Agenda item

Note – There will be a presentation on this item by Steve Jarman, Opinion Research Services (ORS)

The Panel considered a report detailing the findings of the East Herts Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment Update Summary, April 2016.  It was noted that this report had replaced the agenda item which had been withdrawn from the meeting held on 25 February 2016.  Officers detailed that the Update Summary would be used as evidence to inform and support the East Herts District Plan and to inform Development Management decisions.

Steve Jarman, (Opinion Research Services) gave a presentation on the research undertaken to identify the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the District.  He explained that ORS was a leading organisation which had worked with 70 Councils on this subject. 

Mr Jarman explained the background to the research and the legal obligations placed on councils to demonstrate that they could meet the identified accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the same way that they have to meet general housing needs. 

Of particular note and in addition to case law, was the fact that the Government had issued a revision to its ‘Planning policy for traveller sites’ guidance in August 2015, largely concerning definitions in relation to Gypsies, and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople for planning purposes, which had necessitated an update to the 2014 Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment that the company had carried out.  These revised definitions, and the methodology around the research were explained in detail.  He concluded that, as a result, the Updated Accommodation Needs Assessment had identified that the Council would need to provide five pitches for Gypsies and Travellers and nine plots for Travelling Showpeoples’ accommodation needs for the period to 2033.  It was also noted that the Housing and Planning Bill had received Royal Assent on 12 May 2016 and that the provisions of the Act meant that it would be appropriate for certain amendments to be made to the version of the Update Summary before the Panel to ensure consistency of approach.

The Panel Chairman advised the Panel that the report before Members was an update in terms of the latest Government guidance, but since the Housing and Planning Bill had recently become an Act of Parliament it would be sensible for amendments to be made to the document to ensure consistency in approach.  She suggested that in the circumstances, the Panel might wish to delegate authority for amendments to the Update Summary necessitated by the Housing and Planning Act to the Head of Planning and Building Control in conjunction with the Panel Chairman for consideration by the Executive.  This was supported.

The Panel supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) East Herts Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment Update Summary, April 2016, be noted;

(B)      amendments to the Update Summary necessitated by the Housing and Planning Act for consideration by the Executive be delegated to the Head of Planning and Building Control in conjunction with the Panel Chairman; and

(C)      the final version of the East Herts Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Needs Assessment Update Summary, May 2016, as now submitted at Essential Reference Paper ‘A’, be approved as part of the evidence base to inform and support the East Herts District Plan and to inform Development Management decisions.