The Enquirer :: Traveller eviction will cost taxpayer millions

Traveller eviction will cost taxpayer millions

TRAVELLER evictions look set to cost taxpayers millions of pounds, regardless of whether travellers at an illegal pitch in Crays Hill relocate peacefully or are forcefully removed.

 

A meeting arranged by Billericay MP John Baron at the House of Commons on Tuesday ended in stalemate as both Basildon Council and representatives of the traveller site at Dale Farm, in Crays Hill, refused to back down.

 

Leader of Basildon Council, Cllr Tony Ball, said after the meeting: “We have made it clear that the rule of law must be obeyed and that this site will be cleared forcefully if necessary and within our timetable. However, we see it as our civic duty to go the extra mile to try and avoid the misery of a forced eviction whilst upholding the law.”

 

Essex Police and Basildon Council have already applied for £13million to fund a forced eviction if needed - but travellers revealed at the meeting they are now looking to apply for £60million of funds made available this month as part of the Government’s ‘Afford-able Homes Programme’ so they can relocate.

 

Cllr Ball continued: “There is a £60million fund which has only become available in the last month to help provide sites. The travellers are now liaising with Essex County Council and the HCA in order to use this fund to locate sites outside the District. We will facilitate communication if required.”

 

As part of the fund £20million will be made available over the next two years with another £40million available in the following years leading into 2015.

This could mean yet another lengthy delay with bidding for the Gypsy and Traveller Site Grant not set to close until May.

 

Speaking after the meeting MP John Baron said: “My view is that we should not deviate from the set timetable of action by Spring. I am delighted that traveller groups have taken up our offer of talks; but it is not our fault that this has been left late, although we will still look to uphold our civic duty and avoid confrontation and a forced eviction if possible.”

 

Councillors now look set to debate the next course of action at a meeting of full council on Monday, 14 March.

Date published: 02/03/2011 14:38:28

via theenquirer.co.uk