3. What is the Welsh Government’s strategy for tackling the shortage of Gypsy and Traveller sites across Wales? OQ59178

We are reviewing the Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessments submitted by local authorities, and we'll be working with them and our Gypsy and Traveller communities to support plans to address the current shortfall and help overcome any barriers, which may be impeding progress.

Thank you, Minister. I attended the excellent event, hosted by the Llywydd, which was celebrating how people fleeing persecution have found sanctuary in Wales. But we cannot deny that some communities are more welcome than others, and the Gypsy and Traveller community do not feel welcome; they feel persecuted. And it is disappointing that local authorities are proactive in proposing new sites for motor homes and camper vans to park, but produce no proposals for new Gypsy and Traveller sites, or indeed for upgrading existing ones.

So, Minister, thank you very much for the written statement you issued earlier this afternoon, where you talk about working with local authorities and the Gypsy and Traveller communities to identify the extent of the requirements and understand the barriers that still exist to prevent progress. I want to question why this work has not gone on before. But I would also like a timescale for the end of those discussions, and then the detailed discussions that need to take place with local authorities on where we are going to now make progress on delivering the sites that are so desperately needed, particularly in light of the new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, which criminalises people for stopping on unauthorised sites.

Thank you very much, Jenny Rathbone, for your question and for your leadership on this issue, which is crucial, as chair of the cross-party group and also Chair of the Equality and Social Justice Committee. Can I also thank the Llywydd for hosting this inspiring event this afternoon as well, where we heard from refugees, the Welsh Refugee Council speakers and Ukrainian guests and friends? And a wonderful event it was, but also a recognition that we must not be complacent in Wales. We seek to be a nation of sanctuary, but we must not be complacent. That's why we've got the 'Anti-racist Wales Action Plan', which actually has a whole section on addressing this issue—this shortfall in terms of delivery for our Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community.

And just to confirm, as you say, that this is in legislation, the Housing (Wales) Act 2014—I was here then—requiring every local authority in Wales to prepare a Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessment, and also to report on the need for additional pitches in their areas, such as permanent residential land and temporary transit. I did issue a statement for Members to be aware, at 1 o'clock today, to just explain that I am undertaking an examination of all of the latest audits that are coming through. They have to produce assessments of where they are, the needs and gaps in sites and pitches across Wales for Traveller communities. Although there are challenges in terms of finding the right sites, et cetera, I do expect all local authorities in Wales to ensure that sufficient sites and pitches are provided, and that they identify the needs of Gypsy communities across Wales. And I expect them to be accurate assessments of needs, with clear actions to be taken to address the gaps that exist, and I will be meeting local authorities. By local authority, I will meet them this year, within the next few weeks, to ask them questions about their assessments and their delivery for the needs of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

I'm pleased this subject has been raised today, and where the Member for Cardiff Central and the Government think we have a shortage of Gypsy and Traveller sites, I think we have too many, especially in the north Wales area in particular. The Welsh Government have dictated from here, in Cardiff Bay, that every local authority needs to have at least one Gypsy and Traveller site in place to satisfy their woke agenda, but Travellers aren't travellers in the sense of the word if taxpayers' money is being spent on fixed sites in places where they don't contribute to society or pay their way.

In Denbighshire, they tried this approach back in 2018 and wanted a site on Green Gates Farm in St Asaph, and then in Rhuallt, but it was rejected time and time again through planning, and quite rightly so, by the people of Denbighshire. And the simple message is that we don't want them. So, when is the Welsh Government going to wise up, get real, and act in the best interests of people who pay their council taxes and charges, because Conwy, Flintshire, Gwynedd and Wrexham all have sites, so why can't we adopt a more regional approach and say, 'North Wales has enough already'?

Well, I am shocked by that question, I have to say. Yes, you weren't here in 2014, and I appreciate that Gareth Davies. We had legislation passed by this Assembly, passed by your Members, requiring every local authority in Wales to prepare a Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessment. That's what they need to do, and where there are shortcomings and where they are not available, I will be meeting with every one of those authorities and asking them why.

I think you should rethink the things you've said today following the inspiring events that we've had this week in terms of us being a nation of sanctuary and recognising the racism that Gypsy Traveller people in Wales have faced for too long.

Can I thank the Local Government and Housing Committee who've done an excellent report on this with challenging recommendations? I've accepted them all. I don't know which Member of yours is on that committee, but they accepted them as well.

Question 4, Rhys ab Owen.