(Time: 4.03pm to 4.13pm)
The Executive received and considered report 77/07 of the Strategic Director and Monitoring Officer. SEERA (the South East England Regional Assembly) was undertaking a partial review of the South East Plan relating to the provision of sites for gypsies and travellers in the South East. The first stage of the review was an opportunity for councils to submit their advice on the expected numbers and distribution of sites in their areas. In Oxfordshire a steering group of Councillors representing the County Council and the five District Councils had worked with the support of an officer working group to provide a response. This work had involved consultation with stakeholders, a recalculation of the expected need as set out in the Association of Councils of the Thames Valley Regions (ACTVaR) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment, and an alternative disaggregation of the County figure down to District level. The recalculated need for the County to 2016 was 42 pitches in comparison to the original figure of 98.
Advice on travelling showpeople was also requested but it was not considered that it was advisable to carry out a survey in the summer. It was intended that a survey would be carried out this winter. In line with other areas it was considered that advice could not be submitted to SEERA on transit provision and detailed costings.
Members noted that following submission of the advice to SEERA there would be public consultation on the draft preferred option document and Sustainability Appraisal by SEERA from May to July 2008, followed by submission of a draft Partial Review document and Sustainability Appraisal to Government in December 2008 and then an Examination in May 2009.
The Executive preferred option A, believing this to be fairer on this Council and Oxford City in that it related to demand and provision in each District, rather than simply taking a fifth share of the County total for each District.
RESOLVED
(a) that, in accordance with the agreed process, the suggested overall provision of 42 pitches in Oxfordshire and provision for the Vale of either 1 pitch under option A or 8 pitches under option B be agreed, and that a very strong preference for option A be recorded by the Executive for reference in future consultations;
(b) that the participation in a joint study on travelling showpeople in winter 2007/08 be approved; and
(c) that no response be made to the request for transit site provision, as this should be considered by SEERA, or to the request for detailed implementation costs.