Brickhill Liberal Democrats
Gypsies and Travellers
The Local Liberal Democrat Agenda
We are proposing
- Working with council for quickest possible response to remove gypsies
- Pushing police to use powers which they have to the full, including Section61
- Physical protection only where appropriate - we have suggested fencing posts on Brickhill Drive
- Lobbying for a change in law which will authorise us to only have to make checks once, and which then cover a larger area and time period
- Establishment of sites to comply with government directives, which will allow quick removal from unauthorised sites.
Cllr Wendy Rider at one site in Brickhill Drive which has suffered from unauthorised access
You may find the following booklet produced by the Borough Council helpful in answering questions Frequently asked questions
Following the appearance of large numbers of unauthorised encampments across Bedford, the Lib Dems have campaigned for effective action to protect council land in the most vulnerable areas.
Efforts to reduce the problems caused by unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments in Bedford Borough have been boosted after the Liberal Democrat proposal to fund schemes to protect vulnerable open spaces to the was included in the Cabinet’s budget.
Wendy Rider said 'The Mayor and Cabinet have finally accepted the Liberal Democrat proposal to protect open spaces from unauthorised encampments. The sooner this work can start the better. The cost of removing these camps is huge, so it is common sense to introduce preventative measures where suitable, such as Brickhill Drive. Brickhill Parish Council supported our proposal to campaign for perimeter fencing as a deterrent against camping on the green on Brickhill Drive.’
This is only one part of the action needed to stop the merry-go-round movement of traveller sites. Residents are angry about caravans and vehicles parking on the green in Brickhill Drive. Huge costs are involved in legal fees to remove these encampments and cleaning up the disgusting waste which is left behind. The government has tied us up with so much legislation, that it is extremely difficult to act against travellers and gypsies, without exposing the Council to claims and compensation for unlawful behaviour. Before removal can place, we have to complete health checks, education and welfare checks, which can take two weeks. These checks have to be started all over again if the travellers move to another location.
We will not be able to move these people on quickly until we provide fixed and transit gypsy sites in Bedford. The Council will be required to provide these sites, however we expect that we will not have them in place for at least another year. We will take action as quickly as possible against unlawful camps, nobody will work harder than us in pushing the police and the Council to act quickly.
The predicament
The the process of removing the camp is be delayed due to the necessary completion of the required legalities. Some residents have been astonished at the lengths to which the Borough Council must go before eviction can take place. This link at provides directives from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which state some of the issues involved. Of importance are such as the following Sections 77-78 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 30. Section 77 of the CJPOA gives local authorities the power to direct individuals to remove their vehicles and belongings and to leave highway land, or any land occupied without the consent of the landowner, whether owned by the local authority itself or by any other public or private landowner.
Before commencing any action to evict an unauthorised encampment, local authorities have an obligation to carry out welfare assessments of the unauthorised campers. This may necessitate the involvement of local NHS bodies, where health issues are apparent. The procedure required by the law takes longer than we would wish and for this reason we cannot give an expected date upon which the gypsies/travellers will be required to leave. Education assessments as well as necessary health checks need to be made. Premature action outside the legal process can result in legal appeals which involve long periods of delay and costly action. We will always work with the police and the Borough Council to have action taken as quickly as possible.
TitleIf you have any comments please email us
Liberal Democrat Councillor Surgery. Bedford Central Library,
every Saturday, 2pm-3:30pm. All welcome, just turn up.