Press and Media : Friends, Families and Travellers

Press and Media

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Stories and Articles in the Press and Media

The Local Government Association report on Gypsies and Travellers is launched
(Posted 20.06.06)
Council leaders are calling for an end to the country’s unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller sites. And they say more authorised sites would improve the relationship between the settled and the Gypsy communities.

The Local Government Association (LGA) report says if travellers are located on authorised sites, local authorities can ask they pay the council tax for services used. The LGA believes it is important that the Traveller communities and the settled residents have equal rights and that they bear the same responsibilities. Only when this is seen to happen will there be reduced friction between the two groups.

Almost 4,000 unauthorised sites in England account for a quarter of all sites. The LGA report urges provision of sufficient suitable sites for the 4,000 caravans currently on unauthorised sites or unauthorised developments and ensuring all Gypsies and Travellers pay council tax. At
present only some do. It also recommends limiting potential environmental damage by providing waste, sanitation and other services, which must be paid for by the Gypsies and Travellers using them and dealing effectively with the minority of problem sites with measures including anti-social behaviour orders and using police power where necessary.

Councillor Richard Bennett, chairman of the LGA’s Gypsies and Travellers Task Group said: "Only by providing more authorised sites and implementing new measures can councils deal effectively with the problem of unauthorised encampments and unauthorised developments."

Contact the LGA media office to obtain the report:

Local Government Association
Local Government House, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ
Tel: 020 7664 3000 | Fax: 020 7664 3030
Out of hours press calls contact: 020 7664 3333
Email: info@lga.gov.uk

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CRE CALLS ON LOCAL GROUPS FOR ZERO TOLERANCE IN ELECTION
(Posted 22.03.07)

Political parties will be challenged by local groups who use race as a campaign tactic to ignite community tensions and conflicts warned the CRE today.

The CRE is urging local groups to take a ‘zero tolerance’ stance against racist activity that seeks to divide local communities in the run up to the election period.

Local partners can play an important part in monitoring organised racist activity, identifying trends, coordinating a local response to increases in racist behaviour, and making sure that victims get the support they need.

Racial hatred is not confined to any single community and where this arises it must be challenged head on. MP’s, MSPs, AMs and political leaders will be reminded by the CRE that their campaigns should not use negative stereotyping or misinformation about race to boost votes.

CRE Chair, Kay Hampton said:

“The CRE may be the regulators of the Race Relations Act, but our role is not just to wave a big stick. We also expect Local Authorities to confront the myths, or misinformation others may use and we look to local groups and organisations to act as the ‘eyes and ears’ within communities”.

“Together, we must remind political parties of their responsibility to ensure that loose words in the heat of the campaign do not ignite conflicts. We need to nurture an environment in which everyone feels they have a stake in society and we must fight to guarantee that everyone’s issues and concerns can be aired in the political arena fairly and accurately”

“Promoting good race relations requires leadership and real interaction between and within our communities. It is essential that people are encouraged to support inclusion and reject separatist ideas. This is about changing everyone’s attitudes no matter their cultural background or nationality”.

Cllr Richard Kemp, vice chair of the Local Government Association, said:

“As the only body directly elected by local people to represent them, councils have a duty to ensure that everyone in their locality feels respected and lives with a sense of responsibility and belonging. Local authorities must take the lead in creating safe and cohesive communities where people can thrive, regardless of race, colour or creed.

“Councils accept that, particularly at election times, things can be said which people later regret. More worryingly, things can be said which people do not regret and which can undermine community relations and inflame local tensions. At this time councils must be especially vigilant in tackling myths, lies and misdirection wherever they appear.”

The CRE has also organised a series of seminars on myth-busting and the law for local authorities and lawyers to help challenge the inaccuracies, racism and misrepresentation that seek to decide to divide our communities.

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