Notice of Election to Biodiversity and Heritage Forum (Environmental College)

Notice of Elections to Biodiversity and Heritage Forum (Environmental College)

Clare PPN wishes to give notice of an election for the following position:

Environmental representative on Clare County Council’s new Biodiversity and Heritage Forum:

Clare County Council was recently tasked with creating two separate plans for Clare:   the County Clare Heritage Plan 2023 – 2029 and the County Clare Biodiversity Plan 2024 – 2030. In order to do this they established the Biodiversity and Heritage Forum, which held its inaugural meeting last July. This forum was 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 candidate will be well connected with environmental groups in the area. They should have a genuine interest in action to protect, restore and sustain 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.

**Please note that due to Clare PPN’s rules, any person who has publicly declared their intention to run for local, general or EU elections can not act as a representative for Clare PPN until 6 months have passed since the date of the relevant election*

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 Wednesday, 31st January 2024 are eligible to participate in this election.
  • Only groups who are members of the Environmental College/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, 23rd February 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 26th February and they will be invited to cast their votes using our online form. Online voting will remain open until 1pm on Monday 4th 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.

 

Connecting Clare Communities – January 26th 2024

We are delighted to be collaborating once again with Clare Volunteer Centre and Clare Local Development Company on the second ‘Connecting Clare Communities’ event this Friday, 26th January. Start the year afresh with inspiring speakers, breakout workshop sessions, meeting other like-minded people in the community, and a yummy full lunch to boot! FREE to attend but you must register as places are limited: https://surveymonkey.com/r/RRQBN7J

Joint Submission to the Department of Social Protection re: Green Paper on Disability Reform

Joint Submission to the Department of Social Protection re: Green Paper on Disability Reform

Below please find a joint submission from Clare PPN and Dulick Disability Services and Training Centre Advocacy Group on the Green Paper on Disability Reform.  (FYI:The submission closing date has been pushed out until 15th March.)

Submission re Green Paper on Disability Reform Dulick Centre

Community Climate Action Programme Funding strands 1 & 1a – Application now open

Community Climate Action Programme Funding strands 1 & 1a – Application now open

The Community Climate Action Programme Funding strands 1 & 1a are open for applications until 5pm on 28th of February 2024. It will be administered by Clare County Council’s Climate Action Team. Please read this Guidance document for comprehensive information on the programme overview and objectives  and online applications can be made HERE.

The overall objective of the Community Climate Action Programme is to support and empower communities, in partnership with Clare County Council, to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities in a coherent way to contribute to national climate and energy targets. The Programme aims to support small and large, rural and urban communities to take positive climate action.

 

A total of €572,000 has been allocated to Clare County Council for investment in:

  • small sized community climate action projects up to €20,000,
  • medium sized community climate action projects valued in the range of €20,000 – €50,000,
  • and large-scale community climate action projects in the range of €51,000 – €100,000.

 

The community-based projects/initiatives will take action across at least one, preferably several, of the following five themes:

  1. Community and Energy;
  2. Travel;
  3. Shopping and Recycling;
  4. Food and Waste;
  5. Local Climate and Environment.

 

Up to 100% project funding may be provided from the Climate Action Programme. Other funding may be leveraged for projects (e.g., with LEADER, Tidy Towns, Town and Village Enhancement funding, etc.) although that is not a requirement of this programme. Pre-funding is available if required and a clear need has been demonstrated.

With consideration for the fact that community groups and organisations traditionally take a well-deserved break from activities over the month of December, a series of information sessions will be held online and in person during the month of January, dates and times to be advised in early January.