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| 17 May 2009 13:50 |
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| Commission says little as one square mile of land would sort Gypsy and Traveller site provision
18 Mar 2009
A report released today by the Equality and Human Rights Commission shows investment in adequate site provision can generate income for local authorities, improve community relations and provide safe and decent accommodation for Gypsy and Traveller communities.
Gypsies and Travellers: Simple Solutions for Living Together says as little as one square mile of land across all of England would be enough to provide all Gypsy and Traveller families with sufficient authorised sites.
However, a survey of Local Authorities in the report reveals slow and patchy improvement in the number of authorised sites. Local authorities need to double their rate of progress if they are to meet the Government’s 2011 target to provide sufficient accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers (1).
Evidence gathered by the Commission shows that well-run, authorised sites can exist in harmony with settled communities. In contrast, unauthorised sites can increase community tensions and are often located in unsafe or unsuitable places lacking basic toilet and waste disposal facilities. As well as being a health hazard, such sites cause environmental damage and create an eyesore for residents and neighbours.
The report finds that authorised site provision also brings economic benefits. Currently, local authorities spend around £18 million a year of council tax payers' money evicting Gypsies and Travellers from unauthorised sites. These costs could be significantly reduced if councils invest in legitimate sites.
Investment in such sites could pay for itself over time. In Bristol for example, when authorised sites were developed, eviction costs fell from around £200,000 to £5,000 annually. The Council was also able to collect significant returns in rent, council tax and utility bills from the sites.
Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said:
'Unauthorised encampments do not benefit anybody apart from the lawyers. Local authorities get tied up in expensive prolonged legal eviction processes, the settled community becomes anxious and the Gypsies and Travellers have to pitch in unsafe, unsanitary sites and lack access to the health and education services that every family needs.
'Everyone has the right to a decent home, whether that's bricks and mortar or a caravan. For too long, Gypsies and Travellers have not had enough authorised places to stay and have remained at the edges of our communities.
'There is a simple solution to a problem that seems intractable in some parts of England. One square mile could be all that’s needed. Our report shows if we work together we can find a practical solution that suits Gypsies and Travellers, local residents and local authorities. We can give all Gypsies and Travellers access to authorised sites while reducing the burden on council tax payers. And most of all, we can provide the basis for safe and pleasant neighbourhoods.'
Speaking to the Commission, Ian Holding of Bristol City Council said:
'In 1996 we didn’t have any authorised sites, and every summer we were facing 20-30 large illegal encampments. The situation was at boiling point: we were receiving over 1,000 complaints every year, and we had a number of serious standoffs between Travellers and local residents.
'We were spending anywhere between £200,000 and £350,000 annually dealing with the situation. It was unsustainable, so we decided we had to spend to save and built two sites. Almost instantly we saw the level of expenditure drop. We now receive rent and residents pay their utility bills like everyone else. We are generating income as opposed to expenditure.'
Councillor Fred Yeulett, the Conservative deputy leader of Fenland District Council, argues in the Commission’s report that proper provision can help with community relations:
'By providing good sites we avoid many of the problems associated with Gypsies and Travellers, which give them a bad name and attract bad publicity.'
If English councils are to meet the Government's target of providing a sufficient number of sites by 2011, they will need to double their current rate of progress. The Commission is uniquely placed to play a role in finding just and fair solutions to this issue and will:
Promote good practice among local authorities and encourage them to identify and develop authorised sites;
Engage with politicians to help ensure they enter into dialogue that fosters good relations, rather than inflames community tensions;
Provide strategic funding for Gypsy and Traveller support groups, and work with media to foster a better understanding of the issues faced by Gypsies and Travellers and the wider community.
Gloria Buckley MBE, a Romany Gypsy and manager of three authorised sites says in the report:
'When I started managing one site [Costessey, In Norfolk] things were very rough, with terrible problems between the Gypsies and their neighbours. People said you can’t do it – but we got things in hand and we have made it work. We even got an award for making a contribution towards village life. We are one community – the Travellers and our settled neighbours. We’ve all got something in common: we want our children to be healthy and educated.'
Ends
For more information contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission Media Office on 02031170255, out of hours 07767272818.
Notes to Editors
1. The government has required all local authorities in England “to increase significantly the number of Gypsy and Traveller sites in appropriate locations with planning permission in order to address under-provision” by 2011. Refer Planning Circular 1/2006.
2. Visit Gypsies and Travellers: Simple Solutions for Living Together. This report has been informed by the following research conducted for the Commission:
'Inequalities Experienced by Gypsy and Traveller Communities', a literature review produced by Sarah Cemlyn (University of Bristol), Margaret Greenfields (Bucks New University) and Chris Whitwell, Zoe Matthews and Sally Burnett of Friends, Families and Travellers.
'Assessing local housing authorities' progress in meeting the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Traveller communities in England', was conducted by Philip Brown (Salford Housing & Urban Studies Unit, University of Salford) and Pat Niner (Centre for Urban and Regional Studies, University of Birmingham). A questionnaire went out to all 354 local authorities in England in October 2008. It received 185 replies - a 54% response rate.
3. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006, which took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain. It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission will enforce equality legislation on age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status, and encourage compliance with the Human Rights Act. It will also give advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.
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cam
Posts:55
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| 18 May 2009 15:14 |
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Today Dale Farm and Smithy Fen lost the fight to appeal a decision to stay on land they own. !,000 residents live on the sites and Basildon Council has been given the green light to bring in the bulldozers. This will be the biggest eviction ever in peacetime England. The United Nations are involved, but only in so far now that they will insure the eviction takes place within the Human Right Law. No alternative accommodation is offered to the hundreds of folks including elderly, sick, disabled and children. I think the only plans put in place is with Social Services, no doubt they will take children into care. This is a sad a terrible time faced by many, and the implications will have an affect on all Gypsies and Travellers.
If any folks in the Essex or London areas feel they can help the residents in anyway, please message me and I will pass your details on to Grattan Puxon of the Gypsy Council.
Please help if you can.
thanks Cam. |
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cathayb
Posts:120
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| 18 May 2009 16:51 |
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| re the top article.i know and have met ian holding and the rest of bristol gypsy and traveller laison group and they are exceptional folki.they even employ a real romany gal as part of their staff.they have done a tremendous amount for the travelling folki in thier community.here in somerset we have not been so fortunate with our set of officers although since we have been taken over by the district council things have improved vastly.the gypsies on our site though have worked hard over the years to build good relations with our village.so much so that now the village wont have a bad word said about any of us and invite us to all their garden parties ect.,our children are made really welcome in the school and the parish council say we are part of the village heritage.its good for gypsies and gaujos to mix and get to know one another.gaujos are very welcoe here on our site and we are made very welcome in their homes aswell.they love our culture and ways and we like some of their ways aswell.we are all human beings after all said and done. |
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cheri-m
Posts:50
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| 07 Jun 2009 05:50 |
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| Just out of Interest as I think what with the shortage of sites ,what is the views of the English when say a new site is provided and its Irish Travellers who take up the site ? as iv been told that there can be trouble between the two and seems that its not fair when say English who have been waiting for a site longer get pushed off because of well shall we say the bad feeling amongst the two groups? Iv heard a lot of Travellers left Ireland because of new rules brought in by the government. |
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Posts:474
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| 05/17/2009 1:50 PM |
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| Commission says little as one square mile of land would sort Gypsy and Traveller site provision
18 Mar 2009
A report released today by the Equality and Human Rights Commission shows investment in adequate site provision can generate income for local authorities, improve community relations and provide safe and decent accommodation for Gypsy and Traveller communities.
Gypsies and Travellers: Simple Solutions for Living Together says as little as one square mile of land across all of England would be enough to provide all Gypsy and Traveller families with sufficient authorised sites.
However, a survey of Local Authorities in the report reveals slow and patchy improvement in the number of authorised sites. Local authorities need to double their rate of progress if they are to meet the Government’s 2011 target to provide sufficient accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers (1).
Evidence gathered by the Commission shows that well-run, authorised sites can exist in harmony with settled communities. In contrast, unauthorised sites can increase community tensions and are often located in unsafe or unsuitable places lacking basic toilet and waste disposal facilities. As well as being a health hazard, such sites cause environmental damage and create an eyesore for residents and neighbours.
The report finds that authorised site provision also brings economic benefits. Currently, local authorities spend around £18 million a year of council tax payers' money evicting Gypsies and Travellers from unauthorised sites. These costs could be significantly reduced if councils invest in legitimate sites.
Investment in such sites could pay for itself over time. In Bristol for example, when authorised sites were developed, eviction costs fell from around £200,000 to £5,000 annually. The Council was also able to collect significant returns in rent, council tax and utility bills from the sites.
Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said:
'Unauthorised encampments do not benefit anybody apart from the lawyers. Local authorities get tied up in expensive prolonged legal eviction processes, the settled community becomes anxious and the Gypsies and Travellers have to pitch in unsafe, unsanitary sites and lack access to the health and education services that every family needs.
'Everyone has the right to a decent home, whether that's bricks and mortar or a caravan. For too long, Gypsies and Travellers have not had enough authorised places to stay and have remained at the edges of our communities.
'There is a simple solution to a problem that seems intractable in some parts of England. One square mile could be all that’s needed. Our report shows if we work together we can find a practical solution that suits Gypsies and Travellers, local residents and local authorities. We can give all Gypsies and Travellers access to authorised sites while reducing the burden on council tax payers. And most of all, we can provide the basis for safe and pleasant neighbourhoods.'
Speaking to the Commission, Ian Holding of Bristol City Council said:
'In 1996 we didn’t have any authorised sites, and every summer we were facing 20-30 large illegal encampments. The situation was at boiling point: we were receiving over 1,000 complaints every year, and we had a number of serious standoffs between Travellers and local residents.
'We were spending anywhere between £200,000 and £350,000 annually dealing with the situation. It was unsustainable, so we decided we had to spend to save and built two sites. Almost instantly we saw the level of expenditure drop. We now receive rent and residents pay their utility bills like everyone else. We are generating income as opposed to expenditure.'
Councillor Fred Yeulett, the Conservative deputy leader of Fenland District Council, argues in the Commission’s report that proper provision can help with community relations:
'By providing good sites we avoid many of the problems associated with Gypsies and Travellers, which give them a bad name and attract bad publicity.'
If English councils are to meet the Government's target of providing a sufficient number of sites by 2011, they will need to double their current rate of progress. The Commission is uniquely placed to play a role in finding just and fair solutions to this issue and will:
Promote good practice among local authorities and encourage them to identify and develop authorised sites;
Engage with politicians to help ensure they enter into dialogue that fosters good relations, rather than inflames community tensions;
Provide strategic funding for Gypsy and Traveller support groups, and work with media to foster a better understanding of the issues faced by Gypsies and Travellers and the wider community.
Gloria Buckley MBE, a Romany Gypsy and manager of three authorised sites says in the report:
'When I started managing one site [Costessey, In Norfolk] things were very rough, with terrible problems between the Gypsies and their neighbours. People said you can’t do it – but we got things in hand and we have made it work. We even got an award for making a contribution towards village life. We are one community – the Travellers and our settled neighbours. We’ve all got something in common: we want our children to be healthy and educated.'
Ends
For more information contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission Media Office on 02031170255, out of hours 07767272818.
Notes to Editors
1. The government has required all local authorities in England “to increase significantly the number of Gypsy and Traveller sites in appropriate locations with planning permission in order to address under-provision” by 2011. Refer Planning Circular 1/2006.
2. Visit Gypsies and Travellers: Simple Solutions for Living Together. This report has been informed by the following research conducted for the Commission:
'Inequalities Experienced by Gypsy and Traveller Communities', a literature review produced by Sarah Cemlyn (University of Bristol), Margaret Greenfields (Bucks New University) and Chris Whitwell, Zoe Matthews and Sally Burnett of Friends, Families and Travellers.
'Assessing local housing authorities' progress in meeting the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Traveller communities in England', was conducted by Philip Brown (Salford Housing & Urban Studies Unit, University of Salford) and Pat Niner (Centre for Urban and Regional Studies, University of Birmingham). A questionnaire went out to all 354 local authorities in England in October 2008. It received 185 replies - a 54% response rate.
3. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006, which took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain. It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission will enforce equality legislation on age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status, and encourage compliance with the Human Rights Act. It will also give advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.
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cam
Posts:55
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| 05/18/2009 3:14 PM |
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Today Dale Farm and Smithy Fen lost the fight to appeal a decision to stay on land they own. !,000 residents live on the sites and Basildon Council has been given the green light to bring in the bulldozers. This will be the biggest eviction ever in peacetime England. The United Nations are involved, but only in so far now that they will insure the eviction takes place within the Human Right Law. No alternative accommodation is offered to the hundreds of folks including elderly, sick, disabled and children. I think the only plans put in place is with Social Services, no doubt they will take children into care. This is a sad a terrible time faced by many, and the implications will have an affect on all Gypsies and Travellers.
If any folks in the Essex or London areas feel they can help the residents in anyway, please message me and I will pass your details on to Grattan Puxon of the Gypsy Council.
Please help if you can.
thanks Cam. |
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cathayb
Posts:120
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| 05/18/2009 4:51 PM |
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| re the top article.i know and have met ian holding and the rest of bristol gypsy and traveller laison group and they are exceptional folki.they even employ a real romany gal as part of their staff.they have done a tremendous amount for the travelling folki in thier community.here in somerset we have not been so fortunate with our set of officers although since we have been taken over by the district council things have improved vastly.the gypsies on our site though have worked hard over the years to build good relations with our village.so much so that now the village wont have a bad word said about any of us and invite us to all their garden parties ect.,our children are made really welcome in the school and the parish council say we are part of the village heritage.its good for gypsies and gaujos to mix and get to know one another.gaujos are very welcoe here on our site and we are made very welcome in their homes aswell.they love our culture and ways and we like some of their ways aswell.we are all human beings after all said and done. |
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cheri-m
Posts:50
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| 06/07/2009 5:50 AM |
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| Just out of Interest as I think what with the shortage of sites ,what is the views of the English when say a new site is provided and its Irish Travellers who take up the site ? as iv been told that there can be trouble between the two and seems that its not fair when say English who have been waiting for a site longer get pushed off because of well shall we say the bad feeling amongst the two groups? Iv heard a lot of Travellers left Ireland because of new rules brought in by the government. |
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| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
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