Tidy Towns Agreement (Ireland)
TIDY TOWNS VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
[Committee Name] — [Town Name]
SuperValu TidyTowns Competition [Competition Year]
Date: [Agreement Date]
This Volunteer Participation Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into between [Committee Name] (the "Committee"), whose chairperson is [Chairperson Name] and whose secretary is [Secretary Name], operating in [Town Name] within the area of [Local Authority Name];
and
[Volunteer Name], of [Volunteer Address], Phone: [Volunteer Phone], Email: [Volunteer Email] (the "Volunteer").
1. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The Committee participates in the SuperValu TidyTowns Competition administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development. The Committee is established under the Local Government Act 2001 and is committed to improving the appearance, tidiness, and biodiversity of [Town Name]. The Volunteer wishes to participate in the Committee's activities for the [Competition Year] competition year on the terms set out in this Agreement.
2. VOLUNTEER ROLE AND ACTIVITIES
The Volunteer agrees to participate in the following role: [Volunteer Role].
The Volunteer's activities will include: [Activities Description].
The expected commitment is: [Meeting Frequency]. The Volunteer acknowledges that participation is entirely voluntary and that this Agreement does not create a contract of employment, an obligation to attend every activity, or any entitlement to remuneration.
3. VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT
The Volunteer agrees to: (a) treat all committee members, members of the public, and property with respect; (b) act in the best interests of [Town Name] and the Committee at all times; (c) follow all instructions given by the Chairperson or committee officers; (d) not make any public statement or representation on behalf of the Committee without prior authorisation; (e) raise any concerns or complaints with the Chairperson or Secretary in the first instance; and (f) withdraw from any activity if directed to do so by the Chairperson for safety or other legitimate reasons.
4. HEALTH AND SAFETY
The Committee is committed to the safety, health, and welfare of all volunteers and members of the public in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. The Volunteer shall: (a) participate only in activities that they are physically capable of performing safely; (b) use any personal protective equipment (PPE) provided by the Committee (e.g. high-visibility vests, gloves); (c) immediately report any accident, injury, or near-miss to the Chairperson or Secretary; and (d) not use machinery or power tools unless trained and authorised to do so.
The Volunteer's emergency contact is [Emergency Contact Name] ([Emergency Contact Phone]). The Committee will contact this person only in the event of a medical emergency during committee activities.
The Committee maintains public liability insurance in respect of its activities. The Volunteer acknowledges that participation in committee activities involves some physical risk and agrees to take reasonable precautions for their own safety.
5. DATA PROTECTION
The Committee processes the Volunteer's personal data (name, address, phone, email, and emergency contact details) for the purpose of organising and managing Tidy Towns activities. This processing is based on the Volunteer's participation in the Committee and is necessary for the Committee's legitimate interests under the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the Data Protection Act 2018.
The Volunteer has the right to access, correct, or request deletion of their personal data. Contact the Committee Secretary at [Committee Email] to exercise these rights. Personal data will be retained for the duration of the Volunteer's involvement with the Committee and for 3 years thereafter.
6. COMMITTEE OBLIGATIONS
The Committee shall: (a) provide the Volunteer with relevant information about planned activities and schedules; (b) provide appropriate PPE and equipment for volunteer activities; (c) maintain public liability insurance; (d) treat the Volunteer with respect and ensure a safe and inclusive environment; and (e) comply with all applicable requirements under the Local Government Act 2001 and the SuperValu TidyTowns Competition rules.
7. WITHDRAWAL
Either Party may end this Agreement at any time by giving written or verbal notice to the other. There is no minimum commitment period. The Volunteer may withdraw from individual activities or the Committee entirely at their discretion. The Committee may, in exceptional circumstances (e.g. breach of the Code of Conduct or safety concerns), request that a volunteer cease participation.
8. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of Ireland. Any dispute shall be resolved in the first instance through dialogue between the Volunteer and the Committee Chairperson.
I, [Volunteer Name], confirm that I have read and understood this Volunteer Participation Agreement and agree to participate in the activities of [Committee Name] on the terms set out above.
Volunteer
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
Committee Chairperson / Secretary
________________
Signature
Date: ________________
What Is a Tidy Towns Agreement (Ireland)?
A Tidy Towns Agreement in Ireland sets the terms on which the land, stock, or rural work is held or carried out between the parties, under the framework of the Work Act 2005.
The TidyTowns competition is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the TidyTowns Unit, and is regulated by the annually published Competition Rules and Regulations. While the competition rules do not mandate the use of a formal volunteer agreement, the practical management of a TidyTowns committee — which may involve dozens or hundreds of volunteers across multiple working events throughout the year — requires clear documentation of roles, responsibilities, and safety arrangements.
TidyTowns committees are typically unincorporated voluntary associations, though some are established as companies limited by guarantee or are sub-committees of their local community council or residents' association. Where the committee is a sub-committee of a registered charity or a company, it will be subject to the governance obligations applicable to that entity.
The legal framework relevant to TidyTowns activities includes the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (health and safety obligations to volunteers), the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 (data protection obligations), the Litter Pollution Acts 1997–2009 (legal basis for litter collection activities in public places), and the Road Traffic Acts and Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997 (rules applicable to work near roads). Local authority bye-laws may also apply to certain TidyTowns activities such as the placement of signage, planters, or structures in public spaces.
The TidyTowns volunteer agreement reflects the community-focused nature of TidyTowns participation and is designed to be accessible and straightforward for community volunteers, while confirming the committee meets its legal obligations in respect of health and safety, data protection, and governance.
The legal framework governing the Tidy Towns Agreement (Ireland) in Ireland draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under the Companies Act 2014, the Companies Registration Office (CRO) maintains the register of Irish companies. Section 343 of the Companies Act 2014 sets annual confirmation obligations. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2022. The Central Bank of Ireland regulates financial services under the Central Bank Act 1971. The High Court of Ireland has jurisdiction under Section 212 of the Companies Act 2014. Parties executing a Tidy Towns Agreement (Ireland) in Ireland should confirm the document reflects current Irish law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Companies Act 2014 sets the foundational requirements, while secondary legislation and statutory instruments may impose additional obligations depending on the specific circumstances of the transaction.
When Do You Need a Tidy Towns Agreement (Ireland)?
A TidyTowns Agreement is needed when a TidyTowns committee recruits new members or volunteers for the forthcoming competition year, when the committee is organising a major working event involving a large number of volunteers, or when a new committee is being established in a community that has not previously participated in the TidyTowns competition.
The agreement is particularly important when volunteers will be engaged in physically demanding or higher-risk activities such as painting buildings, working near roads, using power tools, or handling chemicals (herbicides, fertilisers) as part of the TidyTowns programme. In such cases, the agreement provides the basis for a targeted safety induction and risk assessment.
The agreement is also needed when the committee is collecting personal data from volunteers — names, contact details, photographs — for the purpose of managing the committee and promoting its activities through social media, the local press, and the TidyTowns competition entry. The agreement, together with a privacy notice, provides the transparency required by the GDPR.
Where the TidyTowns committee is supported by the local county or city council, the council may require the committee to have a formal volunteer agreement and insurance cover in place as a condition of providing financial support, equipment loans, or public liability insurance cover.
The agreement is also useful for managing disputes or misunderstandings within the committee, providing a clear reference point for the expected standards of conduct, the decision-making structure of the committee, and the process for resolving disagreements. TidyTowns committees are community organisations and the agreement should reflect a spirit of inclusivity, respect, and positive community engagement, while also confirming that the committee's legal obligations are met.
What to Include in Your Tidy Towns Agreement (Ireland)
A thorough TidyTowns Volunteer Agreement should contain the following key elements.
Parties: The name of the TidyTowns committee, the address of the area served, and the full name and contact details of the volunteer.
Committee structure: A brief description of the committee's governance structure, including the roles of Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and any other designated positions, and the process for committee meetings and decision-making.
Volunteer role: A description of the activities the volunteer will be involved in, the expected time commitment, and the name of the committee contact responsible for coordinating the volunteer's participation.
Non-employment: A clear statement that the volunteer's participation does not constitute employment and that the volunteer has no entitlement to wages, holiday pay, or other employment benefits, consistent with the principles applicable to Irish volunteering arrangements and the Terms of Employment (Information) Acts 1994–2014.
Code of conduct: Standards of behaviour expected of all volunteers, including treating all community members with respect and dignity, representing the committee in a positive manner, complying with the TidyTowns Competition Rules and Regulations, and refraining from activities that could bring the committee or the competition into disrepute.
Health and safety: The committee's obligations under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, including provision of a safety induction for new volunteers, use of appropriate personal protective equipment, and the requirement to follow the safety instructions of the event coordinator.
Insurance: Details of the committee's public liability insurance arrangement and any limitations on cover that volunteers should be aware of.
Data protection: A GDPR-compliant privacy notice explaining what personal data is collected from the volunteer, the lawful basis for processing, the purposes of processing, how long the data will be retained, and the volunteer's rights as a data subject.
Photography consent: A consent clause (or opt-out mechanism) addressing the committee's use of photographs and video recordings of volunteers for social media, press releases, and the competition entry.
Termination of participation: The procedure for a volunteer to withdraw from the committee and for the committee to ask a volunteer to cease participation (in cases of misconduct or breach of the code of conduct).
Committee policies: Reference to any relevant committee policies, including the TidyTowns competition entry strategy, the environmental and biodiversity plan, the equality and inclusion policy, and the social media policy. The forms-legal.com Tidy Towns Agreement (Ireland) template covers the mandatory elements under Companies Act 2014.
Additional compliance elements for a Tidy Towns Agreement (Ireland) used in Ireland include: Data Protection — the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR Article 6 require a lawful basis for processing personal data; Governing Law — specify Irish law and the jurisdiction of Irish courts; Dispute Resolution — parties may refer disputes to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for employment matters or initiate proceedings in the Circuit Court or High Court of Ireland for civil claims. Under the Companies Act 2014, the Companies Registration Office (CRO) maintains the register of Irish companies. Section 343 of the Companies Act 2014 sets annual confirmation obligations. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2022. The Central Bank of Ireland regulates financial services under the Central Bank Act 1971. The High Court of Ireland has jurisdiction under Section 212 of the Companies Act 2014. Revenue Commissioners require appropriate tax treatment of payments made under the agreement, including VAT under the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 where applicable.
Sources & Citations
Statutory citations link to official government sources.
- GDPR Article 6EU – GDPR
Cite this page
Reference this free template in an article, syllabus, or research note:
Forms Legal. (2026). Tidy Towns Agreement (Ireland) (Ireland) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/ireland/business/contracts/tidy-towns-agreement-ireland
"Tidy Towns Agreement (Ireland) (Ireland)." Forms Legal, 2026, https://forms-legal.com/ireland/business/contracts/tidy-towns-agreement-ireland.
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author = {{Forms Legal}},
title = {Tidy Towns Agreement (Ireland) (Ireland)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/ireland/business/contracts/tidy-towns-agreement-ireland}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Companies Act 2014}
}Frequently Asked Questions
The SuperValu TidyTowns Competition is Ireland's largest and longest-running community initiative, first held in 1958. It is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development (formerly the Department of the Environment) through the TidyTowns Unit, and is sponsored by SuperValu. The competition is open to cities, towns, villages, and rural areas throughout the Republic of Ireland and is one of the most prominent expressions of community volunteering and civic pride in the country. The competition is judged during the summer months (typically May to August) by independent adjudicators appointed by the Department. Adjudicators assess entries across a range of criteria including Overall Development Approach, Built Environment, Landscaping and Horticulture, Wildlife and Natural Amenities, Litter Control and Tidiness, Waste Minimisation and Recycling, and Residential Areas, Roads, Streets and Back Areas. Sustainability and biodiversity have become increasingly important assessment criteria in recent years, reflecting the national and EU policy agenda on climate action and nature restoration. Each participating community is required to register with the TidyTowns Unit each year and to submit an Entry Form describing their community's activities, developments, and planned improvements during the competition year. Communities are scored out of a maximum of 100 marks and receive a written adjudicator's report providing feedback and recommendations for improvement.
TidyTowns activities involve physical work in public and private spaces, including litter picking, planting and gardening, painting, and cleaning. These activities carry health and safety risks that must be managed by the TidyTowns committee in accordance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and associated regulations. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 imposes a duty of care on persons who control or manage a workplace or work activity. While TidyTowns committees are typically unincorporated voluntary associations rather than employers in the conventional sense, they are nonetheless responsible for managing the safety of their volunteers and for ensuring that TidyTowns activities are conducted in a safe manner. Section 12 of the Act imposes a duty on persons in control of a workplace (including public spaces where volunteer activities are being carried out) to manage their undertaking in a way that does not expose non-employees to risk. The key health and safety obligations for TidyTowns committees include:
Risk assessment: The committee should carry out a written risk assessment identifying the hazards associated with TidyTowns activities (litter picking, manual handling, working near roads, use of gardening tools, painting at height, etc.) and the control measures in place to manage those hazards. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007) provide detailed requirements for risk assessment and safety management.
TidyTowns committees collect and process personal data about their members and volunteers, including names, contact details, and photographs taken at community events. This processing is subject to the GDPR (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Key GDPR obligations for TidyTowns committees include:
Lawful basis for processing: Under Article 6 of the GDPR, the committee must identify a lawful basis for processing each category of personal data. For volunteer contact details, the lawful basis is typically legitimate interests (managing the volunteer programme and communicating with members about TidyTowns activities) or, where volunteers have signed a membership form, the performance of a contract. Transparency: Under Articles 13 and 14 of the GDPR, the committee must provide volunteers with a privacy notice at the time their data is collected. The privacy notice must specify who is responsible for the data, what data is being collected, the purposes of processing, the lawful basis, the retention period, the volunteer's rights as a data subject, and the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Commission (DPC). Photographs and video: Photographs and video recordings of identifiable individuals constitute personal data under the GDPR. TidyTowns committees that photograph volunteers or participants at events must have a lawful basis for taking and publishing photographs (typically consent for close-up individual photographs, or legitimate interests for general crowd photographs).
A Tidy Towns Agreement (Ireland) does not legally require a lawyer in Ireland, and individuals and businesses may draft and execute the document independently. The Companies Act 2014 does not mandate legal representation for the creation or signing of this type of document. However, seeking independent legal advice from a qualified Ireland lawyer is recommended for transactions involving substantial financial value, complex regulatory requirements, or cross-border elements where multiple legal jurisdictions may apply. A lawyer can verify that the document complies with all applicable statutory requirements, identify potential risks specific to the transaction, and confirm that the terms adequately protect the interests of all parties involved. The High Court of Ireland has jurisdiction over disputes arising from this type of document, and Companies Registration Office (CRO) may impose additional compliance obligations depending on the nature of the underlying transaction. Professional legal review is particularly advisable where the document will be submitted to government agencies or used as evidence in legal proceedings.
A Tidy Towns Agreement (Ireland) does not legally require a solicitor in Ireland, though legal advice is recommended for complex transactions. Under Irish law, individuals may draft and execute this type of document independently. The Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 confirms access to justice for self-represented parties. However, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), Companies Registration Office (CRO), or other regulatory bodies may have specific requirements. For transactions involving the Land Registry, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) requires solicitors for certain conveyancing matters under the Registration of Title Act 1964. The Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR impose obligations on parties handling personal data, and legal review confirms compliance with Section 7 of the Data Protection Act 2018. Where disputes arise, the Circuit Court or High Court of Ireland has jurisdiction. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point — always review with a qualified Irish solicitor for significant transactions involving substantial value or regulatory complexity.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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