges facing our Country. The Connaught Waste Management Plan (2006-2011) re-emphasises the waste management targets to be achieved in order to comply with National and EU targets, namely: Recycle 48%, Thermally Treat 33% and Landfill 19% of our waste. However, in order to reach the ambitious target of 48% recycling of household waste, the ‘third bin’ for organic kitchen waste needs to be introduced to the collection system.

The brown bin was introduced on a limited basis at the end of 2009 to increase the percentage of organic waste that is diverted from landfill. This is required under the Waste Management (Food Waste) Regulations 2009. Virtually all commercial and business premises will be required to segregate their organic waste and present it for collection separately. This will see the Waste Enforcement Officer’s carrying out inspections of premises to ensure that they are compliant with the Regulations, as well as further consultation and cooperation with the private waste collectors operating in the County.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Recycling Centres

Dry recyclable wastes are catered for the general public at Greenstar Civic Amenity Site, Deepwater Quay, Sligo and Tubbercurry Recycling Centre and Connolly Park, Tubbercurry. The use of these facilities continues to grow and complement the separate kerbside collection of dry recyclable materials, which is available throughout Sligo. It is also envisaged that during the course of 2010, a facility for the disposal of Household Hazardous waste will be provided at the Tubbercurry Civic Amenity site.

Glass is diverted from landfill via a network of 40 bottle banks located throughout Sligo town and county. A total of 1,339 tonnes of glass were recycled in Sligo in 2009.

Ballisodare Composting Facility

This Composting Facility at Union Road, Ballisodare, County Sligo opened in June 2008. This facility accepts green waste and sells peat free compost generated at the site. There has been significant development at the site during the course of 2009 with new equipment being purchased and the site itself being improved. The site continues to be a great success. Home composters could also be purchased at this site for €35 which also helps to divert organic waste from landfill.

Landfill

Landfill is the least preferred option in dealing with waste, however, landfill is required to deal with waste that cannot be recycled, composted or thermally treated. Therefore, the development of a North Connaught Landfill to deal with this interim waste, and to ultimately deal with the 19% of residual waste in 2013, continued to be discussed by all relevant Local Authorities in 2009.

WASTE ENFORCEMENT

Funding of Enforcement Office

Proceeds from a number of initiatives at national level including the Plastic Bag Levy and the Landfill Levy are providing 100% funding for waste enforcement teams in Local Authorities across the country.

• Historic landfill issues and
• General compliance with all waste regulations that are currently in force.

Role of Enforcement Office

The main role of the Waste Enforcement Section is in to ensure that waste is properly managed in a way that avoids environmental pollution, increases diversion from landfill rates and does not allow for non compliant operators to have a competitive advantage over compliant operators. The areas that the office worked on in 2009 included:

• Waste facility and waste collection permits
• Waste Presentation (including WM (Food Waste) Regs 2009)
• WEEE recycling
• Waste movements (including exports)
• General complaints
• General advice
• Illegal dumping
• Burning complaints
• Ban on Smokey Fuels
• Farm plastics
• End-of-Life vehicles
• Historic landfill issues and
• General compliance with all waste regulations that are currently in force.

STATISTICS

Waste Management related complaints/queries 567
Waste Management Inspections 519

End-of-Life Vehicles

One of Sligo County Council’s waste management priorities in 2009 was the Waste Management (End-Of-Life Vehicles) Regulations 2006. Enforcement of these Regulations was carried out by inspections, road checkpoints and by two aerial surveys, which identified sites where scrap vehicles were being stored in a manner that could result in environmental pollution. Subsequent investigations and enforcement measures were carried out at these sites. In 2009 there was one registered Authorised Treatment Facility in Sligo where members of the public could deposit their old cars free of charge.

Waste Presentation

The work carried out with Waste Presentation has resulted in an improved waste collection service for the county, and a greater volume of waste being collected and disposed of in an appropriate manner. This area will continue to require a significant investment of effort to ensure that services continue to improve and expand.

Multi Agency Approach

As well as carrying out inspections at various sites, a number of coordinated multi agency approaches to waste enforcement were employed. This included the carrying out, in conjunction with the Gardai and other local authorities, of regular road check points relating to waste movements. This exercise also helped to increase public awareness of the waste enforcement section.

Historic landfill issues

These are landfills which operated without a licence (no national legislation in place at time of operation) but are now required to be regularised via legislation and the Code of Practice titled “Environmental Risk Assessment for Unregulated Waste Disposal Sites”. This work primarily involves determining and breaking the links between the source of pollution, pathway of pollution and the receptor. Significant work was undertaken in this area in 2009 in identifying these facilities and in determining the environmental risk associated with some of them. This body of work will continue into 2010 and beyond. 

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

The role of the Council's Environmental Awareness Officer (EAO) is to promote positive environmental action throughout County Sligo. The Environmental Awareness Officer works in tandem with schools, community groups and members of the public to encourage them to reduce, reuse and recycle waste.

In the first quarter of 2009, the EAO organized a number of initiatives with community groups and organisations throughout the county. One of the most successful environmental education campaigns is Green Schools Programme. However, due to the absence of our EAO from April 2009, all of this work was carried out last year by An Taisce and our Green Projects Officer.

Sligo County Council continued to work with the Green Schools during 2009. With the help of An Taisce’s local Green Schools Development Officers, five seminars were organised during the autumn months to support teachers, Green Schools Co-Ordinators and others involved in the Programme. These events were well attended, with some 42 schools sending representatives. For the first time, a seminar was offered in Tobercurry, which facilitated attendance from the South of the County. By the end of year, there were 82 registered Green Schools in Sligo County. Of these, 62% had been previously awarded the Green Flag and most had already renewed their Flag on several occasions. Given the time limits that apply once the first Flag has been achieved, this shows a high level of sustained commitment to the Campaign amongst Sligo schools.

The four Green Schools ‘themes’ on which participating schools focus in turn are: Litter and Waste, Energy, Water and Travel. In 2009, Sligo was selected by An Taisce to pilot their proposed new theme of Biodiversity. The pilot commenced in a small number of schools in September with a view to launching the theme nationwide in 2010.

The Anti-Litter Anti Graffiti Awareness Grant and Local Agenda 21 Environment Partnership Fund offers financial support to groups that wish to organize environmental projects or raise awareness of environmental issues. The Local Agenda 21 – Environment Partnership Fund promotes sustainable development by assisting small scale, non-profit environmental projects at local level. In 2009, 16 groups received funding under this grant scheme. €9,604 was granted from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which must be matched by the local authority, bringing a total of funding to €19,208.

Funding of €25,000 was awarded to 12 groups for public education and awareness initiatives on litter and graffiti under the Anti-Litter Anti-Graffiti Awareness Scheme 2009.

LITTER

In 2009, the Sligo County Council continued its vigorous campaign in its effort to combat illegal dumping activity under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 – 2003 as amended.

The following is a breakdown of enforcement measures carried out during 2009.

Number of Complaints/Investigations/Queries/Inspections 430
Number of On-the-spot fines issued 19
Number of On-the-spot fines paid 17
Number of Convictions paid 4
Number of Section 9 issued 2

Operation Clean Sweep continued in 2009 and has so far been introduced to seven towns and villages in the county.

Litter Monitoring surveys were again carried out by Sligo County Council from March to June by the Litter Warden in towns and villages in the county.

BRING BANKS

There are a total of 40 bring bank sites in the county and borough area of Sligo. Eleven of these sites have CCTV systems installed to combat the affects of illegal dumping. Enforcement of such illegal dumping by our Waste Enforcement Office and our Litter Warden continued to be priority in 2009. Through this enforcement action and the employment of a dedicated Bring Bank maintenance person, the Bring Banks in Sligo are now in excellent condition, so much so that other Councils are looking at the techniques employed by Sligo, which have achieved substantial savings.

CASUAL TRADING

In 2009 the Council had Designated Trading Areas at 7 locations in the County -

• Rosses Point
• Enniscrone
• Coolaney
• Tubbercurry
• Ballymote
• Riverstown
• Dromore West

There were 13 Number Traders licensed in the County. Regular inspections were carried out by an authorised officer to ensure that the trading areas were being operated in accordance with the Casual Trading Bye Laws.

WATER QUALITY

Water quality monitoring and management is governed by the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and provides for water management on the basis of River Basin Districts (RBD’s). The WFD aims to provide a new, strengthened system for the protection and improvement of water resources and water-dependent ecosystems. The WFD required that our waters achieve at least good status and that none of our waters deteriorate by 2015. Extended time frames allowing until 2021 to comply with the provisions of the Directive have been included for groundwater and specific surface waters in the relevant River Basin District Management Plans.

The functional area of Sligo County Council is located within three River Basin Districts, the Western RBD (most of County Sligo is in this RBD), the Shannon International RBD and the North Western International RBD. The overall objective of river basin projects is to establish an integrated monitoring and management system for all waters within a River Basin District, to develop a dynamic programme of management measures and to produce a River Basin Management Plan. The plans identify the specific environmental objectives to be achieved by the end of 2015 and the programme of measures which will be undertaken to achieve the objectives. Sligo County Council is responsible for the implementation of the River Basin Management Plans. Environment Section staff were actively involved throughout 2009 in the consultation process and preparation of the river basin district management plans. The River Basin Management Plans were published in 2009 and are due to be adopted in 2010. Sligo County Council must commence im lementation of the plans in July 2010. The plans place considerable demands on local authority resources in terms of achieving the requirements of the Water Framework Directive.

In 2009, as part of routine annual work programmes, the Water Quality Management Section continued the monitoring, protection and improvement of water resources and enforcement work as outlined below;

Water Pollution

Enforcement of water pollution legislation is an important element in protecting and improving water quality in County Sligo. In 2009 the Environment Section dealt with 99 complaints relating to water pollution issues. Warning letters and enforcement notices were issued under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977 as amended, where necessary. A key role of the Environment Section is the provision of advice in relation to the protection of water quality and related pollution issues.

Discharge Licences

Sligo County Council is the responsible licensing authority for discharges to waters and sewers in accordance with the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977 as amended. The European Communities Environmental Objectives (Surface Waters) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No 272 of 2009) were introduced in 2009 and place an obligation on Public Authorities to carry out functions in a manner that protects and improves water quality to comply with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. Public consultation was also carried out on proposed new groundwater regulations during 2009 and the EC Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations were subsequently issued in early 2010.

28 premises are licensed to discharge to waters under Section 4 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977 as amended and 73 premises are licensed to discharge to sewers under Section 16 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977 as amended. Significant work was undertaken in 2009 in relation to regulating discharges to sewers under Section 16 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977 as amended in Sligo Borough, Strandhill, Enniscrone and Tubbercurry. Sligo County Council commenced a number of reviews of existing discharge to waters licences as per requirements under the new Surface Water Regulations 2009.

As part of routine work programmes discharges to waters and sewers were investigated throughout the county to ensure compliance with water pollution legislation, with enforcement action taken where necessary.

Catchment Management

Protection and improvement of water quality includes surface water, groundwater, estuarine and coastal waters. The main sources of water pollution are agriculture, forestry, industrial discharges, wastewater treatment plant discharges and effluent discharges from un-serviced developments. It is the objective of Sligo County Council to control the aforementioned developments and activities, through planning and development policies and through the enforcement of national water quality legislation, to ensure they do not adversely affect water quality. The River Basin District Management Plans have identified the current water quality status of surface waters and groundwater bodies in County Sligo and the current catchment management programme of inspections will be expanded to ensure the requirements of the Water Framework Directive is achieved. Targeted inspections in specific catchment areas will be central to improving “poor” and “moderate” status waters and protecting “good” and “high” status waters into the future.

Designated Shellfish Waters

In 2009, Sligo Bay and Drumcliff Bay were designated as shellfish waters in accordance with the Shellfish Waters Directive and the Quality of Shellfish Waters Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 268 of 2006). These Regulations require the preparation of Pollution Reduction Programmes for each designated shellfish area with the objective of protecting or improving water quality in the designated shellfish areas. The DOEHLG has prepared Pollution Reduction Programmes for Sligo Bay and Drumcliff Bay which must be implemented by Sligo County Council. Reports on the implementation of the Pollution Reduction Programmes must be submitted to the DOEHLG on an annual basis. The Pollution Reduction Programmes aim to achieve protection and improvement in water quality through the use of the following actions or measures;

• Improvements in local authority wastewater treatment infrastructure
• Licensing of local authority wastewater treatment infrastructure
• Agricultural wastewater surveys
• Domestic wastewater surveys
• Licensing of commercial premises under Section 4 and 16 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977 as amended.

Increased catchment management surveys will be required in these particular catchment areas into the future in order to bring about improvements in water quality as required by the Pollution Reduction Programmes. The Pollution Reduction Programmes may be reviewed at intervals to determine if additional actions or measures are required.

 
- Shell fish Waters - Sligo Bay 

Source Protection

Agricultural and domestic wastewater inspections are routinely carried out, with follow up enforcement action taken where necessary. In 2009, the Environmental Section worked with the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), on the Draft Groundwater Protection Scheme for County Sligo. The Groundwater Protection Scheme was finalised in 2009 and the new Groundwater Protection Scheme is taken into consideration in the routine assessment of planning applications received by Sligo County Council. Cryptosporidium risk assessments were carried out on the 6 public water supplies within the functional area of Sligo County Council as per Environmental Protection Agency recommendations. Feeder stream monitoring was carried out in the source catchments of specific drinking water supplies.

Planning Applications

The Environment Section assesses and makes recommendations on all forestry, commercial, and agricultural planning applications in addition to domestic planning applications located in sensitive areas throughout County Sligo. Planning applications are assessed in terms of potential environmental impacts and recommendations made regarding appropriate planning conditions. The Environment Section also has a role in the assessment of compliance with planning conditions. In 2009, 150 planning applications were assessed by the Environment Section. In total 241 inspections were carried out by Environment Section staff relating to planning issues in 2009 including quarrying activities.

The Section was also involved in making a submission in relation to the draft Sligo and Environs Development Plan and the draft County Development Plan and draft Mini-area Plans.

Site Suitability Assessments

In 2005 a panel of approved site assessors was set up in conjunction with the Environment Section. The Environment Section is responsible for the regulation of the approved panel and we continue to work closely with the panel to ensure a consistent approach to site assessment. The Environmental Protection Agency published a new wastewater treatment manual – CODE OF PRACTICE: Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Serving Single Houses (p.e. ≤ 10) in 2009, replacing the previous code of practice published in 2000. All planning applications for one off houses are now assessed in accordance with the requirements of the new code of practice as per DOEHLG requirements. Preliminary discussions were carried out in 2009 to carry out a review of the site assessor’s panel to take into consideration the requirements of the new EPA manual. It is proposed to progress this issue further during 2010.

NOISE POLLUTION

The Environment Section provides advice and information on residential and commercial noise under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992. In 2009, 44 inspections were carried out by the Environment Section relating to noise nuisance with appropriate advice and guidance provided.

AIR POLLUTION

Sligo enjoys excellent air quality, and is fortunate not to have heavy industry discharging to the atmosphere. Sligo County Council continued to enforce two Air Pollution Licences.

ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY

Most of the monitoring programmes outlined below are carried out by Sligo County Council’s laboratory staff in the Councils well equipped laboratory.

DRINKING WATER

The quality of drinking water in Ireland is governed by the EC (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations, 2007. During 2009, 13 Public Water Supplies, 14 Private Group Water Schemes and 24 Public Group Water Schemes were monitored in County Sligo in accordance with these regulations. Regular consultation was maintained with the Health Service Executive in relation to drinking water to ensure public health was protected. In addition, Sligo County Council reported to the Environmental Protection Agency on drinking water quality throughout the year.

DRINKING WATER ABSTRACTION POINTS

Public Water Supply abstraction points were monitored in accordance with the EC (Surface Water intended for the abstraction of drinking water) Regulations, 1989. This monitoring together with our catchment management work helps to ensure that our drinking water sources achieve maximum protection.

URBAN WATER WASTE TREATMENT PLANTS

The quality of final effluent from urban waste water treatment plants in the County was monitored to ensure compliance with standards set by the EC (Urban Wastewater Treatment) Regulations, 2004. During 2009, all UWW Treatment plants in County Sligo were monitored in accordance with these Regulations. Significant investment under the Water Services Investment Programme should help to address deficiencies at some of these plants.

RIVERS AND LAKES

In 2009, monitoring of Sligo’s rivers and lakes was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. This monitoring was carried out by the EPA on behalf of Sligo County Council. A total of 244 river samples and 40 lake samples were taken during 2009.

BATHING WATER

Five bathing areas in County Sligo were monitored in accordance with the Quality of Bathing Waters Regulations, 1992 (S.I 155 of 1992) and amendments, during 2009. These included the designated bathing areas at Mullaghmore, Enniscrone and Rosses Point, and the Green Coast Beaches at Streedagh and Cliffoney. During 2009, all five beaches complied with the mandatory bathing water standards set by the Regulations. With regard to Blue Flag Awards, which are based on compliance with a number of standards, including water quality for the previous bathing season (i.e. the 2008 bathing season), only one beach in Sligo was awarded the Blue Flag for 2009. Mullaghmore Beach was awarded the Blue Flag, however, due to on-going problems with cattle on the beach, no lifeguard cover could be provided for health and safety reasons, and therefore the Blue Flag had to be withdrawn for the 2009 season. Rosses Point beach failed to comply with the strict guidestandards set by the Regulations during the 2008 bathing season and therefore was not awarded the Blue Flag for 2009. The water quality at Enniscrone Beach complied with the strict guide standards during 2008, however because this beach had lost its Blue Flag in 2008 (based on water quality for 2007), two clear consecutive years of compliance with the guide standards were required by An Taisce in order for Enniscrone to regain it’s Blue Flag status for 2009. Dunmoran and Streedagh beach retained the Green Coast Award for excellent water quality and beach management.

WATER SAFETY

In 2009, Sligo County Council employed the following staff on our beaches for the Bathing Season.

Beach	Staff Employed
Rosses Point	2 Part-time Life Guards for weekends in June. 3 full-time Life Guards for July and August.
Streedagh	2 Part-time Life Guards for weekends in June. 3 full-time Life Guards for July and August.
Enniscrone	2 Part-time Life Guards for weekends in June 3 full-time Life Guards for July and August.
Dunmoran	2 Part-time Life Guards for weekends in July and August.
Strandhill	2 Part-time Beach Wardens for weekends in June. 2 full-time Beach Wardens for July and August.
Enniscrone	1 Part-time Beach Warden for weekends in June. 1 full-time Beach Warden for July and August

Sligo County Council Beach Bye-Laws govern the beaches at Enniscrone, Mullaghmore, Streedagh, Rosses Point, Dunmoran, Aughris and Strandhill, County Sligo.

Enforcement of the Bye-laws by Life Guards, Beach Wardens and Authorised Staff was priority and a total of 8 fines were issued in 2009.

FOOD SAFETY

Sligo County Council enforces Food Safety Regulations in small slaughterhouses and small meat manufacturing plants under Service Contract to the FSAI. The Service Contract between Sligo County Council and the FSAI which is common to all local authorities was drawn up following negotiations between the City and County Managers Association, The FSAI and The Local Authority Veterinary Service. The current contract was adopted by the Council in 2006 and will be in place until 2010. It is currently proposed to merge the Food Safety Authority, The Irish Medicines Board and the Office of Tobacco Control and this is expected to happen by the end of 2010.

Funding for the service is provided by Central Government through the FSAI. The budget was reduced in 2009 and further reductions are expected. The challenge will be to ensure that the core Food Safety functions are prioritised.

There are currently two abattoirs under the supervision of Sligo County Council. The supervision involves pre- and post- slaughter checks on all animals along with continuous monitoring of hygiene and welfare standards and BSE controls. Both Plants were approved under the new legislation in 2007 and are now operating under full export standard. One of the results of the new legislation was to remove the distinction between small throughput plants and export plants. Both operators have undertaken training in HACCP which is a food safety management system and have introduced HACCP plans in their premises. One Slaughter premises had an additional approval granted in late 2007 to slaughter farmed deer. Two Small Meat Manufacturing premises also come under Sligo County Council supervision. The FSAI audited the Approvals given to these premises during 2009 and no significant issues arose.

Sligo continues to participate in a project in the North West designed to promote and market meat produced by Small Abattoirs. This came about following discussions between the Local Authority Veterinary Service, Leader and the Department of Community, Gaeltacht and Rural Affairs. It is hoped to provide a platform for these businesses to market the quality product they produce.

ANIMAL WELFARE

The Control of Dogs Act and The Control of Horses Act are the main pieces of welfare legislation that the council has responsibility for.

Implementation of the Control of Dogs Acts involves investigation and seizure of stray dogs and checks for dog licences. The number of dog licences issued in 2009 was 4,631. This has been the result of a lot of work on the ground by the warden. Considerable work has also beendone in re-homing dogs where possible. The “Adopt a dog” section on the web-site is proving very useful in re-homing dogs. Pictures and a brief description are put on the web and the contact details for the shelter are also given. In 2009 of the 276 dogs which entered the Shelter 39 were re-claimed, 173 were re-homed, 62 were put to sleep and two remained in the shelter at the end of the year. Complaints continue to be investigated as they arise and one successful court case was taken in 2009 involving a restricted breed dog.

The expected increase in the Dog Licence fee has been incorporated into the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill which is currently before the Oireachtas. It is hoped that the fee will be increased to €20 once this is enacted. The proposal to introduce Bye Laws for restricted breeds is on hold pending the passage by the Oireachtas of the same legislation. It will however be reactivated once this is passed.

The issue of stray horses continues to be monitored and is a cause of concern. Difficulties persist at some locations where individuals are persisting to keep horses despite not having permission to do so. There was also a significant increase in calls from members of the public concerned about the welfare of horses. This problem has become more acute as the economic situation has deteriorated and is being seen throughout the country. Any solution will involve a co-ordinated approach.

CLIMATE CHANGE

The public sector is required to lead the way on Energy Efficiency in Ireland and is committed to achieving a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 33% savings in energy use by 2020. Under the National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012, Local Authorities must adopt specific targets and measures for reducing emissions. Thus, in early 2009, a Working Group of committed staff representing all Directorates was formed to develop a Climate Change Strategy for Sligo Local Authorities (SLA).

The initial task was to measure existing energy use and in carrying this out, the Group identified several low/no cost opportunities for remedial action, which they implemented without delay. To establish SLA’s carbon footprint, 2008 was selected as the baseline year, for which data were collated under a number of headings, including heat energy, electricity usage, fleet emissions, public lighting and staff travel. The four main areas of energy use were identified as follows:

Water Services: 38%
Street Lighting: 27%
Buildings: 25%
Fleet: 11%

Building Energy Ratings (BERs) were undertaken for all public buildings and an Energy Audit of County Hall was carried out by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) under their Public Sector Mentoring Programme. On foot of this, SEI grant-aid was obtained to improve energy-efficiency at Riverside, including new light-fittings, motion sensors, heating controls and insulation. These measures contributed to immediate energy-savings at County Hall: a comparison of electricity bills for the 2009/2010 midwinter period showed a 9% drop in consumption and a 26% drop in cost, as against the same period in 2008/2009.

In consultation with staff, the Working Group considered all aspects of SLA’s functions to identify a wide range of actions that could, directly or indirectly, result in energy savings and a reduction in carbon emissions. This exercise yielded an extensive list of potential measures, in areas including building energy use, water services, waste management, transportation, procurement and communications. These measures formed the basis of a Draft Climate Change Strategy approved by Management at the end of the year. In 2010, it is planned to dedicate resources to Climate Change implementation, to select priority projects for action and to secure training for key staff.