Tidy Towns Competition An Overview

Billy FlynnTidy Towns Adjudicator

What is Tidy Towns? Longest running

environmental competition in Ireland

Organised by DECLG Main sponsor - Supervalu Has evolved with time &

changing env legislation/policies

Why Tidy Towns?• Improve local

environment• Increase no. tourists• More attractive place to

live• Better sense of

community spirit/pride• Improve local enterprise

Dates for your Diary…

Entry Packs now available Entry form has been revised Closing date for applications – 23rd

MayRound 1 judging - 1st June to mid JulyRound 2 judging - late July/early AugNational Awards - SeptemberRegional Awards - Oct to Dec

Spread of 450 Marks (+ 50)

Tidy Towns

Competition Categories

Community Involvement & Planning

Overall Development Approach Increasing from 50 to 60 marksQuality of Entry FormMap/TT PlanAppropriate backup materialLocal community links/social

inclusionLocal agency links/supportHow do you communicate?

Built Environment & Streetscape

(was Built Environment) Stays at 50 marksBuildings:Conservation/presentationPreserving char/styleGood design shopfronts/civic buildingsDerelict/unoccupied sites

Access for all

Built Environment /Streetscape (cont’d)

Public Spaces Squares, parks,

streetscapes, paving, landscaping, street furniture, street, name plates,

Access points to amenities use Irish language

Landscaping & Open Spaces

was Landscaping Stays at 50 marks Appropriate planning

& mgt open spaces Selection & siting

native trees/shrubs/flowers for year round effect,

Landscaping & Open Spaces (cont’d)

Maintenance of planted areas

Presentation of roundabouts & all grass strips

Wildlife, Habitat & Natural Amenities

was Wildlife & Natural Amenities

Stays at 50 marks Raising awareness/

understanding of natural amenities

Any important areas for conservation (e.g. waterway,

What do you have? (survey)

Wildlife, Habitat & Natural Amenities (cont’d)

Appreciation of how species & habitats should be best protected & managed

Maintaining/ enhancing biodiversity

Show engagement with expert groups/relevant authorities

Access to natural areas Interpretation of key aspects

(info boards)

Tidiness & Litter Control

Merging categories Increase to 90

marks (plus 10)Litter control (rotas)Litter management

planRecycling litterLitter AwarenessCommunity links

What is Tidiness?

Not about litter! Clutter (e.g. blocked

footpath) Unsightly wires/electric

cables Obsolete signage Weed control Redundant poles Grafitti Shopfront signage

Sustainable Waste & Resource Management

Increase by 30 to 50 marksNew guidelines 2013Moving towards efficient use of all resources Prevention or reuse better than recyclingPromote best practiceLink in with green school/local shop /businessLots of help/handbookLocal Authority projects

Approach Roads, Streets, Back Areas

was Roads, Streets & Back Areas

stays at 50 marks 1st impressionLanes/back areasStreet namesRoad verges/pathsBridges/cycle lanes Inclusive access/peds

Residential Streets & Housing Areas

was Residential Areas Increase to 50 marksRes. AssocsBoundaries/gardensCommunal (play)

areasLandscaping/litterName stones

General Impression Category deleted in 2014 (was ten

marks)

Special Award Categories

General All info in your Entry Pack - read! Must enter separately to general entry

form Relevant to current environmental issues Sponsored by relevant org. Enter if doing it anyway Change from year to year – tbc 2014 Prize money available

Climate Change Award

DEHLG sponsorwww.change.ie Carbon footprint Raise awareness

local level, bring positive change

5 Q’sPrize €1,000

Best Bring Bank Award

Repak sponsor www.repak.ie Community input Litter/landscaping/

signage/tidiness/access etc

Send photo, ans 1 Q Prize - €1,000 to each

region, €1,000 overall

Tourism Towns Award

Fáilte Ireland , 3rd yearOpen to top 100 TT groups (‘13) Strong tourism contributes to

sustainability of towns/villages & to local economy

Best large town - €5,000Best small town - €5,000www.failteireland.ie

Notice Nature Biodiversity Award

NPWS sponsorwww.noticenature.ieprotect/enhance areanew areapublic awarenessans q’s, send photosPrize - 7 regions

€1,000 each, overall €1,000

‘Can It’ Award

Sponsor - AluproCreative way to

reuse alum. Packaging

www.aluproireland.ie

Simple formSend photoCan enter online

Gum Litter Taskforce Award

gumlittertaskforce.ieraise awareness - gum

litterCommunity actionCat A €2,000 Cat B € 2,000Add €1,000 overall

prize

EPA Waste Prevention Award

Recognise communities making efforts to prevent waste & use resources wisely

Reducing waste/ energy/water/ materialsRaising awarenessCommunity/schools/businessOverall national prize €1,0002 national runner up prizes €500 ea

Tree Project Award

Sponsor - Tree Council of Ireland

Right trees in the right place

Importance of trees to community

Maintenance/planning

Prize - €1,000

Heritage Award

Sponsor - Heritage Co.Raise awareness of

local heritage value & impact of actions

ConservationCommunity inputExclusions - check!www.heritagecouncil.ie

Sustainable Development Award

Sponsor - ComharRecognise communities

putting sust. dev. into practice

Env/Social/Economic balance

Benefits to wider community

Wide-ranging

Urban & Rural Village Award

Sponsor - Irish Planning Institute (IPI) Preservation, maintenance &

dynamic reuse of trad. & historical core for community use

Creation of attractive village centres with strong emphasis on community

Published planning scheme/study managed & prepared by community or where community lead partner