reg 4 Amendments to the 2003 Regulations concerning public participation
(1) For the definition of “public” in regulation 2 of the 2003 Regulations substitute ““public” means natural or legal persons, including health care bodies and other organisations having an interest in ambient air quality and representing the interests of sensitive populations, consumers and the environment”. (2) In regulation 11 of the 2003 Regulations, insert after regulation 11(9)— (10) The Secretary of State shall, in accordance with paragraphs (11) and (12), ensure that the public is given early and effective opportunities to participate in the preparation and modification or review of the plans or programmes required to be drawn up under paragraph (3). (11) The Secretary of State shall— (a) ensure that the public is informed, whether by public notices or other appropriate means such as electronic media, about any proposals for such plans or programmes or for their modification or review; (b) ensure that relevant information about the proposals referred to in sub-paragraph (a) is made available to the public, including information about the right to participate in decision-making; (c) ensure that the public is entitled to make comments before decisions on the plans and programmes are made; (d) in making those decisions, take due account of the results of the public participation; and (e) having examined the comments made by the public, make reasonable efforts to inform the public about— (i) the decisions taken and the reasons and considerations on which those decisions are based; and (ii) the public participation process. (12) The Secretary of State shall publish any information required to carry out her functions under paragraphs 10 and 11 in such manner as she considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing it to the attention of the public and shall— (a) make copies of such information accessible to the public free of charge through the website of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and (b) specify in a notice on the website the detailed arrangements made to enable participation in the preparation, modification or review of the plans or programmes, including— (i) the address to which comments may be submitted; and (ii) the time-frame for any such comments allowing sufficient time for each of the different stages of public participation required by paragraphs 10 and 11. (3) In regulation 16 of the 2003 Regulations, omit regulation 16(15).