Fingal Community & Voluntary Forum was formed in 1997 to fulfil Fingal County Council’s obligations under the aforementioned Government directive. The Forum was established to consider and provide advice on strategic issues that have implications for the Fingal area as well as to develop a greater understanding among the authorities and agencies involved in the planning and management of the Fingal area, and to assist and influence them in carrying out their functions. Since its inception, Forum membership has grown from a relatively small number of organisations to xxx individuals representing xx organisations, (a full list of members and membership criteria can be found in Appendix I.). As far as possible the Forum operates on an “equal partner” basis. There are two funding partners, the Department of Environment and Local Government and Fingal County Council.  An Executive committee of 24 members are elected from the membership. From this Executive an Officer Board are elected annually to manage the daily operations of the Forum. The Forum has an Administrator who has transitioned to a full-time role in 2007. Fingal County Council’s Community Department provides the Forum’s offices and facilities. The Forum currently meets monthly to discuss topical national and community issues. Current turnout rate for meetings is estimated at approximately 60 percent of total membership. The Forum provides:·         Strategic advice on matters that affect the Fingal area;·         Information on changes in the operating environment;·         Awareness and understanding of other stakeholders’ roles, responsibilities and aspirations and of the Fingal’s resources and associated management issues; and·         Networking opportunities of all kinds and at all levels. It does this by:·         Providing a known vehicle to work cross-sectorally;·         Exploring changes in legislation and policy and how they will affect the Community;·         Bringing together stakeholders, such as policy makers with those who are affected. As a partnership the Forum is well placed to provide a neutral platform for cross-sector communication and decision-making explicit to managing the future of Fingal community sustainably.

 

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 06 October 2009 21:56 )