'Little progress' improving Gypsy and Traveller sites

"Little to no progress" has been made improving Gypsy and Traveller sites in Wales in the past two-and-a-half years and urgent action is needed, a cross-party Senedd committee has concluded.

Its 2022 report found failings including long waits for pitches, rat infestations and racism from councillors.

Local Government and Housing Committee chair John Griffiths called for urgent action or the communities "will continue to be treated like second class citizens".

The Welsh government said providing good quality sites was "central" to its Anti-racist Wales Action Plan. The WLGA, which represents councils, said it would work to help implement the report's recommendations.

The May 2022 inquiry report found cases of where people have been waiting for more than 20 years for a pitch on a local authority site.

Sites were also often in "unsuitable locations", far from facilities and next to busy roads and industrial areas with poor air quality, in part because of local opposition.

That report also listed accounts of "issues with uneven plots, lack of footpaths, blocked drains, rat infestations and mouldy bathrooms".

The committee's follow-up report, published on Thursday, calls for ministers to ensure all local authorities have a Gypsy and Traveller liaison officer, and to reinstate a Gypsy and Traveller Forum as quickly as possible to improve dialogue.

Griffiths, Labour Newport East MS, said "We heard that the persistent neglect of Gypsy and Traveller sites by local authorities in Wales has led to significant physical and mental health issues among their residents, due to widespread disrepair and pollution."

"It's clear that some local authorities are not doing the bare minimum to maintain sites, and seem disinterested in maintaining good relations with the Gypsy and Traveller community. This needs to change urgently.

"We're calling for the Welsh government to set out how it will deal with local authorities that continue to neglect their duties in providing adequate and safe sites for families, and urgently start work on their commitment to help those seeking to develop private sites."

The Welsh government said ensuring councils "provide good quality, well-maintained sites for Gypsy and Traveller communities" was "central to our Anti-racist Wales Action Plan".

A spokesperson added: "This week, we have launched a public consultation to update guidance on Gypsy and Traveller sites, and to gather views on how sites are planned, built and managed across Wales.

"This is an opportunity for site residents, local authorities and communities to help shape new guidance that's practical and effective.

"We will consider the committee's findings and recommendations before responding formally."

A WLGA spokesperson welcomed "the committee's conclusions and recommendations on this important issue".

"We look forward to working with the Welsh government to support the implementation of those recommendations that involve local councils in improving and providing sites for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities across Wales," the spokesperson said.