Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation on Gypsy and Traveller provision in Cheshire from the Cheshire Partnership Gypsy Traveller Co-ordinator.

The Committee received a presentation on provision for Gypsies and Travellers from the Cheshire Partnership Gypsy and Traveller Co-ordinator. The purpose of the presentation was to inform the Committee about the requirements for provision of Gypsy and Traveller sites in the borough, the issues with unauthorised encampments and developments and the measures that were being taken to improve the relationships between Gypsy & Traveller communities and the local settled communities.

Questions were asked and points were made including:

·         Officers were currently working on recording officer time and finding out the costs to Cheshire East of dealing with unauthorised encampments and transit sites. Costs tended to be a lot higher for those local authorities that did not have a dedicated co-ordination officer.       

·         A “pitch” was considered to be the space required for one family. This was not definitive as needs varied between families however there were expectations about what it was necessary to provide space for. A target of between 27-42 additional pitches was set for Cheshire East between 2006 and 2011 which the Council has failed to reach. There is also a target for between 19 and 22 additional pitches to be made available between 2011 and 2016.    

·         It would have been much more effective to be proactive and in control of encampments and transit sites than to be reactive to Unauthorised sites. Accepted site provision needed to be improved and would improve control, relations between travellers and the settled community and generate income for the local authority. 

·         The planning process for proposed sites needed to be more transparent and communication between traveller and settled communities needed to be developed in order to improve relationships and acceptance of encampments. The Council should take the lead on educating and improving communication and understanding between both sides.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the Cheshire Partnerships Gypsy and Travellers Co-ordinator be thanked for attending and the presentation be noted.

The Cheshire Partnership Gypsy and Traveller Co-ordinator left the meeting.