COUNCIL bosses called on other East Lancashire authorities to do their bit in providing land for gypsy and traveller sites.

Leader of Hyndburn Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said other councils across Pennine Lancashire had not been meeting their obligations in terms of setting aside land.

The move came as cabinet members approved a consultation seeking views on potential sites across the borough.

Cllr Parkinson said: “Hyndburn has done what it should and other authorities across East Lancashire have not done their bit. We know what is required while other councils shirk their responsibilities.

“I know Jake Berry MP made comments on the Rossendale consultation where he made the argument they didn’t need to have gypsy or traveller sites because other authorities can supply them.”

Leader of the Conservative group, Cllr Tony Dobson, added: “You have cross party support for that view. Over the years, we have gone above and beyond and it’s time for other Pennine Lancashire authorities to be as committed as we are.”

In a report before the cabinet, a Hyndburn Council planning spokesman said: “ The Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) details the planning policy requirement for needs assessments to take place, and the approach undertaken to ensure that the study is a robust and sound piece of evidence.

“It sets out the current provision of sites and pitches around the borough and their associated occupancy in terms of gypsy and traveller households.

“For travelling showpeople it confirms the current yard provision in the borough and occupancies of plots within that yard.

“The GTAA concludes by identifying future gypsy and traveller pitch requirements in Hyndburn over the new Local Plan period (to 2036).”

The assessment found there will be an expected shortfall of 49 pitches by 2036.

The spokesman added: “Based on past trends, the GTAA highlights potential turnover on the council run site over the plan period to 2036 as a source of seven pitches.

“Taken from the overall net shortfall of 49 pitches set out in the report, this reduces the net need over the plan period to 42 pitches.”

Cllr Parkinson said the consultation was to start on November 29 but would now likely begin after the election.