Agenda and minutes

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th November, 2006 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chairman.

Further to Minute No. 1 of the meeting of the Joint Cabinet Members for Community Cohesion, Economic Regeneration and Development Services and Neighbourhoods, which outlined the current situation with regards to the gypsy and traveller community in Rotherham, consideration was given to a further report, which detailed the criteria that would be used in order to develop site provision in the borough.  This criteria would help identify a site location which was safe and sustainable.

Officers were in the process of trawling through available parcels of land owned by the Council, which would then be assessed against the relevant site criteria.  A further meeting would then be convened to discuss ways of moving forward as part of compliance with the Housing Act 2004.

In addition, work was also taking place on a community profile for gypsy and travellers to identify their level of need.

Without identification of relevant provision in early 2007, the Government had the powers to intervene in the process where it considered a Local Authority had not adequately addressed gypsy and traveller site provision in its area.

Due to the impending cut-off date Government Office had been contacted to discuss realistic timescales for bid submissions.  A meeting had, therefore, been arranged in early January, 2007.

Debate ensued and agreement reached that a press release at this stage was premature.

Resolved:-  (1)  That work continue towards the provision of a gypsy and traveller site within the Authority’s boundary based upon identified need.

(2)  That the proposed three level approach to analysing potential gypsy and traveller sites be adopted.

(3)  That representatives from the Chief Executive’s Office and Economic and Development Services and Neighbourhoods Programme Areas should meet as soon as possible to consider all areas of land against the defined criteria.

(4)  That a further joint meeting be arranged to consider the outcome of previous discussions between officers during December, 2006.