ARCHIVED news story
Council takes radical step forward on Gypsy and Traveller issue
Released on 15 February 2007
We are committed to serving our community in all its diversity, no matter how difficult it may sometimes be.
Council Leader Vivienne Clifford-Jackson
Three community 'think tanks' are to become part of a radical new approach to the issue Gypsies and Travellers.
The move, initiated by the South Norfolk Council, follows months of searching for sites, which have at times resulted in big protests from some communities.
The council has become increasingly concerned at the strained relationships between the 'settled' and Gypsy and Traveller communities which have sometimes been the result.
The three new think tanks are based geographically on the district's general planning areas. The first covering the South West starts work on 27 February. It will be chaired by Helen Wilson, former chair of Southern Norfolk Primary Care Trust.
The work of the think tank will be facilitated by Simon Middleton, Managing Director of the Simon Middleton Company, a consultancy based in Norwich.
The think tanks are not public meetings, and are for invited representatives only.
South Norfolk Council Leader Vivienne Clifford-Jackson said:
"We are committed to serving our community in all its diversity, no matter how difficult it may sometimes be. There is no easy way of doing this and satisfying everyone, but we hope that by trying something innovative and different on this key issue, we may move towards a successful outcome."
Geoff Rivers, Chief Executive, thanked all the participants, and said:
"People know of the difficulties we have faced trying to establish sites for Gypsies and Travellers. They are aware that we are planning enforcement action to move five families from land they have bought but not managed to obtain permission for.
"We have looked at the general needs of these families, like health, education and jobs. We have considered the resistance from the settled community which inevitably arises when either a planning application is considered or when an illegal encampment appears.
"Given our current lack of success and the possible danger that relationships between the Gypsy and Traveller communities and settled residents are less tolerant, we must now try this new approach. It will inform policy making, assist us in achieving our goals and help meet our legal responsibilities."
The South West Think Tank includes representatives from Diss, but also Harleston and Denton, the areas most recently associated with Gypsy and Traveller site planning applications. The next two will cover the North West and East areas, but as yet no dates have been set for them.
After all three have concluded, the council plans to hold a summit which will pull together the learning points. The whole project is expected to last up to eight months, with the information arising from them informing the council's key Local Development Framework.
Participants in the South West Think Tank are:
- Mrs Gloria Buckley, from the Gypsy and Traveller Community, who manages the Gypsy and Traveller site at Costessey;
- Mrs Lisa Smith, a Romany Gypsy who lives at the Middle Road, Denton site;
- District Councillor Adrian Brownsea, representing Harleston;
- Deborah Sarson, Diss Town Clerk, representing parish and town councils
- Norfolk County Councillor Fran Pitt-Plady
- The Rev Clive Hudson, also a Harleston district councillor, but representing the Church of England;
- John Gibbons, chair of the Save Harleston Group
- Jenny Mayne, Head of Strategic Housing at South Norfolk Council
- Chief Inspector Adam Hayes or a nominee, representing the police
- Ms Helen Wilson, independent chair of the group
- Simon Middleton, MD of the Simon Middleton Company, facilitator and enabler.
Simon Middleton said:
"I want to work with these groups of people calmly and constructively and away from the very public action and reaction that surrounds every planning application.
"Everyone accepts there is a gulf of understanding between the settled and Gypsy and Traveller communities. It involves anxiety and lack of knowledge on both sides.
"We will be unpicking this complex issue in a disciplined and constructive way. We hope it will allow people to develop for themselves, a strategy for dealing with this in the future."
He added:
"I'm no council spokesperson, but I think it does deserve some praise for being imaginative enough to try a different route through this difficult issue. I hope this will allow the community to develop its own thinking and grow closer as a result."
Geoff Rivers concluded:
"Simon specialises in creative thinking and problem solving. We approached him because he has a proven track record of coaching clients in the private and public sectors, helping them find disciplined and creative ways through seemingly intractable situations. Make no mistake, this is not a soft option."
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| contact officer/team: | Communications Team |
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| email: | communicationsteam@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
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