Travellers – meetings and local decision making

East Sussex Traveller Forum

The Traveller Forum provides a way for local Gypsies and Travellers to discuss concerns directly with councillors and staff from statutory organisations, such as local councils, health and the police.

The forum also provides a useful way of sharing information on a range of issues and has been successful in lobbying for better healthcare provision.

We want to encourage more Travellers to become involved in this forum, and we have a format that offers different ways to participate. The forum is chaired by a local Traveller.

Forum meeting dates

  • 26 June 2012 – County Council will organise with community and voluntary sector organisations
  • 30 October 2012 – County Council will organise together with health and social care

To find out more about the forum and locations of meetings, please contact the East Sussex Traveller Liaison Manager.

Elected member meetings

Councillors – or elected members – represent all sections of the community, including Gypsies and Travellers who often find it hard to talk about their issues or concerns.

Representing their views can be difficult given the tensions and conflicts that sometimes occur within the settled community over unauthorised encampments and the introduction of permanent sites.

Councillors from each district, borough and the County Council meet regularly with their senior officers and police and health representatives to:

  • oversee and monitor the development and implementation of the East Sussex Traveller Strategy, including the identification of sites
  • represent the interests of both the settled community and Travellers within their own local authority on Traveller-related issues
  • ensure the views of each local authority and agency are represented at the Traveller Forum, and report back to elected members and appropriate officers.

Elected member meeting dates

  • 29 May 2012
  • 4 September 2012
  • 12 December 2012

Independent assessment and monitoring our decision making

Traveller issues are covered by the Community Services Scrutiny Committee. It meets four times a year to review Council services to ensure best value for local people.

If scrutiny members think a Cabinet or lead member decision has been taken incorrectly, they have the right to request a ‘call-in' of that decision and discuss it at their meetings.

Read more about Scrutiny – reviewing and improving services.

Scrutiny Committee meeting dates

For meeting dates, agendas, minutes and reports, see: