Decision details

Consideration was given to the requirements of the Housing Act 2004 to undertake regular assessments of the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers either living in, or travelling through the area. It also requires the Council to include the needs of Gypsies and Travellers in any housing strategy that it produces and to take any such strategy into account in exercising their functions.

The level of need for Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showperson accommodation within Cheshire East has been identified through the Cheshire Partnership Area Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation and Related Services Assessment (GTAA), published in January 2007.

Through the Local Plan the Council would identify a target for the provision of Gypsy and Travellers Pitches and Travelling Showpeoples plots for the Plan period based on identified need. 

It was recommended that an Interim approach be adopted that would

§                    Set up a temporary stopping place to alleviate the issue of unauthorised encampments on both public and private land.

§                    Update the sub regional Gypsy Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) with our partners

§                    Commission a study to identify both transit & permanent residential sites; this would involve the agreement of site criteria for the provision & a call for sites.

§                    Council to explore the extension of affordable housing policy to include the use of s106/commuted funds to deliver permanent residential sites.

§                    Investigate the possibility of establishing a joint venture company/strategic partnership between the council and its Registered Provider partners to identify develop and manage future provision.

RESOLVED

1.                 That the current position be acknowledged

2.                 That approval be given to the  ‘Addressing the Accommodation Needs of Gypsies and Travellers Policy’ and the interim actions set out above

3.                 That approval be given to a site search and suitable appraisal process for both permanent residential and transit sites

4.                 To approve a site search for a temporary stopping place based on the evidence from encampment locations