Reps report on the 17th February 2020 Joint Policing Committee – Madeline McAleer

by | Feb 26, 2020 | Joint Policing Committee, Members News, PPN News

Reps report on the Joint Policing Committee

 

Representative Name

Madeline Mc Aleer

 

 

Committee Name

Joint Policing Committee

 

Date of meeting:

02/17/2020

 

Were you asked to raise any issues on behalf of Clare PPN members at this meeting?

  • To thank An Garda Síochána for their attendance at the PPN voter registration event and at the election husting event
  • To propose that Domestic and Sexual Assault and actions around these issues are specifically referenced in a strategic Objective of the JPC 2020 Work Plan
  • Fear of crime to include drug related intimidation

 

Main topics discussed at the meeting:

  • Property Marking Scheme demonstration – Co. Council have purchased a property marking device and offer a free property marking service
  • An Garda Síochána crime report 2019 V 2020 stats.
  • Protective Service Unit established in Clare – based in Crusheen Station
  • Drug related crime / fear intimidation – Dermot Hayes referred to comments made by priest in Cloughleigh – drug related intimidation, drug associated crime and mental health and suicides
  • Follow up on reported crime Illegal Traveller halting sites
  • Commissioner attending JPC – July 13th
  • PSU presentation suggested
  • Work Plan 2020 to be discussed at next meeting

 

List any decisions made at the meeting:

More detailed breakdown of crime figures will be available for next meeting Presentation on Protective Service Units at July meeting when Commissioner present

 

Do you require any action to be taken by Clare PPN staff as a result of this meeting?

No. Ethics for C & V circular from JPC forwarded to PPN

Clare Environmental Network – Update and meeting notes

by | Feb 26, 2020 | Members News, PPN News

Clare Environmental Network – Update and notes to meeting

 

24th February 2020

Present: James Giller, Aisling Wheeler, Anny Wise, Jakob Jakowski, Patrick Walsh (Ennis Tidy Towns), Theresa O’Donohue, Martin Vernon, Damon Matthew Wise Âû, Emma Karan, Sarah Clancy, Sarah Ferrigan

Introductions and opening

Sarah C. ran through the vacant representative and Secretariat positions currently up for election and how they work on various SPCs and committees.

There are currently four open positions and CEN and every group which is a member of the Environment College of Clare PPN can nominate people to these seats.

Details of these positions are at this link here- Closing date 27th Feb!:

http://clareppn.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Clare-PPN-Notice-of-Elections-Environment-Groups-Feb-2020.pdf

Feedback from current reps:
  • Anny – we must build relationships. IEN National Mitigation & Biodiversity Strategy summary discussed.  Citizen Assembly actions recommended new committee on renewable energy.  Actions must be national, local and also community led.
  • Aisling – SPCs do not actually form policy.   Feels supported by the PPN pre-meeting.  There needs to be follow-through and to be able to ask for progress reports. We need to build pressure from all angles on issues such as ensuring that any data centres are energy self-sustainable and Shannon LNG is opposed.  A statement of outcomes after each meeting would be a positive step.
  • James Giller – Transportation Strategy an example of non-consultation. Clare PPN named as being consulted when in fact an email was sent to a private email address of a rep instead of to Clare PPN.  James also handed out leaflets at his SPC about the micro-transit systems that link people to larger transport hubs to Physical Dev. SPC. Response was that PPN should make submission to NTA.
  • Theresa – Notes that CLDC won tender to support sustainable energy communities and perhaps CEN can work with them/benefit from this. (Theresa has stepped down from LCDC due to running for election).  AOB at the end of LCDC meetings is being cut and it is difficult to get items on the agenda.
  • Emma – looked for items for Economic Development SPC. Data centre sustainability plans, Shannon LNG and how economic priorities were decided in the Corporate Plan (also a document that did not take on board the majority of submissions from PPN environment college/CEN).
Other commentary

Sarah C

  1. we should invite CARO (Climate Action Regional Office) officer to Clare to engage with and inform PPN members about role and invite councillors etc We belong to the south west CARO with head office in Cork and they are supposed to provide cross sectoral support (to councils and communities) regarding climate change/adaptation. Action Sarah C to follow up.
  2. the PPN user guide is being updated and will include the instruction that the statement of outcomes we have been looking for from SPCs / committee meetings should be used. We will also submit asking for a clear outline on how spc/committee members can get place items on the agenda for such meetings.
  3. the Climate Adaptation Strategy submission was not a waste of time even (though the Council did not take anything on board) as the information compiled for it has been used by PPN in various submissions since then
  4. When new representatives are appointed PPN will organise more reps training.

Martin

  1. Unelected civil servants are dictating to elected officials and community reps and this is replicated at a national level and perhaps CEN needs to take a wider approach to this issue itself.
What way might CEN work for the year ahead?

Theresa re-capped the priorities from the plenary meeting and most items being worked on.

  1. CEN needs to establish a committee as it is currently functioning mostly as a mailing list
  2. The newsletter needs to be taken on by the committee as a task
  3. Theresa discussed with IEN that CEN/PPN should put together a job spec for a trial environmental coordinator position to mobilise and network with a pilot of this in Clare. Funding is yet to be secured but Theresa suggests that CEN consider drawing up a job description/work plan for this so that they are ready should an opportunity occur
  4. Theresa noted that the younger people wanted to hold an environmental sustainability festival in Clare- all agreed to try to support them with this. Clare PPN can help with insurance promotion etc – for further discussion.
  5. Opportunity with new government (eventually) to re-establish climate justice/change/action as a priority.

Jakob

  1. Communities need projects to get involved in. Young people especially like to do hands on work
  2. Community Task Forces for climate-related emergencies need to be set up in each area likely to be affected as suggested by Fridays for Future Clare – no action as yet.
Dates

26th February 11.00am  – Tree Planting, Kilrush Road Interchange with Ennis Tidy Towns

3rd March 6.30pm – Free Climate Action Workshop for Communities (see below)

9th March 3.00pm – John Sweeney presenting to Clare County Council – good to have people in the gallery for this to demonstrate community interest

9th March 7.00pm – Agriculture & Climate Change event with John Sweeney in the Old Ground Hotel – all welcome.  (See details below)

Are you a local farmer worried about the future?
https://www.facebook.com/events/577204219804991/

On March 9th at 7.PM in the Old Ground Hotel, Climate Scientist John Sweeney and BASE Ireland farmer Michael Costello (Biology, Agriculture, Soil and Environment) will speak about Climate Change and the implications for Irish agriculture. This will be followed by small group discussions led by local regenerative farmers and others on topics including: Agroforestry, organic beef and dairy farming, free-range pig farming, direct sales, farmer co-ops, buffer zones & wetlands, Community Supported Agriculture, regenerative agriculture. This is an opportunity to talk to farmers who are involved in these different activities and explore agricultural solutions to the challenges posed by climate change.
Everybody welcome

 

EU PARKING CARD/DISABLED PERSON’S PARKING PERMIT

by | Feb 19, 2020 | Joint Policing Committee, Members News, PPN News

EU PARKING CARD/DISABLED PERSON’S PARKING PERMIT


EU Parking Card /Disabled person’s parking permits are issued to drivers or passengers who meet the criteria as
laid down by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland. These permits are intended to facilitate ease of parking
in public car parking areas. In order to fully utilise a disabled parking permit, the following points should be
noted:

What is a valid Disabled Person’s Parking Permit?
Valid means a permit that is in date and displays a photograph of the permit holder. Disabled Person’s Parking
Permits are valid for two years from date of issue. A permit must then be renewed by post or online and requires
that the old permit is returned to the Disabled Drivers Association or National Mobility Centre.

Who can use Disabled Person’s Parking Permits?
A parking permit must only be used by the person to whom it is issued either as a driver or travelling as a passenger
in another vehicle. It is an offence for a driver to use a disabled person’s parking permit when the permit holder is
not a passenger in the vehicle. Any abuse / misuse will result in its immediate withdrawal.

Requirements regarding display of Disabled Person’s Parking Permits.
A valid permit must be clearly displayed within a vehicle in order to park in a disabled parking bay.

Where does the display of a Disabled Person’s Parking Permit allow for the permit holder or their driver to park?
Parking is allowed in disabled parking spaces or other parking spaces within a public car parking area providing that
the parking permit is visibly displayed. The laws on parking do not extend to private car parks. Spaces assigned to
disabled persons in private or privately operated car parks are operated at the discretion of the car park operator
and may incur charges and/or time limits. Parking in a regular parking space in private car parks such as
supermarkets, private car parks, is governed by the parking rules of these organisations. Clarification should be
sought from these organisations in order to be clear as to what is allowed in relation to parking.

What offence may incur a traffic fine whilst parking in a disabled parking space or regular parking space?
A fine can be incurred whereby a person parking in a disabled parking space does not display a valid disabled parking
permit. Please note a permit MUST BE clearly visible on the dashboard where either a traffic warden or garda can
easily view same. An out of date disabled parking permit is not acceptable and the driver may incur a parking fine. It
is the responsibility of the holder of a Disabled Parking Permit to ensure that the permit displayed is valid and in
date.

Where is a Disabled Person’s Parking Permit NOT to be used?
A disabled person’s parking permit does not give a right of parking in prohibited areas including double yellow lines,
set down areas, loading bays, hatched areas (yellow/white boxes). It should be noted that the hatched areas
adjacent to Disabled Person’s Parking Permits are there to facilitate disabled drivers as they enter and leave their
vehicle.

How do I apply for a Disabled Person’s Parking Permits?
Application is made to Disabled Drivers Association, Ballindine, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
Tel: 094 9364054 / 094 9364336
Website: http://www.ddai.ie
Email: info@ddai.ie
or
National Mobility Centre, Irish Wheelchair Association, Ballinagappa Rd, Clane, Co Kildare
Tel: 045 893094
Website: http://www.iwa.ie
Email: maats@iwa.ie
Information is also available from your local Citizens Information Office

Vacancies for Representatives and Board Members for Clare PPN

by | Feb 13, 2020 | Current, Members News, PPN News

13th February 2020 Notice of Elections 

Clare PPN has a number of vacancies for representatives to sit on the policy committees of Clare County Council and on the board ‘secretariat’ of Clare PPN itself.  If you are a contact person for one of our member groups you will receive an email from us today notifying you of which of these positions you are eligible to nominate and vote for.

We need

– two representatives for Clare County Council’s Local Community Development Committee, one from our Community and Voluntary Groups and one from our Environmental Groups

-two representatives to sit on Clare County Council’s Rural Development Forum one from our Social Inclusion Groups and one from our Environmental Groups

-one representative from our Community and Voluntary Groups to sit on Clare County Council’s Social Development Strategic Policy Committee 

For our ‘Secretariat’ (the board that runs Clare PPN between plenary meetings) we need

  • one representative from one of our groups based in the Ennis Municipal District
  • one representative from one of our groups based in the Shannon Municipal District
  • two representatives from our Environmental Groups
  • one representative from our Community and Voluntary Groups.

These positions are all voluntary and are open to people who are in one of Clare PPN’s member groups. We will be emailing all member groups today calling for their nominations for each role they are entitled to nominate for and following close of nominations should we have more than one candidate for any role we will hold an election from our eligible membership.  You can read the full details of each position and how to make nominations in the attachments below.

Please note the following:

  1. Representatives of Political Parties or Independent TDs, Councillors or MEPS may not hold PPN seats.
  2. Candidates for any local, national, or EU election may not hold PPN seats for one year after the date of the relevant election.
  3. People may only represent Clare PPN on one external body or committee – if you already represent Clare PPN but wish to seek a nomination for any of these roles you will be asked to vacate your existing role should you be successful. Please note PPN representatives may hold roles on Clare PPN secretariat and one external committee or body.

 

Clare PPN Notice of Elections Ennis MD Feb 2020

Clare PPN Notice of Elections Shannon MD Feb 2020

Clare PPN Notice of Elections Community and Voluntary Feb 2020

Clare PPN Notice of Elections Environment Feb 2020

Clare PPN Notice of Elections Social Inclusion Feb 2020