[ Cork City Council - Annual Report 2020 ]
Biodiversity & Heritage
include actions to (a) provide guidance to tenants on how they can reduce their carbon emissions and (b) the creation of a one stop shop aimed at private homeowners, landlords and tenants on how they can bets improve the energy efficiency of their homes in a financially sustainable manner. Improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock has benefits for the tenants including better health outcomes, better quality of life and lower energy bills, thus reducing the incidence of fuel poverty.
Cork City Heritage and Biodiversity Plan Evaluation of previous Heritage Plan was done, and an analysis of key performance indicators and recommendations were completed. An online publication took place for the first round of the preparation of the draft Cork City Heritage and Biodiversity plan. The second round is due to take place in 2021. Cork City Heritage Community and Publication Grant Scheme. This grant scheme continued during COVID-19 restrictions. Over twenty community heritage projects and four heritage publications supported under this grant scheme in 2020.
Green & Blue Infrastructure
As part of the preparation of the Draft Cork City Development Plan 2022-2028, the council is carrying out a series of supporting strategies and studies. Each study provides an evidenced- based approach to planning and, where possible, reflects best international practice. The Cork City Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) Study aims to help ensure the city grows in a manner that protects and enhances the existing and emerging GBI network. This Study reviews Cork City’s GBI assets and sets out recommendations on how best to protect, enhance and link this network. Locations where new high quality GBI is needed are identified and policies and objectives for good planning and design that protect against fragmentation are set out. The studies recommendations will assist the Plans objective for Compact Liveable Growth, reducing human impacts on the environment and transitioning to a low carbon city.
Nature in the City – Winter Wellness Programme
A number of publications were online on Cork City Council’s website, several biodiversity publications such as Nature in the City, Gardening for Biodiversity and Saving Swifts to the Biodiversity section of the website. Cork City Council worked with Cork Nature Network and Cork Environmental Forum to develop a series of tutorials on Gardening for Biodiversity and a film on Nature in the City. European Tree of the Year Cork City Council has been involved in European Tree of the Year. The Witch’s Yew Tree in Blarney Castle was a finalist in the European Tree of the Year. Voting took place by members of the public. Approximately two hundred and fifty semi mature root-balled trees were planted in 2020, varieties included Oak, maple, Birch, Beech, Liquidambar, Cherry, Lime, Willow across Cork City’s Parks and open spaces.
Tidy Towns
The City Council worked closely with a number of Tidy Districts groups/local Development Groups and Community Associations across the City, who through their voluntary efforts make a considerable impact enhancing and maintaining the public realm in their areas. The groups, who arrange regular litter picks, clean ups, planting and minor enhancement works, were affected by COVID-19 during 2020 and its restrictions on large group gatherings.
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