Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services in relation to the above.

Submitted - a report by the Head of Housing Services in relation to the above.

The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 places a duty on Local Authorities to provide sites for gypsies and travellers where a need has been identified, and provide sufficient appropriate sites in their Local Development Plan. 

The Anglesey and Gwynedd Gypsy and Travellers Accommodation Needs Assessment 2016 (GTAA) has been produced jointly between the Isle of Anglesey County Council and Gwynedd Council, and was approved by Anglesey County Council’s Executive on the 8th February, 2016.

The new Anglesey and Gwynedd GTTA identified the following need on Anglesey: -

1.     A permanent residential site to meet the needs of the new travellers at the

tolerated site at Pentraeth road;

2.     Two sites to be used as temporary stopping places for gypsies and travellers along the A55, one in Holyhead and the other in the centre of the Island to accommodate people who are travelling to and from Ireland and people who travel around the UK in general.

The consultation exercise included a series of meetings with stakeholders and drop-in sessions were held (attended by approx 215 adults); Town/ Community Councils meetings; and officers attended two public meetings. It was noted that the views of businesses on industrial estates were also  considered.

The consultation document with maps and consultation questionnaire was available on the Council website and at the drop-in sessions. Copies were sent to nearby businesses, landowners and tenants.

The Assistant Chief Executive introduced Mr Bryn Hall, an Independent Advocate employed by Unity, an organisation specialising in consultations with gypsy and traveller communities. Mr Hall has been engaging with the gypsy and traveller communities during this process, and the Committee has asked for feedback on the matter.

The Assistant Chief Executive summarised key points within the report and the consultation process undertaken as following:-

•  The importance of understanding the background and differing needs of gypsies and travellers was highlighted.

•  It was considered that the Independent Advocate has improved communication with the community of New Age Travellers in Pentraeth Road, in terms of being independent and airing their views.

•  Local people, including farmers need to be informed directly of any developments in future.

•  Senior Officers and the Portfolio Holder for Social Services and Housing have listened to comments made in meetings and lessons have been learned, which can be incorporated into future consultation processes.

•  The Council’s aim is to conduct a further consultation exercise during the next month.

Members raised the following issues:-

•  The scoring matrix does not allow for reasons to be provided why certain sites are unsuitable.

•  Members need to be involved in the consultation process from the outset.

•  A question was raised whether the timetable for reporting back on the new consultation process to full Council in mid-July was too ambitious?

The Assistant Chief Executive responded that one of the restrictions was the Joint Local Development Plan with Gwynedd Council. In light of this, she was optimistic that the work could now be completed by the end of July.

•  Public and local businesses must be kept informed of potential sites at the earliest opportunity.

The Chief Executive reported that a lot of the planning work had been undertaken to prepare for the consultation process. Officers now have sufficient knowledge to conduct consultation sessions in different communities on the same evenings.

RESOLVED to recommend to the Executive:-

•  That the Committee noted that concerns raised in the January meeting 

   regarding the consultation process had been addressed.

•  That the Executive approves the report and agrees that Officers

    implement issues identified to improve consultation exercises in

    future.