‘Green’ light for support of eco-schools programme

MID Ulster District Council is to continue contributing to an internationally recognised programme designed to help guide schools on their journey to sustainability.

The decision to continue to finance Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful’s eco-schools campaign with an increased contribution of £2,975 this year was agreed upon at a meeting of Council’s environment committee on Tuesday, January 11.

Members of the committee were told the campaign operates in 72 countries and represents more than 59,000 schools and 20 million pupils.

In Northern Ireland the scheme is administered by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and all 11 councils.

The programme encourages and directs young people to think about litter, waste and recycling, climate action, energy saving, water conservation, transport options, biodiversity, marine life, healthy living and the natural environment.

At the end of October 2021, 100 per-cent of schools in Northern Ireland were part of the programme. There are currently 358 green flags across Northern Ireland with 74 of these located in Mid Ulster.

Council’s recycling officer team supports schools wishing to gain eco-school status and the report before members of the committee notes the council has financially supported the scheme since 2015.

This year, two funding options were presented by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. Option one at £10,942 or option two at £2,975 for the year.

Officers recommended that the council progresses with option two as although it is more than the £1,700 the council previously contributed annually, it is a figure that has been adjusted for inflation and equates to an investment of roughly 10p per pupil in Mid Ulster.

Proposing the officers’ recommendation for the local authority to contribute £2,975 for the year, Councillor Martin Kearney commended local schools’ efforts, proudly noting that one fifth of all green flags awarded in Northern Ireland are located in Mid Ulster.

“The fact every school in Northern Ireland is involved in this is a bonus,” he said.

“There are 130 in Mid Ulster and 74 have the flag, I think we should remember you have to win the right to retain the flag, it is not something that stays with you and there are some schools that have won it over four times.

“I have a long history with eco-schools myself and as you go round the area is great to see these flags flying. The fact that we have 74 out of the 150 flags means that one fifth of the flags are in Mid Ulster, which is excellent indeed.”

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Brian McGuigan who said the initiative is something the council should be supporting.

“The eco-schools green flag initiative is something we should be supporting it is a very good initiative and it is good Council is behind it and supporting it,” he said.