§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the terms of reference are of his Department's review of policy towards traveller encampments; when he intends to publish the conclusions of the review; and if he will make a statement. [7155]
§ Ms Keeble[holding answer 15 October 2001]: Research has been conducted to review the effectiveness of the current DTLR/Home Office Good Practice Guidance on Managing Unauthorised Camping. A summary of the findings will be published shortly, during the week commencing 29 October, and a copy placed in the Library of the House.
The terms of reference for the research were to:
- (i) explore the extent to which local authorities and police are aware of the guidance;
- (ii) determine the extent to which the guidance has been used by, and met the requirements of, local authorities and the police;
1310W - (iii) explore whether the guidance has encouraged local authorities to take a fresh look at existing policies on unauthorised camping;
- (iv) examine whether local authorities, in reviewing existing policies, are working in partnership with the local police force; liaising with neighbouring authorities; bringing together departments within their authority with an interest in the issues and involving Gypsies and Travellers;
- (v) identify the extent to which local authorities and the police are making use of the statutory Crime Reduction Partnerships in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to tackle anti-social behaviour associated with unauthorised camping;
- (vi) examine the impact of action taken in response to the guidance on crime and disorder associated with unauthorised encampments;
- (vii) identify any gaps in the current guidance, and highlight additional examples of good practice, including examples of joint-working between local authorities and the police;
- (viii) establish to what extent local authorities and police forces are making use of their current legal powers to deal with the problem of unauthorised camping.