Laois County Community Forum

Laois Community Forum was established in 2000 as part of the process of setting up the County Development Board. The Community and Voluntary Sector is one of the Social Partners within the structure of the Board, and two of the Community Forum Members sit on the Board. A democratically elected Community Forum of 18 members (who represent the 5 electoral areas within the county) operates at a county level. There are close to 480 Community & Voluntary groups registered to date with the Forum

Laois County Community Forum was established to promote the participation of the community and voluntary sector in local decision-making in County Laois.

In 2000 all community and voluntary groups in the county were asked to register with the Laois County Community Forum and consulted on how to constitute the Forum and hold elections.

18 members were elected to form an executive representing the five electoral areas in the County.  Portlaoise, Mountmellick, Emo, Borris in Ossory and Luggacurran

Groups are registered in two clusters
Cluster 1:  Focus on economic/social/development and anti-disadvantage
Cluster 2: Focus on cultural/sporting/recreational/residence association type work

Purpose:
An integral part of the County Development Board process is the establishment and support of a Community Forum. The purpose of the Community Forum is to facilitate the representation of and participation by community and voluntary groups in matters relating to both Laois County Development Board and Laois County Council. It is also open to other constituent bodies of the Board to work through the Forum in matters relating to their own particular areas of responsibility or interest