Issue - meetings

      Report of the Chief Executive

Cllr Toby Sturgis, Cabinet Member for Spatial Planning, Development Management and Property presented the report seeking approval for the first stage of consultation on the Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document and provision to be made for the funding of emergency stopping place sites.

Cllr Sturgis explained that the Plan would address the accommodation needs of Wiltshire’s travelling communities and update Core Policy 47 ‘Meeting the needs of Gypsies and Travellers’ of the Wiltshire Core Strategy. In line with legislation, the first formal stage in preparing the Plan is to consult on its scope with the local community and other stakeholders. The report detailed the proposed content for the initial consultation on the Plan and the arrangements for consultation.

Cllr Bob Jones, Vice-Chairman of the Environment Select Committee reported that he and the Chair of the Environment Select Committee had viewed the Plan, were happy with progress and supportive of the proposals.

Cllr Sturgis in response to a question about travelling showpeople confirmed that their accommodation needs would be addressed through the plan and formed part of the consultation documents.

Resolved:

i)               Note the content and findings of the Gypsies and Travellers Accommodation Assessment;

ii)             Approves Appendix 1 for the purposes of consultation on the scope and content of the Gypsies and Travellers Plan subject to amendment at (iii);

iii)           Authorises the Director for Economic Development and Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Spatial Planning, Development Management and Investment to: make any necessary changes to the consultation documents in the interest of clarity and accuracy before they are finalised for publication; and make arrangements for and undertake statutory consultation;

iv)           Approves a capital budget of £1.3 million from the ‘Other Capital Schemes to be approved’ budget to fund the delivery of three Emergency Stopping Place sites; and

v)             Note that the Emergency Stopping Places will have revenue implications of circa £0.030 million per year, which will need to be addressed in future Revenue budget setting.

Reason for Decision:

To ensure progress continues to be made in updating the Local Plan for Wiltshire in line with the Local Development Scheme and statutory requirements; and the housing needs of Wiltshire’s travelling communities can

be met.