Notice of elections for environmental representative roles

Notice of elections for environmental representative roles

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.

Calling all members – PPN Plenary Meeting October 12th 2020 7PM

Calling all members – PPN Plenary Meeting October 12th 2020 7PM

Notice of Plenary Meeting: October 12th 2020 at 7PM (Online)

Clare Public Participation Network invites all member groups to attend its first online Plenary Meeting which will take place on Monday 12th October at 7pm.

What is a Plenary Meeting? Plenary meetings are the main decision making forums for Clare PPN -at these meetings all member groups are invited to attend and to put items forward for the agenda for discussion or for inclusion in the work plan of Clare PPN.  At each of these meetings the staff and secretariat of Clare PPN present an update on the work, finances, and activities of the PPN from the preceding three months and present their work plan for discussion and input from member groups for the forthcoming three months.

Online Meeting: Due to the Covid-19 restrictions this Plenary Meeting will be held online via zoom.  Any member or person who would like to receive training in how to use Zoom should email newsletter@clareppn.ie and William Hederman will arrange a session with you to help familiarise you with how to participate using this tool. You will need a smart phone or computer and an internet connection to use zoom. If possible each member group should nominate someone who has these facilities to represent them at this Plenary Meeting.  If any group is unable to attend online please feel free to send us submissions or items for our agenda via email to admin@clareppn.ie or by calling us on 087 1617375.

Call for Agenda Items:

All current member groups can propose agenda items for this meeting on or before October 5th 2020 . Please send these using the subject line ”Agenda Item Plenary Meeting” to admin@clareppn.ie

Clare PPN’s representatives who sit on 11 boards and committees in the County will also have an opportunity to present updates from their committees and to take any questions or input from member groups at this meeting.

For part of this meeting Members will be split up into three groups – representing the three colleges of Clare PPN – Environmental, Social Inclusion and Community & Voluntary and asked to identify their priorities for Clare PPN to address until the end of 2020.

At the beginning of each plenary meeting we will present an introduction to the PPN for new member groups and a question and answer session will be held.

Please reserve your place at this meeting by emailing your name and member group name to admin@clareppn.ie on or before October 11th 2020. 

 

 

 

 

 

Reps report on 19th February 2020 Physical Development SPC – Aisling Wheeler

Reps report on 19th February 2020 Physical Development SPC – Aisling Wheeler

Representative Name

Aisling Wheeler

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

Yes- query why building new Data Centres is a priority for Clare Co. Council

Main topics discussed at the meeting:

LSMATS transport strategy

List any decisions made at the meeting:

I don’t think any concrete decisions on anything were made

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

I’d like to have more info on what power the Council has to impose conditions on planning applications- especially in regard to the proposed Data Centre(s) – by what mechanism could the Council make planning permission contingent on the Centre producing its own energy from renewable resources?

Reps report on the 19th February 2020 Physical Development Committee SPC – James Giller

Reps report on the 19th February 2020 Physical Development Committee SPC – James Giller

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

Yes, I was asked to raise the issue that Clare PPN was listed as a stakeholder in advance consultations on the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, but we were not properly consulted.

 

Main topics discussed at the meeting:

There was a presentation about the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS,) which highlighted some of Clare County Council’s main concerns and provided an approximate schedule until public consultation is opened. The Limerick North Distributor Road (LNDR) and an Economic Strategic Development Zone are priorities for Clare County Council. The Council has also provided input on bus services between Shannon, Ennis, and Limerick; development of the western rail corridor (Limerick to Sligo,) and a rail link to Shannon; and cycling facilities around Shannon Airport and Industrial Areas, as well as for residents in Clare in areas close to the city. The following were presented as “Other Key Issues:” – Climate change: reduce car trips, manage traffic, increase mass transit – Transport provision to 3rd level educational institutions – Electric vehicle infrastructure – Traffic noise reduction: reduce speeds, improve road surfaces – Transport provision to Bunratty After receiving a draft on February 21, the Council should return comments to NTA and Jacobs/Systra by March 6. Another draft is to be received by the Council on March 13, then public consultation will begin after March 20. There wa a presentation on a relatively new emergency weather warning system developed on behalf of the Council. Cyril Feeney spoke about a document recently published by the LGMA and CCMA: “Climate Change, Global Issue Local Leadership.”

 

List any decisions made at the meeting:

Carmel Kirby said she would give the PPN an email address to submit comments on the LSMATS to the NTA.

 

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

Yes, follow up with Carmel Kirby to access the draft LSMATS, if possible, and receive the email address to send comments to the NTA. It would be good to schedule a meeting of representatives to draft our submission ASAP.