Caerphilly county borough currently has no permanent traveller site located within its boundaries and therefore only experiences unauthorised encampments, which can cause disruption and conflict locally, can be expensive and timeconsuming to clear, and requires a range of solutions, including swift and effective enforcement.
The council has a Travellers and Unauthorised Encampments Policy in place for working with such encampments; the policy is the responsibility of the Directorate of the Environment, but there are other issues affecting the Gypsy and Traveller groups who pass through the county borough..
Travellers and Unauthorised Encampments Policy (PDF 87kb)
Education
The council actively supports the process of inclusion that enables all children and young people to have their needs and aspirations met within their local communities. This means the council will aim to ensure that Gypsy and Traveller children and young people are given access to equal educational opportunities.
Email education@caerphilly.gov.uk for further information.
Social Services
The Directorate of Social Services has a duty under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children in their area who are in need - this also covers children from Gypsy and Traveller groups.
Email socialservices@caerphilly.gov.uk for further information.
Housing
Under the Housing Act 2004 local authorities have a duty to provide appropriate accommodation for Gypsy and Travellers. This duty means that authorities must assess the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Travellers and include a strategy to meet those needs within their wider housing strategies.
Under Section 175(2) of the Housing Act 1996, a Gypsy or Traveller is homeless if "their accommodation consists of a moveable structure and there is nowhere that they can legally place it to reside in it". If needed, assistance will be given to complete housing application forms, for both the council and Registered Social Landlords, to access permanent accommodation.
Email housing@caerphilly.gov.uk for further information.
The Environment
The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 also influences this policy. The Act has placed an increasing emphasis on liveability, giving more powers to, and placing a strategic responsibility on, local authorities to keep areas clean, green and safe.
Complete our enquiry form for further information.
Gypsy and Traveller Monitoring Group
The council has a cross-directorate group that meets twice a year in order to share information on gypsy and traveller related issues around housing, social services, planning, census information, schools data and awareness raising courses for staff.