A major step forward has been taken for the revitalised Limerick Public Participation Network (PPN) with the election of a new Secretariat. The Secretariat is now responsible for overseeing the process of receiving nominations from PPN members to go forward for election to sit on Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) of Limerick City and County Council.
A PPN is a network that allows local authorities around the country to connect with community groups in their area to give citizens a greater say in local government decisions which affect their own communities. The PPN is managed by a committee of volunteers called the Secretariat on behalf of all its members.
Sixty people attended representing 44 volunteer-led groups and organisations – almost 50% of the membership of the PPN. This is quite an achievement since registration for PPN membership re-opened in early August and the first members’ meeting in two years took place in late September.
A key priority of the new Secretariat is to progress the elections of the SPC members as soon as is possible.
This is quite a challenge as there are five SPCs with 24 seats in total that are allocated to community representatives who must be drawn from the PPN membership through a formal elections process.
There are seats on the SPCs allocated to three different sectors: social inclusion, environment and community.
The new Limerick PPN Secretariat is:
|
Name |
Nominated by |
Seat |
|
Nuala Geoghegan |
Cappagh Farmers Support Group |
Adare Rathkeale |
|
John Buttery |
Garryowen CDP |
Limerick Metropolitan |
|
Patrick Cummins |
Glin Going Strong Club |
Community |
|
Jack O’Connor |
Kantoher Development Group |
Newcastle West |
|
Dr Rose Anne White |
Limerick Civic Trust |
Community |
|
Patrick Fitzgerald |
Limerick Mental Health Association |
Social Inclusion |
|
Catherine Dalton |
Maigue Rivers Trust |
Environment |
|
Noreen Stokes |
Pallas United Soccer Club |
Cappamore Kilmallock |
|
Jim Long |
Rescue the River Shannon Group |
Environment |
|
Michael Quilligan |
Tait House Community Enterprise CLG |
Social Inclusion |
A Limerick City and County Council staff member is currently supporting the Limerick PPN to be back to full functioning. Limerick City and County Council is fully supportive of Limerick PPN while also respecting its autonomy.
Registration for Limerick PPN is straightforward.
Go onto www.limerickppn.ie and click on the Register button.
If a group does not have access to the internet, they can contact the Limerick PPN requesting a paper copy of the registration form. Contact details are Mo Foley Walsh, Limerick PPN, Community Development Directorate, Limerick City and County Council, Merchant's Quay, Limerick V94EH90 | t: 061 557372.
To be eligible to qualify for membership of the Limerick PPN a group/organisation must:
- Be active in Limerick city and county
- Have more than five members and be open to new members
- Be non-party political and non-sectarian
- Be a minimum of six months in existence
- Be not for profit and volunteer-led
- Be independent. You cannot be a subcommittee or subgroup of another organisation
- Have an appropriate governance structure e.g. a constitution/ set of rules/ financial procedures
- Groups/ organisations registering under the Environment Sector must be validated by the Environmental Pillar at a national level
The PPN Secretariat has the final say over eligibility for membership should any queries arise.
There is no closing date for registration. The Limerick PPN welcomes new eligible groups/ organisations at any time.