Ms. Majella Hunt Director of services introduced the Framework Agreement and Cllr. Orla Leyden, Chair of the Economic Development & Enterprise Support (including Tourism, Culture & Libraries) Strategic Policy Committee presented a report to the Members:

Further to the ‘Climate Change and Biodiversity Emergency’ declared at the Roscommon County Council Plenary meeting in June 2019, it was agreed at Economic Development & Enterprise Support (including Tourism, Culture & Libraries) SPC Meeting held on the 10^th of December 2019 that Roscommon County Council should consider signing up to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is a strategy that addresses the decline of our pollinators.  It is a shared plan of action supported by more than 90 governmental and non-governmental organisations. By helping our pollinators, we are improving biodiversity across the island. Most Councils/ Local Authorities are already taking actions to support pollinators on public land. Many are also working with local community groups, residents’ associations and schools to help raise awareness of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

Support of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan offers Roscommon County Council a suite of benefits in addition to biodiversity enhancement, including:

Partnership with an internationally renowned strategy to reverse declines in biodiversity.

A framework outlining options with the flexibility to choose from a variety of low/cost-neutral evidence-based actions that will have a positive impact.

Access to training, guidance documents, support materials, case studies, etc. to help staff decide on appropriate actions.

Helps demonstrate compliance with statutory requirements such as the Council’s Biodiversity statutory responsibilities.

Enhancing the local landscape for pollinators supports local food producers

A framework to help support the delivery of key plans:

- National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021

- County Development Plan (protecting natural habitats and plants objectives)

- Green Infrastructure Plan (protecting and managing natural wildlife corridors and habitats)

- Climate Change Adaptation Measures (resilience to climate change)

- Local Biodiversity Action Plan

- County Heritage Plan (biodiversity/pollinator actions)

- EU Habitats Directive (ecological networks and buffer areas)

A demonstration of our biodiversity credentials to local residents who are increasingly concerned with supporting environmentally friendly initiatives.

Actions to support community engagement and strengthen relationships with local groups who are also working to protect our pollinators, e.g. Tidy Towns groups.

Actions to support Local Agenda 21.

Actions to support the Green Schools Programme (Biodiversity Theme).

To better support these efforts and to better promote the work being undertaken, the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan have developed a framework to recognise Councils as partners of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

In becoming an All-Ireland Pollinator Plan Partner, Roscommon County Council agrees:

1. That Roscommon County Council supports the ethos of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and will consider the Plan in their policies, plans, and management decisions where possible.

2. To consider the evidence-based actions in the guideline document Councils: Actions to help Pollinators, and to carry out one pollinator-friendly action in the first year of signing up and plan to carry out at least three more within the following five years. The guideline document lists 30 possible actions, many of which are low cost or cost-neutral.

3. To update the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan Team (within the National Biodiversity Data Centre) on the positive pollinator actions you have planned, implemented or maintained at the end of each year, when contacted, to help us promote your work.

Roscommon County Council will receive a copy of the Pollinator Plan’s Council/Local Authority Partner logo, for use in Council documents/reports. Along with the benefits that come from partnership with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, Roscommon County Council will receive a Certificate of Partnership, which can be displayed at our offices.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

SECONDED by Cllr. Shanagher

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council become an All-Ireland Pollinator Plan Partner and agrees to support the ethos of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and will consider the Plan in their policies, plans, and management decisions where possible. It further agrees to  consider the evidence-based actions in the guideline document Councils: Actions to help Pollinators, and to carry out one pollinator-friendly action in the first year of signing up and plan to carry out at least three more within the following five years and to update the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan Team (within the National Biodiversity Data Centre) on the positive pollinator actions you have planned, implemented or maintained at the end of each year, when contacted, to help us promote your work.