by Sarah Clancy | Sep 18, 2023 | Clare Rural Development Forum, Local Community Development Committee, Members News, PPN News, SPC for Physical Development, SPC for Rural Development
Notice of Elections for Environmental College Representative Roles.
Clare PPN would like to give notice of elections for the following positions:
1.
Environmental representative on the Physical Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) of Clare County Council
The Physical Development SPC is responsible for all areas of policy concerning the council’s roads, water, environment, fire and major emergency management functions. The SPC meets quarterly and reps are required to attend a pre-meeting with Clare PPN in advance to discuss the agenda and any issues raised by our member groups.
https://www.clarecoco.ie/your-council/about-the-council/policy-groups-and-committees/strategic-policy-committees/physical-development-spc/
2.
Environmental representative on the Rural Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) of Clare County Council
The Rural Development SPC is responsible for all areas of policy concerning the council’s town and village enhancement, community, information and communications technology functions. This SPC meets quarterly and reps are required to attend a pre-meeting with Clare PPN in advance to discuss the agenda and any issues raised by our member groups.
https://www.clarecoco.ie/your-council/about-the-council/policy-groups-and-committees/strategic-policy-committees/rural-development-spc/
3.
Environmental representative on the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)
The Local Community Development Committee is comprised of Council Officials, Elected Councillors, and various business and community representatives. The LCDC was set up:
- To prepare and adopt the community elements of the 6 year Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP)
- To co-ordinate, manage and oversee the implementation of local and community development programmes
- To administer various funding streams tackling poverty and social exclusion
The LCDC meets at least six times per annum and reps are required to attend a pre-meeting with Clare PPN in advance to discuss the agenda and any issues raised by our member groups.
https://www.clarecoco.ie/services/community/lcdc/
Environmental representative on the Rural Development Forum coordinated by Clare County Council The Rural Development Forum, which meets three times per year, is comprised of more than 40 representatives from organisations throughout County Clare. One of its key achievements so far has been the Clare County Council’s Rural Development Strategy 2026:
http://www.clarecoco.ie/services/community/publications/clare-rural-development-strategy-2026-26009.pdf
Environmental representative on Clare County Council’s new Biodiversity and Heritage Forum:
Clare County Council is tasked with creating two separate plans for Clare in the immediate future. These are the County Clare Heritage Plan 2023 – 2029 and the County Clare Biodiversity Plan 2024 – 2030. In order to do this they established the above named forum which held its inaugural meeting last July. This forum is proposed to meet on a quarterly basis until both of the above plans have been created and on a twice yearly basis after that. Clare PPN is seeking nominations from our environment college member groups for a person with strong expertise and experience in issues relating to protecting and restoring biodiversity in Clare. It would be particularly welcome if the nominees are also interested in or have expertise in issues relating to built and natural heritage.
The ideal candidates will be well connected with environmental groups in the area. They should have a genuine interest in climate action and in protecting, restoring and sustaining the natural environment as well as in increasing participation and policy development by local groups in Local Government Structures. They will also agree to the Clare PPN Representatives’ Charter 2023 which sets out the responsibilities and obligations of this voluntary role.
Election Rules and Process:
- Each environmental pillar member group may nominate one candidate and may cast one vote in each of these elections. (It is each group’s named contact person’s responsibility to consult with their own members regarding this
- Only groups who were members of Clare PPN on Monday, 18th September are eligible to participate in this election.
- Only groups who are members of the Environmental Pillar can participate in this election.
- No person can represent Clare PPN on more than one external committee or body,
How to nominate a candidate:
Groups wishing to nominate a candidate or candidates must seek their consent first and then must send an email to admin@clareppn.ie with the following information on or before Friday, 6th October at 5pm:
- Name of PPN member group.
- Position for which they are nominating a candidate.
- Name of proposed nominee.
- Contact details of proposed nominee.
- A short paragraph (up to 200 words) detailing the nominees’ suitability and experience for the role- this will be shared on social media and on our website in advance of voting.
- A photo of your nominee which we may share with our members and social media followers.
Clare PPN will confirm receipt of nominations by email. Following the close of nominations Clare PPN will circulate details of candidates to relevant member groups on Monday 9th October and they will be invited to cast their votes using our online form. Online voting will remain open until 1pm on Monday 16th October. No votes will be accepted after this time. The successful candidate will then be contacted and offered the position. Should candidates be successfully nominated for more than one position they will be invited to select their preferred role and the next candidate in line will be offered the other position.
If you need any more information or wish to discuss the role further please email admin@clareppn.ie or call 087 1617375
NB: Even if you have nominated a candidate, you will still need to cast your vote to support their election.
by Sarah Clancy | Sep 13, 2023 | Local Community Development Committee, Members News, PPN News
Clare PPN presented to the LECP working group on 11th September 2023 and to the LCDC on 13th September 2023 on the Pobal funded project to enshrine socio-economic rights and Just Transition principles in the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) 2023-2029. This project is being lead by Clare PPN in conjunction with Clare Local Development Company, Limerick Clare Education & Training Board and Clare County Council.
Please click here for a PDF version:
Clare PPN LECP Project Presentation
by Sarah Clancy | Mar 6, 2023 | Local Community Development Committee, Members News, PPN News, SPC for Physical Development, SPC for Rural Development
Clare PPN would like to give notice of election for the following positions:
Environmental representative on the Physical Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) of Clare County Council
The Physical Development SPC is responsible for all areas of policy concerning the council’s roads, water, environment, fire and major emergency management functions.
https://www.clarecoco.ie/your-council/about-the-council/policy-groups-and-committees/strategic-policy-committees/physical-development-spc/
Environmental representative on the Rural Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) of Clare County Council
The Rural Development SPC is responsible for all areas of policy concerning the council’s town and village enhancement, community, information and communications technology functions.
https://www.clarecoco.ie/your-council/about-the-council/policy-groups-and-committees/strategic-policy-committees/rural-development-spc/
Environmental representative on the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)
The Local Community Development Committee is comprised of Council Officials, Elected Councillors, and various business and community representatives. The LCDC was set up:
- To prepare and adopt the community elements of the 6 year Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP)
- To co-ordinate, manage and oversee the implementation of local and community development programmes
- To administer various funding streams tackling poverty and social exclusion
https://www.clarecoco.ie/services/community/lcdc/
The ideal candidates will be well connected with environmental groups in the area and have a genuine interest in increasing participation and policy development by local groups in Local Government Structures. They will also agree to the Clare PPN Representatives’ Charter 2023 which sets out the responsibilities and obligations of this voluntary role.
Election Rules and Process:
- Only groups who were members of Clare PPN on Monday, 6th March are eligible to participate in this election.
- Only groups who are members of the Environmental Pillar can participate in this election.
- No person can represent Clare PPN on more than one external committee or body,
- Each member group may nominate one candidate and may cast one vote. (It is each group’s named contact person’s responsibility to consult with their own members regarding this).
How to nominate a candidate:
Groups wishing to nominate a candidate must seek their consent first and then must send an email to admin@clareppn.ie with the following information on or before Friday, 17th March at 5pm:
- Name of PPN member group.
- Position for which they are nominating a candidate.
- Name of proposed nominee.
- Contact details of proposed nominee.
- A short paragraph (up to 200 words) detailing the nominees’ suitability and experience for the role- this will be shared on social media and on our website in advance of voting.
- A photo of your nominee which we may share with our members and social media followers.
Clare PPN will confirm receipt of nominations by email. Following the close of nominations Clare PPN will circulate details of candidates to relevant member groups on Monday, 20th March. Online voting will remain open until 1pm on Monday, 27th March. No votes will be accepted after this time. The successful candidate will then be contacted and offered the position.
If you need any more information or wish to discuss the role further please email admin@clareppn.ie or call 087 1617375
NB: Even if you have nominated a candidate, you will still need to cast your vote to support their election.
by Sarah Clancy | Mar 6, 2023 | Clare Rural Development Forum, Local Community Development Committee, Members News, PPN News, SPC for Rural Development
Clare PPN would like to give notice of election for the following positions:
Community and Voluntary representative on the Rural Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) of Clare County Council
The Rural Development SPC is responsible for all areas of policy concerning the council’s town and village enhancement, community information and communications technology functions.
https://www.clarecoco.ie/your-council/about-the-council/policy-groups-and-committees/strategic-policy-committees/rural-development-spc/
Community and Voluntary representative on the Rural Development Forum of Clare County Council
The Rural Development Forum, which meets three times per year, is comprised of more than 40 representatives from organisations throughout County Clare. One of its key achievements so far has been the Clare County Council’s Rural Development Strategy 2026 (review to be published this week):
http://www.clarecoco.ie/services/community/publications/clare-rural-development-strategy-2026-26009.pdf
Community and Voluntary representative on the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)
The Local Community Development Committee is comprised of Council Officials, Elected Councillors, and various business and community representatives. The LCDC was set up:
- To prepare and adopt the community elements of the 6 year Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP)
- To co-ordinate, manage and oversee the implementation of local and community development programmes
- To administer various funding streams tackling poverty and social exclusion
The ideal candidates will be well connected with community & voluntary groups in the area and have a genuine interest in increasing participation and policy development by local groups in Local Government Structures. They will also agree to the Clare PPN Representatives’ Charter 2023 which sets out the responsibilities and obligations of this voluntary role.
Election Rules and Process:
- Only groups who were members of Clare PPN on Monday, 6th March are eligible to participate in this election.
- Only groups who are members of the Community & Voluntary Pillar can participate in this election.
- No person can represent Clare PPN on more than one external committee or body,
- Each member group may nominate one candidate and may cast one vote. (It is each group’s named contact person’s responsibility to consult with their own members regarding this).
How to nominate a candidate:
Groups wishing to nominate a candidate must seek their consent first and then must send an email to admin@clareppn.ie with the following information on or before Friday, 17th March at 5pm:
- Name of PPN member group.
- Position for which they are nominating a candidate.
- Name of proposed nominee.
- Contact details of proposed nominee.
- A short paragraph (up to 200 words) detailing the nominees’ suitability and experience for the role- this will be shared on social media and on our website in advance of voting.
- A photo of your nominee which we may share with our members and social media followers.
Clare PPN will confirm receipt of nominations by email. Following the close of nominations Clare PPN will circulate details of candidates to relevant member groups on Monday, 20th March. Online voting will remain open until 1pm Monday 27th March. No votes will be accepted after this time. The successful candidate will then be contacted and offered the position.
If you need any more information or wish to discuss the role further please email admin@clareppn.ie or call 087 1617375
NB: Even if you have nominated a candidate, you will still need to cast your vote to support their election.
by Sarah Clancy | Aug 2, 2022 | Local Community Development Committee, Members News, PPN News
New Environmental member on Clare PPN’s Secretariat
Clare PPN is delighted to welcome Theresa O’Donohoe back onto the Clare PPN Secretariat following a call for nominations from environmental member groups. We would like to extend our congratulations to her and look forward to working with her again.
In her own words:
‘I’ve been involved in environmental activism and policy making since 2007. I began to work collaboratively on sustainable community development when I discovered the Transition Network in 2007. I joined a local transition group and we basically went from turning sustainable development ideas into community projects. Some projects succeeded while others did not. I learned a LOT about community development and participation through training and experience. I noticed that many attempts to bring projects to life are blocked by bureaucracy resulting in fatigue and withdrawal by people from participating. Creative, insightful, brilliant people with amazing ideas are beaten down by the system. I’ve done the courses and it’s really the government that gets in the way.
I progressed from projects to analysing and attempting to shape the policy to support the projects. In 2009 I got involved with Laois County Development Board trying to reshape policy to appreciate public participation especially in the transition context. I realised that representative democracy is a joke and that elected officials dependent upon votes are also dependent upon council staff to deliver on their pot hole promises! Therefore they do not rock the boat if they wish to get the jobs done that support their reelection! It’s a vicious cycle.
Turns out changing local policy isn’t enough anyway. Very often the council staff will sit back and refuse to change until they get direction from central government. Effectively – even if they have all these insightful progressive policies that you worked for hours on submissions to infiltrate they will not act upon them unless they are forced to. Of course they need the resources too.
This left me with no choice but to infiltrate national policy. So I became involved with more and more national bodies in order to influence national policy so that local policy can be changed and resourced to accommodate the publics participation in our transition to a resilient, more sustainable society. Also nationally I have been on the steering group of the Environmental Pillar, the environmental social partner made up of Non-Governmental Organisations. I am involved with Transition Ireland and Northern Ireland where I coordinated the People’s Energy Charter. I’m a member of Feasta, Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability and An Taisce’s Climate Change Committee. These have given me an amazing insight into national policy making and governance first hand. I was also a member of the National Economic and Social Council and the National Advisory Groups on PPNs. I am currently a member of Extinction Rebellion and still involved with Transition Ireland and Northern Ireland.
As well as catalysing Laois and Clare Environmental Networks I was a founding Secretariat member of Clare PPN and a cofounder of Futureproof Clare.’
by Sarah Clancy | Aug 2, 2022 | Local Community Development Committee, Members News, PPN News
New PPN representatives on the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)
Clare PPN is delighted to announce two new Clare PPN representatives on the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) following a call for nominations from our social inclusion and environmental member groups. We would like to extend our congratulations to them both and look forward to supporting their work on this important committee.
SOCIAL INCLUSION REP: Bridgie Casey – Clare Traveller CDP
Bridgie Casey is a member of the Traveller community, she is currently employed as Project Cordinator with Clare Travellers CDP. Previously, Bridgie was employed by CENA (Traveller lead housing body). Bridgie has worked with Traveller organisations at local and national level. Bridgie is committed to working with and for her community to achieve positive outcomes.
ENVIRONMENTAL REP: Bridget Ginnity – Clare Environmental Network
Bridget strongly believes that our towns and countryside in Clare can be an even better place to live if we develop active travel and public transportation options, if we enhance biodiversity and access to nature and upgrade our housing efficiently. Public participation is the way we can achieve the best solutions, and they also reduce our carbon emissions and help us deal with the climate emergency. Bridget brings scientific training and broad experience to these issues –. as a regulatory scientist with the European Chemical Agency (ECHA), as an environmental science and occupational hygiene consultant, and as product manager with air pollution instrumentation companies. She also holds a professional certificate in governance, and is a board member with the Ennis Book Club Festival and trustee of Clare Haven.
INFORMATION ON THE LCDC
The Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) is comprised of Council Officials, Elected Councillors, and various business and community representatives. Among other things LCDC has the job of developing and overseeing the community elements of Clare County Council’s 6 year-long Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP). This is an important committee for Clare PPN and its members and we have 5 seats on it.
For more information: CLICK HERE
