https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgConsultationDisplay.aspx?id=460&RPID=1531978594&cp=yes

https://business.senedd.wales/mgConsultationDisplay.aspx?id=460&RPID=1531978594&cp=yes

Are Welsh local authorities and Gypsies, Roma and Travellers communities managing to work together successfully to:

· identify sustainable residential and transit sites

· discuss Gypsies, Roma and Travellers' accommodation needs?

We believe that we have a good relationship with the Gypsy, Roma and Travelling community and work together to identify sustainable residential and transit sites as well as discussing accommodation needs.

There are numerous challenges for the Local Authority in delivering residential and transit sites, which makes it difficult in managing expectations of people wanting to access residential or transit sites and the community as a whole.

◼    Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessments (GTAAs) are intended to assess the accommodation needs of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community. In your view, are Welsh local authorities as a whole, implementing, monitoring and reviewing GTAAs effectively?

We complete the GTAA as requested but timelines to getting approval through the political process can make it challenging in responding to WG requirements.

◼    Does the current statutory and policy framework ensure sufficient culturally-appropriate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller residential and transit sites across Wales and within individual local authorities?

Yes, we believe that the current frameworks offers the opportunity to provide accommodation options which are appropriate to the needs of different groups. Again, challenges faced by Local Authorities can make it difficult in delivering sites which meet the needs of the Gypsy, Roma or Travelling need and the community as a whole.

◼    What are the key challenges for Welsh local authorities, and the Welsh Government, in providing suitable and sufficient accommodation sites for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities?

As stated above the challenges for Local Authorities are numerous, ranging from resources in terms of officer resources in dealing with preparatory work and dealing with encampments. Carrying out and implementing GTAA and managing the expectations of different audiences.

◼    Do you anticipate that when/if the UK Government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill comes into force there will be:

· specific challenges to overcome, and/or

· in certain locations in Wales, related to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites?

The Bill will see unauthorised encampments treated as trespass and could result in vehicles being seized. This could potentially make individuals / families homeless and needing assistance from the Local Authority. We believe it is best that services work together to move encampments to suitable locations with services / provisions on the site.

◼    Do you have any additional comments or observations about the provision of accommodation sites in Wales for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities?

The closing date for submissions is Friday 20 May 2022.