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CORONAVIRUS KEY INFORMATION Legislation & Guidance Democracy Direct 4 May 2020 CORONAVIRUS KEY INFORMATION Legislation & Guidance: Coronavirus Act 2020 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/pdfs/ukpga_20200007_en.pdf and explanatory notes http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/7/pdfs/ukpga_20200007_en.pdf LLG: ADSO: Remote Meeting Protocol & Procedure Rules: This document is produced by Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) and the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) for the purpose of assisting authorities and highlighting changes required to standing orders in consequence of The Local Authori- ties and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 No.392 (‘the Regula- tions’). It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon in that capacity. https://s3.amazonaws.com/lawingov_production/system/redactor_assets/docu- ments/2402/Standing_Orders_ADSO_LLG_.VFdocx.pdf LLG: ADSO: GUIDE; The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Corona- virus) (Flexibility of Local Authority Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 No.392); https://s3.amazonaws.com/lawingov_production/system/redactor_assets/docu- ments/2395/7th_Apr_-_Remote_Meetings_Regulations_-_LLG__ADSO_Draft_Guid- ance_V2.pdf The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/392/contents/made and explanatory note… http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/392/memorandum/contents Government & Departmental: Updated Links: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for local government: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-local-government Democracy Direct 4 May 2020 Collection; Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for schools and other educational settings; Guidance and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19) in educational settings for staff, parents and carers, pupils and students. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-schools- and-other-educational-settings HMCTS daily operational summary on courts and tribunals during coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hmcts-daily-operational-summary-on-courts-and-tribunals- during-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak Guidance; Coronavirus (COVID-19): courts and tribunals planning and preparation This page provides advice and guidance for all court and tribunal users during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and will be updated when new advice is available. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-courts-and-tribunals-planning-and- preparation?utm_source=607457ae-9ded-495e-8ba0- 8ad42fea53c9&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk- notifications&utm_content=weekly Guidance; COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses Guidance for employees, employers and businesses in providing advice about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses- about-covid-19 Guidance; Ofsted: coronavirus (COVID-19) rolling update: Ofsted guidance and information relating to coronavirus (COVID-19) for schools, early years, children's social care and further education and skills providers. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ofsted-coronavirus-covid-19-rolling-update Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice and guidance: This section contains the latest advice and guidance from the judiciary in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. It will be updated when there are significant developments and you should check the page on a regular basis to ensure you are kept informed of the latest position. Please click on the headings to be taken to the relevant webpage. https://www.judiciary.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-and-guidance/ Democracy Direct 4 May 2020 MINISTRY OF HOUSING COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Guidance; European Structural and Investment Funds: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response; (28 April): A series of documents and updates regarding the 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Programme and the response to COVID-19. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/european-structural-and-investment-funds- coronavirus-covid-19-response Guidance; Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for social landlords on essential moves; (27 April): Non-statutory guidance to support social landlords with allocations and transfers during the coronavirus outbreak. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-social-landlords-on- essential-moves Press release; New measures to protect UK high street from aggressive rent collection and closure; (23 April) High street shops and other companies under strain will be protected from aggressive rent collection and asked to pay what they can during the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-protect-uk-high-street-from- aggressive-rent-collection-and-closure PLANNING INSPECTORATE News story; Planning Inspectorate casework continues as first pilot digital hearing to take place in May; (28 April); Whilst the UK is in its sixth week of lockdown this update explains what you can expect from the Planning Inspectorate. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/planning-inspectorate-casework-continues-as- first-pilot-digital-hearing-to-take-place-in-may Selected Planning Appeals: w/e 24 April: Pandemic lockdown cancels out traffic concerns An inspector has extended the compliance period of an enforcement notice against an Islamic school in east London, noting that traffic concerns would not be a problem during the Covid-19 lockdown; https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?Caseid=3238451&CoID=0 Industrial estate café is contrary to town centre policy Plans for a café to serve workers on an industrial estate in Newport, South Wales, have been rejected after an inspector found conflict with local policy directing café uses towards town centres; https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?Caseid=3244743&CoID=0 Democracy Direct 4 May 2020 Unusually shaped shop unit can become gaming centre A ‘long and thin’ shop unit in Kidderminster town centre can be converted into an adult gaming centre, as an inspector ruled that the planning system should not ‘duplicate’ issues covered by the Gambling Act 2005; https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?Caseid=3242723&CoID=0 Jenrick allows 500 homes at green belt university campus The housing secretary has approved Oxford Brookes University’s plans to vacate one of its campuses to make way for 500 homes, after agreeing that ‘very special circumstances’ existed; https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attach- ment_data/file/880829/combined_DL_IR_and_R_to_C_Oxford_Brookes_University.pdf Low-flying helicopters would ‘distress’ crematorium mourners An inspector has refused plans for a crematorium near an RAF base in Shropshire despite a ‘clear need’, ruling that helicopters flying as low as 30 metres off the ground nearby would be ‘disconcerting’ to mourners; https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx?Caseid=3236638&CoID=0 LAW COMMISSION Law Commission recommends increased powers for employment tribunals | Law Commission; (29 April): https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/law-commission-recommends-increased-powers-for- employment-tribunals/ and comment…. https://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/employment/395-employment-news/43526- law-commission-calls-for-reforms-to-close-unsatisfactory-gaps-in-powers-of-employ- ment-tribunals GAMBLING COMMISSION Licensing Authority Bulletin April 2020 https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-licensing-authorities/LA-Bulletin- pages/2020/April/Licensing-Authority-Bulletin-April-2020.aspx HMRC Guidance on VAT as it applies to local authorities and other government and public bodies: (29 April): https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/vat-government-and-public-bodies Democracy Direct 4 May 2020 INFORMATION COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE The ICO’s regulatory approach during the coronavirus public health emergency https://ico.org.uk/media/about-the-ico/policies-and-procedures/2617613/ico-regulatory- approach-during- coronavirus.pdf?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=iconews&utm_term=a3a513ff-129f- 472e-a476-3ca21711bf3b&utm_content=&utm_campaign= THE LAW SOCIETY Q & A Housing Eviction Notices- Coronavirus: (29 April): https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/legal-updates/coronavirus-qanda-changes-to-housing- eviction-notices/5104066.article Update on legal practitioner key workers and testing - The Law Society; (28 April) https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/news/stories/update-on-legal-practitioner-keyworkers/ Law Commission calls for tribunal time limit extension; (29 April); https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/law-commission-calls-for-tribunal-time-limit- extension-/5104061.article Westminster update: Joint Committee on Human Rights hears evidence from the lord chancellor - The Law Society; (27 April) https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/news/blog/joint-committee-on-human-rights-hears- evidence-from-lord-chancellor/ Professional Update: (24 April); https://emailcc.com/rv/ff005fbc05db5bb6cb123f978c4c96a93d53fc70?utm_source=prof essional_update&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PU-04%2f24%2f2020 Councils move to ditch adult social care duties; (24 April): https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/councils-move-to-ditch-adult-social-care- duties/5104011.article Mental capacity and coronavirus legislation: (24 April); https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/support-services/coronavirus/mental-capacity-and- coronavirus-legislation/
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