Welsh councils 'could face prosecution' over sites

18 June 2013

The BBC has reported how "councils across Wales could face prosecution under a proposed new housing bill unless new Gypsy and traveller sites are built".

This autumn, the Welsh Assembly will vote on a Bill to reintroduce the duty on councils to provide pitches for Travellers.

The duty has not existed in England since the 1994, when the 1968 Caravan Sites Act, pioneered by Gypsy rights champion Lord Avebury, was repealed by the Conservatives.

The devolved Welsh government now has the power to bring back the duty on councils, who could then be taken to court if they don't cater for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs.

You can watch the BBC's video report on the issue here on the BBC News website.