Trim shortlisted for international environment award
Trim Town Clerk Brian Murphy and town council cathaoirleach Trevor Golden are to travel to Chicago in November to represent Trim in the LivCom Awards. Trim was one of 60 towns shortlisted for the international environment awards which were launched in 1997 and are endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme. LivCom is the world's only awards competition focusing on best practice regarding the management of the local environment. The objective of LivCom is to improve the quality of life of individual citizens through the creation of 'liveable communities'. Trim's application, which was co-ordinated by the town council, was prepared with the help of Brian Heffernan from Trim Tidy Towns committee, Trim Chamber of Commerce, Pride of Place and Trim 2025. It focused on a number of different headings such as enhancement of the natural and built landscapes, arts culture and heritage, environmental best practices, community participation and empowerment, healthy lifestyles and strategic planning. At the finals, the council and town will be required to make a 40-minute presentation as part of the final presentation to the judging panel which will focus on all the criteria as set out in the original submission with particular emphasis on sustainability and community participation. Town manager Tadhg McDonnell told a meeting of the town council last week that each town is invited to send a small delegation and their intention was to send one councillor and one official. It was agreed that Cllr Golden and Mr Murphy would travel to the United States. Any other councillors who wish to travel at their own cost are also welcome to attend. It is expected that an official from Meath County Council will also be part of the delegation. Mr Murphy was congratulated by councillors on the work he did in preparing the application. He said that, at the awards, they would have to pitch their town for a full day at a stand, give a 40-minute presentation, and also provide video footage of Trim.