North Wales MS highlights concerns over illegal gypsy sites in Flintshire

 

North Wales Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS) Sam Rowlands has raised concerns about the growing number of illegal gypsy and traveller sites in Flintshire.

Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Rowlands called for a meeting with the Welsh Cabinet Secretary to discuss the issue and its impact on local resources.

Mr Rowlands recently attended a meeting with Flintshire County Council officials, political leaders, and fellow Senedd members to hear about the challenges posed by unauthorised sites.

He said:

“I joined a meeting recently with other Senedd members Flintshire County Council, political leaders and officers, and I was really pleased to see the provision that they provide for Gypsies and Travellers in Flintshire, providing more than enough allocated sites, according to the assessed need.

 “But the council shared with us some of the challenges they’re having with illegal sites in the council area at the moment, with 10 new illegal sites being established in the county within the last 12 months, meaning there are now currently 15 illegal sites in one county area.

 “They shared with us that it’s taking up to five years to deal with these illegal sites, and that’s causing great pressure on council resources, both personnel and financial; it’s causing huge concern in the communities, but most importantly, it’s not helping the cause and needs of the Gypsy and Traveller community on sites that aren’t necessarily appropriate for them.

 “I wonder, Cabinet Secretary, if you’d be willing to meet, as part of the consultation, perhaps, with myself and perhaps other colleagues in the room, and also with Flintshire County Council to understand the specific issues that they’re facing, to help inform some of your work.”

Jane Hutt, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip said she would be glad to engage with him and his colleagues, Senedd Members, who were at that meeting, and Flintshire council.