The, Gypsy and Traveller conference on 1^st March 2007 was jointly hosted by the Royal Town Planning Institute, Communities and Local Government, and Planning Advisory Service and attended by delegates from a broad spectrum of organisations.

From the speakers and the floor four distinct themes quickly became evident:

• the need to tackle racism;
• the importance of effective communication;
• the urgency of delivering sites; and
• the significant benefits of comprehensive assessments.

Speakers' Key Messages

Opening the conference, Meg Munn MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Women and Equality) reminded delegates that Gypsies and Travellers are among the most socially excluded minorities in the country, and that the first step towards social cohesion is acquiring a clear understanding of the structure, interests and needs of all sectors of the local community. 

The Minister made clear that planning has a crucial role to play in facilitating social inclusion.  Through all the processes to achieve satisfactory levels of site provision and beyond, local authorities have multiple roles, they must provide leadership, be innovative in facilitating site provision, work tirelessly to improve public perception of Gypsies and Travellers, ensure appropriate education and training for all stakeholders, and actively promote equality.

She emphasised the need for planners to discuss with Gypsies and Travellers, and to explain clearly the requirements and processes of the planning system.  Local authorities should allow sufficient time for undertaking this process effectively.

Jim Claydon, RTPI President urged delegates to adopt a positive approach to planning, to strive towards incorporating Gypsy and Traveller accommodation into the mainstream, and facilitating community cohesion to the extent that Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in an area becomes the norm.

The President reminded members of their obligation to adhere to the RTPI Code of Conduct, one of the foundation stones of which is that members “shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, disability or age and shall seek to eliminate such discrimination by others and to promote equality of opportunity”.  Given the RTPI owes a duty to society and its members to advise how practice can meet this obligation, the RTPI has launched, Good Practice Note 4: Planning for Gypsies and Travellers. 

Rynd Smith, RTPI Head of Policy and Practice, continued the Presidential theme and emphasised the need for planning professionals to learn to recognise racism in all its forms and too not only negate its impact but also to prevent racism occurring in the planning process and elsewhere. He examined life and health statistics which place Gypsies and Travellers on a par with other excluded groups and demonstrate significant differences in quality of life between Gypsy and Traveller and settled communities.  These differences are indicators of the discrimination that needs to be overcome.

Councillor Richard Bennett from the Local Government Association and Lord Avebury both reminded delegates that for the entire period that planning authorities take to deliver sites for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation, thousands of people are homeless, or living in unsatisfactory circumstances. He was concerned that urgent action was necessary to provide real accommodation choices.

Case Studies and Guidance

Whilst the RTPI President acknowledged the complexity of the new planning system, he advocated that part of the role of planners is to simplify this system.  There is a raft of guidance from Government and other organisations to help local authorities deliver sites quickly and in 2007, Communities and Local Government will publish guidance on Site Design and Site Management.

One problem encountered by consultants is that during an assessment a local authority may not “like” the evidence being produced and may seek an inappropriate adjustment to the findings on political grounds.  RTPI GPN 4 provides clear advice to help officers address these circumstances, as does the RTPI's advice on racist representations.

One of the most significant issues highlighted by the Planning Advisory Service’s (PAS) case study research was the different approaches to Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessments and the quality and depth of information regional planning bodies and local authorities are collecting.  To undertake a comprehensive assessment that will provide a foundation for current and future service delivery takes time and resources, which is an issue for some commissioning authorities.  However, the Minister and Cllr Bennett emphasised the need to break free of the cycle of unauthorised accommodation and enforcement and the business case for site provision.  Nationally, local authorities have spent vast amounts of money taking enforcement action – effective expenditure on site and accommodation provision will reduce enforcement spending.  Speakers highlighted the importance of securing value for money in site provision and Communities and Local Government will be carrying out research to establish whether authorities are in compliance.

The PAS  research illustrated the positive impact of being pro-active, working cooperatively at the county level, taking decisions locally, allowing sufficient time for communication and “reflective” listening, keeping the lines of communication open (even with those who have withdrawn from participation), and providing a clearly identifiable and attractive reasons for people to attend meetings and participate generally.

Speakers and delegates advocated the use of a 'common approach' to the assessment of need for general residential accommodation and Gypsy and Traveller accommodation.  The aim of such a common approach is not to negate the need for positive action to address the significant shortfall in Gypsy and Traveller accommodation.  However, a common approach does acknowledge that Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs assessments should not focus on public/welfare provision alone.  Just as in the settled population, they should acknowledge the role for diverse sectors and types of accommodation provision, including public and registered social landlord, co-operative, private developer and private individual/self-developed solutions There was consensus that local authorities must adopt innovative mechanisms, such as Section 106 Agreements, affordable housing, and shared ownership to deliver sites and accommodation.  Lord Avebury encouraged the granting of temporary permissions where there is the likelihood of permanent sites becoming available during the following 2 to 3 years.

Local authorities were encouraged by CLG speakers to apply for a share of a grant fund of £56 million that is available between 2006 and 2008.  Bids must demonstrate need, sustainability, deliverability, and value for money.  After publication of the Site Design and Site Management guidance, local authorities must have regard to this guidance when submitting funding bids.

Conclusions

Although many at the conference spoke of past and current difficulties, many more spoke optimistically of new approaches to communication, assessment, delivery and enforcement.  Delegates were encouraged to be evangelical in seeking sustainable solutions to the long-standing issues that have blighted individual lives and communities.

The RTPI guidance in GPN4 is continuously improved.  The RTPI invites you to inform its improvement by sending details of your experiences, good and bad to practice@rtpi.org.uk.

• Return to RTPI GPN4
• Similar events will be run by RTPI Conferences in the near future.  Click here to view the conference programme.

Author:

Deborah Hendon Jones

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

15-Mar-07

Categories:

Practice 

Sections:

What Planning Does

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