Freedom of information response

I am seeking information about the provision of transit sites for Gypsies and Travellers, and transit pitches on permanent sites, situated on land which is owned and/or managed by your public authority. Please find below a series of questions, submitted as a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

1. Does this local authority own and/or manage any transit sites OR transit pitches situated on permanent sites?

If ‘yes,’ please continue to answer the following questions below. - There are no transit sites in Thurrock

2. How many

1. transit sites, and/or – N/A
2. transit pitches are there in total in your local authority area? – N/A

3. Of these transit pitches, on the 16th November 2023, how many were:

1. Occupied – N/A
2. vacant? – N/A

4. What is the name and full address of each transit site, and/or permanent site containing one or more transit pitch(es), within your jurisdiction? – N/A

5. What are the criteria which must be met to be allocated a pitch on a transit site, or a transit pitch on a permanent site (if you have an allocation policy for one or both types of site, please can you share copies via email)? – N/A

6. What is the process by which people can apply for a transit pitch, and what are the contact details for applying for a pitch (e.g., list telephone number of site warden, and/or online form, depending on specific site arrangements)? And; – N/A

a) What are the operational hours on site? – N/A

b) Are staff always on site? – N/A

c) Is there weekend cover? – N/A

7. What is the maximum length of time for which people are permitted to stay on the transit site(s)/pitch(es)? – N/A

8. Please indicate how each transit site the local authority owns/manages is managed day to day, e.g.:

• Managed in-house by your local authority which owns the site (please provide details) – N/A
• Managed by another local authority within your jurisdiction, e.g., a district or borough council on behalf of a county council (please provide details) – N/A
• Outsourced to a separate housing provider or similar (please provide details) – N/A
• Managed by a security company (please provide details) – N/A
• Leased to a named individual, who may themselves live on the site (please provide details) – N/A
• Named person who manages them and contact details (please provide details) – N/A

9. Have the police used Section 62a-e (Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994) to direct people to the site? – N/A

10. How much are the costs for:

1. rent for a pitch? – N/A
2. a deposit to secure a pitch? – N/A

11. Are there any additional utility costs not included in the nominal rent amount for which residents are liable? Please provide details (e.g., water, electricity, other utilities). – N/A

12. Is there a license agreement or another form of written contract for stays on the site, and if so, please can you share a copy? – N/A

13. What facilities and services operate on the site? Please list, for example:

• Traveller education – N/A
• Health visitor – N/A
• Support services – N/A
• Meeting room to hold interviews – N/A
• CCTV – N/A
• Height restrictor/gate – N/A

14. Does the local authority accept welfare benefit payments to cover rent for transit pitches, or transit sites? – N/A

15. Have there been any difficulties with setting up Universal Credit or Housing Benefit payments to cover rent for a transit pitch? If so, please outline these.  – N/A

16. Following a stay on a transit site or transit pitch, is there a certain time period on each site before which those who have vacated are permitted to return to the transit site or pitch? If so, please specify. – N/A

17. Have there been changes made to individual site policies, with regard to the amount of time before which those who have vacated are permitted to return to the transit site or pitch, since the introduction of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (if applicable in your area)? If so, please provide details. – N/A