The
Independent
Equality Advisory Group
8th October 2013
Kaposvar Room, Guildhall, Bath
Minutes
Attendees
Louise Murphy, Corporate Equalities Officer, B&NES Council
Mike Carter – Superintendent, Bath Police
Stuart Durrant – Constable, Bath Police
Lloyd Katz – Associate Pastor, Bath City Church
Jocelyn Dawson-Wood – Avon Fire and Rescue
Martin Glanvill – Avon Fire and Rescue
Anne-Marie Stavert – B&NES
Samantha Jones – B&NES Council
Berkeley Wilde – Diversity Trust
Iwona Erturan – Bath Polish Association
Nainesh Pandit – Stand Against Racism & Equality
Jan Bebbington – Victims Advocate, Bath Police
Grace Morris – Victim Support
Matt Hannah – Julian House Homeless Shelter
Louise Madden – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Workers Group, B&NES
Council
Denice Burton – Public Health, B&NES Council
Kieren Bourne – Living Springs Metropolitan Community Church
Suzanne Morys – Corporate Disabled Workers Group, B&NES Council
Greyham Crowl – Black Workers Group
Helena Whatley – Bath Police (notes)
Apologies
Roy Woods – Action on Hearing Loss
Alex Raikes – SARI
Jude King – Bath Mind
Guests
Anne-Marie Stavert – Commissioning and contracts officer, B&NES
Kathryn Palmer – PCC’s Office, Avon & Somerset
Sue Mountstevens – Police & Crime Commissioner, Avon & Somerset
1. Welcome from Police and Council Representatives.
Louise and Mike welcomed everyone to the meeting and everyone introduced
themselves to those present.
2. Gypsy & Traveller Health Needs Assessment in B&NES
Denice Burton gave a power-point presentation to those present on the findings into
their survey (click the link to go to the IEAG web page, and a copy of the
presentation is on the right hand side of the page). A copy of the full report can be
found by visiting www.bathnes.gov.uk/jsna;
It was agreed that without a fixed address many of the travelling fraternity were
unable to be contacted for recall services.
One issue that arose was locating boat people, by midwives etc. One way to resolve
this was to work by bridge numbers.
Berkley asked if any researched had been done on establishing the sexual
orientation of those questioned in the survey. Denice stated that this was not
something that had been asked of the participants so the information was not
available.
3. Gypsy & Traveller Site Allocation in B&NES
Sarah Johnson delivered a presentation on the Site Allocation Development Plan.
(Click on the link to access).
The term traveller encompassed a wide variety of individuals, not just those on
traveller sites, but also groups such as gypsies, roma people, boat people and show
people. Also including festival people, not just those associated with the circus/fair
who have lots of equipment.
4. Lower Bristol Road unauthorised site
Ann Robins delivered an overview of the site on the Lower Bristol Road. The
number of travellers at the site fluctuates, although the site only has capacity for
10/11 pitches. Government money has been received to develop the site and this
has now gone out to tender. Development will include acoustic screening from the
busy road and flood defence works, as the area is liable to flooding. A developer is
sought who will act as the management agent in collecting rent and resolving issues
etc and the successful bidder should be known by mid October.
It is hoped to have both permanent and transit pitches on the site, similar to other
sites in the Country and they are working with Bristol City Council on how to manage
this site on a day to day basis. This process will then go to CLG for ratification /
consultation and it is hoped there will be minimal opposition, as there is a degree of
local support for the site.
A consultation meeting with the occupants resulted in very low attendance, but all
have been advised that they will need to leave the site in order for it to be developed.
Unfortunately many of those on the site will not quality for a pitch after the
development, as they do not fit the allocation policy. An alternative site for those
moving off is proving to be an issue, but this is something that is being looked into.
5. Policing Gypsy & Traveller Communities in B&NES
Mike Carter gave a brief overview from a police perspective of how the police have
changed the way they have managed travellers of all types from the early eighties
through to the present time, where, with partners, there is a greater engagement with
these communities, but there was still lots the police, as an organisation, could do to
gain higher levels of confidence from these groups.
Having come from South Glos, where there is a high concentration of travellers and
authorised sites, Officers and PCSO’s have regular contact with the various groups
in order to gain their trust and confidence. Many of the travellers are now integrated
as part of the community, being 2nd and 3rd generations from that area. Once these
sites were no go areas, but now officers are invited in for coffee and a chat and the
barriers are being broken down.
Historically, the travelling community is seen as being affected by domestic violence
and Mike reiterated that if travellers were to come to the police for help, it would be
there for them. It is essential that travellers are aware that services are there for
them and are accessible.
Louise asked if officers had been able to make contact with travellers from the Lower
Bristol Road site, as they were proving difficult to make contact with. Mike said that
an officer has been allocated to this site, PC Adrian Secker. No problems have been
experienced with the site and PC Secker continues to remain in contact with the
local community to reassure them that the site is running well.
Jocelyn suggested that perhaps the Fire Service could try to open a dialogue with
the site and offer them suitable fire safety advice.
The site does have a representative, Tracey, who recently had to stand up before a
large number of people to put across the travellers perspective and not only was it
difficult for her to stand up amongst such a group, she also had to relay the
messages back to her community, who were mistrusting of authority.
6. Chairing the Independent Equality Advisory Group
Louise and Mike asked if anyone present would be willing to stand as Chair for the
IEAG, to act independently. It not, they are more than happy to continue with the
role. Anyone wishing to do so should make contact with Louise.
Everyone was reminded that there is an opportunity to have a Ride Along with the
Police if they wish to do so. Anyone wishing to take this up can contact Simon Ellis
at simon.ellis@avonandsomerset.police.uk. Jocelyn was happy to discuss with her
colleagues to see if someone similar could be done with the Fire Service.
7. Information Sharing
A number of consultation documents and plans were raised by members and these
are provided in hyperlinks below.
 ‘SPAce to see’ – a workshop about empowerment, diversity and research
will be held on 14th November from 11-1 at Bath Spa University. (See
poster attachment to IEAG web page) – IEAG members are invited to
attend.
 The B&NES LGB&T Survey 2013 is now online. The link is available at
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BANESSURVEY Please circulate the link
to relevant individuals and networks. The survey will remain online until 31
December 2013.

Dedicated webpages for the Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
Site Allocations Plan: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/planning-andbuilding-control/planning-policy/gypsies-travellers-and-travellingshowpeople-

Detailed Assessment Report which accompanied the Preferred Options
Plan: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/sites/default/files/sitedocuments/Planningand-Building-Control/Planning-Policy/Gypsies-andtravellers/GTPreferredOptions-SiteAssessmentReport.pdf

Cabinet Report 12th September 2012 ‘Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling
Showpeople Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD)’ - which
reported back on the consultation on the Preferred Options Plan
http://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/documents/s22304/E2433%20Gypsy%20T
ravellers%20Sites.pdf plus the Appendices
http://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/documents/s22305/Appendices%201-4.pdf
which include the 27 sites put forward through the Call for Sites exercise
(circulated at the meeting)
 Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Site Allocations Plan Update
- Cabinet Report 12th June 2013 which sets out the latest programme of
work and timetable:
http://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/documents/s26113/E2412%20Gypsy%20T
ravellers%20DPD.pdf
 Joint Strategic Needs Assessment – Wiki page is now live (See JSNA Wiki).
This page contains a wide range of information and research about our local
community in B&NES.
Ideas for future meetings
The policing of people with mental health issues.
Interactions with Police, CRB’s and how they affect a person’s potential employment.
SARI have a launch in November on their aims and objectives.
Minority Impacts – Jon Poole to deliver.
Fire Service – Engagement
The role of PCSO’s
Disability Hate Crime
Serious Crime Review
Taxi Drivers
Date of Next Meeting - Tuesday 14th January at 1400 hours in the Guildhall, with
lunch being provided from 1330 hours.