Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Services.

The Planning Policy Team Manager presented the report to Members. He advised that the needs assessment was still ongoing and once complete would provide the authority with a definitive answer to the number of pitches required. He informed Members that when the consultation in February 2016 on the emerging DPD had been carried out representations had been submitted via the Council’s consultation hub which officers had considered, responded to and reported to the Committee in July 2016. However it had been brought to officers’ attention that a number of representations had been made via email that had not been picked up for the July meeting and these were included for Members information. He highlighted to Members that the next stage would be to prepare the Allocation Development Plan once the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment had been published but that may not be until after the County elections in May.

In response to questions from Councillor V Richichi, officers advised that the risks highlighted in the report referred to the Local Plan not progressing and that these risks would be greater to the authority if it was seen as not even trying to address the need of sites, that the assessment would identify the figures for the County and that there was no reason to believe the authority would fail. He was also advised that residents at any sites would be subject to Council Tax and depending on the tenor, rent.

Councillor M Specht stated that he was waiting to see the full assessment of the provision required and noted that it was not expected until after the elections in May but felt that issues could arise as the figures were unknown as to how many pitches were needed and assurances had been given that the Allocations Development Plan would run parallel to the Local Plan.  He expressed disappointment that there had been no response from either the Gypsy and Traveller community or the Multi Agency Traveller Unit Co-ordinator from Leicestershire County Council. He advised that he was happy with the update.

It was moved by Councillor M Specht, seconded by Councillor R Johnson and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocation DPD update be noted.