1. Get Your Voice Heard

2. Introduction PPN replaces Louth Community and Voluntary Forum It is completely different to LCVF More open, transparent and accountable Will connect more voices to decision making bodies Who? How? Why?

3. Introduction Set up in September 2013 Chaired by Fr. Sean Healy Report published on February 28 th, 2014 which outlines the framework for public participation in the form of Public Participation Networks Role of Group to make recommendations on more extensive and diverse input by citizens into the decision making at local government level

4. Introduction Policy Background Putting People First 2012 Working Group on Citizen Engagement with Local Government Local Government Reform Act 2014 - Section 46 Published February 2014

5. Introduction Section 46 – Local Government Reform Act 2014 Enables Local Authorities to consult and participate with local communities Each Local Authority develops a framework for encouragment and support for Public Participation Framework adopted by Louth County Council in December 2014

6. Are you a Community Group ?

7. Have you registered with Louth PPN ?

8. The PPN Structure Yes... Where do I fit? 3 Key ways for the Community to Engage 1 Municipal Public Participation Network 2 County Public Participation Network 3 Linkage Groups

9. 1 Municipal PPN 1 Municipal Public Participation Network 2 County Public Participation Network 3 Linkage Groups Are you Interested in Networking with other Community Groups?

10. 1 Municipal PPN 1 Municipal Public Participation Network 2 County Public Participation Network 3 Linkage Groups DundalkDroghedaArdee

11. 1 County PPN 1 Municipal Public Participation Network 2 County Public Participation Network 3 Linkage Groups Are you interested in Developing & Influencing Policies for Community Groups? 3 Linkage Groups

12. 2 County PPN 1 Municipal Public Participation Network 2 County Public Participation Network 3 Linkage Groups Environment Social Inclusion Community All Registered Groups in the County can attend. Groups are divided into 3 pillars. 3 Linkage Groups

13. 3 County PPN & County 1 Municipal Public Participation Network 2 County Public Participation Network 3 Linkage Groups Linkage groups are issue specific Youth, Drugs, Older People, Disability etc. The council must include representatives for their bodies from the Linkage Groups. 3 Linkage Groups

14. Local Bodies Seeking Community Representation Linkage Groups Joint Policing Partnership Infrastructure European and Cross Border Affairs SPC Planning and Environment SPC Economic Development and Enterprise SPC Housing Community Planning and Emergency Services SPC Louth Peace Partnership Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force 1 Municipal Public Participation Network 2 County Public Participation Network 3 Linkage Groups

15. Local Bodies Seeking Community Representation County PPN Local Community Development Committee 1 Municipal Public Participation Network 2 County Public Participation Network 3 Linkage Groups

16. Secretariat Advance the recommendations of the PPN between Meetings Role is to advance the agenda of the PPN Flat Structure, rotating Chair etc. Work closely with Local Authority PPN staff Meets 6 times annually 18 members 15 5 from each CPPN Pillar 3 1 from each Municipal District

17. Re Cap!

18. Recap - PPN Membership Groups must register with the Local Authority Register by 30 th March in order to have voting rights Member groups when joining the PPN at county level must opt to be part of one of three electoral colleges One County Register for all Environment, Social Inclusion and Community/Voluntary Groups will be established

19. Recap - Role of PPN Main link for Local Authority to connect with the community, social inclusion and environmental sectors Enable and support community groups to have their voices heard Support community groups to participate in local policy and decision making bodies Provide networking opportunities for local community groups

20. Pillars Where do you fit ?

21. Pillars Community Development Community Development Environment Community pillar can refer to activity that is intended to promote goodness or improve human quality of life and community well- being Volunteering is a core aspect within the community pillar Skills development, socialisation, meeting a particular need as well as creating fun and enjoyment in the community. Social Inclusion Environmental

22. Community Development Eligibility Criteria Primary objectives must focus on community responses to locally identified issues/concerns Must be a not for profit group Must be formally organised with at least a constitution, bank account or credit union account Community Development Social InclusionEnvironmental

23. Community Development Eligibility Criteria Must have activities that promote overall community well being Community Development Social InclusionEnvironmental

24. Community Development Residents Groups Self-help Groups Community Councils Issue Based Groups – Community Infrastructure Youth Clubs Community Associations Sporting / Leisure Clubs/Groups Community Development Social Inclusion Environmental Voluntary Campaign Groups Arts Groups Broad based Service Provision Groups Active Retirement Groups Festival Groups Playground Associations

25. Community Development Social Inclusion Environmental Community Development Social Inclusion Environmental

26. Social Inclusion Pillar Targets those who experience Educational Disadvantage Unemployment Income Adequacy Disadvantaged Urban Dwellers Disadvantaged Rural Dwellers Housing/Accommodation issues Health; mental health issues Community Development Social Inclusion Environmental

27. Social Inclusion Pillar Community Development Social Inclusion Environmental Eligibility Criteria Primary objectives must focus on poverty reduction, community development, equality and social justice Must be a not for profit group Must be formally organised and be in existence for at least 6 months.

28. Social Inclusion Pillar Community Development Social Inclusion Environmental Eligibility Criteria Must have activities in line with a social inclusion approach to community building and have those who experience poverty and social exclusion on its management /organisational structure Members of local authorities may not serve as the representative for groups.

29. Social Inclusion Pillar Types of Groups Disability groups Traveller groups Ethnic minority groups Women’s Groups Family Support Group (FRC’s) Literacy groups Older peoples groups Social justice groups Groups promoting equality LGBT Groups Youth service and groups Children services and support groups Mental Health / Suicide Prevention

30. Environmental Pillar AN TAISCE | BAT CONSERVATION IRELAND | BEE-KEEPING ASSOCIATIONS | BIRDWATCH IRELAND | BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION IRELAND | CELT – CENTRE FOR ECOLOGICAL LIVING AND TRAINING | CLEAN COAST GROUPS | COAST WATCH | COMMUNITY REUSE NETWORK | COOMHOLA SALMON TRUST | CRANN | ECO UNESCO | FEASTA | FOOD SOVEREIGNTY MOVEMENT | FOREST FRIENDS | FRIENDS OF THE EARTH | FRIENDS OF THE IRISH ENVIRONMENT | GLOBAL ACTION PLAN IRELAND | GLUAISEACHT | GOOD ENERGIES ALLIANCE IRELAND | GREEN CAMPUSES | GREEN COMMUNITIES | GREEN SCHOOLS | GROW IT YOURSELF | HEDGE LAYING ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND | IRISH DOCTORS ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION | IRISH NATURAL FORESTRY FOUNDATION | IRISH PEATLAND CONSERVATION COUNCIL | IRISH SEAL SANCTUARY | IRISH SEED SAVERS ASSOCIATION | IRISH WHALE AND DOLPHIN GROUP | IRISH WILDLIFE TRUST | JUST FORESTS | PRESENTATION ECOLOGY | SONAIRTE | SUSTAINABLE IRELAND CO OPERATIVE | SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS IRELAND | THE CURLEW TRUST | THE GOLDEN EAGLE TRUST | THE NATIVE WOODLAND TRUST | THE ORGANIC CENTRE | TRANSITION TOWNS | VINCENT WILDLIFE TRUST | VOICE | ZERO WASTE ALLIANCE AGREED NATIONAL NETWORK

31. Community Groups Developing Actions Training / Networking Representation Developing Policy Community Development Environment Social Inclusion County PPN Secretariat 18 reps (3 MPPN & 15 CPPN) Local PPN Ardee Drogheda Dundalk Linkage Groups Identifying Local Issues

32. Community Groups County PPN Secretariat 18 reps Local PPN Linkage Groups SPC JPC RDTF Local Community Development Commitee

33. Questions and Clarifications