Memorandum of Understanding between Fingal Public Participation Network and Fingal County Council Signed

A signing ceremony took place on Tuesday January 28, 2020 in Fingal County Council Chamber, County Hall, Swords of a Memorandum of Understanding between Fingal Public Participation Network (PPN) and Fingal County Council.

The PPN Secretariat was delighted to present the Memorandum of Understanding between Fingal PPN and Fingal County Council which outlines in a clear and unambiguous manner the roles and responsibilities of Fingal County Council and Fingal PPN with regards to the delivery of the PPN Programme in Fingal. 

Fingal PPN was set up as part of Local Government Reform in late 2014 as an evolution of the previous community and voluntary forum structure.

A Secretariat was first elected to lead and oversee the operations of the PPN in 2015. 

The results of this can be seen today through the wide variety of over 800 organisations and individuals who avail of the training programmes, participate in the Linkage Groups, volunteer as PPN Representatives, contribute to consultation submissions and attend the Plenary meetings.

During the signing ceremony the Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O’Brien said: “Involving people in making the decisions that affect them and their lives is a core principle of democracy. I commend the Memorandum of Understanding and look forward to further collaboration.”

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council AnnMarie Farrelly said: “I welcome the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding. Local authorities and PPNs work collaboratively to support communities and build the capacity of member organisations to engage meaningfully on issues that concern them.”

PPN representatives were present at the ceremony from all over the county of Fingal to witness this important moment and Ema Idowu, on behalf of the Secretariat said: “We are committed to working with the community, environment and social inclusion sectors to support organisations to contribute positively to their own communities and to the County of Fingal. We are also committed to engaging as an equal partner with decision makers at both local and national level. 

“We wish to acknowledge the significant on-going support of Fingal County Council to the PPN structure and look forward to growing and strengthening this into the future and we would like to thank all Fingal PPN member organisations that have shown enormous support to the PPN to date and look forward to working with them on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Fingal Public Participation Network is a network of more than 800 community, voluntary, social inclusion and environmental organisations in the Fingal County area.

The Fingal PPN plays an important role in representing communities in local decision making and policy making structures.

Fingal PPN also provides training, networking opportunities and funding information to members.

For further enquiries, please contact Jenny Foley, Fingal PPN A/Resource Worker, 0873828589, [email protected]

Get in touch at [email protected] or find out more on www.fingalppn.ie.

Fingal PPN is co-funded by Fingal County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development.