Welcome to Westmeath Westmeath PPN The Voice of the PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NETWORK Community

Your Representative and Information Network for communities in County Westmeath Email: [email protected] Phone: 044-9332157 Website: www.westmeathppn.ie The 4 Strategies of the PPN

Representation Informing Westmeath PPN facilitate the participation Provide information relevant to the environmental, social and representation of communities in a inclusion, community and voluntary sector and acts as a hub fair, equitable and transparent manner around which information is distributed and received. through the environmental, social inclusion, community and voluntary sectors on Developing decision making committees/structures. Strengthen the capacity of communities and of the environmental, social inclusion, community & voluntary groups Under the Local Government Act 2014 the to contribute positively to the community in which they reside/ setting up of PPNs in Ireland was to provide participate. non-political representation. This takes the form of electing volunteer representatives Networking from among the over 750 community groups The final strategy of the PPN involves networking. This takes which are members of Westmeath PPN. places in 3 ways: Westmeath PPN is proud to have community 1. Regular information exchange from the groups and to the representatives on 18 (committees/fora) groups through the PPN newsletters and website. from Joint Policing Committee to Local 2. Annual gatherings of all community groups to liaise and Community Development Committee to work together on a variety of issues and items (Plenary SPCs (Strategic Policy Committees). & 2 Municipal District - Athlone/Moate & Mullingar/ Westmeath PPN is co-funded by Department Kinnegad - meetings). of Rural & Community Development and 3. The development of networking groups based Westmeath County Council. on themes of action called Linkage Groups. 2 What is a PPN made up of?

The Plenary The Secretariat The Plenary is essentially all the registered The Secretariat are the actioning body of the PPN. community groups in the county. At present They are 8 in number and fulfil the day to day running this is over 750 registered PPN community of the PPN in liaison with the Resource Worker & groups in Westmeath. Support Worker. The Plenary meets twice per year to discuss 2 Secretariat Members are elected from each issues, elect representatives to roles and to Pillar (Community & Voluntary; Social Inclusion & network to find active solutions to community Environment) and 1 from each Municipal District challenges. (Mullingar/Kinnegad & Athlone/Moate).

3 How the PPN works

The Work The Background At the beginning of their 5 year term of office The PPN is jointly funded by the Department of Westmeath PPN Secretariat create a 5 year Rural & Community Development and Westmeath Strategic Plan; based on consultation with County Council. PPN member groups. It liaises with both and sends regular reports Each year Westmeath PPN’s Secretariat of work and spending to ensure an open and develops a workplan for the following year, accountable procedure. based on strategic plan and in consultations However, Westmeath PPN is an independent with PPN member groups. organisation, whose Secretariat are elected from This workplan is then submitted to the among the PPN member community groups. member groups at a Plenary session for In this way, though Westmeath PPN is supported mandating. and funded by Westmeath County Council & the Throughout the year the Secretariat and Government, it is independent in its organisation Resource Worker implements the actions of and work. its Work plan, meeting at least every month. As volunteer representatives vacancies come up, these are advertised to member groups and open to election for fulfilment of community voice. 4 The 3 Pillars of Westmeath PPN Community Environment Social Inclusion & Voluntary

The Environment Pillar of The Social Inclusion Pillar, is The Community and Voluntary Pillar is Westmeath PPN is made the second highest number of vast, containing almost two thirds of all up of groups with a strong registered PPN groups. The main PPN groups, mainly because the aims environmental goal in mind. focus of these groups is to en- and focus of the groups are so varied. These goals vary from action sure that ‘no one is left behind’, The Community and Voluntary groups groups on sustainability and and that minority groups are consist of any that do not fall into the new technologies to wildlife representation and supported. other categories, including Tidy Towns, groups and community gardens. sports groups, clubs, hobby groups and Example of social inclusion many more. Although this is the lowest groups include: Age Friendly, number of community registered Integration groups, Active There is no one main purpose of groups, it is in comparison Retirement, Men’s Sheds, The this sector, however community one of the highest in terms Disability Network, Westmeath development could not happen without of activity and engagements, Traveller Movement and many the volunteerism and passion of this reflecting the active passion more. varied spectrum of groups. As such, of the environmentally though widely different, this pillar This pillar is crucial to ensuring conscious volunteers in County brings a richness of involvement a fairer and more just society Westmeath. and experience that others do not. 5 for all. The 2 Municipal Districts in Westmeath

Mullingar/Kinnegad MD Athlone/Moate MD The Municipal District of Mullingar/Kinnegad spreads The Athlone/Moate Municipal District from the centre of the county to the far east and north of stretches from middle to the west of the county and takes in the towns of Mullingar, Kinnegad, the county. It includes Athlone, Moate, Castlepollard, Streete, Clonmellon, Delvin, Collinstown and Ballymore, Tyrrellspass, Castletown- Milltownpass. Geoghegan, Kilbeggan, Mount Temple and Ballinahown. It has a rich agricultural heritage and natural environment with Loughs Ennell & Owel, bog lands, forests, rivers Brosna It has a rich history which includes the & Inny. ancient centre of Ireland, the Hill of Uisneach. The main economic focus is in Mullingar Town, however despite the rise in population here, there are more It has a terrain of rich pastureland, with community groups in rural than in urban areas of the county. its economic centre of Athlone. This Municipal District contains the highest number of PPN community groups in County Westmeath and the greatest frequency of community project activity.

6 56% 44% WPPN WPPN Membership Membership Mullingar-Kinnegad Athlone-Moate MULLLINGAR Municipal Municipal District District KINNEGAD ATHLONE MOATE

WPPN Groups by Pillar WPPN Groups by year

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 576 174 11 63.76% 9.82% 11.07% 15.36% 4.99% Community & Social Environment Voluntary Inclusion 461 71 80 111 38

WPPN groups 429 Number of members/ 331 Mullingar- volunteers in PPN affiliated by Municipal District Athlone-Moate Kinnegad Municipal Municipal groups approx. 30,000+ District District 7 Westmeath PPN fulfills a community voice on each of Representation these agencies. This fulfillment is intended to enrich the agency with a voice of community activists who will fulfilled by in turn meet with the community groups in their area or sector to provide a two way communication in their Westmeath PPN representation.

Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) Westmeath Community Development incl. Volunteer centre Joint Policing Committee (JPC) Westmeath Heritage Forum Strategic Policy Committee = (SPC) Westmeath Music Generation Economic Development, Enterprise and Tourism (SPC) Westmeath Regional Sports Centre Environment, Climate Action and Emergency Westmeath Road Safety Forum Service (SPC) Westmeath Age Friendly Council Housing, Community, Corporate and Culture (SPC) Westmeath Water Monitoring Committee Planning and Transportation (SPC) Regional Money Advice & Budgeting Service (MABS) Midland Regional Drugs & Alcohol Task Force Westmeath Sport & Recreation Forum (MRADTF) Athlone/Moate Municipal District Westmeath County Childcare Committee Mullingar/Kinnegad Municipal District 8 “Westmeath is a flourishing community with a thriving Westmeath economy where we live and work sustainably. It is a welcoming and safe place which values and respects all people. We enjoy a beautiful and healthy natural Community environment and celebrate our rich heritage. Each of us has the freedom to live the life we choose Wellbeing Vision and have a say in decisions that affect us. We all participate in our communities making them vibrant places where no-one is left behind. We are all 2020-2024 supported to be the best that we can be.’’

9 It is envisioned that this Community Wellbeing Westmeath vision/ statement will guide the work of Westmeath Community PPN, as well as how we do our work.

Wellbeing Vision Soft copy of Westmeath Community wellbeing vision is available on WPPN 2020-2024 Website under ‘Resources’

Health (physical & mental) We can also post out hard copies on request WPPN Environment & Work, 044-9332157 [email protected] Sustainability Economy & Resources

Community Wellbeing

www.westmeathppn.ie Values, Social & Culture & Community Meaning Development

Participation, Democracy & Good Governance 10 The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

11 Westmeath Purpose The strategic plan’s key purpose is to orientate the PPN’s systems and resources in a common direction in order to PPN 5 Year achieve the agreed goals. The strategic plan will also assist Westmeath PPN in further Strategic Plan establishing credibility as an organisation and expanding the scale and scope of work conducted by the organisation. 2021-2025

WPPN Overall WPPN Overall Strategic Goal Strategic Goal That Westmeath PPN is an integral and respected local decision-making That Westmeath PPN is an integral and partner and network. It is engaged and pro-actively consulted in the development respected local decision-making partner of all Westmeath community, social, economic and infrastructural policies. Its members are well supported and network. It is engaged and pro-actively and aware of their ability to make a difference for their consulted in the development of all community. Westmeath community, social, economic and infrastructural policies. Its members are well supported and aware of their ability

Westmeath Public Participation Network (WPPN) to make a difference for their community. Community Development Section, Westmeath County Council, Áras an Chontae, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, N91 FH4N

Direct Line: 044 9332157 Email: [email protected] Website: www.westmeathppn.ie

Westmeath PPN Resource Worker Brigid Geoghegan Westmeath PPN Support Worker Ursula Harper

Westmeath PPN Strategic Plan 2021-25 1 12 Westmeath PPN Strategic Plan 2021-25

Over all goal of WPPN 1 2 3 4 5

Improving our Improving our Improving our Improving our Environment & Membership Network Communications Representation sustainability That Westmeath PPN is an Supports integral and respected local decision-making partner and 1. Operate the 5. Develop 8. Provide a range 12. Progress the 15. WPPN will network. network to the communications. of training PPN as a operate in an highest possible supports. mandatory environmentally standard. 6. Showcase our consultative and sustainable way. achievements. 9. Create more participatory 16. WPPN will 2. Develop networking structure. working Linkage 7. WPPN will work opportunities. actively try It is engaged and pro-actively / Thematic to communicate 13. Foster key to positively Groups. clearly and 10. Sharing partnerships influence policy consulted in the development concisely to its opportunities and explore on issues such of all Westmeath community, 3. Grow members & the and supports further public as Climate social, economic and Westmeath PPN wider public. for PPN participation Action. membership in Representatives. initiatives. 17. WPPN will strive infrastructural policies. a planned and 11. Develop 14. Further develop to encourage sustainable relationships our members way. methods to make the PPN between the to conduct 4. Increase the more understood PPN relevant their activities operational and accessible agencies, in a safe and Its members are well capacity of the to all. organisations environmentally supported and aware of their PPN. and Public responsible ability to make a difference Representatives. manner. for their community. 13 WPPN Linkage Groups

Linkage Groups are the way that PPN member organisations Arts, can have a real input into policy in their area of operation. Community, Heritage Linkage Groups bring together all PPN groups who have a and Sports relevant interest or remit in a issue, to discuss their diverse Climate views and interests in a specific area; -regardless of which Change, Municipal District or Pillar they belong to. Environment WPPN representatives are all members of Linkage Groups; and Water and so can hear the voice of PPN member groups, and also Community feedback any updates from the committees they are on. Safety, These Linkage groups nominate for election PPN Crime and representatives to Boards or Committees, receive feedback Policing Social from those representatives and direct their activity. Inclusion, Rural They may also set policy priorities and input into Development, consultations etc. on behalf of PPN. Youth & This in turn helps the member organisations to gain a Housing, Enterprise deeper understanding of the local policy process. Planning It is important to note that the role of a Linkage and Group is to facilitate and enable organisations to Transport articulate a diverse range of views and interests within the local government system, not to reduce this diversity. 14 WPPN Secretariat 2019-2023

Anne Drury Maureen McCormack Hugh Farrell Social Inclusion Pillar, Mullingar/Kinnegad Athlone/Moate Representative Municipal District, Municipal District, Representative Representative

John Mangan Westmeath Dave Raftis Environment Pillar, Environment Pillar,

Representative PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NETWORK Representative

Kevin Brady Catherine McEntee Margaret Kiernan Community & Community & Social Inclusion Pillar, Voluntary Pillar, Voluntary Pillar, Representative Representative Representative

15 Westmeath PPN For more information Contact: Westmeath Public Participation Network WPPN Resource Worker: Brigid Geoghegan WPPN Support Worker: Ursula Harper Phone: 044-9332157 Email: [email protected] Web: www.westmeathppn.ie Postal Address: Community Development Section, Westmeath County Council, Áras an Chontae, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, N91 FH4N

Westmeath

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NETWORK