About LTACC

Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (LTACC)

1. Purpose and Role

The purpose and role of the LTACC is to:

The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 requires each local authority, following a consultation process, to prepare, adopt and implement 5 year rolling accommodation programmes to meet the existing and projected accommodation needs of Travellers in their areas.

  • Advise in relation to the preparation and implementation of the Sligo Traveller Accommodation Programme
  • Advise on the provision and management of accommodation for travellers, and
  • Provide a liaison between travellers and elected members and officials of the Council
  • Regularly liaise with and report to the National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee

2. Membership

As set out in section 22 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act, 1998 the LTACC shall be made up of member of the appointed authority, officials of the appointing authority and representatives of local travellers and traveller bodies. The making of an appointment is a reserved function.

3. Number of Meetings

A minimum of Four ordinary meetings will be held each year at a time and location to be agreed by the Committee.

4. Notice of Meetings

A minimum of Seven days notice will be given for ordinary meetings and special meetings of the Committee and should state the date, time and venue for the meeting

5. Order of Business/Agenda and Minutes

  • The order of business/Agenda and minutes of previous meetings shall issue a minimum of Five days prior to date of the meeting
  • The order of business at ordinary meetings of the Committee shall be set out as on the Agenda.
  • The agenda should set out clearly the individual items to be dealt with at the meeting
  • Issues relevant to the meeting agenda only are discussed.
  • It is open to any member to propose an item to be placed on the agenda of the next meeting
  • Minutes of all meetings will contain the names of the members present, apologies received, together with the decisions arrived at and the decisions made.
  • The Minutes of every Committee Meeting shall be signed by the Chair following confirmation by the Committee.

6. Conduct of Meetings

The Chairperson should ensure that:

  • Each member of the Committee shall have a right to speak on any issue and be given equal opportunity to make their views known.
  • Decisions shall as far as possible have broad support within the committee
  • Meetings shall be conducted in a spirit of mutual respect and inclusiveness. If meetings are not conducted in this manner, they will be suspended until order is restored.
  • The ruling of the Chairperson on a point of order shall be final.
  • Meetings are structured along a definite length of time which should be adhered to
  • Use of mobile phones is not permitted at meetings

7. Quorum

The quorum for the meetings of the Committee shall be a minimum of Five members. If after Twenty minutes from the agreed starting time of a meeting, a quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to a date to be determined by the Chairperson.

8. Substitutes/Non attendance

While consistency of attendance is desirable, alternates are permitted where a member is not in a position to attend and should be advised in advance to the agenda issuer/Chairman. In the event of a member failing to attend at least two ordinary meetings of the Committee in any year, the nominating body shall be asked to review the matter.

9. Non-attendance

In the event of a member failing to attend at least two consecutive ordinary meetings of the Committee in any year, the LTACC will review the matter.

10. Chairperson

The Chairperson shall be a member of Sligo County Council and shall be elected by the Council in accordance with section 25 of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 and shall remain in that position for the lifetime of the Council unless replaced by the Council. The Chairperson will be in charge of meetings of the Committee.

In the absence of the Chairperson, the members of the Committee present shall choose an agreed LTACC member to act as Chairperson.

11. Confidentiality

  • The meeting of the LTACC shall be in committee
  • Individual cases shall not be discussed by the Committee nor shall there be mention of individual family names.
  • Certain matters or policies which arise for discussion by the Committee may be confidential and it is a matter for the meeting to declare that confidentiality shall be maintained on the issue.

12. Suspension of Standing Orders

Standing Orders may at any time, by consent of not less than three quarters of the Members present at the Meeting of the Committee, be suspended on a proposal made for the purpose of any specified business. Prior notice of any such proposal shall be given to the Chairperson.

13. Sub-Groups

The Committee may appoint sub-groups as required to carry out specific functions consistent with the role and purpose of the LTACC.

The Sub-Group should consist of members from each of the various strands and have specific terms of reference from the Committee.

14. Interpretation of Standing Orders

The Chairperson’s ruling on any question or his/her interpretation of the Standing Orders shall be final.

15. Matters Not Covered by Standing Orders

The Chairperson shall have power to deal with any matter not covered by Standing Orders.

16. Review of Standing Orders

A review of the standing orders will take place annually.