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PRNewswire-GNN London 29 June

London, 29 June /PRNewswire-GNN/ —

DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT News Release (45) issued by
The Government News Network on 29 June 2006
Meg Munn, minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government,
today announced details of funding to help local authorities provide new
and refurbished sites for Gypsies and Travellers in their areas, and tackle
unauthorised camping.

For 2006/07, the Government has approved £16.75m of investment through the
grants for schemes which will provide:

* 134 additional pitches for Gypsies and Travellers; and
* for the refurbishment of 57 sites .

Up to £56m will be made available through the Gypsy and Traveller Sites
Grant between 2006 and 2008. The two-year grant aims to address the current
shortfall in provision as well as tackle the problem of unauthorised camping.

Schemes have been subject to independent assessment of value for money and
sustainability. For the first time Regional Housing Boards have been involved
in the assessment of schemes which ensures successful schemes fit with
emerging regional priorities for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation provision.

Meg Munn said:

“It is clear that to deal with unauthorised camping we must have effective
enforcement action and sufficient site provision going hand in hand across the
country. The schemes announced today will help provide more sites for Gypsy and
Travellers’ and support local authorities in delivering a sustainable solution
for Gypsy and Travellers groups, the local area and the wider community.

“Evidence shows that investing in authorised site provision can reduce
significantly the costs to the taxpayer of enforcement action against
unauthorised sites. I encourage local authorities to make full use of the
funding available to support new site provision”.

The announcement comes after a recent report by the LGA Gypsy and Traveller
Group concluded that local authorities must make more appropriate site
provision to meet current needs and also highlighted the need for more
Government support.

Notes to Editors

1. Gypsy Sites Refurbishment Grants 2006, Part 1
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1002882&PressNoticeID=2191

2. Gypsy Sites Refurbishment Grants 2005/06
http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1002882&PressNoticeID=2191

3. In reaching the list of agreed schemes for 2006/07, all bids were subject
to a robust two-stage assessment involving an independent evaluation by
DCLG-appointed consultants Dearle Henderson using the following criteria:

* Does the scheme meet a clearly assessed need?
* Does the scheme offer value for money?
* Is the site sustainable?

This was followed by an assessment by regional housing boards as to the
extent to which the scheme addresses emerging regional priorities for Gypsy
and Traveller provision, for example, new provision in areas subject to high
levels of unauthorised camping.

In addition, schemes must be able to demonstrate they will be able to
deliver to time and budget, and that stakeholders have been consulted.

4. The LGA report can be found at
http://www.lga.gov.uk/Publication.asp?lSection=0&id=SXF454-A783B111

5. Letters are being sent to all bidding authorities.

6. Private landowners, local authorities and the police all have powers to
enforce against unauthorised encampments. Local authorities are able to tackle
unauthorised encampments by using powers under ss.77-78 of the Criminal Justice
and Public Order Act (CJPOA) 1994, or by seeking a possession order through
the courts. The police are able to use powers under s. 61 CJPOA. Stronger
police powers were also introduced in the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003,
inserting ss. 62A-E of CJPOA.

Press Enquiries: 020 7944 3049 Out of Hours: 020 7944 5945

E-mail: press.office@communities.gov.uk Public Enquiries: 020
7944 4400 Department for Communities and Local Government Website:
http://www.communities.gov.uk

Department for Communities and Local Government