Denton Parish Council
Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting Held on Tuesday 18th June 2010
at 6.30 pm at Denton Village Hall
Present: Liz Cargill (Chairman), Terry Hanner, Peter Hill, Adrian Hipwell, Annie Whiteman, Eddie Winter, Pauline Sandell (Clerk).
Also Present: Dr. Murray Gray (District Councillor), A Police Officer, 7 Members of the Public.
1. Traveller Issues
The Chairman said that DPC had been successful in being granted a Court Order to remove the Travellers from the Playing Field for immediate possession. The meeting was informed of the proceedings that took place at the Court that morning and Liz Cargill was thanked for her excellent statement on the human rights assessment that was gratefully accepted by the Judge. The barrister for the Travellers had asked to appeal, but the Judge refused. It is possible, however, for the Travellers to go to the High Court to appeal. It is hoped that this will not happen. The actual Court Order document will not be available until, probably, the end of next week. The Court Bailiff is ready on stand by to act once the Order is received. The Bailiff has asked for some back up from the Parish Council on the day the Court Order is served, if the Travellers refuse to move. However, it was said that the Bailiff did not expect that it would be necessary to forcibly remove the vehicles as he thought the Travellers would move off the land once the Order is served. In the event of back up having to be used from the PC it would be under the direction of the Bailiff. The Police Officer present said that the Police will probably remain in the PF Car Park on the day, and will only intervene if there is a breach of the peace. The Police were informed that the wall at the PF had been damaged.
2. Decisions and Financial Implications on Procedures
There was some doubt about whether the PC should provide back up to the Bailiff, as people were concerned that they would be exposing themselves to danger and it was not in their nature to be forced into this kind of activity. It was thought likely that the Travellers would be given the weekend to move themselves, and if they had not moved by Monday then the PC would make the decision to either use self help to support the Bailiff or get in contractors to do this. Employing contractors would incur more costs. Enquiries into costs will be made.
Expenses involved: £150 for Court Order already agreed in the last minutes. £157.58 to Sapphire Investigations Bureau for effecting service of 6 sets of documents to the Travellers. £15.95 for Car Parking while attending Court and photocopying. A further £3.00 for Car Parking. Proposed by Peter Hill, seconded by Annie Whiteman, unanimously agreed.
3. Future Security and Costs
It was unanimously agreed that a security gate would be installed to stop any future unlawful occupation of the Playing Field. It may be necessary to find a key holder so that the groundsman can enter.
Other Matters
It was suggested that the Parish Council should write to Richard Bacon MP to raise questions about the powers of the Police in situations like this and what laws need to be made to stop Travellers from unlawfully encamping on private property in the future. It was also suggested that the PC ask to see the Chief Constable, but it was agreed that Richard Bacon would be better to do this. Peter Hill and Liz Cargill will compose a letter to Richard Bacon.
The Clerk said that SNC had emailed to say that they would be inspecting the Mini Recycling Centre today and would cordon it off if they felt it was a danger to public health.
The Clerk reported that the Groundsman from Norse did not cut the grass this week because of the Travellers. The Clerk will contact them once the Travellers have left.
The meeting closed at 7.30pm.