Borough of Poole reveals the cost of dealing with traveller incursions in the area in 2014

A summer beset with illegal encampments at locations including Turlin Moor rec, Baiter Park and Hamworthy Park, has left the council counting the costs.

In total the number of unauthorised encampments was the highest of the past six years, up on 14 last year, and one more than the 2012 high of 15.

Costs have stacked up including £11,000 in legal costs, £9,000 for providing skips and toilets and clean up operations, and a further £12,000 in officers’ time spent on site management and communications.

On top of that the council also spent £39,000 to provide additional security measures at six priority sites – Haskell’s Recreation Ground, Whitecliff Park, Baiter Park, Verity Open Space, Broadstone Recreation Ground and Branksome Recreation Ground – bringing the grand total spend this year to more than £70,000.

The figures have been detailed in a report due for consideration by the environment overview and scrutiny committee next Thursday.

In it officers recommend that members support the continuation of this summer’s management policy for unauthorised encampments – which includes offering skips and portable toilets to the traveller groups, and taking accelerated legal action to move travellers on from priority open spaces.

It also proposes that the £195,000 remaining from the capital allocation for the provision of additional security measures – minus a £10,000 sum in case of repairs or further works – should be returned to central funds.

Earlier this year plans for two temporary stopping places for gypsies and travellers were thrown out by the planning committee – leaving the council with the ongoing pressing need to find a suitable transit site.

Deputy leader Cllr Mike White said: “Obviously there is enormous public interest in all the different aspects of gypsies and travellers.

“This report is intended to look across the board at all the experience we have gained over the time and suggest how we might move forward.”