Issue - meetings
Notice of Motion - Traveller incursions in the Borough - Recommendations from Council 13th June 2019
Meeting: 11/07/2019 - Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee (Item 190)
Minute 85
Referred direct by Cabinet
Minutes:
The Committee considered Minute 85 of Cabinet held on 25th June 2019, which had been referred direct by Cabinet to Scrutiny. This concerned the Notice of Motion on traveller incursions in the Borough, considered at the extraordinary Council meeting held on 13th June 2019. The Council resolved to recommend to Cabinet that proposals 1 – 3 of the Motion be adopted, but that proposal 4 in relation to a Borough wide injunction not be pursued (Minute 25 refers).
The Leader stated that although the legal advice was that the evidence base did not provide grounds for seeking a Borough-wide injunction, he would nevertheless ask officers to undertake a high-level review of recent incursions. Any useful information collected would be recorded. While such information would not provide the comprehensive information required as the basis for a Borough-wide injunction, it could form part of the general evidence base – and going forward comprehensive information would be systematically gathered as per Cabinet Resolution 4.
Resolved:
1. That the following decisions of Cabinet be noted:
“1. That the Council will take a proactive approach and take any additional measures that are required to secure our public open spaces in the Borough by working closely with the business community, councillors and local residents on cost effective, practical and innovative solutions that help prevent illegal encampments whilst maintaining access for residents where possible.
2. That the Council will continue to adopt a strong stance in order to permanently prevent travellers from illegally occupying public spaces in the future.
3. That the Council will take measures to improve communication with local residents when unauthorised encampments do occur, to ensure clear and regular communications that Councillors distribute to residents where such issues have arisen in their wards.
4. That the Council will not pursue an injunction at the present time as the evidence to support such proceedings is insufficient. However, going forward evidence will be systematically gathered in respect of illegal traveller encampments on Council land and the harm caused. Such evidence could then be used to support an application for a borough-wide injunction if such proceedings can be justified.”
2. That in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 39, the matter be referred to full Council.
Note: This is an Executive Function
Cabinet Member: Cllr Terry
Meeting: 25/06/2019 - Cabinet (Item 85)
Minutes:
At the meeting of the extraordinary Council held on the 13th June 2019 a Notice of Motion was considered on traveller incursions in the Borough. The Council resolved to recommend to Cabinet that proposals 1 – 3 of the Motion be adopted, but that proposal 4 in relation to a Borough wide injunction not be pursued (Minute 25 refers).
The Cabinet member for Public Protection confirmed that a stakeholder meeting, to include Council officers and the Police, would be held on 9th July 2019 to determine the best way forward to gather evidence of future illegal traveller encampments on Council land.
Resolved:
1. That the Council will take a proactive approach and take any additional measures that are required to secure our public open spaces in the Borough by working closely with the business community, councillors and local residents on cost effective, practical and innovative solutions that help prevent illegal encampments whilst maintaining access for residents where possible.
2. That the Council will continue to adopt a strong stance in order to permanently prevent travellers from illegally occupying public spaces in the future.
3. That the Council will take measures to improve communication with local residents when unauthorised encampments do occur, to ensure clear and regular communications that Councillors distribute to residents where such issues have arisen in their wards.
4. That the Council will not pursue an injunction at the present time as the evidence to support such proceedings is insufficient. However, going forward evidence will be systematically gathered in respect of illegal traveller encampments on Council land and the harm caused. Such evidence could then be used to support an application for a borough-wide injunction if such proceedings can be justified.
Note: This is an Executive Function
Referred direct to Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee
Cabinet Member: Cllr Terry