Memorandum from Richard R O'Neill (GTS
03)
Regarding your call for views on Gypsy and Traveller
sites. I would like to contribute the following.
I do so as a (currently) settled housed Gypsy,
who has relatives who are currently seeking pitches on established
sites council run sites or to establish their own private ones.
I would add to the comments below that as a health campaigner
on a national basis I'm very concerned about the current health
of Gypsies and Travellers and the impact badly maintained/located
sites and lack of them is having.
Current provision and location of sites
It's quite clear that current provision of sites
is inadequate and the location of many being subject to air and
noise pollution.
Demand for and use of sites
Demand for pitches and sites far exceeds supply.
Existing funding arrangements
No comment
The Gypsy Site Refurbishment Grant scheme
No comment
Site characteristics and the facilities provided
Many feel that they have never been consulted
about layout/design.
Management of unauthorised camping
It seems that most management of such could
be categorised as crisis management
ODPM statistical information on caravans, sites
and families
I would very much doubt if many families are
aware of whatever statistical information is currently held by
the ODPM, if it runs the course of other statistical data on Gypsies
and Travellers it is probably very inaccurate and out of date.
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