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Travelling People: Regional Government

Volume 463: debated on Monday 23 July 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Government’s announcement of the abolition of regional assemblies on the Government’s plans to create additional Gypsy and Traveller sites; what plans she has for the consultation process on Gypsy and Traveller sites being undertaken by the East of England Regional Assembly due to end on 31 July; and if she will make a statement on the future of the Government’s plans to create additional Gypsy and Traveller sites in Hertfordshire. (151697)

The announcement on the outcome of the Sub-National Review made it clear that we will consult on the move to single regional strategies. In the meantime, we expect the current round of revisions to Regional Spatial Strategies, including those on provision for Gypsies and Travellers, to be completed at the earliest opportunity.

As the hon. Member notes, the consultation in the East of England is being run by the East of England Regional Assembly, and its results will inform the review of the Regional Spatial Strategy. With regards to Hertfordshire, plans for future sites should reflect the needs identified by Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessments and by the proposed revision to the Regional Spatial Strategy, which is itself informed by the results of those assessments.