North East Lincolnshire Council’s voted-out Labour administration “bottled” making a decision on where to locate a site for travellers to legally stay – and their procrastination has cost “hundreds of thousands of pounds”.
The comments were made by deputy leader Councillor John Fenty, in the run-up to a scrutiny panel meeting on Tuesday (September 24).
Illegal traveller encampments have been causing problems in recent weeks in the borough. It is a legal requirement for NELC to provide a designated stopover site and is part of the Government-approved Local Plan for the area.
The eventual location will be gated and have running water and electricity and waste facilities for 15 pitches.
Where it will be sited is a controversial topic – but there will be a public consultation. Councillor Fenty said the previous Labour administration spent five years too long debating it, adding: “We don’t want to kick the can further down the road. We need a solution and the electorate is expecting one.”
In a statement in the chamber at Grimsby Town Hall, he said: “By way of background, criteria for a designated stopover place within North East Lincolnshire requires access to services, shops and medical facilities, meaning you cannot just locate it in the outback.
“The council’s Local Plan requires the provision of such a place. After five years of procrastination by the last administration, six sites were distilled from more than 1,300 considered locations. The previous administration bottled it, ignoring the recommendation of the scrutiny panel to deliver a designated stopover place at one of the six sites.
“That procrastination has cost this council, police, and the private sector hundreds of thousands in clearing up and repairs.
“This will only stop when there is a designated stopover place in the borough – only then can travellers be made to move on without complicated legal process.”
A recent scrutiny panel meeting on the issue was postponed to allow members more time to read associated papers. The panel will be asked for a view on the issue – not to make a decision, as inaccurately reported in the local Press. The final decision will be made after it is considered by Cabinet, following a public consultation.
Councillor Fenty said: “During September and October, the six sites underwent a technical assessment and detailed papers went to the Economy Scrutiny Panel, on which there was some inaccurate reporting. As a matter of correction, I would like to make it clear that the panel were not – and are not – being asked to choose a site. A new scrutiny panel meeting will be held on Tuesday, and I look forward to being there and hearing the views of the panel.
“It might be worth explaining the design brief for a designated stopover place. It will be a gated facility with secure fencing and appropriately masked to accord with the local amenity. It will include running water, electricity and waste facilities, and have 15 pitches.
“The maximum length of stay is 14 days, which will be charged for on a daily basis. We understand that users of these sites do not mess on their own doorstep, so in effect they work very well.
“I know the leader of the council has had discussions with the police to ensure there is partnership working.
“I will be recommending to Cabinet on October 2 to approve the commencement of a public consultation. Views and matters will then be considered at a future Cabinet meeting before a final decision is taken in choosing on site to be developed.”
Council leader Philip Jackson said people are “sick and tired” of the mess caused by illegal traveller encampments.
In his leader’s statement made at the same meeting, Councillor Jackson said: “We’ve seen the disruption, mess and expense caused by illegal gypsy and traveller encampments across the borough over the summer.
“People are sick and tired of it! The problem persists because the previous Labour administration kicked the can down the road for five years in relation to identifying a designated stopping place.
“This Conservative administration is grasping the nettle and is determined to identify and implement a designated stopping place at the earliest opportunity.”
He also sent out a warning to residents acting anti-socially: “Law-abiding residents who have pride in their environment are pleased that we have upped the ante on enforcement, sending a clear message to fly tippers, litter droppers and dog foulers that, if we secure the evidence, they will be prosecuted.”
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