Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest from any Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

No declaration of interests received.

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

Submitted – the report of the Head of Housing Services in relation to the above.

The Portfolio Holder (Housing & Social Services) stated that the Welsh Government places a statutory duty on local authorities to identify both a permanent and two temporary sites to be included in the Joint Local Development Plan as candidate sites.   He noted that there has been a period of consultation with regard to the three sites identified which incorporated Drop-in events and meetings with the Community Councils for the locations where sites could be situated. 

The Assistant Chief Executive (Governance and Business Process Transformation) explained that the need for a Temporary Stopping Place on the Island of Anglesey was clear, and that this had been demonstrated by regular unauthorised encampments by Romany Gypsies on Anglesey over many years.  She stated that three sites were considered :-

Site 1 – Strip of land between the A55/A5 between Llanfairpwll and Star Crossroads;

Site 2 – Parcel of land at Gaerwen smallholding;

Site 3 – Land adjacent to the A5 near Cymunod Farm, Bryngwran

She noted that following extensive consultation, as noted by the Portfolio Holder, it was considered that the site identified in Bryngwran was unsuitable due to unsurmountable issues raised by the Highways Authority regarding the access to the site not meeting the minimum visibility safety requirements.  Sites 1 and 2 remained for consideration as temporary stopping places for Gypsies and Travellers.  There are fewer technical concerns regarding the site at Star Crossroads, with the report received from the Gwynedd Archaeological Service raising questions about the suitability of the site in Gaerwen, which may take time to resolve.  However, she stated that if it considered that the Gaerwen site is to be further investigated further works would be needed in relation to the site with regard to archaeological issues linked to ancient monument considerations.  A risk assessment will need to be undertaken with regard to technical issues, design of the sites and health and safety issues for both sites.  An appropriate Consultant will need to be appointed to prepare site design to allow for costing for such a scheme, and this would enable costs to be calculated.  She noted that it will be easier to deliver a suitable site in Star within a reasonable time-scale, but that further studies could be undertaken on either or both sites in Star and Gaerwen, and that the decision is one for the Executive to take.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Governance and Business Process Transformation) further stated that discussions has been undertaken with Officers from the Planning and Housing Departments of Welsh Government; they are aware of the work that has been undertaken to identify suitable sites for Temporary Stopping Places, and they are aware that further work will need to be undertaken to confirm the suitability of either Star or Gaerwen before they can be included within the Joint Local Development Plan; it is understood that the progress so far is supported by Welsh Government.

It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

Submitted – the report of the Head of Housing Services in relation to the above.

The Portfolio Holder (Housing & Social Services) stated that consultation was undertaken by the Council with regard to two identified sites at Tyddyn Lantern Farm, Holyhead and Former farm off Cyttir Road, Holyhead. 

The Assistant Chief Executive (Governance and Business Process Transformation) noted that following the consultation process it is considered that both sites are unsuitable to proceed as sites for the allocation of temporary stopping places for Gypsies and Travellers.  A short-term solution needs to be found in Holyhead by placing bins to reduce domestic waste and fly-tipping in locations where travellers seem to encamp in unauthorized locations in Holyhead.  She stated that further investigations will need to be undertaken to meet the needs of travellers travelling to Ireland and to gauge the use of the Port by Gypsies and Travellers.  Due to the lack of land in public ownership in Holyhead, discussions will need to take place with private sector land owners to identify suitable land for a Temporary Stopping Place for the Irish Travellers who occasionally stop in Holyhead on their way to and from the port.

RESOLVED :-

·           That neither of the two sites included in the consultation to provide a temporary stopping place in the vicinity of Holyhead should be progressed or included in the Local Development Plan;

·           To carry out further work to identify alternative sites to meet the need for a temporary stopping place in the Holyhead area as identified in the Council’s Gypsy and Traveller Assessment 2016 to comply with the Council duties under Part 3 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014;

·           Further work should be undertaken to better understand the level of use of Holyhead Port by Gypsy and Travellers and the level of unauthorised encampments occurring as a result of travel to and from the Port.  This to include further discussions with the Police, Port Authorities, Welsh Government and other key stakeholders;

·           As a short-term solution, to consider placing bins in a suitable location to reduce the incidence of domestic waste fly-tipping which has been associated with unauthorised encampments in Holyhead;

·           The Authority to continue to fulfil its role to promote community cohesion.  This must balance the needs of local communities and visiting Gypsy Travellers to feel safe and to be consulted on development issues with the recognition that the Council must act to counter racist attitudes and challenge inflammatory comments.

To submit the report of the Head of Children’s Services.

Submitted – the report of the Head of Children’s Services in relation to the above.

The Portfolio Holder (Housing & Social Services) stated that the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 places a clear duty on the Local Authority to provide a preventative approach to the delivery of wellbeing of children to reduce the need for them to be looked after.

The Head of Children’s Services stated that the Edge of Care Teams in other local authorities in England and Wales has shown success in supporting families to be able to raise their children within the family rather than within the care system.  She noted that a significant proportion of the service budget is spent on a growing number of looked after children, whilst not necessarily achieving the best outcomes.  An innovative way to improve and redesign service delivery to achieve higher quality needs to be established through an Edge of Care Team.

RESOLVED :-

·           To release funds from the Council’s general reserves for 2016/17 to fund the costs of the Edge of Care Team;

·           To approve funding for the subsequent two years to be included in the service budget for both years.