Memorandum by various interested groups
and individuals on the needs of Gypsies and Travellers in the
draft Housing Bill (DHB 32)
I am writing to seek your assistance in ensuring
that the accommodation needs of Travellers are addressed in the
forthcoming Housing Bill and that this view is made known to the
ODPM Select Committee.
In 1994 the Criminal Justice and Public Order
Act ended the statutory duty for local authorities to create sites.
This has increased the number of Travellers now living on unauthorised
sites and has had a severe impact on their health and educational
opportunities and general welfare opportunities. The increase
in unauthorised sites has also caused great inconvenience for
the settled community, and has raised tensions between Travellers
and Non Travellers.
I do feel that this situation should not be
allowed to drift. I believe legislation at this time will be of
benefit to both the Traveller community and the settled population.
Research commissioned by the ODPM "The
Provision and Condition of Local Authority Gypsy/Traveller Sites
in England" by Pat Niner has noted the strength of opinion
which exists. She states "There is no clear, widely understood
national policy towards accommodation for Gypsies and other Travellers
in England; there is a general feeling that such a policy is needed
involving local authorities and others but with a strong lead
from central government".
The report found "There are obvious barriers
to site provision, especially resistance from the settled community.
Many believe that a statutory duty and central subsidy are needed
to `encourage' local authorities to make provision." Intensive
research and consultation has led to the formulation of a range
of policy proposals to address this problem, including the Traveller
Law Reform Bill brought forward by David Atkinson MP and recently
given a reading in the House.
I call upon the office of the Deputy Prime Minister
and the ODPM Select Committee for the Housing Bill to give these
proposals serious consideration and to invite Traveller groups
to give oral evidence.
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