| ABOUT NAGTO | |
The government recently legislated to remove the specific exclusion for local authority Gypsy and Traveller sites from the Mobile Homes Act (MHA), providing the procedural safeguards from eviction that the European Court of Human Rights judged were lacking in the Connors Case. However, there remain a number of contentious issues around delivery of this new policy, With the advent of the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA), local authorities are under increasing pressure to show that they are engaging with the Gypsy and Traveller community, and incorporating their needs into performance targets. At the same time, there is excellent work being done in the fields of education, healthcare and social inclusion, aiming to balance long standing inequalities between Gypsies and Travellers and the settled community. Now in its 7th year, this indispensable annual event will examine the pressing issues facing those responsible for developing services for Gypsies and Travellers. Delegates will be brought up to speed on policy and the responsibilities of the new Homes and Communities Agency, as well as being privy to the latest thinking around conflict resolution, capacity building and site design good practice. High profile speakers include:
Special discount for NAGTO members: 17.5% off the ticket price by quoting ‘NAGTO’ at the time of booking For ticket prices and more information, visit www.neilstewartassociates.com/se226 or call Laura Brownlee on 020 7324 4372 |
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Homes and Communities Agency News Release 3 February 2009 £32million available in 2009/10 for Gypsy and Traveller Sites Local authorities, ALMOs and RSLs who wish to provide social rented sites for Gypsies and Travellers, new age travellers and travelling show people can now access guidance on bidding for funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). The national housing and regeneration agency has published its Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant Guidance 2009/10 at www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/gypsies_travellers. The bidding guidance and application forms have been updated to reflect experience gained in the bidding round for 2008/2009, and the fact that responsibility for the Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant now rests with the agency. Sir Bob Kerslake, chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency said: "Ensuring that the needs of minority and vulnerable communities are catered for is an important part of our work, and we are committed to ensuring the delivery of additional sites for Gypsies and Travellers through the government's funding programme. The publication of this document is an important step in ensuring the bidding process is as clear and effective as possible." Responsibilities of the HCA, details of the grant and bidding timetable, plus instructions for completing bids and next steps in the process are set out in the guidance. The publication supplements regional training events during February and March to help organisations develop their bids and complete the application. Details of the training courses can be found at www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/grant_training_events. The current bidding round will be broadly similar to that run previously by Communities and Local Government. However, the provision of sites and their delivery will become part of the agency's Single Conversation - its model for working with public and private partners to deliver local priorities. |
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| South West Provincial Employers courses and events. | |
6th Annual Developing Services for Gypsies and Travellers 2008: |
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N.A.G.T.O. (the National Association of Gypsy and Traveller Officers) was set up in 1997 to help Local Authority Gypsy Liaison Officers ("GLOs") share knowledge, compare best practice and improve standards of service. Other professionals dealing with travelling communities, such as Traveller Education, had for some time established associations to work in and feed from. GLO's have often operated alone, and unsupported, in a wide variety of sometimes very difficult situations. Wherever such officers are based - and there are lots of possible Departments and Directorates - they need support and NAGTO is set up to provide that support. Government used to organise regular national meetings of GLOs. But that all ended in 1994, leaving no natural lines of communication between services, even in neighbouring authorities. NAGTO seeks to re-establish these, providing a central focus and at the same time harnessing the wide range of expertise these very different scenarios make available to its members and establishing contacts within the wider public arena. This information is passed on to members through a regular newsletter, regional liaison meetings and topic groups and national events. The Association has led the way in establishing BTec training in Gypsy Services (formal courses began in 2001) for which it provides tutors and assessors, and is constantly looking at ways in which it can encourage the continued professional development of its members. So what does NAGTO provide you if you join?
If you are a fully paid up member and do not have your user name and password please contact me by e-mail. c.j.f.eardley@bury.gov.uk Home | Committee | Join | Legislation | Newsletter | Best
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