What are Linkage Groups?
Linkage Groups are thematic sub-groups of the PPN which correspond directly to Council services. They bring together PPN members that have either a remit or an interest in these services. Linkage Groups provide a mechanism though which the PPN influences policies and decisions made by the Council.
Linkage Groups elect representatives from amongst their membership to sit on Council committees and other fora on behalf of the PPN. Through these representatives, the PPN participates in shaping policies that affect Carlow communities, and is kept informed of developments within the Council.
Role of Linkage Groups?
Council Committees and decision making bodies require representation from the PPN. Person(s) chosen to represent the PPN in such bodies will meet established Linkage Groups regularly.
- The Linkage Group should operate as their reference group on the issues arising.
- They will report back to the Linkage Group after every meeting.
- They will take direction from the Linkage Group on the positions they are to take on particular issues.
- Each representative taking up such a position for the PPN must represent the views of all the members of the Linkage Group and not just those of their own organisation.
How are Linkage Groups organised?
The PPN is allocated 1 seat on most of the sub-committees of the Council but does not have a seat on the TAC SPC. It is through Linkage Groups that the PPN nominates its representatives onto these sub-committees. In turn, these representatives keep Linkage Groups members up-to-date with developments on the sub-committees.
A PPN member organisation can join any (or all) Linkage Groups which it has an interest in. There is a Linkage Group in place for each of the Council sub-committees, which are:
Membership
As a member of the PPN, you can be as involved as much as you wish, depending on your capacity and resources. At a minimum, we would encourage our member organisations to make sure a representative is present at most Plenary meetings. These are usually held every 2 months. You will be kept up to date on the PPN programme with a fortnightly newsletter and by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If your group believes involvement is beneficial to your work, why not get involved as a Representative to a Council committee or taskforce, or consider running for election to the Secretariat? There is a PPN experience there to cater for every group.
SPCs are committees which set the policy direction of the Council. There are currently five SPCs in Cork City, which broadly correspond with the main services offered by the Council:
- Housing & Community Services
- Roads & Transportation
- Environment & Recreation
- Strategic Planning, Economic Development & Enterprise
- Tourism, Arts & Culture
Role of Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs)
SPCs give Councillors and other relevant bodies (including the PPN) an opportunity to be involved in Council policy-making from the early stages. The Council is and remains the decision-making Authority. SPCs, as committees of the Council, advise and assist the Council in the formulation, development and review of policy. SPCs do not deal with routine operational matters regarding the delivery of Council services. They are strategic in nature and, as such, only deal only with policy matters.
SPCs usually meet about 4 times a year.
Membership of SPCs
Each Committee has 9 members, 6 members of Council and 3 from sectoral interests. Currently Cork City PPN holds one seat on each SPC, with the exception of TAC SPC, which has not invited any representation from the PPN.
- Agriculture / Farming
- Development / Construction
- Business / Commercial
- Trade Union
- Community / Voluntary (PPN)
- Environment / Conservation (PPN)
- Social inclusion (PPN)
Each local authority has a Joint Policing Committee. Its role is to facilitate greater consultation, cooperation and accountability on the management of policing and crime issues. Each JPC is made up of:
- Chairperson – Local Authority representative
- Garda Officers
- Local Authority Councillors
- TD and/or Senators
- Community/Voluntary sector representatives
Functions of JPCs
- Serve as a forum for consultations and discussions on matters of crime and policing
- Review levels, patterns of crime and any underlying factors
- Establish/coordinate Local Policing Fora
Membership
Cork City Council’s JPC has 31 members made up as follows:
| Councillors | 15 |
| TDs/Senators | 5 |
| Council Officials | 2 |
| Gardaí | 2 |
| Community Representatives | 7 |
Matters for Discussion by JPCs
JPCs may not discuss matters which may:
- Endanger security of individuals
- Relate to an individual
- Expose information received in confidence
- Prejudice crime prevention/detection
- Prejudice a Garda operation
Each Local Authority has a Local Community Development Committee. Its aim is to ensure an integrated approach to local and community development in its area.
Cork LCDC role is to:
- Prepare a 6-year Local Economic and Community Plan.
- Implement, review, amend and monitor this plan on an ongoing basis.
- Co-ordinate and oversee the implementation of local and community development programmes that have been approved by it.
Membership of LCDC
There are 17 members of Cork LCDC:
- 8 from the statutory sector
- 9 from the non-statutory sector
| Statutory Sector | |
|---|---|
| Councillors | 4 |
| Council Staff | 1 |
| Public Sector Bodies (HSE, X, X) | 3 |
| Non-Statutory Sector | |
| Local Development Companies: Ballyhoura Development PAUL Partnership West Limerick Resources |
3 |
| PPN Community & Voluntary Sector Social Inclusion Sector Environment Sector |
2 2 1 |
| Agriculture | 1 |
| Total | 17 |
Housing & Community Strategic Policy Committee
Environment & Recreation Strategic Policy Committee
Strategic Planning, Economic Development & Enterprise Strategic Policy Committee
Tourism, Arts & Culture Strategic Policy Committee
Roads & Transportation Strategic Policy Committee
Joint Policing Committee
