Lord Avebury Calls For the Return of the Caravan Sites Act

Forty three years after the groundbreaking 1968 Caravan Sites Bill Lord Avebury is to introduce a new Caravan Sites Bill to Parliament. 

The Bill, drafted with the assistance of  Simon Ruston of the New Traveller Association and Chris Johnson of the Community Law Partnership aims to counteract the reactionary bill produced by the Brighton MP Simon Kirby which is aimed at making the already strong powers for the eviction of unauthorised encampments even more draconian.  It also acts as a means of emphasising that the answer to the ‘problem’ of unauthorised encampments and unauthorised developments is the provision of sites. 

Exeter Gypsies Let Down By Council

Plans for two Gypsy sites in Exeter have been abandoned by the city council.

The proposed sites, at Monkerton and New Court, will be "released for other uses" after an inspector's report said further consultation was needed.
The council has said it will look at other sites across Exeter but that it is "far too early" to commit to any.

 The proposals had "proved unpopular with local people", said the report by inspector Jill Kingaby.

Thirteen traveller pitches were proposed at both sites.

Residents had feared property prices in the area would drop if the Gypsy sites were approved.

Councillor Rachel Sutton, lead councillor for sustainable development and transport, said they were going back to the beginning and looking at all potential sites.
"Maybe we did get it wrong and for that reason we're starting again."
The inspector, who was appointed by the secretary of state for communities and local government, held public hearings in June and August.

Count of Gypsy and Traveller Caravans - July 2011

The July 'caravan count' statistics have just been published by the government. The twice is yearly count is  unreliable, with inconsistent approaches from different Local Authorities, Gypsies and Travellers living on farms and camp sites not being counted etc., but it remains the main source of information about Gypsy and Traveller populations in England.

July's count shows an increase of 400 caravans with 18,600 caravans compared to 18,200 the previous year.
78 per cent of caravans were on authorised sites. Of these 6,600 were on socially-rented sites operated by councils and housing associations, a drop of 200 on the previous year, while 8,000 were on privately funded sites, an increase of 300. The number of caravans on unauthorised developments on land owned by Gypsies and Travellers (i.e. without planning permission) decreased by 200, while the number of unauthorised encampments on land not owned by Gypsies and Travellers increased by 600.

The South West has a highest proportion of unauthorised sites in England. Across the region just 2 new 'affordable residential pitches' were created in the last year (in Gloucestershire).

Gypsy Family Applies For Planning Permission - Portreath

Gary Emmins has applied to Cornwall Council for permission to site a log cabin as a permanent base and a touring caravan.

His agent  Maggie Smith-Bendall points out in her supporting statement to Cornwall Council that the site was sustainable with local services at "a short distance at Redruth and Illogan". The family is currently sharing a site which only had authority for one family. "Mr Emmins is a nomadic travelling Gypsy, who travels the country painting barns in his touring caravan. He also attends most Gypsy horse fairs, as is our custom, where he buys and sells anything of value, which hold a profit to earn part of his living.The family lives by all our traditions, culture and customs, and keeps our Romany language alive by our life-style."

The application will be considered by the Parish Council in December.

TravellerSpace's Other Blog

Alongside this blog we have one focusing on Gypsy and Traveller news from across the UK. We update it most days, mostly with news from local media and think it is the most comprehensive collection of UK Gypsy and Traveller news stories online at the moment, but if we've missed anything let us know.

Gypsy and Traveller News

New Police Eviction Powers On The Agenda?

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, yesterday introduced a Bill to Parliament yesterday which would give greater powers to police forces and councils to move on Travellers from unauthorised sites. Although it has little chance of becoming law, Theresa May's statement below suggests it has the sympathy of the government. 

The Bill would revise the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 2004 to clarify whether the Local Authority or the police should take the lead on evictions. It also calls for changes to the welfare checks Local Authorities are obliged to carry out before making any decision to evict and would allow for the impounding of Gypsy and Traveller homes if they failed to move when directed.

From Hansard

Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Following an illegal encampment of 13 caravans in Harlow town centre at the weekend, Essex police have refused to be the lead agency in removing the trespassers because they are following Association of Chief Police Officers guidelines. Will the Minister confirm that ACPO guidance is no substitute for the police enforcing the law, rather than forcing Harlow council to go through a lengthy court process?

Mrs May: My hon. Friend raises an important issue. First, however, may I commend Essex police for the action that they took alongside Basildon council in the operation at Dale farm? We are looking at whether we need to give the police extra powers in relation to the clearing of encampments and other incursions on to land. Currently, assuming that the incursion is not stopping the normal life of the community, the landowner has to take legal action. If it is stopping the normal life of the community, the police do have some powers. This matter concerns a great many people, and we are actively looking into it. 

Government Amend Legal Aid and Sentencing Bill to Criminalise Squatting

The Government have announced that their amendments to the Legal Aid and Sentencing Bill will include a clause to make squatting in residential buildings a criminal offence, with up to 51 weeks imprisonment. They are due to debate and possibly vote on the amendment today (Tuesday 1st November) in the House of Commons.

Over 95% of respondents to the Government's ‘Options for Dealing with Squatters’ consultation opposed further legislation, arguing that existing law already provided strong protection to home owners to prevent their property from being squatted. 

However, the Government have made one important concession. A number of groups (including Cardiff Gypsy & Traveller Project, Community Law Partnership, Garden Court Chambers and the New Traveller Association) had pointed out that any definition of a building which included land adjacent to a building might catch Gypsies and Travellers who, especially in urban areas, may have no alternative but to stop on disused land next to a building. 

The Government noted concerns of groups representing Gypsies and Travellers that any new offence could criminalise Gypsy and Traveller encampments on land ancillary to the buildings protected by any new offence. Respondents indicated that it was quite common for Gypsies and Travellers to encamp on land outside disused factories and warehouses, particularly in urban areas. The Government has decided to limit the offence to residential buildings, however, and it will not extend to the land ancillary to those buildings at this stage.

Options for dealing with squatters - response to consultation  (pdf)