|
There are no authorised gypsy sites in the
district managed by us and unauthorised incursions do arise from
time to time in the area. The Government recognises that there is a
serious problem nationally with gypsies and travellers, the crux of
the problem being that there are not enough authorised
sites.
The Government is tackling the problem in two
ways. Firstly by ensuring adequate site provision is made within
local authority development plans and secondly by increasing the
enforcement powers available to deal with unauthorised developments
and encampments.
If you have any enquiries relating to planning
issues, proposed gypsy site developments or the Council's
Development Plan, please see our Planning
pages.
Unauthorised Gypsy/Traveller Incursions
The Essex County
Council/Tendring District Council/Essex Police
Joint Protocol for Managing Unauthorised
Encampments has the County Council's Gypsy Liaison Officer
(GLO) taking the lead role when dealing with unauthorised
encampments either on council or privately owned
land.
The GLO will normally visit a site within 24
hours and make an assessment as to whether the group is in
compliance with the "Code for Gypsy/Travellers in Essex". If
gypsies/travellers comply with the Code they can remain on local
authority land for up to 28 days subject to certain
conditions.
If travellers are sited on council owned land and
fail to adhere to the Code the GLO will carry out an assessment
relating to the health, social care and education needs of the
group and consider any implications under the Human Rights Act.
Subject to the outcome, a decision will be made on what action
should be taken.
Where the incursion occurs on privately owned
land the landowner will have to secure eviction although the GLO
will advise and assist in this matter.
Special arrangements and contingency plans are in
place in the event of a large scale gypsy encampment in the
district.
In districts where a gypsy site is available, the
Police have powers to direct gypsy/travellers to leave unauthorised
sites.
When it is considered necessary
for gypsy/travellers to be evicted it is the responsibility of the
landowner concerned to secure eviction not Tendring District
Council unless the land concerned is in our
ownership.
If you would like further
information/clarification concerning the above or wish to report or
receive an update regarding an unauthorised incursion please
contact:
Chris Smetherham-James, Life Opportunities
(private sector housing), Council Offices
Weeley Tel: 01255
686739 Email:
csmetherham-james@tendringdc.gov.uk
Essex
County Council County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford,
Essex CM1 1QH Tel: 0845 603
7624 Email:
natural.environment@essex.gov.uk
Essex
Police Duty Officer,
Police Station, 8 Beatrice
Road, Clacton on Sea,
Essex CO15 1ET Tel: 0300
333 4444
The Council commissioned a report into gypsy and
traveller accommodation in Tendring which was published in December
2010.
Read more about the report
here. |