Dear......
Government legislation controls the actions this Council can or cannot do in respect of travellers abusing our community facilities. In the fourteen years of the previous central administration travellers attained a status using the 'uman rights' scenario and supported by government. This coalition administration is now consulting with local authorities to bring a more balanced policy to the subject and we are contributing to that. We are equally frustrated and find the situation we as an authority are put in in attempting to control the travelling community as totally inadequate. The Conservative group in Christchurch has lobbied government over the last three months for more and swifter powers enabling us to move travellers from unallocated sites and to claim recompense for any clear up required. We have also stated that we find objectionable the fact that they are treated in a different way to our residents in respect of community standards and involvement. You should please note that we have no powers as a Council to move travellers from private ground which is the case you refer to in Somerford and our officers together with our partners including Police are working carefully through the prescribed legislation so that we can within the next two days move them away from Mudeford Quay. We are all exercised by this incursion and appreciate the concerns expressed by numerous residents over the last week or so. We ask everyone to understand the limitations imposed on us and when, as we will later in the year, be undertaking a public consultation on Gypsy and traveller policies that as many residents as possible contribute.
Thank you for writing to me.
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