Labour Councillors Question Cheshire West Gypsy Site Process

The Labour Group of Cheshire West and Chester Council has "called in" the decision by the Conservative Executive to withdraw proposals to establish two Gypsy and Traveller sites in Saughall and Neston.

Concerns have been expressed by members of the public in all parts of the Borough about the site selection process, which led to unsuitable sites being proposed in Neston and Saughall, before being withdrawn by the Executive on the 2nd November. The Labour Group is asking the Council's Corporate Scrutiny Committee to take a detailed look at the plans, to ensure that any remaining issues are addressed.

Cllr Ben Powell, Labour spokesperson for Regeneration said: ""We are calling this decision in, not because we disagree with the decision to remove two sites from the process, but because real concerns have emerged about the way this matter has been handled.

"The Labour Group fully supports the decision to provide sites for the travelling community, but we believe that it's vital we have a process in which the public and importantly, the travelling community can have confidence."

Labour Group Leader, Cllr Justin Madders commented: "The requirement for the Council to provide Gypsy and Traveller sites is an extremely sensitive issue which needs to be handled carefully and diligently. While the Executive has made the right decision to withdraw the Neston and Saughall sites, it's clear they have failed in their duty. Had they done their homework properly, these sites would never have come forward in the first place.