Highways & Neighbourhoods, Adult & Children’ Services and Deputy Leader (Portfolio) Cabinet Members – Minute – 3 May 2012

1        (1) GYPSY AND TRAVELLER ACCOMODATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT The  Directors of Infrastructure Services, Neighbourhood and Environment and Adult Social Services submitted a joint report advising the Cabinet Members of an assessment of gypsy and traveller accommodation needs in North Lincolnshire.

Councils had a duty under the 2004 Housing Act to identify the accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers as part of their overall strategy for meeting housing needs.

The council was currently reviewing its housing strategy.  A strategic housing market assessment was underway that would include results from a survey of 1,500 households across North Lincolnshire.

The University of Salford undertook a Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment in 2008 on behalf of the council.  Since then there have been a number of changes locally.  In the government’s recent guidance to councils it was made clear that they should keep their needs information up to date and to review accommodation needs regularly.

The new Planning Policy for Traveller Sites supported councils to keep their assessments of need as up to date as possible.  Therefore the council was fulfilling its role to maintain robust needs information by providing an updated needs assessment in line with government requirements.  A revised assessment had been prepared and was attached at appendix 1 to the report.

In accordance with government guidance, approval was sought to consult with interested parties via the council’s website, relevant newspapers, and the council’s local link offices, as well as visits to gypsies and travellers in the area to determine whether the assessment of need was appropriate.

Resolved – That the proposal to begin a public consultation on the gypsy and traveller assessment, as set out in paragraph 2.8 of the report, be approved.