Newry Council refuses to share a report on converting old landfills into solar farms, citing sensitive business information.
Council officers say they can’t share solar panel findings. This sharing would be with other local governments. A motion passed to share general info; however, the financial report stays private. It details how to convert old dumps.
Alliance representative Cadogan Enright proposed information sharing. He wants councils to tackle climate change together and improve finances.
Enright says other councils have shared financial data. West Suffolk, Dundee, and Warrington are examples. He wants to explore the council’s solar farm report.
The report says the council could earn money by converting old dumps into solar farms. Enright says 18 dumps exist across Northern Ireland. These connect to the power grid. He wants to share this info with other councils.
He asks for a summary of the report and a version without business data. Derry, Strabane, Mid-Ulster and Fermanagh could benefit because these councils also have old dumps.
A council officer said the report contains financial details, and the closed session covered these matters. The officer can’t publish it, but they will review the report again. However, removing financial data may render it useless.