Statement of Community Involvement

2 The Councils Approach to Consultation

Lancaster District and its Communities

2.1 Lancaster's community comprised 133,900 people in 2001 of which 48 per cent were male and 52 per cent were female. It is predicted to rise to 138,200 by 2016. The main settlements are the resorts towns of Morecambe and Heysham (48,000), the historic city and university of Lancaster (47,000), the railway town of Carnforth (4000), and a large rural hinterland including both large villages and scattered small settlements. The structure of the population is close to national averages in most respects. they key distinctive features are the following;

• A high proportion of students in central Lancaster and on campus;
• A higher than average retired population in Bare, Torrisholme, Slyne, Kellet and Silverdale;
• Fewer people of non-white ethnic origin than national averages with locally significant numbers of people of Indian origin in Castle, Dukes, Bulk and John O' Gaunt, of African origin in Dukes and of Bangladeshi origin in Heysham North;
• Above average numbers describing themselves as Christian. The largest non-Christian group are Muslims (0.6%), most of whom are in central Lancaster;
• A slightly below average number of people describing themselves as in good health and above average numbers with disabilities and limiting long-term illness, with particular concentrations in Morecambe and Heysham;
• Fewer people than average with no educational qualifications except in Morecambe, Heysham and North Lancaster;
• Particularly high numbers of people with degrees in Silverdale, Dukes and rural wards.

Target Groups

2.2 Lancaster District is therefore a diverse group of communities with different needs and different issues. Some groups have particular planning related concerns and are identified as target communities. These include;

• People living in areas of multiple deprivation and regeneration areas;
• People living in areas where major change is likely (e.g. around Lancaster City Centre);
• People with disabilities and limiting long term illnesses;
• Rural communities.

Methods of Community Involvement

2.3 Figure 2 looks at some methods of community involvement. These are discussed in more detail in ‘Appendix 2 - Extracts from Lancaster District Consultation Strategy’;

Strategic Linkages

2.4 The Statement of Community Involvement is an essential part of both the Lancaster District Community Strategy and the District Consultation Strategy. These links are explained below. Figure 3 sets out the main linkages.

2.5 Lancaster District’s Community Strategy was published in March 2004 by the Lancaster Local Strategic Partnership.  This includes voluntary and community groups, local businesses, City, County and Parish councils, health services, colleges and universities. The Strategy sets down local communities’ needs and priorities. Partnership members should then seek to meet those needs. The Strategy’s Vision underlies Community Involvement. Its most important parts are;

• Equity - access to opportunities and services for everyone;
• Accessibility - services and amenities which are easy to get to and use and provide information in ways which meet different needs;
• Participation - allowing everyone the opportunity to take part in making decisions;
• Inclusivity - planning services and initiatives to reduce social exclusion.

2.6 An important part of the Strategy is TAKING PART. This will be achieved by;

• early public consultation, debate and involvement in decision-making, responding to local communities’ ideas, helping communities to manage local resources, facilities and information, sharing information and making it more accessible;
• Supporting individuals, removing barriers and simplifying systems and paperwork;
• Ensuring the highest levels of conduct and integrity in public life;
• Taking young peoples’ views into account and developing a network of community, voluntary and faith groups.

2.7 The Council will ensure that initiatives or organisations set up, either as a result of the Lancaster Local Strategic Partnership as it implements the Lancaster District Community Strategy, or through the Council’s implementation of the District Consultation Strategy, are given the opportunity to participate in the preparation of Development Plan Documents throughout the consultation process, wherever possible.  Those involved with consultation on LDD’s will be made aware of the relationship between the Lancaster LDF and the Regional Spatial Strategy.

The District Consultation Strategy

2.8 The Council’s Consultation Strategy was approved in July 2003. (See ‘Appendix 2 - Extracts from Lancaster District Consultation Strategy’). It aims to, INVOLVE, EMPOWER and FORMALISE consultation processes. It describes how people can be consulted, barriers removed and hard to reach groups accessed.

Community Involvement by other Bodies

2.9 Although Lancaster City Council is responsible for most planning decisions, its Local Development Framework must be in general conformity with the North West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) prepared by the North West Regional Assembly which sets out strategic planning policies for the North West. The NWRA’s Consultation and Participation Plan is set out in their ‘RSS Project Plan’. You can read this on NWRA’s website. (rpg.nwra.gov.uk).

2.10 Lancashire County Council deal with planning for minerals and waste disposal as well as planning applications for development by the County such as schools and new roads. They are preparing their own statement of community involvement which sets out how they will engage people in the planning applications they determine and the planning policy documents which they prepare. Neighbouring Councils are also preparing their own statements of community involvement.

Accessibility

2.11 The Council has helped to establish a representative multi-impairment body to discuss disability-related implications of planning schemes. ‘One Voice’ will be a key means by which people with disabilities can engage with the planning process. The Council will make the widest possible use of it.

2.12 The Council will seek to make information available in a number of formats which may include, large print, Braille, audio and minority languages. It will establish a system to respond quickly when alternative formats are required for complex issues. The Council will seek to make access to sign language interpretation as soon as is reasonably possible.

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