Action on Unauthorised Encampments to go Ahead (North Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats)

North Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats <bedford@bedfordlibdems.org>

Action on Unauthorised Encampments to go Ahead

August 25, 2008 11:23 PM

Kingsbrook councillors Dave Hodgson and Anita Gerard at one of the open spaces identified by the Council as a high priority for preventative measures. Following the appearance of large numbers of unauthorised encampments across Bedford over the past year, the Lib Dems have campaigned for effective action to protect council land in the most vulnerable areas. The Liberal Democrats first proposed to the council's Corporate and Resource Committee in November last year that £40,000 be spent on physical protection of public spaces from unauthorised encampments, for instance, using barriers and bunds.

At the Budget meeting this year the Council did agree to include the £40,000 in the budget for this year. Councillor Anita Gerard said, "I'm pleased that the Council has agreed to the funding so that action will now be taken to put physical protection in place to stop unauthorised encampments appearing at the most vulnerable and unsuitable sites. We hope the Council will move quickly to spend the money and protect the public spaces.

"These preventative measures are a good start but it is only one part of solving the merry-go-round movement of traveller sites. A lasting solution needs national and regional action to provide an agreed number of sites in locations that are suitable."