The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration requesting consideration of the establishment of a Gypsy and Traveller Forum, together with Member representation.
The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that Gypsies and Travellers form part of Mid Devon’s community and although only accounting for a small proportion of the population, the community were often hard to reach and there was a need to encourage good relations and advance efforts to eliminate discrimination. The creation of a forum would establish better communication with the various communities, improve health wellbeing and educational needs, allow the Council to fulfil its equality duties and further the aims of the Corporate Plan. The forum would be based on the Teignbridge model which seemed to be working well, would meet twice a year and would involve Gypsy and Travellers, Elected Members, officers and various stakeholders, but would have no decision making powers.
Consideration was given to:
· The need for the forum to be open and transparent and for discussions to be held in a “safe place”
· The forum would be about partnership working
· The forum would be open to any members of the gypsy and traveller community within Mid Devon
· The venue for the forum
RESOLVED that:
a) The establishment of a Gypsy and Traveller Forum in Mid Devon be approved;
b) The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Housing take up membership of the forum in the first instance and that one further position be nominated at the annual meeting of the Council in May.
(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.