Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of City Development seeking approval of the Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Pitch Requirement Study in order to ensure that the Submission Core Strategy policy dealing with Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople is supported by an up to date evidence base, which is compliant with national policy and aligns with the wider activities of the Council in planning positively for Leeds-based Gypsies and Travellers.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which sought approval of the Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Pitch Requirement Study in order to ensure that the Submission Core Strategy policy dealing with Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople was supported by an up to date evidence base, which was compliant with national policy and aligned with the wider activities of the Council in planning positively for Leeds-based Gypsies and Travellers.

Members were provided with an update on the role of the Leeds City Region in respect of this issue.

Further to the Inquiry into Gypsy and Traveller Site Provision in Leeds undertaken by the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) in 2010, it was requested that the data considered at that time be re-examined by the relevant Scrutiny Board along with any fresh data, in order to contribute towards the policy development process.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Pitch Requirement Study be approved for the purposes of supporting Policy H7 of the Submission Core Strategy at Examination.

(b)  That the approach to making further changes to the plan, as set out within paragraphs 2.8 and 2.9 of the submitted report be approved.

(c)  That further to the Inquiry into Gypsy and Traveller Site Provision in Leeds undertaken by the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) in 2010, the data considered at that time be re-examined by the relevant Scrutiny Board along with any fresh data, in order to contribute towards the policy development process.

(The matters referred to within this minute were designated as exempt from Call In as the matter was deemed to be urgent, and as the Core Strategy Inspector had set a deadline of 16^th September 2013 for the submission of supplementary statements by the Council for the Core Strategy examination, and that any delay may damage the Council’s or public’s interest).