Status of Travellers

“This Assembly notes the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) consultation on planning and Travellers and further notes the proposal to treat Gypsies and Travellers who moved into fixed accommodation as having given up their traveller status.

This Assembly believes that this is incompatible with equalities and human rights laws, and incompatible with the positive steps that some local authorities have taken in recent years to help meet the needs of these communities for secure sites and support. The effect of it will be to undercount those who identify as travellers, meaning councils will not have to build the pitches that are needed to sustain this culture and way of life.

Though the DCLG’s consultation deadline has passed, this Assembly calls on the Mayor – given his obligations under London Plan Policy 3.8B(i)[1] – to write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government urging him to drop the proposals regarding the relationship between occupancy and traveller status.”

[1] London Plan Policy 3.8B(i): “boroughs should work with the Mayor and local communities to identify the range of needs likely to arise within their areas and ensure that…the accommodation requirements of gypsies and travellers (including travelling show people) are identified and addressed”