Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor C Andrew

To give consideration to the minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2016

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2016.

RESOLVED

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest

To provide an opportunity for Members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the agenda.

There were no whipping declarations

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.

Note: In order for officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if members of the public contacted the Scrutiny officer listed at the foot of the agenda, at least one working day before the meeting to provide brief details of the matter to be covered.

There were no members of the public present wishing to speak

To receive a presentation on the current Gypsy and Traveller Service in Cheshire East, possible future arrangements to provide the service and an update on the position regarding a transient site.

The committee received a presentation which covered:

·         The core duties of the Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Officer

·         The process of removal, including welfare assessments as the local authority had a duty of care for each individual. Each family would be assessed at the time of first arrival and this would form part of the removal process.

·         Court Orders, including the eviction process

·         Police involvement

·         Clean up process

·         Sub regional working

·         Key issues facing Cheshire East

·         Transit provision

It was reported that in 2014, there were 80 encampments within Cheshire East and 53 in 2015. Peak times tended to be in summer as Gypsy and Travellers would return home during winter.

It was noted that Cheshire East did not currently have a transit site. Planning permission for a site had been granted in 2015 and tenders for the works were submitted in January 2016. Due to funding and policy changes, which may now allow sub regional arrangements, a report would be submitted to Cabinet for a decision in April/May 2016, seeking a steer on the preferred way forward. Members considered the size of the proposed site to be too small and considering the issues highlighted above, requested that an update report be received in due course.

Officers agreed to report back to Members on the number of permanent sites in Cheshire East, however it was noted that as these were privately owned, they could not be freely used by all Gypsy and Travellers. The need for a transit site was therefore still required and experience showed a significant reduction in unauthorised encampments if a site was provided.

RESOLVED

That an update on the transit site be received by the Committee

To receive an update on the Community Rights to Bid applications

Consideration was given to an update on Community Rights to bid, the aim of which was to empower communities wishing to protect valuable local assets (land and buildings) by requiring the Council to maintain a list of assets in its area which are of community value. If the asset then came up for sale, the community group would be given time to buy it on the open market.

The Committee raised concerns regarding the actual benefit of the legislation as it was complicated and would only delay the sale of the asset, however it was noted that this was a statutory duty.

Members considered the current list of nominations for Community Right to Bid and noted that there was currently one application that would be going to an independent tribunal.

RESOLVED

That the report be received.

To give consideration to the work programme

Consideration was given to the work programme. It was agreed that the following issues would be added:

·         Preventing Extremism Strategy

·         Community Cohesion Plan

·         Scams and Mass Marketing

·         SCEP Plan and Performance – Deferred to June 2016

·         Delivering Differently in Neighbourhoods – April 2016

RESOLVED

That the work programme be amended to reflect the issues highlighted above.