This meeting of the Questions at Any Time to Cabinet Portfolio Holders of Powys Council was scheduled to consider a question from County Councillor Danny Bebb regarding the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment. County Councillor Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, was expected to answer the question. The question concerned the adequacy of the council's assessment, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and updated Welsh Government guidance.

Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment

County Councillor Danny Bebb asked County Councillor Matthew Dorrance about the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) for Powys. He noted that the previous assessment was conducted in 2021 during a period of significant public health restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that these restrictions inevitably limited the scope and depth of face-to-face engagement with Gypsy and Traveller communities .

County Councillor Danny Bebb stated that other Welsh local authorities, such as Denbighshire and Neath Port Talbot, have reassessed their GTAAs, and that the Welsh Government's updated GTAA guidance (2025) places stronger emphasis on direct engagement . He asked whether Powys Council would commit to reassessing its GTAA, and what steps would be taken to ensure future engagement with Gypsy and Traveller communities is inclusive and representative.

He also asked whether the council had received any direction from Welsh Ministers under Sections 103 or 104 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014¹ regarding the adequacy of its GTAA, and whether the council would consider commissioning new fieldwork or working with community-led organisations to improve its consultation process.