The main reason the PPNs were set up is to enable community groups to be represented and to feed into local government decision-making in a way that is fair, clear and respectful. The PPNs have three main areas of interest, also called ‘Colleges’:
- Community and Voluntary
- Social Inclusion
- Environmental
On becoming a member of a PPN, each organisation is asked to select its College which represents their main interest. The Colleges nominate and elect people from within their Member Groups to represent them on some of the Boards and Committees set up by the Local Authorities and other bodies. This is key to the participation part of the Public Participation Networks. This is how the voices of Member Groups are included and heard when it comes to the policy and decision-making process.
We currently have vacancies on the Cork County PPN SPCs (see details below). The deadline for nominations is Midnight of October 11th 2024.
If you have any questions, please contact us on 0214 285340 or email .
Current Vacancies
Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs)
Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs) are local authority committees in city and county councils whose membership includes elected councillors, representatives of business, farming interests, trade unions, the environment, social inclusion and the community sectors. The PPN is responsible for the election of environment, social inclusion and the community sectors Reps onto SPCs. To find out more about the scheme, you can read the STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEE SCHEME 2019-2024 on the Cork County Council’s website.
It is the task of the Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs), as committees of the council, to advise and assist the council in the formulation, development and review of policy. They have no remit in relation to routine operational matters regarding the delivery of services. The SPC system is intended to give councillors and relevant sectoral interests an opportunity for full involvement in the policy making process from the early stages.
The deadline for nominations is Midnight of October 11th 2024.
Please submit your nomination by completing this form:
For more information on the role of a PPN Rep, please read our Representatives Charter:
For further details on the nomination process, see page 44 – 47 of the PPN Handbook (2020):