Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2009 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

(1)       The Head of Gypsy and Traveller Unit reported that the Minister for Communities and Local Government had not yet made a decision on the provision of grant aid for the proposed replacement Coldharbour Traveller Caravan site.  The new site had, however been granted planning permission in the light of no objections being made.

(2)       In respect of the provision of sites in the Swale area, The Head of Gypsy and Traveller Unit reported that the management arrangements had not yet been determined as they were the subject of ongoing discussions between KCC, Swale BC and Amicus.  The eventual bid for grant aid was expected to be submitted by the end of June 2010.

(3)       RESOLVED to:-

(a)                note the report; and

(b)               endorse the actions taken to secure the necessary additional site provision in order to meet the requirements likely to be specified in the South East Plan from 2010, following completion of the current Partial Review on the subject.

(1)       The Board agreed that the Head of Gypsy and Traveller Unit should produce a position paper for the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services on the arguments for a model pitch agreement.  This should be followed speedily by a meeting involving the Cabinet Member, Lead Member, Chairman and Head of Gypsy and Traveller Unit.

(2)       RESOLVED to:-

(a)               recommend to the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services that the Department for Community and Local Government be asked to support a national recommended model pitch agreement for publicly-run traveller sites;

(b)               request the Head of Gypsy and Traveller Unit to produce a position paper for the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services in support of (a) above and to strongly recommend that this should be followed speedily by a meeting involving the Cabinet Member, Lead Member, Chairman and Head of Gypsy and Traveller Unit.

(c)               support the measures being taken to prepare for the changes to security of tenure in Kent, likely to be from April 2010;

(d)               support the fullest communication with existing residents of KCC sites over the changes that will affect them; and

(e)               agree that the measures to review rents need to be tied in with the changes to security of tenure and the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (with certain amendments applying to new pitch agreements.

(1)       The Board agreed that there was a case to review whether it should have a broader remit than reporting to the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services.

(2)       The Board requested a report on the educational achievements of Gypsy and Traveller children at a future meeting.

(3)       The Board agreed that a representative from the Countywide Chief Housing Officers Group should be invited to send a representative to future meeting whenever housing matters were under discussion.