Issue - meetings

To provide an update on the Council’s approach to managing Unauthorised Encampments (UE) and seek approval from Executive on the future approach and proposed actions to mitigate the risk of future encampments in Teignbridge.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keeling and SECONDED by Councillor Palethorpe and

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

(a)  Approves the proposed target hardening measures set out in Section 2.1 of the Report and Appendix 1.

(b)  Supports the proposed re-engagement with other Councils and partner agencies to explore potential solutions for a network of transit sites.

(c)   Approves the new Neighbourhood Approach (Option 2) to managing future unauthorised encampments as detailed in Section 2.3 of the Report.

The Executive considered the report from the Head of Environmental Services which sought approval from the Executive on the future approach and proposed actions to mitigate against the risk of future encampments in Teignbridge.

The report outlined the definition of unauthorised encampments and the Council’s current processes.

The proposals included target hardening measures at the following sites: Bakers Park, Courtenay Park, Dawlish Countryside Park, Forde Park, Osborne Park and Sandringham Park. The report noting the additional challenges presented at Osborne Park due to the longer-term risk of damaging mature trees on the park’s borders.

The report highlighted the lack of sufficient transit sites in Teignbridge and Devon more widely for Gypsy and Traveller households to utilise and minimise the issues arising from unauthorised encampments. The report asked for the Executive’s approval to re-engage with partners and stakeholders to seek to develop an approach to bring forward transit provision.

The report highlighted three options for consideration for a refined approach to managing future unauthorised encampments: the current approach, a new neighbourhood approach and an enhanced neighbourhood approach.

An Equality Impact Assessment had been prepared for the meeting and was included as part of the documents. 

Councillor C Parker spoke to this item on the impact of unauthorised encampments on the local community and his support for the proposals detailed within the report.

The Leader commented on the need to have an extra-ordinary meeting and gave an overview of the proposals to the meeting.

Councillors Hook and G Taylor spoke to this item and their support for the proposals.

The matter having been debated and the options and alternatives and other relevant factors highlighted (e.g. financial, legal and risk implications), it was PROPOSED by Councillor Keeling and SECONDED by Councillor Palethorpe and

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

(a)  Approves the proposed target hardening measures set out in Section 2.1 of the Report and Appendix 1.

(b)  Supports the proposed re-engagement with other Councils and partner agencies to explore potential solutions for a network of transit sites.

(c)   Approves the new Neighbourhood Approach (Option 2) to managing future unauthorised encampments as detailed in Section 2.3 of the Report.