Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report by the Heads of Planning and Housing Services on the requirement for Councils to make provision for travellers’ transit sites.

Noted the recommendation of the Gypsy and Traveller DPD Steering Group and supported the principle of searching for a transit site for Gypsies and Travellers and instructed officers to consider further the logistics of providing a site and prepare a bid for a Government grant at the appropriate time.

Further to Minute No. 09/23 consideration was given to a report by the Heads of Planning Services and of Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which outlined the implications of the East of England Plan Policy on Gypsies and Travellers and in particular a requirement for Council’s to make provision for transit sites.

Members were advised that it was likely that some form of transit provision would be required in the District particularly given demand along the A1/A1(M) corridor and the basis of the RSS guidance.  Having concurred with the recommendations of the Gypsy and Traveller DPD Steering Group, that a search for a site on which to establish a transit site should be undertaken, subject to Government funding forthcoming, and in recognising the advantages of having a formal and managed site, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  (a)  that the recommendation of the Gypsy and Traveller DPD Steering Group be noted and the principle of searching for a transit site for Gypsies and Travellers supported; and

  (b)  that officers be instructed to consider further the logistics of providing a site and prepare a bid for a Government grant at the appropriate time.

To consider a joint report by the Heads of Planning and Housing Services on the requirement for Councils to make provision for travellers’ transit sites.

(Councillor D B Dew, Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport was in attendance for this Item).

Following an introduction by the Executive Councillor for Planning Strategy and Transport, the Panel considered a joint report by the Head of Planning and Housing Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the requirement for Councils to make provision for travellers’ transit sites. 

Members were informed that the need for transit provision in Huntingdonshire had been assessed as 8/10 pitches. The Panel acknowledged that the early provision of a transit site would help in reducing or eliminating the number of unauthorised encampments which took place currently.

 The Head of Housing Services explained that the Gypsy and Traveller Site Management Good Practice Guide indicated that transit sites were intended to cater for gypsies and travellers who wished or needed to reside in their own caravan accommodation in an area on a short term basis.  Periods ranging from an overnight stay to an average maximum period of around six weeks were catered for, although this could sometimes be extended to up to three months where there was sufficient capacity to meet overall short term demand, particularly where there was no permanent residential accommodation available.

RESOLVED

  that the report be endorsed for submission to the Cabinet.