(Councillor S Rayner declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest as her husband’s family business owned land on some of the sites under consideration.  She left the room for the duration of the discussion and voting on the item.)

The Lead Member for Planning and Health, Including Sustainability introduced the report that updated Cabinet on progress with the single issue Traveller Local Plan, which would set out how the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Traveller groups would be met up to 2033 and sought approval to publish an Issues and Options paper in January 2019 for consultation. 

The Panel were informed that as set out in the local development scheme, the Issues and Options paper was the first stage of the Traveller Local Plan.  It would progress through two stages of consultation prior to publication, examination and then adoption.  The consultation would start in the new year but because of the local elections adoption would not be until autumn 2019.

The report showed that there was an un-met requirement within the Royal Borough and that there would be consultation with the public and parish councils.  This was not a decision on adoption but a view on methodology.

Cabinet were informed that there were a number of areas for consideration:

·         Who do we mean by travellers?

·         The context and history.

·         Vision and Objectives for each traveller group.

·         Options for provision.

·         Questions that need consideration.

As set out in the local development scheme, the Issues and Options paper was the first stage of the Traveller Local Plan with the purpose of getting everyone’s views.

The Deputy Lead Member Maidenhead Waterways Champion informed that the Planning and Housing O&S Panel had questioned why this was not included in the BLP but they were satisfied that the Inspector was happy for the it to progress in this way.

The Principal Member for Neighbourhood Planning requested that with reference to the southern part of the borough mostly Ascot that this also includes Sunningdale. 

Resolved unanimously:  that Cabinet notes the report and:

(i) Approves the publication of the Traveller Local Plan Issues & Options

paper for public consultation, along with necessary evidence base studies.

(ii) Gives the Head of Planning delegated authority to approve minor changes

to the Issues & Options paper, in consultation with the Lead Member for

Planning and Health, prior to its publication.