Press Release 6 Dec 2010: "Community Forum shocked over proposed cutbacks" - Click here.

Press Release 1 November 2010: "No further cuts to Galway’s Community and Voluntary Sector" - Click here.

Press Release 21 September 2010: "Community Forum to push for a city-wide policy on community engagement" - Click here.

Press Release 8 June 2010: "Community Forum to organise Public Meeting on Development Plan with Local Councillors" - Click here.

Press Release 9 Sept 2009: "Community Forum: McCarthy-Report is a serious threat to Galway's Community and Voluntary Sector" - Click here.

Press Release 7 July 2009:Community Forum calls on Galway's creative minds to take part in public consultation on new City Arts Strategy Click here.

Press Release 22 April 2009: "Community Forum plants seeds for revival of Galway City" - Click here.

Press Release 1 May 2009: "Community Forum meets with Minister of Transport over City's traffic congestion" - click here.

Press Release, 5 May 2009: "Community Forum to organise election meeting with local candidates" - Click here.

Press Release, 20 May 2009: "Successful Community Forum meeting with local candidates" - Click here.

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PRESS RELEASE - 6 December 2010

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Community Forum shocked over proposed cutbacks

In an effort to push for a city-wide policy on community engagement, Galway City Community Forum (GCCF) today published a discussion paper on how to ensure successful consultation processes.

Tommy Flaherty, GCCF Chairperson, explains "Engaging with local communities is an important way to make sure that the right policies are put in place, policies that will improve peoples' quality of life. It leads to better decisions, stronger participation and increases the chances for successful implementation of policies, strategies and work plans. In particular when it comes to city-wide initiatives that will affect many peoples life's such as the new Development Plan, it is crucial to listen to the community voice".

"Over the years, GCCF has had both positive and negative experiences with taking part in community consultations. The aim of this document is to start a debate that will result in common guidelines across the City for more consistently successful consultation processes", Tommy Flaherty continues.

The discussion paper, which has been circulated to members of Galway City Council and Galway City Development Board, outlines ten practical steps to successful community engagements, considering all stages of the consultation process.

"We have put a lot of effort into developing this document and the feed back so far has been very positive. In the spirit of the document, we will seek engage with all the relevant authorities and organisations to see if we can find common ground around the proposals we've made, ideally in a city-wide policy document", Tommy Flaherty finishes.

Galway City Community Forum (GCCF) was set up in 2000 with the aim to act as the collective representative voice for the community and voluntary sector in the city. Today, GCCF has more than 235 affiliated groups and organisations from all walks of life and all areas of the City. The Forum participates actively in the development of Galway City, and is represented on a number of important committees and boards, including Galway City Council's Strategic Policy Committees and Galway City Development Board.

For more information on the Community Forum's Discussion Paper, and the Forum's policies in general, please log on to www.galwaycityforum.ie.

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For further comments please contact Chairperson, Tommy Flaherty, on Tel. 091-768300.

For general information on Galway City Community Forum, please contact Co-ordinator, Poul Walsh Olesen, on Tel. 091-536458.