Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Neighbourhood Strategy Manager, which provided a summary of information about the gypsy and traveller community in Rotherham and the potential implications for the Council in meeting their needs in the borough.

The Council was currently developing a baseline for the work that needed to be developed and implemented in order to allow compliance with the requirements of the Housing Act 2004. 

The absence of reliable local and national data on the size of the gypsy and traveller population was mirrored in the lack of information about their housing needs and aspirations and their access to wider services provided by statutory and non-statutory agencies.  Gypsies and travellers were rarely included as separate racial groups in national, local or sector based monitoring systems, despite being recognised as separate racial groups within key legislation.  Subsequently, little information was known about their experiences or needs, which, therefore, tended to be overlooked. 

Rotherham had not offered any traveller site provision since 1996, when the site at Dinnington was closed.  The site had existed for many years and was in an area that had a long tradition of travellers settling in the community.

Many travellers who lived in settled accommodation in the borough were reluctant to declare themselves as gypsies or travellers, and tended to indicate White British on any forms they completed for fear of harassment or discrimination.

To enable the Council to create and support sustainable, integrated communities where gypsies and travellers had equality of access to suitable accommodation including site provision, education, health and welfare provision and where there was mutual respect between all communities, the following areas of work would need to be developed:-

·              Development of a Gypsy and Traveller Strategy and Action Plan, this included the development of site provision as identified in the Housing Act 2004, amendments to planning legislation and provision requirements in the Local Development Framework.

·              Raise awareness of gypsies and travellers to all employees in relation to cultural diversity.

·              Establish a forum with gypsies and travellers at borough and/or sub regional level.

·              Make wider links with strategic authorities on the local travelling route(s).

·              Development, implementation, monitoring and review of accurate detailed monitoring information of all gypsies and travellers approaching any service area across the borough (to be supported by positive images and approaches to inclusion that encourage gypsies and travellers to feel comfortable revealing their origin).

·              Undertake mapping exercise and full housing and support needs analysis.

·              Establishment of a working group with corporate responsibility for gypsies and travellers.

·              Develop a protocol for the sharing of information at borough, sub regional and wider levels.

·              Provision of a Floating Support Worker.

·              A drop-in advice service.

The Head of Planning and Transportation Service also pointed out there were difficulties in identifying a site within the timescale, whether this be Council owned land or acquired specific for purpose, sustainable, on the main travelling corridor and potentially in residential areas.

The Department of Community and Local Government (D.C.L.G.) announced a grant bidding round  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.