Luton Borough Council
Stopsley
Ward Forums
Issues Raised
Reviewed GJR/18/03/14
STOPSLEY WARD FORUM ACTIONS
Ref
1.
Date
of
Forum
8/11/12
Issue
Travellers
The main issue concerned
travellers. One occasion the
travellers camped on the
swimming pool site, having
broken in. The police refused to
use their powers to remove the
travellers from the swimming pool
site so officers let them through
on to the common in order,
apparently, to ensure there were
no travellers present for the
opening of the pool. Officers then
asked the police to remove the
travellers quickly from the
Regional Sports Centre area; the
police refused because as far as
they were concerned council
officers gave the travellers
permission to be there.
In the second case travellers
here for a funeral placed mobile
offices without permission on the
Stopsley Mobile Home Park car
park, moving residents’ cars out
of the way. They remained for
several days and there were
problems.
Solution
Who should be
involved?
LBC
Parks Division
LBC
Housing Department
Referred
to
Barry
Timms
Maureen
Backler
Outcome
To increase security for Stopsley
Common when the works of
demolishing the sports centre and
reinstatement is complete. Then the
barrier at St Thomas road entrance
will be a fixed i.e. no lock as our
maintenance vehicles can gain
access from the Lothair road end.
The Stopsley Mobile Home site and
the Gypsy Traveller Site have been
surveyed for possible improvements
to security. Due to the layout of the
site it would not be possible to install
any measures to prevent access as it
would cause difficulties for the
residents of the sites.
As the entire surrounding area is not
Housing land I asked the Parks
Department if they could investigate
possible security measures to the
surrounding areas.
The Forum agreed that officers
should be asked to look again
at security on the Mobile Home
Park to prevent a repetition.
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STOPSLEY WARD FORUM ACTIONS
Ref
2.
Date
Issue
of
Forum
8/11/12 Swimming pool
The other issue raised concerned
the swimming pool. Disabled
facilities are considered
inadequate by some users and
there is a bin store behind the
pool where rubbish is not kept
under control, apparently because
there are not enough bins.
Since the Forum there has been a
complaint from a resident that the
balancing pond behind the
houses in Hitchin Road is
inadequately fenced. Small
children could easily get into the
pond area.
Solution
Who should be
involved?
Referred to
Outcome
Daniel
We have not received a response, but
Palframan - will chase again.
Active
Luton
3
STOPSLEY WARD FORUM ACTIONS
Ref
3.
4
Date
Issue
of
Forum
19/3/13 Police & Crime
Commissioner (PCC)
The forum asked that the new
PCC attend a future meeting
of the East Luton Area Board
to meet local people and
discuss any issues that may
arise.
19/3/13 Swimming Pool (Inspire
Sports Village Parking)
There is an issue with parking
at the new centre. It is maybe
a capacity issue.
A notice was put up at Inspire
to say that if the car park was
full people should park their
cars in the crematorium.
Who allowed this sign to be
put up?
The entrance to the
crematorium was crowded
with cars.
18/3/14
Solution
Who should be
involved?
Referred to
Area Boards
Support
Manager
Gary
Roberts
Daniel Palframan Daniel
Manager
Palframan
Inspire Sports
Village
This is still an issue
so should remain
on the action plan
Outcome
The Police & Crime Commissioner (Mr Olly
Martins) will be attending the East Luton Area
Board on Thursday 7th November 2013. This
will be an agenda item on the evening.
We are sensitive to our neighbours in all
aspects of operations at Inspire and would like
to apologise to those who have been upset by
the recent car parking issue. This has been
due to recent big events such as the ITV
Splash programme and last weekend when
there were three separate major events taking
place at the centre. This coinciding with the
normal weekend football use led to increased
traffic in the area. We have a travel plan with
the Council, and along with the Parks
department, are working to improve access.
We have just signed an agreement with the
Hilton Hotel to allow us to use their car park as
overflow for major events. Inspire has been
extremely popular since it opened last year,
and while we are happy that so many people
are making use of its world class facilities, we
will continue to look into other options to
prevent overflow for major events.
(Active Luton)
Daniel Palframan Daniel
Manager
Palframan
Inspire Sports
Village
4
STOPSLEY WARD FORUM ACTIONS
Ref
5.
6.
Date
Issue
of
Forum
7/11/13 Fly-tipping
If residents witness this
taking place and can record
the vehicle registration
number then phone it
through tot he Council on
01582 546000
7/11/13 Stopsley Common –
Shared footpath and
cycleway.
■ Residents want to be
informed and involved with
any consultation meeting/s
that take place.
■ Information about these
events need to be circulated
properly to ensure that it
18/3/14 reaches everyone
concerned.
Solution
Who should be
involved?
Referred
to
Outcome
LBC
Highways &
Engineering
Mark
Aaronson
Consultation on this issue will be taking place
and no decisions will be taken until next summer.
Groundworks are looking at the use of Stopsley
Common cycle route.
Shared
LBC
footpath/cycleway Highways &
A petition against
Engineering
this proposal was
being submitted
the East Luton
Area Board on the
18/4/14.
Residents are
concerned that
Travellers will use
it as a ‘Quad bike
race track’ .
Mark
Aaronson
This was discussed at the Area Board and it was
resolved that:(i)
That the petitioners concerns in the
report (Ref 6.1) be noted;
(ii)
That the Head of Engineering and
Street Services investigate the
feasibility of placing a route through
the park by considering other
suitable options within the park;
(iii)
That as part of a pending wider
consultation process regarding
Stopsley District Park that the cycle
route options be included in the
process being carried out by the
Groundworks.
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STOPSLEY WARD FORUM ACTIONS
Ref
7
8
9.
10.
Date
Issue
of
Forum
7/11/13 Luton Regional Sports
Centre
When is the building due to
be demolished?
7/11/13 Proposal to put in five trees
in the shopping area
The forum feels this is a
waste of money. Ask
Planning to look into it.
7/11/13 Stopsley Memorial
■ Needs refurbishment.
■ The bench has gone.
■ No litter bin/s
7/11/13 Speed reduction in
Stapleford Road
Concern was raised
regarding speeding in
Stapleford Road. A
representative from
Engineering Team, Highways
Services ENR was asked to
look investigate the feasibility
of installing mini roundabouts
in Stapleford Road
Solution
Who should be
involved?
Referred to
Outcome
LBC
Planning
Jackie
Barnell
Building demolished and re soiling to be
completed by end of February depending on
prevailing weather conditions
LBC
Parks
Barry
Timms
No such proposal could be found
Further information required
LBC
Planning
Division
Jackie
Barnell
Works complete
LBC
Engineering
Team, Highway
Services.
Nasir
Akram
There are currently air tube surveys in place to
carry out a vehicle count. This will form part of
an overall engineering assessment/study
determine whether mini roundabouts should be
installed or not.
Nasir Akram (Technician – Highway Services)
In designing mini-roundabouts the Engineering Team consults Design Manual for Road and Bridges (issued by Department of Transport) and Mini
Roundabouts - good practice guide (Issued by Department of Transport).
Volume 6 section 2 of Design Manual for Road and Bridges does not recommend mini roundabout being constructed where traffic on any of the
arms is below 500 vehicles per day (2-Way flow).
The traffic counts carried out in effort to investigate feasibility of mini roundabouts in Stapleford Road, show that level of vehicles on one arm is
less than 500 vehicles per day. This is the case with both locations of Stapleford Road Junction with Chesford Road and Stapleford road junction
with Peartree Road. Therefore we cannot recommend construction of mini-roundabouts at both locations in Stapleford Road.
Nasir Akram (Technician – Highway Services) 11th April 2014
6
STOPSLEY WARD FORUM ACTIONS
Ref
11.
Date
Issue
of
Forum
18/3/14 Travellers
Resolution going to the
Executive
Solution
Who should be
involved?
Referred
to
Outcome
See below for the report and the decision of the
Executive.
Agenda Item Number: 5.1
Luton Borough Council Executive
Meeting Date: 7th April 2014
Report of: Head of Policy and Performance
Report author: Angela Fraser – 01582 546070
Subject: Recommendation of the East Luton Area Board
- The removal of travellers at Stopsley Common
Consultations:
Councillors
Lead Executive Member(s): Cllr Ashraf Stakeholders X
Wards Affected: Stopsley Others X (Public)
Recommendations
That the Executive:
1. As a matter of urgency, and in consultation with local residents, ensure that open land at Stopsley Common is protected from
illegal encampments;
2. Adopt the policy of immediate eviction of travellers as applied in 2013 in Luton with the use of Section 61 notices for speedy
evictions;
3. Request the Police to enforce the law in respect of criminal damage and provide an explanation as to why this has not
happened when offences have taken place in their presence. This is to protect local residents from intimidation they are
confronted with from travellers/trespasses;
4. Request the Head of Engineering and Street Services to ensure a thorough cleaning operation is carried out on Stopsley
Common to remove all hazardous waste from the area.
Background
2. At a meeting of the East Luton Area Board held on 18th March 2014, the Stopsley Ward Councillors raised the concerns of residents at
the Ward Forum meeting regarding the illegal encampment of travellers, on Stopsley Common.
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3. The residents request the Council take immediate action and use all enforcement action available for the speedy removal of illegal
encampments of travellers.
4. A similar issue was reported to the Executive at their meeting on 29 th July, 2013 and the following decision (EX/124/13) was made:
(i) That as a matter of urgency open land at Hedley Rise, Laxton Close, Chatham Close and Falstone Close be protected.
(ii) That the Council adopts the policy of immediate eviction of travellers as applied in 2012 in Luton and which is currently applied in
Hertfordshire and Central Bedfordshire with the use of Section 61 notices for speedy evictions.
(iii)That the unacceptable service response of the ‘travellers hotline’ (01582 510333) be reviewed by the Head of Engineering and Street
Services.
5.1/2
(iv)That the Head of Engineering and Street Services be instructed to arrange as a matter of urgency a meeting with Gavin Shuker MP,
the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, the Bedfordshire Chief Constable, the Chief Executive, Councillor Ashraf and
the Leader of the Council to meet with local residents to agree an amicable solution to the travellers problems in the first instance within
the Wigmore Ward area and subsequent meetings be held in other areas in the Town.
(v)That the Head of Engineering and Street Services be requested to invite the Police to attend traveller evictions to prevent illegal
encampment in other local areas.
(vi)That the Police be requested to enforce the law in respect of criminal damage and provide an explanation as to why this has not
happened when offences have taken place in their presence.
Reason: For Wigmore residents to have a clear understanding of the council’s policy regarding traveller evictions to protect local residents
from intimidation from travellers/trespasses.
5. Local residents expressed their disappointment of the Police failing to take action in respect of criminal damage caused by travellers,
and request the Council ask for an explanation from the Police as to why this has not happened, which would protect local residents from
intimidation from travellers/trespasses.
6. The Executive is requested to note the damage and destruction left by travellers once removed and the cost to the council for a cleanup
operation on Stopsley Common to remove all hazardous waste from the area.
7. The Highways Services Manager advised residents the enforcement of Section 61 notices was the responsibility of the Police and not
the Council.
APPENDICES
Appendix A – Executive report 29th July 2013
IMPLICATIONS Clearance – agreed by:
Legal 1. With respect to the first recommendation (protecting Stopsley Common), it is open to the Council as land owner to secure land
under its ownership and / or control and in some circumstances it has an obligation to ensure such land is properly protected. Prior to
taking such action the Council should establish who has a right to use the land, whether there is any legal restriction on the proposed
steps and ensure that these are not infringed.
2. With respect to the second recommendation (adopting section 61), this is a police power and is not available to the Council. Whether
the power should be used is an operational decision to be made by the police taking account of the relevant facts, guidance and
case law. The Council has no power to direct the police to use any of their powers, but may ask the police to do so in appropriate cases
however, in doing so the Council should also consider using its own
8
Agreed by Clive Tobin,
26th March 2014
5.1/3
powers, carefully balancing these with the needs of the travellers concerned.
3. With respect to the third recommendation (action in relation to criminal damage) the Council may make such a request however, again
in each case it is a matter for the police to determine the action to be taken.
4. With respect to the fourth recommendation (cleaning up Stopsley Common) the Council is obliged to take action in relation to hazardous
waste and may, in certain circumstances, need to notify the Environment Agency of the presence of such waste.
5. Further, the Council should consider its overall policy in relation to the traveller community having regard to:
a. the duties placed on the Council to assess the accommodation needs of travellers residing in or resorting to its district;
b. the Council’s power to provide sites;
c. the Planning Policy for traveller sites issued by the Department of Communities and Local Government;
d. the protection of those from the traveller community under the Equality Act 2010; and
e. whether development of a. b. and c. above may reduce the incidence of unlawful encampments.
.
Finance The eviction costs are covered within the budget allocation for 2013/14.
Agreed by – John Hulme, 24th March 2014
Equalities Luton Borough Council has an agreed policy on unauthorised encampments which supports eviction; however the policy
complies with all legal obligations on the welfare of the travellers, pregnant travellers and the welfare of young people.
Agreed by Sandra Legate (Equality and Diversity Policy Manager) on the 25th March 2014
Environment Protecting the open land at these locations will ensure that the local residents have access to green space.
Agreed by the Sustainability Officer on 25th July 2014
Community Safety
Staffing
Other
FOR EXECUTIVE ONLY - Options:
a) To accept the recommendations of the East Luton Area Board
b) To reject the recommendations of the East Luton Area Board and request further information
9
AGENDA
ITEM/
WARD(S)
AFFECTED
5.1
Stopsley/
Wigmore
SUBJECT
Recommendations of the
East Luton Area Board –
The Removal of
Travellers
at Stopsley Common.
DEC.
NO.
EX/37/14
DECISION AND REASONS FOR
DECISION
i) That the Parks and Cemeteries Manager be
instructed as a matter of urgency, and in consultation
with local residents, to ensure that open land at
Stopsley Common is properly protected from illegal
encampments;
(ii) That the Police be requested to adopt a policy of
immediate eviction of travellers as applied in 2013 in
Luton with the use of Section 61 notices for speedy
evictions.
(iii) That the Police be requested to enforce the law in
respect of criminal damage and provide an explanation
as to why this has not happened when offences have
taken place in their presence, in order to protect local
residents from intimidation they are confronted with
people from illegal encampments;
(iv) That the Head of Engineering and Street Services
be requested to ensure a thorough cleaning operation
is carried out on Stopsley Common to remove all
hazardous waste from the area.
(v) That the significant concern of the Executive, Ward
Councillors and local residents regarding the handling
of this particular matter by the Police be noted leading
to a view of ‘no confidence’ on this issue to be
recorded.
(vi) That the Chief Executive formally write to the Chief
Constable drawing her attention to the Executive, Ward
Councillors and local residents dissatisfaction with the
lack of action by the Police in tackling both the eviction
of illegal encampments at this site and criminal
damage taking place in the locality and asking for
clarification of the actions that the Police will take to rebuild the trust of the residents.
OTHER OPTIONS
CONSIDERED
To reject the
recommendations of
the
East Area Luton
Board
and request further
information
10
(vii) That this matter be raised at the meeting between
the Leader, Deputy Leader and the Police on
Wednesday 9th April 2014 and Ward Councillors be
informed of the outcome for onward
communication to local residents.
Reason: To protect the vulnerable and
streamline enforcement.
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