Fingal County Council launch the Guidance Manual for Fingal Community Facilities

Fingal County Council today launched the Guidance Manual for Fingal Community Facilities in Castleknock Hotel, D15.

The Guidance Manual has been formulated over many years to develop guidelines that support the management and operation of community facilities across the County.  

The provision of supports like this Guidance Manual are imperative to ensure that local communities continue to manage their centres safely and efficiently and reassure volunteers who give so generously of their time that they are not operating in isolation.

Speaking at the launch, Mayor of Fingal Cllr Adrian Henchy said: "It is no secret that Fingal as a County has experienced enormous change and significant growth over the last twenty years. The population has expanded at an enormous rate as has the demand for community facilities and recreational spaces. As Irelands youngest county Fingal is home to a diverse and multicultural society. Our community facilities play a very important role in enabling us to reach out and develop strong networks across many communities.

Fingal County Council recognises both its responsibility and the importance of building sustainable communities. A key part of this is the provision of community facilities. It is a privilege for me to be part of this process.

As a voluntary board member of a community facility myself, I understand all too well the challenges, pressures and responsibilities placed on local people who give so freely of their time to support their communities. We recognise the importance of providing relevant supports to volunteers who give so generously of their time. This manual will be a key support for these volunteers."

Fingal’s Director of Housing and Community Development, Robert Burns said: "The Council will continue to support the work of both council and non-council owned community centres in recognising the important role they play for citizens in the County.

In 2022 over 2.3 million people accessed their local community centre in Fingal. As a local authority we aim to develop and improve the variety of facilities available to the community and ensure they are relevant and meeting the ever-changing needs of the local community.

Our Community Development Office through the community facilities management support unit provides a wide range of technical supports to local boards of management who operate these facilities locally on behalf of the council.

The development of this guidance manual has been a work in progress for many years, I am delighted to see it come to fruition today.

Fingal County Council recognises the enormous challenges facing volunteer boards of management and centre managers on a day-to-day basis. I am confident that this guidance manual will be a valuable resource to community centre boards."

The Guidance Manual is now available as online resource: https://fingalcommunityfacilitiesnetwork.ie/policy-hub/