Local Authority Prevention Network

The LAPD Programme 2006 – 2009 was designed to build capacity within local authorities and demonstrate what was possible if the effort is made. These objectives have been achieved, with 14 local authorities having become active in prevention focused projects under the scheme. Several projects have been completed and a high level of prevention based capacity has been achieved by the local authority personnel involved.

LAPD and LAPN are summarised in these three posters (Click to open):

Quarterly plenary meetings, technical advice, field trips and a comprehensive 8-day training course on waste prevention have all served to share knowledge and allow all participants to develop and build capacity in their local authorities. It is evident and obvious that the prevention officers working in the participating local authorities have developed their personal and professional capacity. It is also evident and obvious that these people should continue to work in this field and that the expertise they have gained should be retained in place.

Local authorities were invited to apply for grant-aid and to propose projects that focus on:-

• Achieving prevention in households, small businesses or public-sector organisations in local authority areas through the application of a range of tools, instruments and initiatives.
• Measuring (quantitatively and qualitatively) the effect of initiatives.
• Generating information and guidance for dissemination to other local authorities.
• Generating reports and case studies.

A new booklet to help publicans cut costs and improve their environmental performance was launched in May 2009. The booklet Calling Time on Waste: a publican’s handbook to a leaner, greener cost base is the result of a collaboration between the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland, Monaghan County Council and the EPA, and has been distributed to VFI members throughout the country. Download here

A booklet to help farmers cut costs and improve their environmental performance was produced by Monaghan County Council as part of their work in the LAPD and launched at Tydavnet Agricultural Show, Co. Monaghan in August 2008. The booklet covers several aspects of waste prevention on the farm as well as considering water and energy issues. Download here

Local Authorities involved in the LAPD Programme received a number of supports to assist them to demonstrate prevention.

Financial:

• Phase 1 – Some €1.2 million in financial assistance was made available to three ambitious programmes
• Phase 2 – Seven Local Authorities received up to €75,000 each. The total spend on Phase 2 was approximately €500K.

Technical:

• Clean Technology Centre at CIT is providing technical know how to the local authorities in the programme. CTC has extensive experience in implementing prevention programmes. The technical support provided by the programme will assist local authorities to overcome the traditional barrier of lack of expertise in this field.

Training:

• CTC and EPA have developed a HETAC accredited training programme to provide LAPD participants and other local authority staff with knowledge and technical skills necessary to develop, conduct, lead and manage waste prevention or minimisation strategies within their own or other organisations. The aim of this new certified programme is to provide participants with the knowledge and technical skills necessary, to develop, conduct, lead and manage waste prevention or minimisation strategies within their organisation or for others.

Networking:

• Networking of participants through quarterly meetings of programme participants. These meetings are tailored to meet the needs of the speakers and has included speakers from IBEC, REPAK (Packaging Prevention Programme), Irish Hospitality Solutions, Sustainable Energy Ireland, Geography Department TCD, WWF and EPA STRIVE.

Co-ordinators Group:

• This group is drawn from LAPD participants and helps direct the programme.

Annual Conference:

• The first LAPD Conference was held on February 7th 2008. This was an opportunity for local authorities to learn about international and LAPD prevention case studies that are already proving successful and to get ideas for how they may use prevention to help their local authority reduce waste generation in specific sectors.