Report reveals Welsh Gypsy and Traveller groups endure persecution, poor sites and lack govt action.
John Griffiths said sites are run down. This neglect causes health problems for residents, and he said people live in unacceptable conditions. He added complaints are the same as in 2022. Councils are not doing basic upkeep and they seem unconcerned with good community relations. This needs immediate change.
Some community members report persecution. They say council staff and police act unfairly, and many feel hatred toward Gypsy people. Authorities treat them as outcasts, and they feel like second-class citizens.
In July 2024, Wales had 1,282 caravans, with eighty-five percent on legal sites. Sixty percent were on council sites, while forty percent were on private sites.
A Senedd report had 21 suggestions back in 2022, and the Welsh government agreed to them. Yet, Travelling Ahead said none were done a year later. The committee kept investigating the issue, and they heard from the government and council groups. Promises did not create real change for families.
The 2022 report said sites were not good enough. Many were in bad areas, like next to roads. There were no facilities for kids or older folks. People reported mental and physical health issues, and constant pollution, rats, and poor upkeep were noted. Some focus groups shared shocking details.
Rats were said to be as big as dogs. In Pembrokeshire, sheds were unusable. Parents changed kids into pajamas after school because it was too cold to use outhouses later. Cardiff’s Rover Way site is unfit for people, and Wrexham’s site has one entry/exit. Kids crossing there face road dangers, and some plots have four families. They live squashed like sardines, and one child’s site is unfit for a child.
People also worried about site costs. Rent and utilities were too high. One person paid less for a whole house, while her relative paid more for a concrete space.
A law says councils do site reviews every five years. The last review ended in 2021. They extended it because of the pandemic. In June 2023, the review stalled completely, and now, councils must submit a new report by 2027.
The report wants better talks and trust. Every Welsh council needs a liaison officer, and the Gypsy and Traveller Forum must restart fast.
Griffiths said prejudice is still a problem, and addressing that needs to be a priority. The government and councils must act now, otherwise, Gypsies and Travellers face second-class status.
The Welsh government values good sites. They are key to fighting racism. They launched a consultation to update site rules. They seek views on planning, builds, and management, and they will consider the committee’s findings fully.