Traveller liaison plan is scrapped - Essex

From the Yellow Advertiser

BASILDON Council has abandoned plans to for a community liaison officer in Crays Hill after residents said it was a waste of money.
The authority had planned to hire a dedicated member of staff to improve relations between Gypsies and Travellers at the Oak Lane Traveller site, and the surrounding settled community.

The fixed-term position was to be funded by money left over from an underspend.

Cllr Terri Sargent, cabinet member for community, said: “I think common sense has prevailed.” Cllr Sargent said Basildon council had received negative feedback about the plan from both the settled community and the Traveller community.

She said: “After the Dale Farm site clearance there were really high tensions on both sides. The Traveller community was upset by the clearance and the settled community was upset that it had cost a lot of money. We felt at the time it would be maybe preferable for somebody to go in and deal with it. Time has elapsed now and I believe that things have greatly settled down.

“I think people feel that it’s not necessary and they’re not happy about it.”

A Basildon Council spokesman said: “All those who applied for the post have been written to explain the council’s decision. In the meantime, the council is continuing to work closely, where necessary, with all groups in the Crays Hill area both in the interest of individuals and wider community cohesion.”