Decision(s) taken:

To close the city centre market until further notice for public health reasons.

Decision of:

Strategic Director, Suzanne Hemingway

Date of decision:        

30 December 2020

Matter for Decision:

The reason for the closure is that there are large crowds gathering in the market to queue, and also in the market square and surrounding streets (especially Kings Parade) to eat takeaways purchased from market stalls.  Officers have reviewed the matter with Public Health colleagues, and their advice is that the crowds pose a real risk of viral spread and that, in the light of the rapidly rising rate of covid infection in the city, the Council should take action to reduce the crowds.

The Council considered whether other actions are available and  concluded that access cannot be limited to the market square due to the number of entrances into it, and officers do not believe there are legal powers to limit trading on the market to only certain stalls or types of goods.  The market square area was extremely busy 26/27 December and action is required ahead of this weekend, which as New Year could be even busier.

The following actions are being put in place:

1.    The decision will be communicated after any government changes that may be announced at 14:30, but before close of business.

2.    The Market manager will liaise with market traders affected by this

3.    The Council will work to identify what funding and support is available to market traders, ensure they are made aware of this, and consider if anything further should be done

4.    Will review the closure every two weeks to consider epidemiology (infection rates), national guidance, Public Health advice, any other locally relevant factors

5.    Whilst the market is closed the Council will investigate whether there are any other legal powers available to us, that would enable us to reopen parts of the market (eg outer stalls) and/ or limit trading to certain goods (eg fresh food / no hot food)

6.    Throughout, the Council will continue to robustly engage with bricks-and-mortar takeaway businesses to ensure they are managing queues and not permitting too many people inside at any one time. The Environmental Health team are willing to use enforcement powers where needed.

The market will be open tomorrow (Thursday) as midweek trading is not so busy, and we are aware traders need some notice of closure.

Any alternative options considered and rejected:

See above.

Reason(s) for the decision including any background papers considered:

An urgent decision under paragraph 2 of section 9, Council Procedure Rules was necessary to enable traders to be advised urgently because of the timeliness and public health position.  The decision making was based on the latest guidance and information resulting from the Covid-19 situation. 

Conflicts of interest and dispensations granted by the Chief Executive:

None.

Other Comments:

The Executive Councillor Climate change, Environment and City Centre, was consulted prior to the decision being taken.

There will be budgetary implications of these decisions which will fall outside of the current budgetary framework and be reported in the Council’s financial planning and response to Covid-19..

Reference:

2020/OfficerUrgent/EnC/18

Contact for further information:

Suzanne Hemingway, 01223 457461 suzanne.hemingway@cambridge.gov.uk

Addendum to Greater Cambridge Statement of Community Involvement in light of Covid-19 Restrictions

Decision of:

Councillor Thornburrow, Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Open Spaces

Reference:

20/URGENCY/P&T/24

Date of decision:             

16 December 2020

Published on: 

24 December 2020

Decision Type:

Non Key

Matter for Decision:

To update the Addendum to the Greater Cambridge Statement of Community Involvement 2019 which was agreed in May 2020 to set out which elements were impacted by the restrictions imposed by the Covid19 pandemic.

Why the decision had to be made (and any alternative options):

To respond to restrictions related to Covid-19 and to enable the planning process to continue whilst continue to enable full involvement of people in planning matters.

The Executive Councillor’s decision(s):

That the Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Open Spaces agreed to adopt the Addendum to the Greater Cambridge Statement of Community Involvement 2019 (Appendix 1 to this decision).

Reasons for the decision:

Cambridge City Council adopted the Greater Cambridge Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) on 1 July 2019, jointly with South Cambridgeshire District Council.

The SCI for planning sets out how and when we will involve the community and key stakeholders in preparing, altering and reviewing our plans and guidance to guide future development. It also explains how we will involve the community in planning applications.

The Councils are committed to keeping essential services running during the Coronavirus outbreak.  Planning has an important role to play in supporting our economy and our communities. It is important that we find a way to keep the planning process moving forward. There are a number of ways in which the Councils are having to adapt the approach to planning applications and plan making while movement restrictions are in place.

An Addendum to the SCI was agreed in May 2020 which, set out which elements were impacted by the restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus outbreak at that time, and how the Councils were going to continue to enable full involvement of people in planning matters. Updating the SCI reflected government advice and advice from the Planning Advisory Service.

As the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic has continued into the autumn it is considered appropriate to agree a further update to the Addendum to the SCI to show how we are have adapted our processes during lockdown to involve the local community in planning matters.

The update sets out how the public is involved at the planning application stage:

·      Site notices are being displayed

·      Measures are in place to allow officers to make site visits relating to planning applications and to planning enforcement

·      Copies of documents are available to view on our website

·      Planning Committees are being held virtually

As the lockdown restrictions upon movement continue into the autumn and the City Council’s offices remain closed to the general public it has been necessary to consider how we can carry out public consultations relating to neighbourhood planning as the government is keen that the progress of such plans continues during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Each of the changes proposed is explained in the Addendum, included as Appendix 1 to this note.

When the SCI was adopted it was subject to Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA). An update of this assessment has been undertaken (Appendix 2 to this note) to consider the impacts of the Addendum. No changes to the impact of the policy were identified each of the protected characteristics identified.

A decision is needed through the out of cycle decision process in order that the SCI amendment can be published, to provide greater clarity on the planning process during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Scrutiny consideration:

The Vice- Chair and Spokesperson of Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee were consulted prior to the action being authorised.

Report:

The revised Addendum is attached as Appendix 1 and revised Equalities Impact Assessment can be viewed at the link below.

https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ecSDDisplay.aspx?NAME=Appendix%201%20%202&ID=1565&RPID=67740817

Conflicts of interest:

None known.

Comments:

None.