Agenda item

To formally identify one or more sites within the District Council’s control as suitable temporary Traveller sites for occupation by members of two Gypsy and Traveller families who have presented themselves as homeless.

The Director of Regulatory Services introduced a report to formally identify one or more sites within the District Council’s control as suitable temporary Traveller sites for occupation by members of two Gypsy and Traveller families who had presented themselves as homeless.

The report detailed that it was the latest in a series that had been brought before Members since September 2016, in which the Council had recognised and accepted its duties towards Gypsies and Travellers under housing and planning legislation. It was noted that in particular the Council had specifically recognised its Homelessness duties towards two specific Traveller families who had been residents within the district for many years, on no less than seven occasions since September 2016. It was recognised that to date, those Traveller families to whom the Council owes a legal duty, had no temporary or permanent site on which they could legally place their caravans.

Members were informed that the Council had recognised that it had a duty to provide one or more permanent sites for these specific Traveller families and that it had a duty to provide on or more suitable temporary sites for the families whilst so ever a permanent site was not available for occupation.

The report highlighted that at the present time Officers had no delegated authority to direct members of the two specific families to suitable temporary sites, which prevents them from being able to take action to evict them if they should set up an encampment on an unsuitable site. It was noted that this was not a sustainable position for the Council to be in.

In considering the report and appendices, the Chairman invited those Members present to provide their own commentary in relation to Council owned land detailed in Appendix 1 and their view on its suitability for use as potential temporary sites for Gypsies and Travellers.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Clare Gamble and seconded by Councillor David Hughes. This amendment was put to the vote

1.    That the Council reiterates its commitment to identifying suitable sites for use as Gypsy and Traveller sites by those families to whom the authority has a homelessness duty.

2.    That, in doing so, a working group comprising of one Member from each political group be established to work with officers to investigate the most appropriate options with the District for development as a temporary tolerated site(s) or a permanent site(s) for use by Gypsies and Travellers, according to the following approach:

(A) Determine a criteria for the assessment of potential sites, which would include consideration of:

·         The viability of Council owned assets; privately owned sites volunteered by individuals or organisations; and privately owned sites that could be selected for compulsory purchase – including the development of site services and facilities.

·         The needs and wishes of the Gypsy and Traveller families in respect of potential site location.

·         The proximity, relationship to existing land use and impact upon amenities and settled communities of any potential site locations.

3.    That the working group provide a report and recommendations to Council in respect of potential locations for use as Gypsy and Traveller sites.

Voting

11 For

11 Against

1 Abstention

As there was equality of votes, the Chairman was entitled to use a casting vote in accordance with Procedure Rule 19.2. The Chairman declined to use the casting vote and as a result, the Chairman declared that the motion had automatically FALLEN.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Richard FitzHerbert and seconded by Councillor Peter O’Brien. The amendment was put to vote and

RESOLVED

That Officers be tasked to use the feedback that has been provided by Ward Members on the sites discussed in Appendix 1 and develop further proposals based on that feedback for future consideration by Council.

Voting

19 For

3 Against

2 Abstention

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

Councillor Chris Furness left the meeting at 8:25pm during consideration of this item.

Councillor Jacqueline Allison left the meeting at 8:59pm during consideration of this item.

Councillor Helen Froggatt left the meeting at 9:08pm during consideration of this item.