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 | May 19, 2021 | SPC for Rural Development |
Rural Development SPC report by Jean Tierney – 16th February 2021
Were you asked to raise any issues on behalf of Clare PPN members at this meeting?
Yes I was asked to notify the meeting of the information and consultation evening being held by the PPN in relation to the National Water Resource Plan and that the PPN members would be making a community submission
Main topics discussed at the meeting:
Rural and Community department support of the covid19 community response forum, helpline and general trends. Digi clare and national broad band roll out. Climate change adaptation strategy and biodiversity. Review of rural strategy
List any decisions made at the meeting:
I missed the start of the meeting as I had to attend another meeting. I joined at the end of the digi clare presentation, so don’t know if there were any decisions prior to joining. Climate change – Anny is to bring an agenda item on fuel for the next meeting Review of rural strategy – there was a discussion about the need to covid proof the strategy and will be added to next agenda
Do you require any action to be taken by Clare PPN staff as a result of this meeting?
no
by Sarah Clancy | May 19, 2021 | Members News, PPN News, SPC for Rural Development |
Rural Development SPC report from Anny Wise – 18th May 2021
The SPC meeting was a long one and in the end I did not get my chance to do the item on “Heating the Home.” . But I must admit I was surprised at the final outcome of what I did have to say.
Tourism Strategy was now complete and was launched on line and we were shown the outcome. It was very good. There were, however., two items which were discussed and approved.
- Motor Homes which have not been a problem in the past are now seen all over the county (staycation) – the normal commercial parks are closed and the county does not have a policy with regard to where and for how long they can park. There are several examples from CORK and abroad where they have always been a way of having a holiday. The County Council will be asked to look at the issues and try and see if they can make a policy or not.
- Greenways walking and cycling paths. Our SPC made suggestions on how important that this was now shown as specific plans in the future to enlarge them. It was pointed out that they are going ahead on this and the Clarecastle/Ennis and Shannon/Bunratty plus others are in the process.
The Rural Development Strategy is up for review – it was the first in Ireland and is still the only one. Broadband was again mentioned.
Then there was a powerpoint by Gearoid Fitzgibbon representing SEC for Clare with Gloria CLDC.
Report from the SPC on 18th May 2021 on Climate Change
There were many questions and the main thrust was on Community Microgeneration.
There was a question about the cost of peat briquettes going up and how community were able to cope with this. Geariod answer by given the example in Tipperary – who had most dwellings insulated and had changed their heating methods – so it would not cause them any problems. I followed after he answered the questions suggesting what we need more than anything was Public Awareness and the “How” and “Why”. I offered to give the talk which I was supposed to be at this meeting at the next meeting on the “Why” and also invited them to our lecture on the subject on the 26th May.
What follows was surprising and may have been to the question about peat blocks – suggestion of the Public Awareness showing such a low level of knowledge and upskilling of staff at the County Council took on the following:
- They would look at a Clare Energy Agency other than a Clare/Limerick one. A “One Stop Agency being a workshop in mind a stand alone office in Clare.
- Upskill directors of each section department – the actual elected Council so that they could work together and work with CLDC and SEAI.
Farmers were mentioned with regards to microgeneration the prospect of jobs in Rural Area was welcomed.
by Sarah Clancy | May 17, 2021 | Members News, PPN News, SPC for Rural Development |

Clare County Council Community Development Officers
This team works with community groups of all sizes, local and regional organisations and other engaged parties, building the capacity of voluntary community leaders and organisations to identify and implement projects, which will provide their areas with an identifiable comparative advantage.
- Ennis Municipal District – Niamh Wiley nwiley@clarecoco.ie 087 0611943
- Killaloe Municipal District – Seamus Murrihy smurrihy@clarecoco.ie 087 3834382
- Shannon Municipal District – Jennifer O’Brien jaobrien@clarecoco.ie 087 4131596
- West Clare Municipal District – Margaret Cotter mcotter@clarecoco.ie 087 1089847
https://www.clarecoco.ie/your-council/contact-the-council/directory/rural-and-community-dev-dept/rural-dev-officers/

Clare Local Development Company Community Development Workers
Clare Local Development Company has over 21 years experience of providing a wide range of local development services including training, work placements, grants and advice. Currently the company employs over 200 people on a wide range of programs and schemes LEADER, SICAP (Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme) Local Training Initiatives, Rural Social Scheme, Community Employment Scheme and Rural Recreation Project and Tús. https://cldc.ie/contact/
- Monica McKenna – mmckenna@cldc.ie 087 4194542
- Michelle Nolan – mnolan@cldc.ie 087 6542234

Volunteer Centre Clare
The Clare Volunteer Centre is part of the national network of volunteer centres, supported by Volunteer Centres Ireland. They are based in Ennis and open to meet volunteers Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm. Browse the website to look at the latest volunteering opportunities or contact them directly to talk about the volunteering roles that may suit you! If you are an organisation that involves volunteers or is planning to involve volunteers contact Sharon or Dolores to find out more about their training, Garda Vetting Service, support on policy development, volunteer referral service and much more! https://www.volunteerclare.ie/
Tel: +353 65 68 455 13 / +353 65 68 455 17
Manager – Sharon Meaney
Email: sharon@volunteerclare.ie
Placement Officer – Dolores O Halloran
Email: dolores@volunteerclare.ie
by Sarah Clancy | Feb 22, 2021 | Members News, PPN News, SPC for Rural Development |
REPORT TO PPN of SPC Rural Development 16th February 2021
by Anny Wise
This was the first meeting held completely on ZOOM. The agenda included COVID-19 community response which was a presentation and we were asked for suggestions. But a long discussion was had.
The second presentation was on DigiClare and broadband roll-out.
Several suggestions were made especially on the location of forthcoming hubs – and that the National broadband rollout to start from Limerick Clare. That being South East Clare towards Kilkishen and East Clare to Parteen and above. The Eircom Infrastructure such as replace pole is to go through the planning process.
When the Climate Change and Biodiversity came on the agenda – I was asked to report. I gave information of the Wind Farm procedure going through the department of Malcom Noolan (I met him with another committee on Zoom earlier that week) and pointed out that with extreme wind if trees appear to be in danger – cut the branches and not the tree. I gave statistic on the benefit of trees.
I than asked for suggestions from the Power Point shown at the last meeting – there were none. I than offered to make one for the next meeting and this was agreed.
The subject was to be “Methods of Home Heating.
The final point on the agenda was the fact that Clare’s Rural Development Strategy was to be reviewed – it was felt some of it was already outdated. The Rural Development Forum was to give our committee proposed changes.
I had already asked for Jean Tierney O’Keeffe wanted to bring under any other Business
She spoke on behalf of the PPN – saying that as National Water Resources Plan meeting on Zoom on Monday 22nd February – the members were then sent a notice and link to it the following day.