Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) is responsible for Gypsy and Traveller issues.
Guidance on Managing Unauthorised Encampments:
In 2004 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Now DCLG) and the Home Office jointly launched the "Guidance on Managing Unauthorised Encampments". It provides guidance to local authorities, the police and others on managing unauthorised encampments. Click here to read the document on the DCLG website.
FFT was involved in the consultation process, by the DCLG, for the creation of the ‘Guidance’ document. Click here to read FFT’s response to ODPM/Home Office Framework Guidance on Managing Unauthorised Camping Draft Consultation. (2003)
Gypsy Sites Refurnishment Grant:
For 2006/07, the Government has approved £16.75m of investment through the grants for schemes which will provide:
* 134 additional pitches for Gypsies and Travellers; and
* for the refurbishment of 57 sites .
Up to £56m will be made available through the Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant between 2006 and 2008. The two-year grant aims to address the current shortfall in provision as well as tackle the problem of unauthorised camping.
Schemes have been subject to independent assessment of value for money and sustainability. For the first time Regional Housing Boards have been involved in the assessment of schemes which ensures successful schemes fit with emerging regional priorities for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation provision.
1. Gypsy Sites Refurbishment Grant 2006 Part 1 (word doc.)
2. Gypsy Sites Refurbishment Grant 2005/06 (word doc.)
3. Gypsy Sites Refurbishment Grant 2006/2008
The Social Landlords Order 2006 (Permissible Additional Purposes – England) relating to the provision of Gypsy and Traveller sites
Secondary legislation to allow Registered Social Landlords to build and manage Gypsy and Travellers sites and receive social housing grant for that purpose. Regulatory Impact Assessment, Race Equality Impact Assessment. Published October 2006. http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1503766
Gypsy Caravan Count:
The DCLG is responsible for Gypsy and Traveller issues. The DCLG co-ordinates the bi-annual Gypsy Count and has produced "The Provision and Conditions of Local Authority Sites in England".
Click here to read more about the Gypsy Caravan Count.
Moving On: Reconnecting Frequent Movers
Date published: 21 July 2006
Summary
Whilst we recognise that moving home is usually desirable and positive and can bring benefits such as better work or a new start, we also know that some disadvantaged people who move frequently can find it difficult to access the services they need. High levels of mobility, particularly in areas of deprivation, can also be a barrier to community cohesion and pose particular challenges for service providers.
The Moving On: Reconnecting Frequent Movers analytical report is the Government’s first look at mobility as a driver of disadvantage and aims to put the link between exclusion and frequent moving on the policy map. It examines the impact of frequent moving on service providers, communities and vulnerable people.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1501769
Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Links:
- Guide to effective use of enforcement powers - Part 1: Unauthorised encampments
This guide gives step by step instructions on the powers to use against unauthorised encampments. Published 2 February 2006. DCLG website.
- Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessments: Draft Practice Guide
This draft guide provides advice on carrying out an accommodation assessment of the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers. Published 2 February 2006. DCLG website.
- Local Authorities and Gypsies and Travellers: Guide to responsibilities and powers
This information booklet provides a brief overview of the Government’s policy framework in relation to Gypsies and Travellers and including case studies on both site provision and effective enforcement. Published 2 February 2006. DCLG website.
- Guidance on Managing Unauthorised Camping
This guidance, produced jointly by the DCLG and the Home Office, provides best practice advice on managing cases of unauthorised camping (February 2004). DCLG website.
- Supplement to the Guidance on Managing Unauthorised Camping
Contains guidance on the new legislation section 62A to 62E into the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. Published March 2005. DCLG website.
- The provision and condition of local authority Gypsy/Traveller sites in England
Summary of the research report ‘Local Authority Gypsy/Traveller sites in England’.DCLG website.
- Government Response to DCLG Select Committee Report on Gypsy & Travellers Sites
On 27 January 2005 the Government published it’s response to the House of Commons DCLG Select Committee’s report of 8 November 2004. DCLG website.
- Gypsies and Travellers
Housing Act 2004 - Factsheet 16. Updated February 2006. DCLG website.
- Circular 01/06: Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites
This Circular replaces Circular 01/94 and provides updated guidance on the planning aspects of finding sites for Gypsies and Travellers and how local authorities and Gypsies and Travellers can work together to achieve that aim. DCLG website. - Definition of the term ‘gypsies and travellers’ for the purposes of the Housing Act 2004
Consultation period from 2 February 2006 to 28 April 2006. DCLG website.
- Planning Policy Statement 11: Regional Spatial Strategies
This policy statement sets out the procedural policy on the nature of RSSs and focuses on what should happen in preparing revisions to them and explains how this relates to the Act and associated regulations. DCLG website.
- Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Development Frameworks
This planning policy statement sets out the Government’s policy on the preparation of local development documents, which will comprise the local development framework. DCLG website.
- Planning Policy Guidance 18: Enforcing planning control
(PDF 23 Kb) PDF Document. DCLG website.
- Anti-social behaviour guidance: Police powers
Consultation period 27 February 2004 to 21 May 2004 on draft guidance, ‘Section 60 to 64 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 insert sections 62A to 62E into the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (CJPOA)’. DCLG website.
- 195: Local Authority Gypsy/Traveller sites in England
Housing Research Summary No.195. This research collected a large amount of information, much of it new, about Gypsy/Traveller sites, how they are managed and about future needs. Main findings presented as per the headings in the full report. DCLG website.
- 172: The provision & condition of local authority gypsy/ traveller sites (Eng.)
Housing Research Summary No.172. Forerunner to Housing Research Summary No. 195. DCLG website.
- 150: Monitoring the good practice guidance on managing unauthorised camping Housing Research Summary No.150. Key findings of a project, which provided an independent assessment of how local authorities and the police have implemented the 1998 good practice guidance and what further guidance may be needed. DCLG website.
- 090: Local authority powers for managing unauthorised camping
Housing Research Summary No.90. The School of Public Policy at the University of Birmingham looked at how existing powers for dealing with unauthorised camping were being used, and to produce good practice guidance for local authorities. DCLG website.
