FI16052

Request

1) Does the council collect data on how many of its residents are living full-time in a caravan?

2) If yes, what is the most recent data on how many such residents there are? Please specify the time period for which this figure applies, and any relevant detail on how it was calculated – eg. is it number of residents or number of households?

3) Is it known what proportion of caravan dwellers are from Gypsy or Traveller communities? If yes, please specify the proportion.

4) If data is not formally collected on residents living full-time in a caravan, is the council aware of whether there are any such residents locally?

5) Has the council ever used caravans to temporarily accommodate people who would otherwise be homeless? If so, how many people are currently housed in this way?

6) Does the council have strategic plans which incorporate the use of caravans as temporary accommodation?

7) Is the council taking any actions to assure itself of the electrical safety of caravans being used as dwellings? If yes, please briefly detail the types of actions being taken.

8) In the past 12 months, has the council offered caravan dwellers any specific advice or support on electrical safety in their vehicle?

9) Does the council collect any information on a) how caravan dwellers are accessing electricity and b) which electrical items they are using? If so, please share details.

10) Into the remit of which a) councillor/s and b) officer/s does the wellbeing and safety of caravan dwellers fall?

Response

  1. No. However, the latest census data for information on accommodation types (which includes caravans and other mobile or temporary structures) can be found at https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/bulletins/housingenglandandwales/census2021
  2. Not applicable.
  3. No. However, the Council does undertake a six-monthly Traveller Caravan count (the Traveller Caravan Count is a mandatory submission for all authorities with housing responsibilities in England). Further information is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/traveller-caravan-count.  The count involves the counting of the caravans themselves and not the number of occupants in each caravan or the collection of any personal data.  The latest caravan count data is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/traveller-caravan-count-january-2025?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=6409b9b0-898b-4a75-8589-31cdb45bb520&utm_content=immediately. Please note, this survey data is not an accurate count of all caravans in the district and is intended to cover caravans occupied by persons that meet the formal definition of Gypsy/Traveller set out in the guidance linked above. 
  4. Only from the Census and Traveller Caravan count data, both linked above. 
  5. Very occasionally mobile homes have been used but this is historic and is not currently used.
  6. No.
  7. No.
  8. No, but where the site is residential or holiday many mobile homes are owned by the occupier and as such it will be owners’ responsibility to maintain the electrical safety of their unit.
  9. No.
  10. No, but where the site is residential or holiday many mobile homes are owned by the occupier and as such it will be owners’ responsibility to maintain the electrical safety of their unit.