The report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment seeks approval to consult key stakeholders and the public on initial proposed modifications to Core Strategy policies for Gypsies and Travellers, (following the completion of the Merseyside and West Lancashire Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment 2014) and further proposed modifications to Core Strategy policies for town centres (following advice from the Council’s retained retail consultants Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners (NLP) and in response to previous consultation undertaken in July 2013).

It is recommended that consultation on the proposed modifications will be undertaken, for six weeks, in line with national regulations and the Council’s adopted Statement of Community Involvement (10 March 2014), accompanied by the documents set out at Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 to the report;

The results of consultation will be reported back to Cabinet before Full Council is recommended to approve the final text of the Core Strategy Local Plan for submission to the Secretary of State.