9.0 Performance Indicators and Measures
There are a number of indicators and measures that will help determine if Kilkenny County Council activities as outlined in this Plan are effective in combating litter. Some indicators are completed by external bodies, others are tracked internally.
9.1 Recommended Minimum Criteria Environment Inspections (RMCEI) Plan.
Kilkenny County Council sets out waste enforcement priorities annually in consultation with the Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLA). These are aligned with the National Priorities as set-out by the EPA. Waste enforcement activities are tracked under the Recommended Minimum Criteria for Environmental Inspections (RMCEI) Plan. The plan covers a large portfolio of enforcement duties and includes enforcement relating to litter and illegal dumping.
In 2018, the EPA overall grade for the RMCEI Return was ‘Excellent’ which was ahead of the national average result of ‘Above Target’. Equally in the 2019 RMCEI Enforcement element of the Plan was awarded a rating of ‘High’ from a score range of High, Medium or Low which was retained in 2020.
Image of extract from the EPA’s Evaluation Report of Kilkenny County Councils RMCEI Enforcement Plan.
9.2 National Litter Monitoring System
The National Litter Monitoring System developed by the Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment enables each Local Authority to analyse the extent and severity of litter pollution in their functional areas, the types the sources and causes of litter. These results are issued annually and highlight areas which require attention.
Table 9.1 Litter Composition in 2018 & 2019
|
Litter Type |
2019 |
2018 |
|
Cigarette Litter |
88% |
40% |
|
Packaging Litter |
3% |
25% |
|
Sweet Litter |
4% |
6% |
|
Food Related Litter |
1% |
16% |
|
Paper Litter |
2% |
7% |
|
Dog Foul |
0.2% |
5% |
|
Other |
1.8% |
1% |
Table 9.2 Causes of Litter in 2018 & 2019
|
Causes of Litter |
2019 |
2018 |
|
Pedestrians |
57% |
44% |
|
Passing motorists |
43% |
19% |
|
Schools/School Children |
0% |
10% |
|
Places of Entertainment |
0% |
8% |
|
Retail Outlet |
0% |
5% |
|
Gathering Point |
0% |
5% |
|
Fast Food Outlet |
0% |
5% |
|
Other |
0% |
4% |
9.3 Local Authority Performance Indicators
The National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) - Local Authority Performance Indicator Report includes indicators concerning the percentage area of graded litter pollution, the participation levels of the Green Schools Programme and the number of households availing of a 3-bin service.
Table 9.3 % LA Area within 5 levels of Litter Pollution
|
Year |
% Area Litter Free |
% Area Slightly Polluted |
% Area Mod. Polluted |
% Area Signif. Polluted |
% Area Gross Polluted |
|
2019 |
25 |
69 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
2018 |
22 |
76 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
Table 9.4 % Households availing of a 3-bin service
|
|
|
Number of households*, covered by a licensed operator providing a 3-bin service |
%of households that the number at A represents |
|
2019 |
|
8,842 |
25.45 |
|
2018 |
|
5,523 |
15.90 |
* based on the 2016 Census
Table 9.5 % Schools Awarded Green Flag Status*
|
Year |
% Schools Awarded Green Flag Status |
|
2019 |
47.83 |
|
2018 |
45.65 |
*Calculation completed by analysing schools who received 1st award or renewed their award within the previous 2-year period.
9.4 Internal Key Performance Indicators
The effectiveness of Council enforcement activity is tracked annually by;
- Number of Litter/Waste Complaints Processed
- Number of Litter Fines Issued
- Number of Court Prosecutions
Table 9.6 Complaints, Fines and Prosecutions Processed
|
Litter Type |
2019 |
2018 |
|
Number of Litter/Waste Complaints Processed |
674 |
857 |
|
Number of Litter Fines Issued |
118 |
99 |
|
Number of Court Prosecutions |
15 |
11 |
Enforcement serves as a deterrent to others that are considering disposing of waste or litter irresponsibly. When people are caught and evidence is captured, there is a zero-tolerance approach and enforcement action is taken promptly.
These indicators will be continuously tracked throughout the period of the plan and promoted to deter others from disposing their litter and waste irresponsibly. Refer to Appendix A which provides a comprehensive target list and indicator for each plan objective listed.