In a recent Somerset Full council meeting, Councillor Gill Slocombe raised a pressing issue regarding unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments within Somerset. Highlighting the recurring problem, Councillor Slocombe emphasised the need for dedicated temporary accommodation to address the ongoing situation.
Councillor Slocombe opened her remarks by pointing out that this year, as in previous years, Somerset has experienced numerous unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments, particularly in the Burnham-on-Sea area and now even in new locations such as the Victoria Park play area in Bridgwater. “This situation cannot go on,” she stated, underscoring the council’s responsibility to provide acceptable and accessible accommodation for all groups, including gypsies and travellers.
In her statement, Councillor Slocombe said, “At the present time we are not providing sites for those gypsies and travellers who are travelling through or visiting the county, sometimes not for long. Without this provision, we are not meeting our responsibilities, contributing to community tensions towards this group and incurring ongoing costs for this council and our town councils.”
Her call to action was clear: the council must agree to provide dedicated temporary provisions for gypsies and travellers in Somerset and determine the funding for this initiative. She proposed incorporating gypsy and traveller pitches into the council’s affordable housing plans. “This is a very serious situation. It’s gone on for many, many years and I don’t think it can be ignored and I hope something now will be done,” she urged.
Responding to Councillor Slocombe’s concerns, Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing, and Culture, acknowledged the validity of the points raised. She agreed on the necessity of more transient sites, particularly along the M5 corridor. However, she highlighted the challenge of identifying available land and the current lack of budget for this purpose. “It’s certainly something that we can take away within the team and look to see what we can do over the next year or so. But I don’t think it’s going to be a quick fix,” Councillor Smith-Roberts said.
