The first comprehensive Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Strategy developed by Cornwall Council aims to improve health, living conditions and education for the community. They make up the second largest minority ethnic cohort in Cornwall after those that identify as Cornish, but "face some of the starkest inequalities in society" according to the report.
The strategy was discussed and signed off by the council's Conservative Cabinet at a meeting at County Hall / Lys Kernow in Truro on Wednesday (July 24). It sets out details of working with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community to provide better living conditions and access to services, which impacts on almost every service the council offers and, as a result, the local authority has liaised with other public bodies including Devon and Cornwall Police and Jobcentre Plus.
The council's portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, Cllr Carol Mould, told the meeting: "We know we need to do what we can to improve many of the challenges and barriers that exist. We already work well with the community in some areas and acknowledge more can be achieved in collaboration to better support this generally excluded community, free from discrimination and improving health and wellbeing."
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Cllr Linda Taylor, the council's leader, seconded a recommendation to back the strategy. She added: "I'm not going to get away from the fact that it will be a difficult conversation for some people to have, but Gypsy and Roma Travellers make up our second largest minority ethnic cohort in Cornwall. We absolutely have to recognise that it's been long overdue what we do to support this second largest ethnic group within Cornwall."
Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek, portfolio holder for children and families, said: "I agree that it can often be a difficult conversation, but I think we have to be very well aware that, certainly in terms of education, our young people who are within the travelling community really have difficulties in gaining a decent education and being able to become positive and active members of our society."
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Independent councillor Julian German asked how many officers are employed to work with the community following cuts to the council's Gypsy and Traveller team. Cllr Mould replied: "It's fair to say previous administrations have kicked this can down the road and the team that works at Cornwall Housing is very small. They've hung onto this as best they can and are making do the best they can with the money they have."
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She said there were three or four officers in the role who work closely with Traveller Space, a group which liaises with the community.
Cornwall Housing has the responsibility for the management and maintenance of the three local authority-owned residential Gypsy and Traveller sites in Cornwall, which are based at Boscarn Parc, Tregojorran, Pool, Wheal Jewel, St Day, and Foredown Parc, Pensilva.
The strategy discussion came after an earlier debate about a group of Travellers who had set up an unauthorised encampment on Tremorvah Playing Field in Truro earlier this month. Residents had written to the Cabinet airing their concerns about the incident. Read more about their upset and angry questioning here.
