Purpose: A Network to enhance community participation in local government - Promotes social inclusion - Links citizens with local authorities
Stimulus/Rationale:
Public Participation Networks (PPN) are a mechanism for greater community participation in local government and present opportunities for input into policy and decision making. The PPNs are independent structures with one network being set up in each Local Authority Area.
The Dublin City PPN is the main link through which Dublin City Council connects with the community and voluntary, social inclusion and environmental sectors. It is conceived as a formal structure for active citizenship and participation, providing a link for the Local Authority to connect with Community groups promoting consultation, as well as to facilitate and articulate a diverse range of views and interests.
The PPN provides groups with:
- Opportunities to influence decision making;
- Access to information – on finance, consultations, developments;
- Training;
- Opportunities to network with other groups;
- Community representation and organised engagement with Dublin City Council.
- Each Local Authority is required to set up a Public Participation Network (PPN), source their community representation from the PPN, and provide resources and support to the PPN.
The PPN will enable residents and community organisations to influence plans and policies for the development of Dublin City. This will mainly be done through the Strategic Policy Committees (SPC) in Dublin City Council. These committees advise and assist the council in its work and provide councillors and sectoral interests an opportunity for full involvement in the policy-making process of the work of the local authority from the early stages. When the committee system operates satisfactorily, much of the preliminary and background work, discussion and recommendation should be completed at this level for final consideration and ratification by the Council at the monthly Council meetings.
Structures that members of the network have representation on include: the Council's Local and Community Development Committees (L.C.D.C.), the Seven Strategic Policy Committees and The Joint Policing Committee.
Key reference documents: Dublin City Public Participation Network:
