How is the council involved with the travelling community?
Oxfordshire County Council has a duty of care to all Gypsy and Travellers within the county and will address their welfare, health and educational needs. Gypsy and Traveller Services is committed to ensuring that all issues that affect Travellers staying on land within the county are dealt with in a balanced and proportionate manner. Decisions taken by the unit are open to audit under the Human Rights Act and the Race Relations Amendment Act. It deals with the sometimes-contentious issue of unauthorised encampments and manages the six county council owned permanent sites. It conducts consultation and negotiations between the Traveller community and the settled community. Additionally it acts as agent for the five district councils and can do so on behalf of private landlords. Gypsies and Travellers are protected from discrimination by the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 and the Human Rights Act 1998, together with all ethnic groups who have a particular culture, language or values.
