Gypsies and Travellers: an introduction

Who are Gypsies, Roma and Travellers?

Gypsies, Roma and Travellers are often referred to as "Roma" in Europe and in Britain this is shortened to "GRT".

Gypsies and Travellers are people who follow the ‘nomadic’ lifestyle, which involves regularly travelling to different places and not staying or living at a permanent location (which is likely to be the oldest form of human society).

We think of Roma as those who have migrated to the UK from Eastern and Central European countries from 1990 onwards.

The Office for National Statistics added an option to select Gypsy and Travellers as an ethnic group in the 2011 Census, and added Roma as an option to the 2021 census. Of those who completed the 2011 Census, over 58,000 (0.1% of the usual resident population of England and Wales) identified as Gypsy and Travellers. The 2021 census results are yet to be published.

Gypsies, Roma and (some) Travellers belong to a minority ethnic group, and are protected against discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 in England, Wales and Scotland, and under the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997 in Northern Ireland.

Why do Gypsies, Roma and Travellers stay in Denbighshire?

There are many reasons why these communities stay in Denbighshire, including:

• a rest period from travelling
• to access medical attention, especially in the instance of pregnancy or long term illness or disease
• to visit friends or family in the area
• attend a gathering, for example a wedding or a funeral
• for work commitments

Are there places where the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community should set up camp?

There are no authorised sites for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities in Denbighshire at the moment. While the Council continues working to find suitable solutions, we acknowledge that temporary sites will be set up on different land within the county.

Why are portable toilets and rubbish bins supplied on site?

The Council follows public health guidelines and has to make sure that health standards are met while the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community are set up in their temporary site. The Council supplies the GRT community with access to facilities to help them keep the site clean and tidy.

I’m from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community, who should I speak to in the Council?

Denbighshire County Councils has a GRT liaison officer, you can contact them through GRTliaisonofficer@denbighshire.gov.uk

Will Denbighshire County Council remove a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller site immediately?

No, the Council must follow set procedures (based on Welsh Government guidelines) before any action is taken. The Council will check what the community needs and complete a general health and welfare check, which includes any children’s educational needs.

After this assessment and only if an encampment is on Council land, the Council will follow advice from the Welsh Government in choosing one of three next steps:

• we may offer an alternative site for the encampment
• we may agree to allow the visit on the current site for a fixed period of time, so long as certain rules are followed
• we may take legal action to take back possession of the site

The Police are always informed when a temporary site is set up, and will attend if criminal or anti-social behaviour is reported.

What if a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller site is on a pay and display car park?

All vehicles on pay and display car parks have to display a valid parking ticket at all times.

Do Gypsies, Roma and Travellers pay taxes?

Road tax is a legal requirement for most vehicles and VAT is charged on all goods and services. The Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community are not exempt from paying these. Likewise, some Gypsy, Roma and Traveller families have a permanent accommodation address and they will pay Council Tax on these premises.

What should I do if I notice a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller site in Denbighshire?

During office hours (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm ): call Customer Services on 01824 706000.