Issue - meetings

To submit the report of the Head of Service (Housing).

RESOLVED

·         That the Authority as part of a consortium of North Wales local authorities adopts the recommendations of the North Wales Gypsy and Travellers Accommodation Needs Assessment (NW GTANA) report as an evidence base;

·         That the Head of Service (Housing) be given the support of key officers in Corporate Directorates to formalise the Terms of Reference for the local Gypsy Travellers Operational Officers Group;

·         That a new Gypsy Travellers action plan be prepared based on the recommendations of the NW GTANA and that tasks be allocated to lead officers in appropriate departments to promulgate;

·         That Anglesey continues to support Regional collaboration to the Gypsy Traveller communities’ agenda through the newly re-formed NW GT Co-ordination Group;

·         That the Council works collaboratively with neighbouring authorities and other key stakeholders to meet identified need for pitch requirements;

·         That appropriate sites are identified to meet requirements;

·         That mechanisms are established to enable effective engagement with Gypsy Traveller communities when identifying potential future sites;

·         That possible sites are included within the Local Development Plan;

·         To submit an outline application for capital grant for a local GT site from the Welsh Government.

Submitted - The report of the Head of Service (Housing) presenting the findings of the North Wales Gypsy and Travellers Accommodation Needs Assessment study (NWGTANA), and seeking Executive approval upon future actions.

Councillor Carwyn Jones stated that he was supportive of the report but mentioned that the study had identified a shortfall of 62 residential pitches across the study area by 2016, with a need for 11 residential pitches on Anglesey. Since 2006, there was one tolerated unauthorised encampment on the Island at Pentraeth which cost this Authority some £10k p.a. to keep the site tidy, provide water and Portaloos. If an official site was provided, it would receive a Band A Council Tax valuation, which equated to £800 p.a. and with a notional rent of say £25 each, the Authority would receive some £23k annual revenue. Over 10 years this would equate to generation of £250k as opposed to current expenditure of £100k.           

RESOLVED

·         That the Authority as part of a consortium of North Wales local authorities adopts the recommendations of the North Wales Gypsy and Travellers Accommodation Needs Assessment (NW GTANA) report as an evidence base;

·         That the Head of Service (Housing) be given the support of key officers in Corporate Directorates to formalise the Terms of Reference for the local Gypsy Travellers Operational Officers Group;

·         That a new Gypsy Travellers action plan be prepared based on the recommendations of the NW GTANA and that tasks be allocated to lead officers in appropriate departments to promulgate;

·         That Anglesey continues to support Regional collaboration to the Gypsy Traveller communities’ agenda through the newly re-formed NW GT Co-ordination Group;

·         That the Council works collaboratively with neighbouring authorities and other key stakeholders to meet identified need for pitch requirements;

·         That appropriate sites are identified to meet requirements;

·         That mechanisms are established to enable effective engagement with Gypsy Traveller communities when identifying potential future sites;

·         That possible sites are included within the Local Development Plan;

·         To submit an outline application for capital grant for a local GT site from the Welsh Government.