Agenda item

To submit the report of the Head of Housing Services.

(Appendix and correspondence attached).

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

The Senior Planning Officer (Joint Planning Policy Gwynedd and Anglesey) reported that the Council needed to identify sites that are fit for purpose. Land at Gaerwen and Penhesgyn and the site of the present unauthorised encampment in Pentraeth were considered as potential sites, which needed to be large enough to house four households. The site at Gaerwen was not suitable due to the cost of providing a water supply.

North Wales Police have commented that they have no issues relating to crime and disorder at the Pentraeth site, they are only concerned about road safety issues, should children live on the site.

Members raised the following issues:-

•  The travellers have made their views known that their preference is to stay on the Pentraeth site. Members were concerned that moving the travellers could be a waste of money unless they were willing to move to a new site.

The Assistant Chief Executive responded that the Council is legally bound to find a suitable site for the travellers and act in a responsible manner, as leaving them on the Pentraeth site would be unsafe.

•  It was noted that the Pentraeth site is a tolerated development, therefore the Council does not have enforcement powers to evict travellers without first preparing a suitable permanent site.

•  A question was asked about how the travellers would react to rules and regulations. Based on discussions with the travellers, officers believed that the travellers would accept that there would be rules on an official site monitored by the Council, but that it was important that the travellers were fully engaged in agreeing the rules with the Council.

The Independent Advocate reported that both he and the Housing Strategy and Development Manager have visited and discussed issues with the travellers at Pentraeth. He stated that the travellers learned about the consultation from newspaper reports, and had been upset by visits from local people before the consultation began, which damaged the engagement process. He further stated that the travellers need assurance from the Council and should be involved in the planning process. He referred to the consultation work that has been carried out, and how there is now scope for improved communication.

Members of the public, Mr Lawrence Gain, Mr Gareth Morgan, Mr Wyn Jones, Mrs Foulkes and a local resident were given permission to comment at the meeting and voiced their concerns to the Committee.

Points raised:-

•  Health and Safety issues regarding air quality and pollution at Penhesgyn;

•  Further discussions are needed with local communities;

•  Size and cost of the proposed development in Penhesgyn;

•  Site in Pentraeth is untidy;

•  Access to farm land is restricted in Pentraeth;

•  The Council already own land in Gaerwen;

RESOLVED:-

•  To note the report.

•  To note that the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee did

    not make a recommendation to the Executive in respect of this matter

    due to various concerns expressed at the meeting.

•  That the decision be taken by the Executive in due course.