MEMORANDUM

To:Members of the Gypsy Panel
ACS Officers / From: ADULT CARE SERVICES
Ask for:Janice Mottram
Ext:28523

GYPSY PANEL

2 FEBRUARY 2005

ATTENDANCE

Members of the Panel

Ken Coleman, Michael Downing, Bernard Lloyd, David Lloyd

Officers in attendance

Sarah Pickup, Director of Adult Care Services

Ivor Cawthorn,Project Manager Service Development (Extra Care and Housing)

Norbert McCabe, Head of Gypsy Section

Janice Mottram, Executive Assistant to the Director of Adult Care Services

APOLOGIES

DerekHills, Diane Grinstead

PART 1 (PUBLIC) AGENDA

1 / WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
Ken Coleman welcomed Members and officers to the meeting and introductions were made.
2 /

APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

Ken Coleman was appointed as Chairman for this meeting.
3 /

REMIT AND MEMBERSHIP

The remit was agreed subject to the following amendment (shown in italics)
To advise Cabinet, Executive Members and Chief Officers on the development, implementation and monitoring of the County Council’s policies for Gypsy Site provision and the wider issues affecting Gypsies within Hertfordshire.
4 /

THE ACCOMMODATION NEEDS OF GYPSIES AND TRAVELLERS

Ivor Cawthorn presented a report which sought Members' recommendations about proposed resolutions drawn up as a result of a feedback and consultation event about the Needs Survey (which considered the accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers in the west and south areas of Hertfordshire).
Members discussed the issues outlined in the report and
  • Recommended

(i) / Acceptance of the proposed resolutions drawn up at the consultation event.
(ii) / That a press release relating to the Needs Survey should be drawn up. The wording of this would be agreed with both Members and Officers and considered by District Councils at the group meeting in February. Enquiries following the press release could be directed to the Executive Summary.
.
  • Noted that the Needs Survey for other areas of the county was underway.

5 / CONSULTATION PAPER – PLANNING FOR GYPSY AND TRAVELLER SITES
Ivor Cawthorn presented a report which informed Members of central government’s proposals about the planning for Gypsy and Traveller sites and suggested areas for consideration in the county council’s response.
Members discussed the proposals highlighted in the report which were drawn from the consultation document and
  • Noted that:

(i)
(ii) / proposals contained in the consultation document transferred the emphasis for making decisions regarding the provision of sites and assessing needs to the Local District Planning and Housing Authorities.
the role of the CountyPlanning and Gypsy Section would then become a more strategic and advisory one, combining its expertise in Gypsy Traveller issues, with its ability to facilitate consultation and provide expert management of sites.
  • Agreed that a response to the proposals would be drawn up on behalf of the County Council and would be sent from Sarah Pickup and John Wood. This would include reference to the following comments made by members of the panel:

(i)
(ii) / Local Authorities should consult with gypsy groups before designating land.
There should also be a mechanism for consulting parish and town councils within the process.
6 / CONSULTATION PROCESS
Norbert McCabe gave a verbal report about ways of achieving effective consultation with Gypsies and Travellers.
It was agreed that a report outlining a set of proposals for taking this forward would be presented for the next meeting of the Gypsy Panel.
Proposals would also be brought to the next meeting for arrangements for visiting some of the sites over the summer period.
7 / DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
It was agreed that the Gypsy Panel should meet three times a year and dates for a meeting in June would be agreed with members of the panel.
8 / FORWARD AGENDA
Agenda items for the next meeting were agreed as follows:
  • Proposals for a consultation mechanism
  • Results of the Needs Survey for East and North Hertfordshire
  • Update on the Needs Survey for West and South Hertfordshire

Janice Mottram

Executive Assistant to the Director of Adult Care Services

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