Issue - meetings

The Leader of the Council introduced the item.  He stated that the topic of unauthorised encampments was a controversial one in the Borough.  The Leader of the Council indicated that the Council dealt with travellers humanely.  He confirmed that further work remained in relation to the proposed transit site in Tandridge and a second transit site in the west of the county. 

The Compliance Lead, Environmental and Regulatory Services, summarised the report submitted to the Committee.  The meeting was advised of a fall in unauthorised encampments in 2021 due to travel restrictions during Covid lockdowns.  The Compliance Lead, Environmental and Regulatory Services, indicated that the proposed site in Tandridge would be the first transit site in the county since the early 1990s and should significantly reduce the number of unauthorised encampments in the county.  She advised the Committee that the single transit site would be insufficient to meet demand, particularly during the summer months.  In addition, the Compliance Lead, Environmental and Regulatory Services, informed the meeting of ongoing legal challenges to the issuing of final injunctions against unnamed defendants.

A member of the Committee questioned whether there were plans for a system of transit sites around Surrey.  In response, the Compliance Lead, Environmental and Regulatory Services, indicated that she was unsure of the longer-term plans for the county but could enquire further. 

The Chair thanked the Compliance Lead, Environmental and Regulatory Services, for attending and indicated that Committee members would discuss scheduling a further update.

The Community Wellbeing Manager introduced the item and advised that there were two strands to the report submitted to the Committee:the Council’s procedure for unauthorised encampments on Council land and the Surrey Leaders Group’s proposal for a transit site to help alleviate the pressures surrounding unauthorised encampments on local communities. 

In response to questions, the Community Wellbeing Manager advised that the Surrey Leaders Group had acknowledged the need for further transit sites across the county.  She indicated that the transit site was the first step in a process.  The Community Wellbeing Manager indicated that she was not aware of the design and facilities planned for the transit site.

The Community Wellbeing Manager advised the Committee that the Council’s communications with travellers visiting the Borough regularly was excellent.  She advised that both support and a protocol to establish communications were in place for travellers that might be new to the Borough.

In reply to a question from a Committee member, the meeting heard that the Council had a duty to assess the welfare needs of travellers at unauthorised encampments.  The Community Wellbeing Manager indicated that based on experience of enforcement against unauthorised encampments the welfare needs of travellers were seldom judged to take priority over the issue of any trespass being committed.

In response to questions about the provision of COVID vaccinations for travellers, the Community Wellbeing Manager advised the Committee that across the country travellers had been targeted by NHS outreach services.  She informed the Committee that travellers in priority vaccination groups had been offered support to access vaccine bookings online.

In response to calls for a plan from Surrey Leaders Group for further transit sites in the county, the Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Councillor for Housing and Development Control advised the meeting that Surrey Leaders Group recognised further transit site provision was necessary.  The Chairman noted the value in receiving an update on the matter from the Leader of the Council.