inform-residents-newsletter-spring-summer-2016 (2)

16 ANewLocal BiodiversityAction Plan 2016 has been designated as the Year of Mainstreaming Biodiversity, and the new Fermanagh and Omagh Local Biodiversity Action Plan has just been launched. Biodiversity is the foundation for life and for the essential services provided by ecosystems. It therefore underpins peoples’ livelihoods and sustainable development in all areas of activity, including economic sectors such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism, among others. By halting biodiversity loss, we are investing in people, their lives and their well-being. The Council-led Local Biodiversity Action Planwill see local action for the protection of local habitats includingwetlands, limestone areas, bogs and heath, grasslands, woodland, hedgerows and urban habitats. Among notable species which are the focus of action arewhite-clawed crayfish, orchids, red squirrel, bats, bumblebees and swifts. Aprogramme of activities and initiatives throughout the year will help raise awareness of, and protect, these species and habitats. One significant outcome of local action to protect habitats has been the recent designation of a Local Nature Reserve at AnCreggan, near Carrickmore. This newLocal Nature Reserve, together with the existing one at Killyfole near Rosslea, demonstrates the Council’s commitment to preserving the environment and biodiversity of the area for this, and future, generations. You can get involved and do your bit for biodiversity inmanyways, such as gardening for wildlife, recordingwhat’s on your doorstep or volunteeringwith a local project. To find out more about the Fermanagh andOmagh Local Biodiversity Action Plan and howyou can get involved, contact our BiodiversityOfficer on 0300 303 1777 or by email to: julie.corry@fermanaghomagh. com . Please check our website too as we host and promotemanywildlife themed events throughout the year, helping you to get closer to nature. 15 Anti-burglaryAdvice for Residents Following a number of recent burglaries across the district, Fermanagh and Omagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) has issued advice to reduce the risk of residents having their property stolen and to raise awareness of the issue. To reduce the risk of theft fromunattended vehicles Fermanagh andOmagh PCSP advices owners to: • Remove anything of valuewhen leaving a vehicle unattended, for example, handbags, jackets, wallets, laptops, DVD players, Sat-navs, phones, tools and so on. • Keep the inside of the vehicle tidy as an untidy vehicle containing opened mail, plastic bags and loose changemay attract the curiosity of a thief. • Leave the glove compartment open to view if there is nothing in it. To reduce the risk of home burglaries homeowners should: • Make sure all doors are locked and windows closed before leaving home or retiring for the night. • Never leave car keys and handbags close to doors or windows. • Be a good neighbour - be vigilant and report anything suspicious to local police. • Keep any garages, sheds or outbuildings secure. Site owners and business owners should also ensure that their properties are properly secured each night. Items that may be attractive to thieves should also be stored out of sight. For further information and crime prevention tips and advice contact Fermanagh andOmagh PCSP by telephoning 0300 303 1777 . Tougher Tobacco Product Controls toCome Into Force We are all too aware of the health risks of smoking yet, according to NIDirect, smoking is estimated to cause more than 2,300 deaths each year in Northern Ireland and is the leading cause of preventable deaths. In 2013, almost 1 in 4 adults inNorthern Ireland smokedwith two-thirds of smokers lighting up before the age of 18. Test purchases carried out by the Environmental HealthOfficers over the past three years found 12 per cent of retailers in Northern Ireland sold tobacco products to those under the age of 18. Tougher controls are being introduced across Northern Ireland later this year under the Tobacco Retailers Act to reduce this worrying trend. Newcontrolswhich come into force on 6 July 2016 include: • Requiring all tobacco retailers to join a register, whichwill be administered by Belfast City Council • Allowing Council Enforcement Officers to impose a ban on a retailer fromselling tobacco products where three relevant tobacco related offences, for example, selling tobacco products to those aged under 18, are committedwithin five years • Anumber of newoffences, for example ‘proxy purchasing’ which involves an adult buying a tobacco-related product for a person under the age of 18 Further controlswill be implemented later this year under the Tobacco Products Directive. These include: • Packs of 10 cigarettes will no longer be available. Theminimumpack size available to buywill be 20 cigarettes • Aban on tobacco products with a characterising flavour, for example, chocolate • New requirements relating to the sale of e-cigarettes Fermanagh andOmaghDistrict Council has a statutory duty to enforce tobacco control legislation. Council Enforcement Officers operate across the district to ensure retailers complywith relevant legislation and take enforcement actionwhen necessary. For further information on the legislative requirements on the sale of tobacco-related products and e-cigarettes in the Fermanagh andOmagh district please contact the Council’s TobaccoControl Officer on 0300 303 1777 . Environmental Youth Speak 2016 Many of the young people of the district are the most passionate supporters of the environment and this year 48 pupils from schools across the district took part in the local heats of Environmental Youth Speak 2016. The competition aims to increase awareness in young people by researching and debating environmental issues, and this year’s participants displayed a great understanding of the impact of waste in the district and the environmental challenges we face today. The Big Spring Clean 2016 Litter and chewing gum carelessly thrown away on the street and in local parks and playgrounds is unsightly and dirty. During April Fermanagh andOmaghDistrict Council is supporting KeepNorthern Ireland Beautiful in the Big Spring Clean and is urging volunteers to unite in a common cause to clean up our local environment and KeepNorthern Ireland Beautiful. If you are part of a local community group, school or business andwould like to take part in the Big Spring Clean please contact the Council’s RecyclingOfficer on 0300 303 1777 or email anthea.owens@ fermanaghomagh.com . The Council will lend litter-pickers and hi-vis vests to clean-up groups, andwill collect the bags of rubbish after the event. You can also register your event on www.liveherelovehere.org