Creating a fairer Britain
18 March 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:
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.
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:
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.