Minister left ‘shocked’ after North Wales Senedd Member’s outburst over Gypsy and Traveller sites

A Welsh Government Minister said she was left “shocked” after a North Wales politician’s outburst over Gypsy and Traveller sites.

Clwyd West MS Gareth Davies was criticised after he hit out at the Welsh Government’s expectation for all local authorities in Wales to ensure enough pitches are provided to meet the needs of Gypsy and Traveller communities.

The Conservative MS said he disagreed with claims of a shortage of sites, stating: “I think we have too many, especially in the North Wales area in particular.”

He described measures to provide for the needs of Gypsies and Travellers as being part of the government’s “woke agenda”.

Mr Davies said: “Travellers aren’t Travellers in the sense of the word if taxpayers’ money is being spent on fixed sites in places where they don’t contribute to society or pay their way.”

Referring to plans for Gypsy and Traveller sites in St Asaph and Rhuallt which were previously refused, he added: “It was rejected time and time again through planning, and quite rightly so, by the people of Denbighshire, and the simple message is that we don’t want them.

“When is the Welsh Government going to wise up, get real, and act in the best interests of people who pay their council taxes and charges.

“Conwy, Flintshire, Gwynedd and Wrexham all have sites, so why can’t we adopt a more regional approach and say, ‘North Wales has enough already’?”

The issue was raised in the Senedd yesterday after Jenny Rathbone, Labour MS for Cardiff Central, asked what the government was doing to address a shortage of accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers in Wales.

She said that Gypsy and Traveller communities “do not feel welcome” and that “they feel persecuted”.

During the discussion, Labour Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt criticised the comments by Mr Davies.

She said: “I am shocked by that question, I have to say. We had legislation passed by this Assembly (in 2014), passed by your members, requiring every local authority in Wales to prepare a Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessment.

“That’s what they need to do, and where there are shortcomings and where they are not available, I will be meeting with every one of those authorities and asking them why.

“I think you should rethink the things you’ve said today following the inspiring events that we’ve had this week in terms of us being a nation of sanctuary and recognising the racism that Gypsy Traveller people in Wales have faced for too long.

“Can I thank the Local Government and Housing Committee who’ve done an excellent report on this with challenging recommendations?

“I’ve accepted them all. I don’t know which member of yours is on that committee, but they accepted them as well.”

Under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, every local authority in Wales is required to prepare a Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessment, and to report on the need for additional pitches in their areas.

Ms Hutt also announced that she was undertaking an examination of all of the latest audits provided.

She said: “They have to produce assessments of where they are, the needs and gaps in sites and pitches across Wales for Traveller communities.

“Although there are challenges in terms of finding the right sites, I do expect all local authorities in Wales to ensure that sufficient sites and pitches are provided, and that they identify the needs of Gypsy communities across Wales.

“I expect them to be accurate assessments of needs, with clear actions to be taken to address the gaps that exist, and I will be meeting local authorities.

“I will meet them this year, within the next few weeks, to ask them questions about their assessments and their delivery for the needs of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.”

This afternoon ‘Travelling Ahead’, an organisation that offers advice, support and individual and community advocacy working alongside Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families,  said, “Shameful discrimination &anti-Gypsy/Traveller rhetoric in the Welsh Senedd last week from one North Wales Senedd Member – shameful lack of knowledge too – we call on him to apologise “.