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Groups in Limerick interested in becoming members of the new Public Participation Network are urged to register their respective group via online registration. Photo: iStock

Limerick City and County Council recently announced the establishment of a new network, aimed at enhancing and expanding the role played by community groups in the formulation of local government policy and the future development of local communities across Limerick.

The Public Participation Network (PPN) will be the new representative voice of the community and voluntary, social inclusion and environmental sectors in Limerick. A series of public meetings will take place during the coming weeks outlining how groups can benefit from the new network and why they should consider becoming members.

BETTER INFORMED DECISIONS

Conn Murray, chief executive of Limerick City and County Council, explained that the purpose of the PPN is to enable members of the local community to interact with local government at different levels.

"The network's primary objective is to enable the public to take an active formal role in the policy making and oversight activities of the local authority’s areas of responsibility. It is anticipated that the PPN will facilitate the council in making better informed and timelier decisions," stated Mr Murray.

PPN's will be established in each of Limerick's four municipal and metropolitan districts, namely Limerick Metropolitan, Adare-Rathkeale, Cappamore-Kilmallock and Newcastle West, which will feed into a city and county wide PPN.

PPN members will be able to nominate representatives to the Council's primary decision-making bodies, including the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) and the Council’s Strategic Policy Committees (SPC).

PUBLIC MEETINGS

"The PPN will be the first point of contact for the local authority when it is seeking input from citizens and communities into council plans and policies," explained Josephine Cotter Coughlan, director of services, Community, Limerick City and County Council.

She continued: "The PPN will be the main link through which the local authority connects with the community and voluntary, social inclusion and environmental sectors. Therefore, it is important that groups interested in becoming members of the network attend one of the upcoming public meetings, as well as register their respective group by completing an online registration form at www.limerick.ie/council/ppn - available since Thursday, 13th November. All community and voluntary groups, in existence for more than 6 months and have a set of rules such as a constitution or terms of reference, are entitled to register to participate."

REGISTRATION

Groups will be required to register with the PPN on an annual basis. The deadline for registration for participation in 2015 is Wednesday, 14th January, 2015. Groups which have not registered with the PPN by this date will not be eligible to participate at PPN meetings, or to be involved in the nomination process for seats on the decision making bodies of Limerick City and County Council.

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