Latest News

As you are all aware the Ukrainian people need our help and support in these devastating and harrowing times due to the unprovoked attack on their country by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Longford PPN and Longford Civil Defence are now launching an appeal for emergency items, non-perishable foods, animal food and toiletries. (Items listed below).

We would not be able to do this without the kind support of our Partners and dedicated drop off points:

• Lús na Greine Family Resource Centre, Granard

• Bridgeways Resource Centre, Ballymahon

• Longford Women’s Link (training room)

Donations will be collected from the above depots at various intervals by Emma Reid and the Civil Defence team, itemised, recorded and stored in their store room. I have spoken with Green Speed and Dublin WOSP and a collection date will be finalised over the coming weeks. All donations will be transported to the Polish Red Cross.

Our thoughts are with Ukrainian people everywhere, our Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Slovakian and Romanian residents in County Longford and their countries who have stepped up and opened their doors to Ukrainian refugees. County Longford will continue to support you

Kind Regards,

Siobhán

Emergency Items Required

• • Disposable gloves and face masks
• • Sterile dressings
• • First aid bands with dressings
• • Corn removal plasters
• • Bandages: regular and elastic
• • Powerbanks, USB charging cables
• • Battery operated flashlights
• • Batteries
• • Painkillers (paracetamol)

Non- Perishable Foods

• Canned Food/ Non-perishable food
• Cereals
• Dry Rations (flour,milk food, pulses, rice, pasta, spices, sugar etc.)
• Tea/ Coffee
• Chocolate bars

Animal Food

• Dog Food
• Cat Food

Toiletries

• Toothpaste
• Tooth Brushes
• Sanitary products
• Shower Gel
• Baby products (nappies, wipes, creams etc.)

The PPN Secretariat are delighted to invite you and your group members to your plenary meeting in your municipal district.

• Tues 8th March @ 7pm sharp, Granard Library           
• Wed 9th March @7pm sharp, Ballymahon Library        
• Thurs 10th March @7pm sharp, Longford Arms Hotel (small ballroom)

At the meeting, you will hear about the PPN work plan and take part in the Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) workshop which will be facilitated by the LCSP Coordinator, Janine Bartley.

The concept of community safety is about people being safe and feeling safe in their own community. Ireland is generally regarded as a safe country, with relatively low crime rates and a general feeling of safety and security.

However, the LCSP recognise that this is not the case in every section of the community and that people from disadvantaged areas or backgrounds, from vulnerable groups (such as older people, LGBTQI+, ethnic minorities) can have a different experience of  ‘safety’ in their community.

The LCSP (previously the Joint Policing Committee) is responsible for developing a tailored and prioritised local community safety plan for Longford in conjunction with both community and public services.

We want to build the capacity of local residents to help them to engage meaningfully in the Local Community Safety Partnership and grow local community leadership and participation.

Longford LCSP has identified 5 broad themes to develop the Community Safety Plan. There are lots of sub-topics that come under each theme so priorities can be identified. We want to know what you think the LCSP should focus on when developing a Community Safety Plan for Longford

1. Policing and Emergency Services

(Crime, Garda Response, Drugs related Crime, Crime Prevention)

2. Community Engagement and Development

(Improving Longford’s Image, Capacity Building, Community-Led Initiatives, work with minority/vulnerable groups)

3. Youth;  Prevention Initiatives & Education

(Services and projects for young people, Education supports- all types, Awareness Campaigns for drugs, social issues, supporting jobs)

4. Public Spaces and Amenities

(Improving public areas, dereliction, public lighting, Town Centre Renewal, CCTV)

5. Community Services and Family Supports 

(Community & State agency supports, helping people accessing services, building better collaboration)

LCSP are also running a survey as part of a public consultation to develop the Community Safety Plan. Please click on the link below to take part in the survey

<https://survey.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6xsuRoHYITaNqmy>

Please click on the link below to read more about the LCSP project.

<https://www.longfordcoco.ie/longfordcoco/services/economic-community-development/community-development/longford-local-community-safety-partnership/>

The meetings will close with refreshments and the PPN Spin the Wheel raffle.

Look forward to meeting you all again in person. Please share this information with your group members.

Kind Regards,

Siobhán on behalf of the Longford PPN Secretariat

Siobhán Cronogue

PPN Development Officer,

Public Participation Network

E-mail  ppn@longfordcoco.ie or scronogue@longfordcoco.ie

The Local Authority Waters Programme gave an online presentation on the Draft River Basin Management Plan 2022-2027 to PPN members on the 25th November 2021.

Karen Kennedy, Community Water Officer, Local Authority Waters Programme and Joan Martin, Catchment Scientist presented on the evening.

The draft River Basin Management Plan aims to protect and restore good water quality in our rivers and lakes benefiting health, biodiversity, climate, and communities.

The presentation was titled Our Waters, Our Future, Our Plan covered;

• An overview of Draft River Basin Management Plan – what it is, why it’s important, pressures on our waters, actions proposed to help protect and improve water quality, who will be responsible for delivery
• Work to date protecting and restoring our rivers and lakes
• Current water quality trends, both nationally and in Co. Longford
• Community engagement and involvement
• What needs to happen to protect and restore good water quality in the rivers and lakes of Co. Longford and,
• how to make a submission – your views and comments on what needs to happen to protect and restore water quality in your local stream, river or lake.

Link to the presentation below:

Draft River Basin Management Plan 2022-27 Presentation

Please also see the link to the Local Authority Waters Programme’s virtual consultation room

https://drbmp-vcr.ie/ which provides accessible information on the draft Plan.

Below are links to websites that were mentioned and will provide further information.

https://lawaters.ie/

https://www.catchments.ie/

https://www.water.ie/news/boil-water-notice-issued-35/

PPN County Plenary Meeting, Wednesday, November 17th @ 7pm – 8.30pm.

We are delighted to announce guest speakers:

Paddy Mahon, Chief Executive, Longford County Council who will speak about the County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 and let us know all the exciting plans for Longford over the coming years.

Fr. Sean Healy, Social Justice Ireland who will speak about the successes and challenges of PPN’s and what he believes our future holds. Sean led the working group who recommended the establishment of PPN’s in late 2013.

Siobhán Cronogue, PPN Development Officer, will also give an update on the PPN workplan 2021 and of course we will close the meeting with our raffle.

Meeting link has been circulated to our members.  To register for the meeting email hgorman@longfordcoco.ie or ppn@longfordcoco.ie.

Climate Action Fund

The Climate Action Fund (CAF) was established to provide assistance and financial support to projects which will help Ireland achieve its climate and energy targets. The CAF will provide at least €500 million in government funding up to 2027 towards this aim. The Fund will allow for the development of innovative initiatives which, without this support, may not otherwise be possible to accomplish. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) is responsible for the Fund’s implementation.

More information https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/de5d3-climate-action-fund/

Ministers Humphreys and O’Brien announce €9 million Fund to support community groups impacted by COVID-19

PPN County Plenary Meeting, Wednesday, November 17th @ 7pm – 8.30pm.

We are delighted to announce guest speakers:

Paddy Mahon, Chief Executive, Longford County Council who will speak about the County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 and let us know all the exciting plans for Longford over the coming years.

Fr. Sean Healy, Social Justice Ireland who will speak about the successes and challenges of PPN’s and what he believes our future holds. Sean led the working group who recommended the establishment of PPN’s in late 2013.

Siobhán Cronogue, PPN Development Officer, will also give an update on the PPN workplan 2021 and of course we will close the meeting with our raffle.

Longford PPN have teamed up with the Community Gardai in the Granard and Longford MD’s to work on a fund raising event called “Operation Blue Santa”. Operation Blue Santa will ensure six local charities receive funds to support families in need this Christmas. The charities are:

• Longford Women’s Link    (043) 3341151
• Bridgeways Family Resource Centre   (090) 643 2691
• Lus na Greine Family Resource Centre  (043) 6660977
• St. Christopher’s Services  (043) 3341769
• Longford Community Resources CLG  (043) 3345555
• Little Blue Hero’s

To help with this the Band of An Garda Síochána will perform a concert in St. Mel’s Cathedral on Sunday 31st October 2021 @3pm.  Tickets are €10 each and are available for purchase from each of the above charities or at the PPN, Longford County Council, Great Water Street, Longford.  

Please would really appreciate your support !   Thank you 

You are invited by Francesca Pawelczyk, Environmental Rep, PPN Secretariat with the support of County Longford PPN to the virtual screening of the film 2040 to mark the launch of Longford Local Environmental Network. 

“Damon embarked on a global journey to meet innovators and changemakers in the areas of economics, technology, civil society, agriculture, education and sustainability.

Drawing on their expertise, he sought to identify the best solutions, available to us now, that would help improve the health of our planet and the societies that operate within it” 

The film will be available to view for free on the 9th and 10th October

Register by email at LongfordLEN@gmail.com or hgorman@longfordcoco.ie

A virtual launch of the Longford Local Environmental Network will be held on Tuesday the 12th October @ 19.00hrs (7pm)

Guest Speakers at the launch will be:

Longford Mayor, Councillor Uruemu Adejinmi

Longford County Council Climate Action Officer, Bernard Shea

Irish Environmental Network Development Officer, Catherine O’Toole

Longford PPN Development Officer, Siobhán Cronogue

The aims of the Longford LEN are to create a space for people to connect and discuss environmental concerns; share (local area) knowledge and information; host and promote events; develop and provide support for projects; and help make the Public Participation Network’s Wellbeing Visions a reality

Register for the launch by email at LongfordLEN@gmail.com or hgorman@longfordcoco.ie

Community representative vacancies have arisen on the following committees/board:

• PPN Secretariat – 1 Community & Voluntary Representative;

• Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) – 1 Community & Voluntary Representative and 2 Social Inclusion Representatives;

• Climate Action and Planning Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) – 1 Environmental Represesntative;

• Longford Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) : – 8 Community Representatives
  • 4 Local Resident representatives who live in the area to represent new communities, minority communities, victims’ groups, residents’ associations, tidy towns group/development associations;
  • 2 Community representatives involved in community/social projects;
  • 2 Youth representatives, including a young person under the age of 25.

County Longford PPN are currently seeking nominations for the above voluntary positions. If you or a member of your group would like to go forward for election can you please complete the nomination form which has been forwarded to your group contact or download a nomination form at the following link  PPN Rep Nomination Form 2021

The deadline for submission of interest is 5pm, Friday 16^th July 2021.

As we are unable to meet in person due to the current COVID19 restrictions, the PPN Secretariat will ensure that all groups have an opportunity to participate in a fair and transparent manner. Once nominations are received, elections will take place by using a blended approach i.e. online and postal voting.

If you have any questions regarding the PPN Secretariat, Local Community Safety Partnership or the PPN process for seeking nominations/elections please do not hesitate to contact the ppn at email ppn@longfordcoco.ie or phone: 043 33 43492/087 261 5583.  Further information on all committees below:

Community & Voluntary PPN Secretariat C&V PPN Secretariat

LCDC  LCDC Info

Local Community Safety Partnership Local Community Safety Partnership

Climate Action and Planning SPC  Climate Action and Planning SPC Info

If you require further information on the LCDC or Climate Action and Planning SPC, please contact Ciaran Murphy, Senior Executive Officer, Longford County Council on 043 33 43506 or email: cmurphy@longfordcoco.ie .

Cathaoirligh and Leas Cathaoirligh elected at 2021 Annual Meetings

Longford County Council.

Annual Meeting held on 30th June 2021.

Cathaoirleach                    Councillor Peggy Nolan.

Leas Cathaoirleach           Councillor Paraic Brady

Granard Municipal District

Annual Meeting held on 22nd June 2021

Cathaoirleach                     Councillor Paraic Brady

Leas Cathaoirleach            Councillor Garry Murtagh

Ballymahon Municipal District

Annual Meeting held on 24^th June 2021

Cathaoirleach                     Councillor  Mick Cahill

Leas Cathaoirleach            Councillor   Paul Ross

Longford Municipal District

Annual Meeting held on  23^rd  June 2021

Cathaoirleach                      Councillor Uruemu Adejinmi

Leas Cathaoirleach             Councillor Gerry Hagan

Please see below the links to accompany the attached presentation on #Our Rural Future to PPN’s for circulation to all stakeholders in your PPN.  Dept. of Rural & Community Development Presentation link  Our Rural Future – PPN

You will also find more information at the following links

Our Rural Future, (overall policy for 2021-2025): https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/4c236-our-rural-future-vision-and-policy-context/

2021 Work Programme, containing actions and deadlines: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/bcbca-our-rural-future-annual-work-programmes-and-progress-reports/

Dear PPN Members,

You are cordially invited to the PPN Municipal District (MD) Plenary Meeting for your area. Based on topics that are currently of interest to community members the PPN Secretariat are delighted to announce the following Guest Speakers for all three meetings:

Catherine O’ Toole, Irish Environmental Network – will present the benefits of establishing a Longford Environmental Network. As you maybe aware groups such as Tidy Towns and other environmental interest groups can now transfer from the Community & Voluntary College of the PPN to the Environmental College. If your group does not wish to transfer, members/individuals of any community group who are interested in environmental issues and how Longford can respond are invited to join the Longford Environmental Network, an initiative brought forward by Francesca Pawelczyk, PPN Environmental Rep on the Secretariat.

Christine Collins, Longford County Council Broadband and Digital Officer – will share vital information and bring you up to speed on the county’s Community Hubs, what they will be used for, who can use them, what training will be provided to the public, where the funding for these hubs came from, how they will be managed and much more.

Clare McEnroe, Grow Remote Longford Chapter– will also share vital information on how you can find remote work and continue to live locally.

If you have any specific questions for any of the speakers please submit them to Helen or Siobhán prior to the meeting so we can stick to the meeting time schedule. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions on the night.

The meetings will close with our normal raffle, 1st prize €200, 2nd prize €100 and 3rd prize €50.

Meeting details below: Members can register for their MD Meeting by emailing Helen Gorman, hgorman@longfordcoco.ie or Siobhán Cronogue at ppn@longfordcoco.ie.  Looking forward to seeing you all then !

Granard MD Plenary Meeting

Date/Time : Tues 18th May 2021, 7pm via MS Teams.

Ballymahon MD Plenary Meeting

Date/ Time : Wed 19th May 2021, 7pm via MS Teams

Longford MD Plenary Meeting

Date/Time : Thurs 20th May 2021, 7pm via MS Teams

See below Agenda for Longford County Council’s Longford Municipal District meeting to be held via Microsoft Teams on 28th April 2021. This meeting is open to the public.

LONGFORD MUNICIPAL DISTRICT

Please note meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams. 22^nd April 2021.

To:   Each Member of Longford Municipal District.                                                 

Dear Member,

You are requested to attend the Meeting of Longford Municipal District to be held

via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 28^th April 2021 at 4.30 p.m. to transact business, as set out on the Agenda hereunder.

Yours sincerely,

Ann Marie Mc Keon

________________

Ann Marie Mc Keon

Meetings Administrator.

AGENDA

Prayer before meeting.

1. Confirmation of Minutes:

(a)       Longford Municipal District Meeting held on the 24^th March 2021 – copy

enclosed.

(b)       Longford Municipal District Committee Meeting held on the 24^th March 2021

– copy enclosed.

2. Matters arising from Minutes.
3. Declaration of Interest by Members.
4. Management Report – enclosed.
5. Consideration of three applications for funding under the 2021 Community Grant

Support Scheme – list enclosed

6.  Consideration of Adoption of Part 8, No. 84, R198 Battery Road Rehabilitation Scheme

at Battery Road, Longford Report in Accordance with Section 179 of the Planning and

Development Act 2000 (as amended) and Part 8 of the Planning & Development             Regulations 2001 (As Amended) – details enclosed.

7. Notices of Motions, submitted by Councillors, as listed hereunder 

Councillor John Browne

“In Interest of safety I call on Longford County Council to have the damaged section of the R198 roadway, repaired and overlaid between Cahanagh Cross and the Creenagh Lane.

The road on one side has deteriorated following various repairs carried out, arising from bursts in the mains water pipe over the past few years and recent pipe laying along the other side of the main road is leading to subsidence.

            Councillor Seamus Butler

‘That Longford Municipal District will provide whatever civil works and assistances that are required to mount the Squirrel statue prototype provided by the Mide Arts Group in Newtownforbes’

Councillor Seamus Butler

‘could we please have an update on the taking in charge of Leader Park’

Councillor Uruemu Adejinmi

“I call on Longford County Council to extend the footpath on Knockmartin Lane to the N4 and link it to the Drumlish road to form a loop and create a safe walking route for residents.”

The Roscommon-Longford Garda Division, in association with Roscommon and Longford County Councils, are delighted to hold the 3^rd annual Roscommon-Longford Garda Youth Awards.

The awards celebrate outstanding young people between the ages of 13 and 21 years.  Roscommon-Longford Gardai, along with Roscommon and Longford County Councils, recognise that a lot of good work is being done by young people in every community throughout both counties which should be rewarded.

Awards will be considered for nominated young people who by their presence, make their communities a better place to live.  There will be four (4) winners of the Roscommon-Longford Garda Youth Awards for 2021:

• Individual – where a young person has made a positive contribution to their community making it a better place to live.
• Group – where 2 or more made a positive contribution to their community making it a better place to live.
• Special Achievement – where a young person has overcome difficult circumstances, defied all the odds and whose commitment deserves recognition.
• Community Safety – where a young person or persons, through a crime prevention or safety initiative / innovation, have made their community a safer place to live in.

A judging panel will decide upon a nominee in each category and their nomination form will then be forwarded to represent the Roscommon-Longford Garda Division for consideration for the National Garda Youth Awards in October, 2021.  It is hoped that the Roscommon-Longford Garda Youth Awards will be presented at a virtual ceremony before the end of May.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could circulate the attached nomination form and media consent form to relevant persons/organisations/groups under your responsibility, where applicable.

Nomination forms (in typed format) and media consent forms should be emailed to Roscommon.GardaYouthAwards@Garda.ie or posted/handed in to the Community Policing Unit at Castlerea / Granard / Longford / Roscommon Garda stations or directly to Garda Angela Mullooly, Strokestown Garda Station, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon F42 EY27 before Friday, 30^th April, 2020.

Should you any queries please do not hesitate to contact Angela by email at Angela.M.Mullooly@Garda.ie or at Strokestown Garda Station 071-963 3002 or 087-7955098.

Sent by Garda Angela Mullooly on behalf of Inspector David Cryan, Community Policing Unit, Roscommon-Longford.

Media Consent Form -Youth Awards

Nomination Form – Garda Youth Awards

The PPN Global Goals on-line session held in March was delivered by Longford PPN and facilitated Wellbeing Coach /Consultant Anna D. Atkinson.   The Global Goals Sessions explore themes relating to the Sustainable Development Goals. This month’s session focused on climate change, sustainability, ethical living, and the impact of our everyday actions on the planet, people, and animals.  To view the full presentation see the link below:

Lus na Greine Youth Group

On 10^th March the Public Participation Network were delighted to welcome member groups throughout County Longford to the first County Plenary Meeting of 2021.

The meeting was chaired by Tess Murphy, Secretariat and Siobhán presented an update on the PPN Workplan 2021 to date.  

Guest speakers on the night were:

• Anne Marie Corroon, Westmeath County Council and the N4 Mullingar to Longford (Roosky) Project Team annemarie.corroon@westmeathcoco.ie

• Tara Farrell, CEO, Longford Womens Link tarafarrell@lwl.ie

• Michelle Maher (SHE – See Her Elected project) info@seeherelected.ie

• Diarmuid Murray, Agricultural Affairs, Macra na Feirme murraydiarmuid@gmail.com

Recording of PPN County Plenary Meeting 10th March 2021

The PPN Global Goals on-line session took place on Friday 26th February.  This session was the sixth in a series of online Global Goals sessions delivered by Longford PPN and facilitated Wellbeing Coach /Consultant Anna D. Atkinson.   The Global Goals Sessions explore themes relating to the Sustainable Development Goals. This month’s session was entitled ‘Women, Wellbeing & Climate Change’.  The link for the presentation is below together with additional interesting video links embedded in the presentation on the subject.

Women, Wellbeing & Climate Change