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South Wales Guardian
11-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
'Slow progress' on Gypsy sites criticised by Senedd members
John Griffiths raised concerns about the poor condition of council-run sites in Wales after hearing evidence of disrepair, pollution and rat infestations destroying people's lives. The Labour politician, who chairs the Senedd's housing and local government committee, led a debate on a report following two inquiries into the provision of sites. Mr Griffiths said it too often seems the needs of Gypsies and Travellers are not prioritised. 'Some described being treated as outcasts and second-class citizens,' he warned. 'Nobody should be made to feel this way; we urgently need to see improvement. 'At heart, this is a matter of human rights…. These communities are entitled to an alternative way of life, aren't they?' Conservative Laura Anne Jones was similarly concerned by slow progress on new sites, with a 'shockingly' low number of applications from councils for grants. Her Plaid Cymru counterpart Siân Gwenllian said: 'This is a very concerning situation. Although the Welsh Government has accepted the 21 recommendations from the 2022 report – very, very little true progress has been made.' Jane Hutt said the Welsh Government shares the committee's ambition to deliver the best outcomes for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in Wales. She told the Senedd more than £2m was allocated to 14 councils for site improvements in 2024/25, with grant funding made available for buying land in 2025/26. Ms Hutt vowed to take action if councils fail to meet their duties on housing needs, warning: 'I will use my powers to enforce action against them if a resolution cannot be found.' The minister highlighted an ongoing consultation on non-statutory guidance for councils about managing Gypsy and Traveller sites, which was last refreshed a decade ago. Closing the debate on May 7, Mr Griffiths said: 'We don't have to look very far from here to see the reality of some, at least, local authority sites in totally inappropriate places, juxtaposed to busy roads, to industrial development, to waste disposal sites. 'To see families living in that way in this new millennium is hugely disappointing, so there's still a lot of work to be done here in Wales.'
Western Telegraph
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
'Slow progress' on Gypsy sites criticised by Senedd members
John Griffiths raised concerns about the poor condition of council-run sites in Wales after hearing evidence of disrepair, pollution and rat infestations destroying people's lives. The Labour politician, who chairs the Senedd's housing and local government committee, led a debate on a report following two inquiries into the provision of sites. Mr Griffiths said it too often seems the needs of Gypsies and Travellers are not prioritised. 'Some described being treated as outcasts and second-class citizens,' he warned. 'Nobody should be made to feel this way; we urgently need to see improvement. 'At heart, this is a matter of human rights…. These communities are entitled to an alternative way of life, aren't they?' Conservative Laura Anne Jones was similarly concerned by slow progress on new sites, with a 'shockingly' low number of applications from councils for grants. Her Plaid Cymru counterpart Siân Gwenllian said: 'This is a very concerning situation. Although the Welsh Government has accepted the 21 recommendations from the 2022 report – very, very little true progress has been made.' Jane Hutt said the Welsh Government shares the committee's ambition to deliver the best outcomes for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in Wales. She told the Senedd more than £2m was allocated to 14 councils for site improvements in 2024/25, with grant funding made available for buying land in 2025/26. Ms Hutt vowed to take action if councils fail to meet their duties on housing needs, warning: 'I will use my powers to enforce action against them if a resolution cannot be found.' The minister highlighted an ongoing consultation on non-statutory guidance for councils about managing Gypsy and Traveller sites, which was last refreshed a decade ago. Closing the debate on May 7, Mr Griffiths said: 'We don't have to look very far from here to see the reality of some, at least, local authority sites in totally inappropriate places, juxtaposed to busy roads, to industrial development, to waste disposal sites. 'To see families living in that way in this new millennium is hugely disappointing, so there's still a lot of work to be done here in Wales.'
South Wales Argus
10-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
'Slow progress' on Gypsy sites criticised by Senedd members
John Griffiths raised concerns about the poor condition of council-run sites in Wales after hearing evidence of disrepair, pollution and rat infestations destroying people's lives. The Labour politician, who chairs the Senedd's housing and local government committee, led a debate on a report following two inquiries into the provision of sites. Mr Griffiths said it too often seems the needs of Gypsies and Travellers are not prioritised. 'Some described being treated as outcasts and second-class citizens,' he warned. 'Nobody should be made to feel this way; we urgently need to see improvement. 'At heart, this is a matter of human rights…. These communities are entitled to an alternative way of life, aren't they?' Conservative Laura Anne Jones was similarly concerned by slow progress on new sites, with a 'shockingly' low number of applications from councils for grants. Her Plaid Cymru counterpart Siân Gwenllian said: 'This is a very concerning situation. Although the Welsh Government has accepted the 21 recommendations from the 2022 report – very, very little true progress has been made.' Jane Hutt said the Welsh Government shares the committee's ambition to deliver the best outcomes for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in Wales. She told the Senedd more than £2m was allocated to 14 councils for site improvements in 2024/25, with grant funding made available for buying land in 2025/26. Ms Hutt vowed to take action if councils fail to meet their duties on housing needs, warning: 'I will use my powers to enforce action against them if a resolution cannot be found.' The minister highlighted an ongoing consultation on non-statutory guidance for councils about managing Gypsy and Traveller sites, which was last refreshed a decade ago. Closing the debate on May 7, Mr Griffiths said: 'We don't have to look very far from here to see the reality of some, at least, local authority sites in totally inappropriate places, juxtaposed to busy roads, to industrial development, to waste disposal sites. 'To see families living in that way in this new millennium is hugely disappointing, so there's still a lot of work to be done here in Wales.'
