Local authorities receive £10m funding to enhance Traveller accommodation facilities
In a bid to enhance the lives of Traveller communities and foster cohesion between settled and traveller communities, Dehenna Davison, the Minister for Levelling Up, is lending her support to councils across England.
As part of this initiative, Preston City Council is set to receive £337,220 in funding for the refurbishment and improvement of the Leighton Street Traveller site. This investment will focus on upgrading electrical equipment, providing residents with greater control over their energy bills.
The refurbishment plans also include rebuilding and new infrastructure such as stabling for horses, improved utilities, and play areas for children. The aim is to create a more comfortable and family-friendly environment for the residents.
The £10 million Traveller Site Fund in England has been allocated to nine councils, including Kent, Lancaster, Cornwall, Swindon, and Preston, by the UK government. This funding is part of the Levelling Up agenda, aimed at improving opportunities for communities across the country.
The funding is intended to improve legal transit sites, providing authorised places to stay and better access to facilities and services such as healthcare. However, it is important to note that the new funding is not mentioned to be used for providing legal transit sites, only for improving the existing ones.
The government's efforts come amidst criticism from these communities over recent legal crackdowns. Previously, unauthorised camps were classified as trespass - a civil matter, rather than a criminal one. Last year, laws were introduced that made it a criminal offence to set up camp illegally on other people's land or in local communities, with jail sentences of up to three months.
Many councils have been reluctant to provide legal sites for Travellers, leading to a national shortage. This funding is a step towards addressing this issue and reducing the number of unauthorised encampments in England.
Improvements at Traveller sites in Preston are not only aimed at providing better living conditions but also at promoting community cohesion between the settled community and Travellers. By investing in these sites, Preston City Council is demonstrating its commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable city for all its residents.
