22 Tories starting gypsy wars (Kirklees Liberal Democrats)

Kirklees Liberal Democrats <info@kirkleeslibdems.org.uk>

22 Tories starting gypsy wars

August 17, 2006 4:29 PM

illegal Gypsy site

Worries that the Tory administrations confrontation approach will lead to 'gypsy wars' in Kirklees.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Councillor John Smithson is becoming increasingly concerned that the confrontational nature of the Tory administration is leading to more and more gypsies setting up illegal camps in Kirklees.

"In the whole of last year we had eight encampments on Council owned land. In the first three months of this year the Council has dealt with twelve encampments - that's an astonishing increase over last years figure. I am concerned that the increasingly confrontational nature of the Tory administration will lead us down the road of 'gypsy wars' with travellers coming from all over just to take the council on" says Councillor Smithson.

"I am also very concerned that some of the statements that are being made such as refusing to fulfil our obligations under the Housing Act and comments about whether the Council will grant planning permission will put the Council in a very difficult position and may well lead to costly legal action being taken against the council" says Councillor Smithson.

"Over the last five years of Liberal Democrat control the Council investigated 66 allegations of unauthorised encampments. Unauthorised encampments were dealt with under a policy that gave officers of the Council a carefully thought-out strategy that expected from the travelling community the same as the settled community and took swift action when that did not happen. I cannot condone a change to a policy that seems to be driven by ignorance, fear and prejudice. I am surprised by the increasingly confrontational nature of the Tory group particularly from Councillor Bolt as he was involved in the writing of Council policy in the first place."