Somerset County Council praised for community work

Published by Hannah Wooderson for 24dash.com in Local Government

The Gypsy and Traveller Team of Somerset County Council have been recognised at a national awards ceremony for the work that they do to bring communities together.

The team received the award for ‘Creating Integrated Communities’ at the UK Housing Awards ceremony in London on 6 November. Somerset County Council was the only local authority to be shortlisted in this category.

An example of how the Gypsy and Traveller Team has brought communities together is at the Middlezoy transit site, near Bridgwater. The seven acre site boasts a children’s play area which is available for use by the local residents as well as site occupants. An advisory group has also been created which represents the views of the local community and influences the management of the site.

The award was collected by Councillor Hazel Prior-Sankey, Somerset County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning, Transport and Waste, and Iain Cairns, Gypsy and Traveller Service Team Leader.

Councillor Hazel Prior-Sankey said: “Somerset County Council is proactive in providing a range of quality services for all Somerset residents. The UK Housing award recognises the great work that the Gypsy and Traveller team continue to do in meeting the needs of the County’s settled and travelling communities.”

Barry James, Somerset County Council’s Environmental Management Group Manager, added: “The Middlezoy transit site is a great accomplishment, and shows how Somerset County Council works with local communities to provide services for a modern society.

“Through a mixture of provision and enforcement, the Gypsy and Traveller Team has demonstrated how to manage a traveller service for the benefit of the whole community. The success of this project is of great credit to all those involved.”