Councillor Calls For 'Sensitive' Areas To Be Created

It's claimed travellers who set up home illegally could be denying companies contracts.

Not enough is being done to stop travellers illegally camping in the Kingdom.

That's the view of local Tory leader Dave Dempsey.

He's calling for 'sensitive' areas to be created across the region which prevent travellers from setting up home.

"It's been accepted for years that unauthorised encampments aren't ideal. They cause ill feeling locally, put landowners to the expense of court orders and often result in significant clean-up costs. Up until now, the Council's response has been to look for additional authorised sites but progress has been slow to non-existent.

"Unauthorised encampments are illegal under the 1865 Trespass Act but Scotland's top police and law officers decided that this Act was not to be used. The police could act when criminal damage is involved but they tend not to because it’s usually impossible to identify the individual responsible.

"After a succession of encampments in industrial estates, the Conservatives proposed in April 2013 that Fife Council should look into designating particular areas as 'sensitive' so that the full force of the law could be used there. We had in mind business premises where encampments could result in loss of orders or even loss of jobs.

"The Council's response was to set up a working group which did useful work but which once again concentrated on creating more authorised sites.  When it reported last week, we welcomed its work but again proposed that steps be taken to protect sensitive areas. This time we had more success. Fife Council will now lobby the Scottish Government and CoSLA for a change in the law. It will also look at the possible use of bye-laws. It’s not the solution but it’s a step in the right direction.

"It's rightly recognised that Gypsy Travellers have a distinct culture that should be respected, encouraged and protected. That’s happening and there are plenty of quiet successes. However, it's wrong that a small minority, straying beyond what’s generally acceptable, should bring the majority into disrepute”."

Councillor Judy Hamilton Executive Spokesperson for Housing and Building Services said: 

"We enforce the law as it stands at the moment and do everything we can to support private landowners, local communities and the travelling communities.  However, the Council, through CoSLA, will lobby for a change to the law and will revise its policies to ensure that support to Gypsy Travellers, local business and residential communities is improved. The Council recognises the need for local authorities to be effective and sensitive in managing unauthorised Gypsy Travellers’ encampments."