Fingal Public Participation Network: Training Seminars Now Underway

Fingal Public Participation Network: Training Seminars Now Underway

On Saturday 22nd October, the Fingal Public Participation Network, Fingals framework for public engagement, held their second training seminar,” Understanding Local Government & Influencing Policy” as part of their Autumn Training programme.

The Public Participation Network provides a structure to facilitate the two way flow of information between Fingal County Council and Community, Voluntary and Environmental groups.

PPN members sit on decision making committees such as Strategic Policy Committees, the Joint Policing Committee and the Local Development Committee, and participate in policy making and plans for the future development of the county.

The seminar, held in the Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown as part of their Civic

Engagement contribution to community, was attended by 26 community and voluntary groups across Fingal. Brian Buckley, Corporate Services, Fingal County Council opened with a session on The Structure and Role of Fingal County Council. Influencing Policy, delivered by Sara Bourke and Sean Healy from Social Justice Ireland, also generated great discussion among those attending. It explored how best to influence policy, supports available to policy making individuals and the importance of setting your policy goal.

Following a light lunch, participants were invited to attend either a Planning Legislation Workshop by Odran Reid, Dublin Institute of Technology, or a Climate Change Workshop by Feargal Murphy Environmental Awareness Fingal County Council.

Further training seminars have also been organised for 2016

· Charites Act & Governance - 16th November and

· Funding - 30th November

For more information please see www.fingalppn.ie to get involved or to book a place on an upcoming seminar email ppn@fingal.ie.