Agenda and minutes

To enable members of the public to ask questions, express views or present petitions, IF NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN, (by telephone, in writing or by email) BY NO LATER THAN 12 NOON OF THE WORKING DAY PRECEDING THE MEETING. As per Procedural Rule 14.4 at any one meeting no person may submit more than 3 questions and no more than 1 such question may be asked on behalf of one organisation.

In accordance with the procedure for public participation, the following people attended the meeting to speak on Item 5 – Recommendations of the Gypsy and Traveller Working Group:

-       Councillor Stuart Lees (Ward Member)

-       Councillor Susan Hobson (Ward Member)

-       Councillor Louise Moran (Matlock Bath Parish Council)

-       Councillor Kath Potter (Rowsley Parish Council)

-       Councillor Christopher Vivian (Matlock Bath Parish Council)

-       Rupert Pugh (The Heights of Abraham)

-       Victor Launert (Local Resident)

Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any interests they may have in subsequent agenda items in accordance with the District Council’s Code of Conduct. Those interests are matters that relate to money or that which can be valued in money, affecting the Member, her/his partner, extended family and close friends. Interests that become apparent at a later stage in the proceedings may be declared at the time.

Item 5 – Recommendations of the Gypsy and Traveller Working Group

Councillor Joanne Linthwaite declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item due to teaching a member of one of the families who were residing on a District Council owned car park.

To answer questions from Members who have given the appropriate notice.

No questions were received prior to the meeting.

This report outlines recommendations of the Gypsy and Traveller Working Group and seeks approval of the Terms of Reference for the Working Group, the proposed timeline of works to identify a permanent traveller site, and a code of conduct for those residing on temporary tolerated sites in the District. This report also seeks approval for a period of public consultation to be undertaken regarding proposals for temporary tolerated traveller sites in the District.

Councillor Martin Burfoot, Chair of the Community & Environment Committee, thanked those who had attended the meeting to put forward representations. The Chair then informed the meeting that on the advice of the Council’s Monitoring Officer, the Council had entered the pre-election period in advance of the general election on Thursday 4^th July. The item was therefore withdrawn from consideration, and would be determined at a future meeting as soon as possible following the general election.

This report seeks Member approval to bring the operation of Monsal Head public toilets back into the control of the Council.

The Chair informed the meeting that due to unforeseen circumstances, an urgent decision was required on this matter. This decision had been taken to secure the short-term operation of the facilities, the details of which were published to the District Council’s website. It was noted that a decision regarding the long-term operation of the facilities would be scheduled for the meeting of Council in July.