In response to an enquiry from the media we issued the following response about our commitments to addressing the lack of permanent or transitory stopping sites for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community in Cambridge.

Cllr Mairéad Healy, Executive Councillor for Equalities, Anti-Poverty and Wellbeing, said: “The council is absolutely committed to addressing the lack of permanent or transitory stopping sites in Cambridge, and is currently working to identify the scale of demand for such sites among the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community, and whether the demand is for permanent or transitory space(s). We are yet to receive a full independent analysis of need, and will ensure that the identified needs will be reflected in the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan.

“The council is working collaboratively with other local authorities to identify the current need, and to outline options for negotiated stopping, and routes for the development of permanent sites so that, once we have the data outlining what the community needs, we will be in a good position to move forward.”

The executive councillor leading on this matter is Cllr Mairéad Healy (Labour), Executive Councillor for Equalities, Anti-Poverty and Wellbeing. Spokespersons for the other political groups on this issue are Cllr Cheney Payne (Liberal Democrat) and Cllr Hannah Copley (Green/Independent Group).