Corporate Scrutiny Committee	22 June 2026
Report of the Director of Communities

Gypsy and Traveller Action Plan Annual Update

Summary

1.    This report provides a summary for Scrutiny Committee of progress made against the Gypsy and Traveller Action Plan over the last 12 months and the priorities proposed for 2026/27. The full annual update and detailed action plan are attached as an annex. Members are asked to note progress to date, and comment on the proposed next steps, in order to make any recommendations to Executive Members ahead of their formal approval at an Executive Member Decision Session on 7 July 2025.

Background

2.    Executive approved the initial Gypsy and Traveller Action Plan in May 2024, with a commitment to bring forward annual updates. The plan was developed in recognition of the significant inequalities experienced by Gypsy and Traveller communities, including poorer outcomes in housing, health, education, community safety and access to services.

3.    The action plan is intended to embed consideration of Gypsy and Traveller communities across Council policy and service delivery rather than operate as a standalone strategy. During the year, work has continued with York Travellers Trust (YTT) and other partners to improve accommodation, strengthen education and health support, build trust with services, and improve equalities and human rights practice.

Consultation

4.    This annual update has been informed through ongoing engagement with York Travellers Trust, residents, relevant Executive Members and senior officers via the Gypsy and Traveller Working Group. Consultation has also taken place on specific proposals, including housing improvement works and service changes affecting residents.

Options      

5. Members may consider the following options:

Option 1: Note the progress made during 2025/26 and support the proposed priorities for 2026/27.

Option 2: Note progress and make recommendations on the proposals in the next phase of the proposed plans.

Analysis

6. The update demonstrates progress across several workstreams. In housing initial stock condition and energy efficiency surveys have been completed, a permanent Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Officer is in post, and Executive has approved the detailed capital programme to improve existing sites and expand provision. Work is progressing on Outgang Lane improvements, planning for retrofit proposals and additional pitch development.

7. In education, partnership working with York Travellers Trust has strengthened links with schools, and led to a citywide conference focused on improving understanding of Gypsy and Traveller experiences in education. This has increased awareness and generated practical next steps around inclusion, visibility and data.

8. In health, partnership work with Public Health, the ICB and York Travellers Trust has improved outreach, increased uptake opportunities for screening and vaccination, and strengthened culturally sensitive approaches to service access. There has also been continued work on smoking cessation, oral health access and healthy relationships.

9. In community safety and equalities, work continues on developing a negotiated stopping type approach, building relationships with enforcement agencies, seeking to tackle hate crime, working towards embedding anti-racist practice and strengthening the Council’s Human Rights and Equality Assessment approach. Outreach with Roma communities has also increased understanding, participation and visibility.

10. Option 1 provides continuity and enables the Council to maintain momentum on actions already underway. Option 2 could enhance the proposals by adding additional comments and recommendations as a result of the scrutiny process.

Council Plan

11.  The proposals support the Council Plan 2023–2027, particularly the commitments on Equalities and Human Rights and on Health and Wellbeing. They also contribute to wider objectives around inclusive communities, reducing inequalities, improving housing conditions and ensuring fair access to services.

        Implications

12.

Financial

The action plan is being delivered within existing revenue resources. In addition, council capital funding of £5.25m has been approved to improve current sites and provide additional accommodation, with delivery monitored through existing capital governance arrangements.

Human Resources (HR)

The work is being delivered through existing teams, supported by dedicated posts including the Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Officer. YTT currently give their time at no cost to CYC.

Equalities

Equalities implications are central to the report. Gypsy and Traveller communities are recognised ethnic groups which are legally protected under the Equality Act 2010, and the action plan is intended to help the Council meet its Public Sector Equality Duty by addressing longstanding disadvantage and improving access to services and opportunities.

Legal

The report supports the Council in meeting its legal obligations in relation to equality, human rights and relevant housing and community safety duties.

Crime and Disorder

There are community safety implications of the report, particularly in relation to unauthorised encampments, negotiated stopping, hate crime and work with enforcement agencies. The proposed approach to enforcement seeks to balance enforcement with a more respectful and constructive model.

Information Technology (IT)

There are no significant IT implications arising directly from this summary report, although digital exclusion remains a relevant issue in how services are accessed by some community members.

Property

There are property implications linked to the improvement of existing sites, proposed expansion of provision, and identification of suitable land to support negotiated stopping and future accommodation needs.

Other

There are wider implications for health and wellbeing, communications, affordability, environment and climate action, and partnership working, all of which are reflected in the full annual report.

Risk Management

13. The principal risk is that without continued delivery of the action plan, the Council will not make sufficient progress in addressing entrenched inequalities affecting Gypsy and Traveller communities. This would create reputational, legal and service risks, including reduced ability to meet equality and human rights obligations and weaker trust between communities and public services.

        Recommendations

14. Scrutiny members are asked to consider the progress and proposals set out in the attached report and annex and provide comments and/or recommendations to Executive Members on the work to date and future plans.

Contact Details

Author:	Chief Officer Responsible for the report:
Laura Swiszczowski Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Housing and Communities Laura.swiszczowski@york.gov.uk Katherine Proctor Assistant Director of Housing Housing and Communities	Pauline Stuchfield Director of Communities
	Report Approved	ü	Date	11/06/2026
Wards Affected:					All	ü
For further information please contact the author of the report

Background Papers:

Gypsy and Traveller Action Plan, Executive, 9 May 2024; Delivering Additional Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation and Improving Existing Facilities, Executive, 14 March 2024.

Annexes

Annex A – Full Annual Update Report and Gypsy and Traveller Action Plan 2026/27.

Abbreviations

CYC = City of York Council; G&T = Gypsy and Traveller; HREA = Human Rights and Equality Assessment; YTT = York Travellers Trust; CRAM = Capital Resource Allocation Model.

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