Public Participation Networks (PPN)

Transcription

1 Public Participation Networks (PPN) Public Participation Networks (PPN) are a mechanism for greater community participation in local government and will present opportunities for input into policy and decision making by the City Council. In September 2013 a Working Group on Citizen Engagement was set up under the chairmanship of Fr. Sean Healy. The role of the Group was to make recommendations on more extensive and diverse input by citizens into the decision making at local government level. This Group proposed that a PPN be established in each local authority area to take an active formal role in relevant policy making and oversight committees of the local authority. Section 46 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014 (to give effect to the Framework for Public Participation) was commenced on 1st June 2014, along with a number of other sections of the Act. Earlier on 10 April, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government issued Circular Letter CVS1/2014 regarding the roll-out of PPN Structures with immediate effect in four Local Authority Areas, Laois, Tipperary, Galway County and South Dublin. A second Circular Letter CVSP2/2014 advised each City and County Manager that the PPNs must be set up immediately in all Local Authority areas at county level. It added "is imperative that the secretariat and linkage groups are put in place; this will provide the basis for two-way information flows between the Local Authority and the local community. With effect from 1 June 2014, where community representation is to be provided on appropriate committees of the Local Authority, such as SPCs/LCDCs etc., it must be sourced through the PPN". While the Circular Letter was clear on the need for immediate action and also for the subsequent roll-out across all Local Authority it is a particularly significant undertaking particularly for the larger urban authorities. Dublin City Council is currently in the process of establishing this Public Participation Network (PPN) for the city. The function of this network will include: Bringing together all groups and organisations working on a voluntary, co-operative or not for profit basis in Dublin City. Nominating representatives to decision making bodies of the Council. Influencing policy. Information sharing and collaboration. Support and training. Among the structures that members of the network will have representation on are: the Council's Local and Community Development Committees (L.C.D.C.), the 7 Strategic Policy Committees and The Joint Policing Committee. Although it should be noted that there is some conflict with these structures and the revised Guidelines for the operation of JPCs published in August of this year by the Minister for Justice and Equality. As to the structure of the PPN itself, its ruling body is the Plenary, which will hold a number of meetings every year. Each group that registers is required to name their nominee to the Plenary and an alternative nominee should the first be unable to attend. The PPN will be divided into three sectors or Electoral Colleges: Community and Voluntary, Social Inclusion, and Environmental. Each local group that registers is required to indicate which sector they are registering under based on the core work that the group undertakes. Work on the development of the PPN structures in Dublin is well underway and during September community, voluntary and not for profit organisations were invited to register to become members of the PPN. While this invitation was advertised only around 400 groups had registered by 1st October. All groups that register with the PPN before 1st October of a given year will have voting rights for the coming year to the various structures that will be set up under the network. The next step is the setting up of the ruling body, the Plenary and this is well advanced. Once the structures is in place the PPN will begin making nominations to the various committees and groups outlined above.

2 Figure 1 - Duties of the ruling body, the Plenary Figure 2 - The Figure 2 - Making nominations

3 Public Participation Network Plenary (City Level Issues) Two meetings per year Two representatives of each member organisation can attend plenary meetings One vote per organisation Annual registration by given date to secure voting rights for that year Public Participation Network Plenary

4 Public Participation Network Plenary Social Inclusion Community & Voluntary Electoral College Environmental (Minimum of 2 nominees) (Minimum of 2 nominees) (Minimum of 2 nominees) Secretariat 6 (including 1 Convenor) 1 DCC Staff Member assigned to support Public Participation Network Secretariat

5 Some Local Government Bodies to which PPN could nominate representatives Strategic Policy Committees: Arts, Culture, Leisure and Community Economic Development and Enterprise Finance and emergency Services Transportation Housing Environment Planning and International Relations Local Community Development Committee Joint Policing Committee

6 Transport Strategic Policy Committee Vacancy PPN Secretariat notify Representative Public Participation Network All registered members Form Linkage Group of interested members Report back Example of Public Participation Network Linkage Group

7 Local Community Development Committee 5 vacancies Public Participation Network Secretariat Report back Public Participation Network Each Member registers to 1 Social Inclusion Community & Voluntary Electoral College Environmental Report back 2 nominees to LCDC 3 nominees to LCDC 1 nominee to LCDC Nomination to Local Community Development Committee