Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Planning and Affordable Housing Policy and the Head of Housing Services

Summary

To consider the Council’s response to the next stage of regional consultation on the number and distribution of ‘pitches’ and ‘plots’ for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended to:

1)                    Raise no objection to the South East England Partnership Board’s recommendations to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government;

2)                    Endorse this report as the Council’s formal response to the Secretary of State;

3)                    Note the need for partnership working and key stakeholder involvement in preparing planning and housing policy for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople and in identifying suitable sites and appropriate means of site delivery.

Recommendations agreed

The Head of Planning and Affordable Housing Policy and the Head of Housing Services submitted a report to consider the Council’s response to the next stage of regional consultation on the number and distribution of ‘pitches’ and ‘plots’ for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople.

Resolved

1)                       That no objections be raised to the South East England Partnership Board’s recommendations to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government;

2)                       That the report as set out in the annex to the minutes (as set out in the minute book) be endorsed as the Council’s formal response to the Secretary of State;

3)                       That the need for partnership working and key stakeholder involvement in preparing planning and housing policy for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople and in identifying suitable sites and appropriate means of site delivery be noted.

Reasons - The South East Plan is being partially reviewed to establish regional policy for meeting the accommodation needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople.  On 4 March 2009 the former South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) agreed its recommendations for the level and distribution of additional ‘pitches’ for Gypsies and Travellers and ‘plots’ for Travelling Showpeople across the region.

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