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)

190 Notice of Motion - Traveller incursions in the Borough - Recommendations from Council 13th June 2019 pdf icon PDF 55 KB

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)

85 Notice of Motion - Traveller incursions in the Borough - Recommendations from Council 13th June 2019 pdf icon PDF 55 KB

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


 

Get the best from this site

We use simple text files called 'cookies'. Some of these cookies are essential to make our site work and others help us to improve by giving us some insight into how the site is being used. For more information, including how to turn cookies off, see more about cookies - or simply click the Continue button to use this site as normal.