Council travellers policy row
It has installed a set of posts to block off the route the travellers took to access Manor Park.
A political row has broken out in North Lincolnshire over the council’s traveller policy. The Conservative-run council has not, unlike a number of other local authorities, created authorised sites for temporary traveller stays.
After an unauthorised encampment last month at Manor Park, off Burringham Road, Scunthorpe, Labour have said these incidents will keep happening until the council provides authorised sites. They have called for a plan for such and investment in preventative measures to stop illegal encampments.
Conservative council leader Cllr Rob Waltham (Brigg and Wolds Ward) has argued Labour is not being honest with residents about where such sites would be, or how much they would cost. Labour opposition group leader Cllr Len Foster (Brumby) has accused him of muddling the issue to suit his personal position.
The unauthorised encampment at Manor Park lasted around two weeks, from late April to early May, with at least ten vehicles. The council served a notice to move the travellers on.
‘We cannot keep going through the same cycle’
Labour Brumby Ward councillors have said the Manor Park incident highlighted a deeper, unresolved issue. “Residents expect their parks to be protected, and we made sure their concerns were raised quickly,” said Cllr Dan Hart. “But we cannot keep going through the same cycle, this simply isn’t working for anyone.”
Cllr Foster said: “Until the council provides proper, authorised sites, these incidents will keep happening, and taxpayers will keep footing the bill for clean-up and repairs.” The councillors have called for:
“We need to move beyond short-term fixes,” Cllr Foster stated, adding proper provision protects residents, safeguards public spaces, and treats everyone lawfully. Sir Nic Dakin MP (Labour – Scunthorpe) met the duo at Manor Park this month and echoed their views.
“When Labour was last in control of North Lincolnshire Council there was an appropriate provision for travellers which the Tories scrapped almost immediately when they took over in 2011,” said Sir Nic on social media. “Incidents like what we’ve seen in Manor Park can be avoided but the Tories aren’t interested in finding a solution.”
‘Under no circumstances’ pledge by Conservative council leader
Cllr Waltham has questioned where the authorised traveller sites would be. He asserted he had received significant correspondence from residents with questions about Labour’s proposal.
“Residents are asking a very simple question that Labour have so far failed to answer – where exactly would they put these new traveller sites?” He accused Labour of not being “honest with residents about where those sites would be located or how much they would cost local taxpayers”.
“Scunthorpe residents are entitled to know whether Labour would put them on parkland, open spaces or other community assets. Are they suggesting part of Central Park, Sheffield Park or Manor Park should be given over for traveller pitches? Are allotment sites such as Wheatfields or Somervell now at risk under Labour’s plans?”
Cllr Waltham added: “Under no circumstances will this administration use local taxpayers’ money to fund new traveller pitches.” Responding, Cllr Foster claimed “he muddles the issue to suit his personal position”. He added: “If he understood anything about the possibility of any of the sites he deliberately mentions he knows full well none of those sites would, under present land uses, be permittable.”
“He just names them to create division,” he said, suggesting that, if the council leader consulted the traveller community, he may understand their needs “and therefore, fulfil the council’s legal responsibilities.”
What is the policy on traveller sites by local councils?
As set out below, the policy local councils have on authorised traveller locations varies:
North Lincolnshire – no authorised sites it runs, provision relies entirely on a very limited number of private sites, that require planning permission too.
North East Lincolnshire – no permanent authorised sites it runs, but it does operate negotiated stopping arrangements (NSAs); this is where temporary locations on council-owned land are arranged with the traveller community on a case-by-case basis, under mutually agreed conditions.
East Riding – has three authorised sites it runs, including in Cottingham and Bridlington.
Hull – there are four permanent caravan site locations in Hull, totalling 70 pitches; it does not have temporary stopping places.