To consider the findings of the review on the Travellers’ Policy.

The Committee considered the findings contained in the Review Group report on the Herefordshire Travellers’ Policy.

At it is meeting in September 2006 the Committee agreed to undertake a scrutiny review of the travellers’ policy.  While a degree of background work had been undertaken the review group undertook the bulk of its work during the latter part of 2007 and the report of the Group’s findings was contained in the agenda.

The Chairman of the Travellers Policy Review Group, Councillor WLS Bowen, briefly reported on the work of the group and particularly highlighted the conclusions that:

• in relation to the travellers site at Stoney Street, Madley, the Review Group found that the site had never been popular with travellers as it was somewhat isolated and was not on the usual routes used by Travellers. The site had not been used since 2002 apart from occasional unauthorised encampments and had suffered vandalism.  In its present condition it was not available for further use.  The Review Group was concerned about the ongoing situation with this site and took the view that an alternative location for the site should be sought but as this was a valuable asset it should be made available for use until such time that a replacement can be secured.  It was proposed that the capital receipt from any sale of the site be ring fenced to support the acquisition of an alternative site(s).
• in relation to Open Fields, Linton, Bromyard, the Review Group found that this was a fourteen-pitch site which has been badly vandalised. At present only two pitches were occupied. These were the only plots that could be occupied without major refurbishment. The Herefordshire Unitary Development Plan had identified that this site needed to be redeveloped and redesigned with a reduction in pitch numbers. The Review Group concluded that this should be progressed as soon as is practicable.
• the other Traveller sites in the County seemed to be in good order and enjoyed by the residents.
• once West Mercia Constabulary had revised its procedures on dealing with Traveller issues a Service Level Agreement should be entered into thereby reflecting the position in neighbouring local authorities.
• the Cabinet Member consider involving the Review Group in any further development of the policy.
• subject to the correction of a number of typographical errors he commended the report for consideration by the Committee and forwarding to the Executive.

The Committee noted that the Gypsy and Traveller Site Grant, on which government guidance had recently been received, provided capital funding for improving and increasing Gypsy and Traveller site provision by local authorities and Registered Social Landlords.  Nationally £97million was available between 2008-11, with the grant being allocated regionally (£7.5m to the West Midlands) through the regional housing allocation.  The Committee noted that grant criteria had moved from a financial limit per plot to showing value for money per plot/site.  

The Committee also noted that in some instances travellers had either permanently or temporarily taken up permanent social housing.  This had, on occasions, had implications for the affordable housing policy.

The Committee further noted that a sub-regional Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (involving Shropshire, Herefordshire, Telford & Wrekin and Powys) had been undertaken and the findings published.  These findings will be incorporated into the assessments for the Regional Assembly.  The findings of the sub-regional report indicate that Herefordshire will generate the need for a considerable number of plots (100 to 130) over the next 10 years.  The Cabinet Member (Environment and Strategic Housing) commented that, while the County would provide its quota, this number was being challenged. The actual number of additional plots may also be reduced when current temporary plots are taken into account.

It was suggested that a number of small sites e.g. one or two plots, should be provided, so that family or family groups could be accommodated at one location.

Questioned on how encampments on private land were dealt with the Committee were informed that land owners were issued with advice and if the matter became a planning issue then enforcement action was taken.  Close links had been established between environment and planning services.

The Committee noted that the health service provision mentioned in the report was provided by the Primary Care Trust.

The Cabinet Member (Environment and Strategic Housing) thanked the Review Group for undertaking the review and that he would be considering the conclusions in the report.

RESOLVED:

(a)               that the draft Travellers Policy, together with the conclusions set out at section 8 of the covering agenda report, be approved and referred to the Cabinet Member (Environment and Strategic Housing) for consideration;

(b)               the Executive’s response to the review including an action plan be reported to the first meeting of the Committee after the Executive has approved its response; and

(c)               a further report on progress with respect to the Review be made after six months with consideration then being given to the need for any further reports to be made.