Issue - items at meetings - Letters from Councillors

(a)         Anston House and adjoining site. Letter from Councillor Allen (copy attached).

8(a)     Letter – Anston House and adjoining site

8.1             A letter was received from Councillor Allen concerning the occupants of the Anston House site and the site adjoining it. Councillor Allen was concerned that no progress appeared to have been made and that there were now more travellers present on the site; he requested an update on the situation and information on the council’s long term proposals in relation to the sites.

8.2             The Cabinet Member explained that officers gained access onto the site during the previous week and a further multi agency meeting would take place on Monday 14 June to discuss the best course of action to remove the van dwellers.   A course of action was expected to be agreed and implemented shortly after. He advised that planning enforcement officers intended to serve a Section 215 notice on the companies or individuals with an interest in the land within two weeks.  The notice would require the land to be cleared of all rubbish and decaying vegetation and for the condition of the office building to be improved within 6 months.  It was hoped that this would encourage those involved to bring forward a long term proposal for the site or at the very least improve its appearance and security of the land to avoid further problems arising in the future.

8.3             The Lawyer to the meeting gave assurances that achieving a resolution was a high priority and a multi-agency meeting had quickly agreed action following the last Cabinet Member Meeting. On the first attempt to access the site following the last CMM, access was refused and the correct legal procedure then had to be followed to notify the van dwellers of the Council’s intention to carry out another site visit, including notification that a Court warrant would be sought if no access was granted. Having subsequently been granted access, the Council was now in the process of gathering the requisite evidence to pursue Court action. Officers were making the necessary investigations and collecting evidence. She confirmed that, as access to the site had now been obtained, the Section 215 notices could be served imminently.

8.4             RESOLVED – That the letter be noted.