Agenda item

Report of Cllr Marilyn Franks, Chair of the Gypsy and Traveller Working Group

This report seeks Committee approval concerning a number of recommendations relating to the work undertaken by the Gypsy and Traveller Working Group covering governance arrangements, improvements to existing sites and consultation on future temporary sites.

Minutes:

Councillor Marilyn Franks introduced a report which sought Member approval concerning a number of recommendations relating to the work undertaken by the Gypsy and Traveller Working Group covering governance arrangements, improvements to existing sites, consultation on future temporary sites and an update on the search for permanent sites.

 

It was noted that the Council continued to accommodate two Traveller families on car parks at Matlock Station and Matlock Bath Station. These were only proposed to be temporary arrangements but the health of some of the residents, the lack of other suitable temporary sites and the continuing search for a permanent site, had prevented the families from settling in suitable accommodation. It was noted that the G&TWG recognise this and had been working on measures to improve the opportunities for move on, introduce more regularised arrangements, and identify potential permanent sites. Whilst this work had been progressing, the Council continued to receive complaints and from time to time, other Travellers arrive on site for short periods.

 

At Council on 28 September 2023, Members agreed to undertake a minimum 6 week consultation on any proposals for future temporary or permanent sites. The report outlined six areas of questions to ask and public meetings to be held in locations where sites were to be proposed. These questions were detailed in section 2.11 of the report. Members were informed that the G&TWG recommended that 6 sites be considered as temporary sites and that consultation took place concerning these. The recommended sites, and their accompanying assessment was attached at Appendix 4 to the report, with maps of these sites detailed at Appendix 6.

 

It was moved by Councillor Neil Buttle, seconded by Councillor Peter Slack and

 

RESOLVED

 

1.     That the terms of reference for the Gypsy and Traveller Working Group set out in Appendix 1 is adopted;

 

Voting

 

15 For

00 Against

02 Abstained

 

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

 

It was moved by Councillor Marilyn Franks, seconded by Councillor Linthwaite and

 

RESOLVED

 

2.     That the code of conduct for Gypsies, Travellers and caravan occupiers set out in Appendix 2 are adopted;

 

Voting

 

13 For

03 Against

01 Abstained

 

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

 

It was moved by Councillor Sue Burfoot, seconded by Councillor Peter Slack and

 

RESOLVED

 

3.     That in respect of Matlock Station Car Park;

 

·        A temporary but solid separation be established between the site currently occupied by a Traveller family and the rest of the car park and;

 

·        That the Local Highway Authority and Local Planning Authority be consulted regarding the possibility of lowering the curb to create a separate entrance for the traveller occupied section of the site.

 

Voting

 

12 For

02 Against

03 Abstained

 

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

 

It was moved by Councillor Nick Whitehead, seconded by Councillor Kelda Boothroyd and

 

RESOLVED

 

4.     That the Committee note the update from Ark at Appendix 3 in respect of identifying permanent sites.

 

Voting

 

12 For

00 Against

04 Abstained

 

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

 

An amendment to recommendation 5 to change the length of consultation from six weeks to eight weeks was moved by Councillor Peter O’Brien and seconded by Councillor Peter Slack. It was then moved by Councillor Marilyn Franks that a recorded vote be taken, this was seconded by Councillor Peter Slack. The amended recommendation was put to a recorded vote as follows:

 

For: 10, Councillors: Kelda Boothroyd, Neil Buttle, Marilyn Franks, Joanne Linthwaite, Andy Nash, Peter O’Brien, Roger Shelley, Peter Slack, Steve Wain and Nick Whitehead.

 

Against: 4, Councillors: Sue Bull, Susan Hobson, Stuart Lees and Dermot Murphy

 

Abstention’s: 2, Councillors: Martin Burfoot and Sue Burfoot.

 

It was therefore RESOLVED

 

5.     That Committee endorse an eight week consultation for use of the following sites as temporary Gypsy and Traveller sites with the assessment enclosed at Appendix 4.

 

a. Car Park, Old Station Close, Rowsley

b. Land to South East of Hopton Works, Middleton Road, Wirksworth

c. Arc Leisure Car Parks, Morledge, Matlock

d. Station Yard Car Park, Dale Road, Matlock Bath

e. Car Park, Derwent Way, Matlock

f. Land to North West of Cemetery, New Road, Middleton

 

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

 

An amendment to recommendation 6 to insert ‘to include length of stay’ was moved by Councillor Nick Whitehead, seconded by Councillor Kelda Boothroyd and

 

RESOLVED

 

6.     That Officers explore the feasibility of moving traveller families between sites on a more regularised basis, to include length of stay and report their findings back to the Gypsy and Traveller Working Group.

 

Voting

 

11 For

00 Against

05 Abstained

 

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

 

It was moved by Councillor Nick Whitehead, seconded by Peter Slack and

 

RESOLVED

 

7.     That the Committee note Council’s Commitments to consultation and agree to delegate responsibility to the Director of Corporate and Customer Services, in consultation with Cllr M. Franks (Chair, Gypsy and Traveller Working Group) to finalise consultation materials, oversee and deliver the programme of feedback meetings.

 

Voting

 

12 For

04 Against

00 Abstained

 

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

 

21:01pm – The meeting adjourned.

 

21:01pm - Cllr Gee left the meeting.

 

21:07pm – The meeting reconvened.

Supporting documents: