Local Development Plan evidence report – defining Gypsies and Travellers: consultation analysis

3. How councils should support communities better

Question 2

Question 2 asks "What do you think councils should do to better involve the Gypsy and Traveller communities in planning consultations and processes?". There were 35 responses to this question.

Key themes

Responses brought attention to the advantage of using representative groups and organisations to facilitate consultation processes. Six planning authorities, four organisations and three individuals expressed views on this key theme. Some responses recommended that individual members of the Gypsy and Traveller communities be appointed to represent the wider communities in consultation processes, provided they are approved by communities. Several responses highlighted the information and connections provided by third sector and representative organisations like MECOPP (Minority Ethnic Carers of Older People Project) and how these could be useful tools for councils in collaborative processes.

The engagement techniques used in consultation processes were noted as a point for potential improvement. Five planning authorities, two organisations and four individuals expressed views on this key theme. Four of these responses highlighted face-to-face engagement as a key method of consultation. Responses also mentioned that engagement from councils to the communities should be direct, open, collaborative, transparent, flexible and built on trust.

Responses highlighted the importance of promoting accessibility when consulting with Gypsy and Traveller communities. Three planning authorities, two organisations and one individual expressed views on this key theme. Three responses highlighted that Gypsies and Travellers are disadvantaged groups and so greater care must be placed on the consultation processes by councils. Two responses encouraged promoting consultations to less-engaged age groups, such as the younger Gypsy and Traveller population. One response stated that consideration needs to be given to those of lower literacy skills.

The distinct need to engage with Travelling Showpeople was also an important note from respondents. One planning authority, one organisation and three individuals expressed views on this key theme. Three of these responses highlighted that Travelling Showpeople communities have unique needs to other Travelling communities and these should be considered alongside others. Two responses also suggested that councils consult with the Showmen's Guild in their planning processes. One response also noted that there may be issues around cultural sensitivity when grouping these Travelling communities together in consultations.

Additional comments

Three planning authorities noted that they currently have a successful working relationship with the Travelling communities of their area.

One planning authority noted that there is a challenge in contacting those who are nomadic and only pass through an area for a short period of time.

One response noted that the improvement of planning consultation processes must be grounded in discussions over resourcing.