Issue - meetings

To consider a report and confidential appendix  by Councillor Barbara Smith, Lead Member for Modernisation and Housing (copy enclosed) presenting the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment for approval to Welsh Government and seeking approval to utilise a regional approach to the search for sites to meet any future provision required.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approves –

(a)       the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment for submission to Welsh Government, and

(b)       utilising a regional approach to the search for sites to meet any future provision required.

Councillor Barbara Smith presented the report outlining the findings of the 2016 Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment for Denbighshire (attached as a confidential appendix to the report) and sought Cabinet approval to submit the Assessment to Welsh Government and to utilise a regional approach to the search for sites to meet any future provision required.

There was a statutory requirement on local authorities to carry out an assessment and make provision for sites when need was identified.  An earlier assessment in 2013 called for a shared transit site for Conwy and Denbighshire because a high proportion of unauthorised encampments occurred in the north of the county near the border.  A joint assessment had been conducted with Conwy County Borough Council although separate documents would be submitted.  The Assessment concluded that there was a need for a transit site or stopping place in the north of the county and the Council was required to address that need.

During the ensuing debate questions were raised regarding the statutory responsibilities on local authorities, the next steps within the process, and whether any additional funding would be provided to enable authorities to meet their statutory obligations.  The Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services outlined the provisions under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 in relation to Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation and it was noted that some sections of the Act, particularly in terms of sanctions for failing to meet any need identified, were not yet in force.  The Development Planning and Policy Manager reported upon the intention to work jointly with Conwy to identify a suitable site and advised that limited Welsh Government funding was available but it did not cover site acquisition costs.  In order to apply for funding planning permission was needed on an acquired site and a detailed project plan in place.  Conwy had one permanent site and had earmarked a transit site but the latest position was unclear due to local opposition.  If a transit site was provided the council would have powers to move on unauthorised encampments to that site.  The identified need across Wales would be known once all the assessments had been submitted to the Welsh Government.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approves –

(a)       the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment for submission to Welsh Government, and

(b)       utilising a regional approach to the search for sites to meet any future provision required.