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. 

 

 

 

 

 

Vacancies for Representatives and Board Members for Clare PPN

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

 

 

 

Clare PPN statement on the proposal to open a direct provision centre in Lisdoonvarna

March 1st 2018

Clare Public Participation Network Statement on the proposal to open a direct provision centre for asylum seekers in Lisdoonvarna 

This week Clare PPN received an informal request to provide a chairperson for a public meeting between the community in Lisdoonvarna and RIA the Reception and Integration Agency which has the responsibility for the procurement and administration of state provided services for asylum seekers and refugees. RIA were responsible for the tender process which determined that the King Thomond Hotel in Lisdoonvarna was a suitable location for a direct provision centre. Following a meeting of the secretariat of Clare PPN which took place on February 27th 2018 Clare PPN turned down the invitation to chair the meeting in Lisdoonvarna which took place last night.

At Clare Public Participation Network’s plenary meeting which took place on November 30th 2017 those attending from Clare PPN’s Social Inclusion College identified ending the system of direct provision and working to support those currently living in direct provision in Clare as one of the priority areas for Clare PPN in 2018. Clare PPN secretariat decided that chairing a meeting between the community and those who wish to open a direct provision centre would compromise the position taken by its social inclusion members which committed Clare PPN to lending its support to efforts to end the system of direct provision in Ireland.

Clare PPN’s secretariat and social inclusion representatives fully recognise and agree with Ireland’s obligations to accept and support asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. They furthermore consider that diversity and inward migration are beneficial to host communities and in particular to rural Ireland where populations are declining. Clare PPN secretariat and social inclusion representatives do not however consider the system of direct provision suitable for the needs of asylum seekers. They insist that system of direct provision itself is a barrier to integration, to family life and to self- sufficiency which denies those within it the opportunity to reach their potential and to live safe dignified lives. Clare PPN has previously taken action to support the resettlement of refugees in various areas in Clare and will continue to do so when the opportunity presents itself. Clare PPN will do its best within its resources to ensure that it supports and welcomes the people who come to live in direct provision in Clare and reaches out to those already living in the direct provision centre in Knocknalisheen, whilst continuing to voice its opposition to the system of direct provision which it considers an abuse of human rights and a failure of the state.

Clare PPN would further recommend that communities should be fully informed and consulted on all plans that affect them and notes that consultations with relevant stakeholders such as schools, doctors and other service providers do not appear to have taken place in Lisdoonvarna. Representatives from Clare PPN attended the meeting which took place last night in Lisdoonvarna and noted that many people attending raised concerns that could easily have been addressed through proper planning, information sharing and consultation. Clare PPN calls on RIA and the Department of Justice to act in the interests both of asylum seekers and host communities to ensure that the necessary services, staff vetting and resource provision take place before any attempt to relocate people to any area.

About Clare PPN

Clare PPN is a network of community, voluntary, environmental and social inclusion groups from Clare. It exists to facilitate the formal participation by the community sector in Clare County Council’s decision making structures. It is funded jointly by the Department of Housing, Planning Environment Community and Local Government and Clare County Council but is independent and its activities are directed by its members through an elected secretariat.

Clare PPN’s website is www.clareppn.ie and they are on twitter @clare_ppn and https://facebook.com/clareppn/

Election Election Election….Notice of Election for Social Inclusion College Secretariat Representative

Monday 29th January 2018

Clare PPN notice of election / Call for nominations of candidates from our Social Inclusion member groups: 

Clare PPN has a vacancy on its ‘Secretariat’ for a new member. The Secretariat is the voluntary board that manages the activities of Clare PPN for our member groups. This vacancy  is only open to members of our social inclusion groups and only those groups can vote in this election (there is a list of eligible groups at the foot of this article). In order to strengthen Clare PPN’s knowledge and awareness of social inclusion issues we are hoping that a candidate will come forward who has experience of working well with groups who experience poverty or marginalisation for any reason (ethnicity, race, immigration status, age, ability, mental health etc etc) or who themselves has direct experience of being part of one of those communities.  This is a great opportunity to help to ensure that Clare Public Participation Network is as good as it can be and it’s an exiting time to get involved. Clare PPN was set up successfully over the last three years in Clare and is now looking to build and develop for the future.

Candidates for the Social Inclusion vacancy must be nominated by a Social Inclusion organisation and it is only the Social Inclusion organisations which have a vote for this position.  Each group can nominate one candidate and vote for one candidate.  Experience in Social Inclusion policy would be desirable but a range of experience and diversity is welcome.

What will the person have to do as a member of the secretariat?  The Secretariat meets six times per year in Ennis with travel and subsistence provided when necessary. It also devises the work plan and strategy for Clare PPN which come from both the official formal function the PPN has to deliver and the views of the member groups.  The proposed duration of Secretariat membership is February 2018 to May 2019 (local elections) with the option to remain for a maximum of five years as decided by the secretariat as a whole.

How will this election work?

Nominations are open now and close on February 9th 2018.

Step one:  In advance of nominating a candidate please make sure of the following:

  • The person you are nominating is a member of a social inclusion group in Clare PPN
  • The person you are nominating agrees to stand for the position and can make the required time commitment.

Step two: Nominate the chosen person by sending us an email to admin@clareppn.ie with the subject line Nomination for Social Inclusion Secretariat Seat on or before the deadline of February 9th 2018 In this email you must include the following:

  • Your name and the name of the group you are nominating on behalf of.
  • Your chosen candidate’s name, address, contact details and a short biography of their experience which we can share with all members.

Step three: Clare PPN will circulate the list of nominees to all members of Clare PPN’s social inclusion college via email and members will then be allowed to vote for their chosen candidate by return email.  The election will be completed on or before Wednesday 20th February and the person with the highest number of votes will be elected.  Please note that even if you nominate a candidate you will also need to cast a vote once the list of nominees has been finalised.

Any questions related to this or to the role of a secretariat member can be directed to Sarah on 087 1617375

Email your nominations to admin@clareppn.ie on or before February 9th 2018. 

List of eligible groups for nominating candidates and voting in this election:

  1. Redeem Christian Church of God
  2. Haven Horizons
  3. The Willow Counselling Centre
  4. Camphill Community Mountshannon
  5. Obair Social Inclusion Project
  6. Arás Mhuire Housing Association Ltd
  7. West Clare Community & Education Centre Ltd
  8. Brothers of Charity Clare
  9. Ennis Mental Health Association
  10. West Clare Family Resource Centre
  11. Ennis & Clare Samaritans
  12. Hype Youth Group
  13. Clare Citizen Information Service
  14. North West Clare Family Resource Centre
  15. Inagh Housing Association Ltd
  16. District Day Care Centre
  17. Shannon Active Retirement Association
  18. Friends of Ennistymon Hospice Co
  19. Multicultural Council of Ireland
  20. Clare Network of NCPD
  21. Clare Women’s Network
  22. Society of St Vincent de Paul, Clarecastle
  23. Clare Crusaders Children’s Clinic
  24. Shannon Family Resource Centre
  25. Cuan an Chláir
  26. NCPD-THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR (THE STATUS OF) PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES LTD
  27. Inis Housing Association Ltd
  28. Clare Haven Services
  29. Clarecare
  30. Association for Nigerian community in clare
  31. Employability Clare
  32. Clare Immigrant Support Centre
  33. Fishbowl Youth
  34. Polish Irish Association
  35. Clare Older People’s Forum
  36. Caring for Carers Ireland
  37. Clare Center for Independent Living.
  38. Clare Youth Service
  39. Tulla (Clare) Reaching Out
  40. Seeking Vision Ltd
  41. Clare Accessible Transport
  42. Killaloe/Ballina Community & Family Resource Centre
  43. Clare Citizens Information Service
  44. Clare Housing Action Group
  45. Abortion Rights Campaign (ARC Clare)

 

 

Report from Clare PPN rep Mary O’Donoghue on the Local Community Development Committee Meeting which took place on Sept 14th 2017

Report from Clare PPN Social Inclusion Representative Mary O’Donoghue on LCDC Meeting September 14th 2017.

Mary O’Donoghue represents the social inclusion college of Clare PPN on this committee.

Mary notes that it would be good to have a meeting of the Social Inclusion College of Clare PPN in advance of each LCDC meeting.

Agenda Item Main Points and Agreed Actions Note from Rep
Note – It would be good to have a social inclusion meeting prior to the LCDC meetings.
Healthy Ireland Fund

 

·         Very brief summary of applications under this fund was circulated for approval

·         Asked for Support and Capacity Building for groups applying for funding

·         Want to set up a Funding Sub-committee however this is difficult as most community reps could have conflict of interest.  Need further clarification

·         Co. Clare has signed up for Healthy County initiative which will support the National Framework and will along with CYPSE develop a plan for health and wellbeing

Note:  More and more funding programmes are being administered through LCDC yet LCDC does not have final say just a role in recommending to relevant department.  This is not a good process.
SICAP – Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (with CLDC)

 

· New SICAP is in place for 2018 – 2022

· Closing date for tenders is 29th September

Social Inclusion Sub-group to meet to evaluate tenders –  training for members of sub-group available through Pobal

I have asked that when sub-groups etc are being established through the LCDC that social inclusion representation is not just confined to myself and Dermot as we are stretched – this is being considered and I will let you all know the outcome.

The training guide to completing the individual registration form gives more info on new SICAP and worth reading – Link to document

Next Meeting

 

·         Wednesday, 8th November