Question Time.
Minutes:
Mr Abbott, an elector registered in the County, asked the Chairman the following questions under Standing Order 35:-
1.
Have
the police been formally consulted concerning the impact on police resources both
locally (the proposed site) and county-wide re the new powers the police
apparently have?
2.
If they
were consulted, who was consulted?
3.
What
action will be taken if Travellers refuse to pay fees for access to the Transit
Site? Will the Council require
“cash-up-front”?
4.
How
much will the Travellers be charged for access to the
site? Is this per person or per caravan
or something else? How has this charge
been calculated? How much is expected to
be generated through fees in the financial year?
5.
Is the
long-term aim that the Transit Site becomes self-financing?
6.
If an
illegal encampment that is larger than the available plots on the Transit Site
is “moved on”, how will Police/Council determine who gets the Transit Site
places? What happens to the others?
7.
What
action will be taken should Travellers intentionally damage, foul or otherwise
disrespect the provided transit site?
How does the Council propose that the offenders are identified and
prosecuted?
8.
What
action will the Council/Police take to ensure that the Transit Site does not
spread on to adjacent land?
9.
Can the
Council confirm that a Traveller Site will be capped at the proposed size and
not allowed to grow over time?
10.
What
hours will the site warden work? Will
the warden live on-site? What training
and support will the warden receive to ensure the Council’s duty of care to its
employees is fulfilled?
11.
What
will the warden be paid? Will they receive any enhancements to their
salary? (for example anti-social hours).
12.
What
action will be taken should the warden be abused or otherwise treated
disrespectfully?
13.
What
action would be taken if crime rates in the area of a Traveller Site rise above
normal levels
14.
Would
Neighbourhood Policing staff (both Officers and PCSO’s) be expected to go on to
the Traveller Site during their normal “beat”?
Will they provide a visible and reassuring policing presence to the
Travellers?
15.
Will
the objections of NWLDC be considered when arriving at a decision on the
placement of the Traveller Site?
16.
Do the
views of the local community carry sufficient weight to force a change of
heart?
17.
Will
the planning permission process be an open and transparent one despite the
Council effectively being judge and jury?
18.
Should
covenants be lifted to facilitate the placement of a Transit Site, will the
same flexibility be available to local residents wishing to lift/alter
covenants on their own property?
19.
What
impact would a Transit Site at Snibston have on the attraction for visitors to
the local St Mary’s Church?
20.
If, as
the FAQ suggests, property values would not be adversely affected by the
placement of a Transit Site, will the Council give an undertaking to compensate
home/business owners should values take an unexpected tumble?
21.
Will
the authorities (Council & Police) take steps to tackle both anti-social
behaviour and dangerous/nuisance animals with precisely the same effort as seen
in the rest of the local community?
22.
Will
CCTV be installed at the Transit Site?
23.
Should
damage, theft or dirt be an issue at the Traveller Site, how promptly would the
Council act to put things right?
24.
Should
crime occur that is traced to a resident on the Traveller Site, can the Police
enter the site and apprehend the individual(s) without a warrant?
25. Will the records of Travellers entering the ... view the full minutes text for item 38