THE council insists creating a transit site close to Bennett’s Rec in Padgate would be 'unacceptable' because of its proximity to residents.

Cllr Kevin Bennett (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition – Fairfield and Howley) claimed a location in the area is being looked at after being informed by a 'reliable source'.

Cllr Maureen McLaughlin (LAB – Latchford West), chairman of the planning for travellers task group, admits the situation needs to be addressed due to the mounting costs to the council as a result of the unlawful encampments.

But in a joint statement with deputy council leader Mike Hannon she again moved to inform residents that no decision on a site has been made.

"We wish to make it clear that the council has not made any decision on the development of a specific travellers’ transit site," said the statement.

"There are no plans or decisions on any specific site and this includes the site referred to in the media as this site is unacceptable due to its proximity to residential properties. 

"Any future decision regarding a transit site will be conducted on an open and transparent basis."

Poulton with Fearnhead Parish Council wrote to the council twice asking for it to clarify its stance on the situation but has become frustrated at a lack of co-operation.

“If a site has been decided upon for this area then one would have expected the parish council and residents to have been involved in the process - neither has been,” said chairman Poul Gosney.

“The council is becoming more and more secretive in its dealings with the public and it seems even more so with its partner organisations such as parish councils.

“As the parish council for the area we will again be pushing the council for some straight answers regarding this.”

Cllr Billy Lines-Rowlands (LAB – Poulton North) has criticised Cllr Bennett’s behaviour and said he is determined to ‘speak up’ for residents.

“As far as I am aware no travellers’ site has been agreed on because as a councillor surely I would have been informed and so far I have not,” he said.

“I believe the process should include the public, especially residents nearby the suggested sites, to be consulted fully and the views of those residents should be taken into account when deciding on a travellers’ site.

“It’s ironic that Cllr Bennett suggests some conspiracy is going on with secret information when he is the one with the reliable source, yet he is keeping that a secret.

“I expect more professionalism from a councillor, especially from somebody I have got on well with in the past.

“I have received a lot of e-mails about the recent press articles from concerned residents in Poulton North and I intend to echo their views when the time comes as I believe that it is my job as a councillor.

“Every single e-mail I have received has been in response to the first new article that suggested that a site had already been decided on, even though the truth is that there are many sites being considered, apparently.

 “My position is clear – I fully appreciate residents views and I intend to echo them at every level possible and even if that means flat out opposing a traveller site in or around Poulton North, I am happy to speak up for residents.”

The council is dealing with a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from Cllr Bennett concerning the transit site.

He has asked council chiefs to provide him with ‘every document’ related to discussions on the camp, including e-mails, along with material linked to where it will be located.

Cllr Bennett has also asked to be told the names of the members of the planning for travellers task group who voted on the decision to recommend a site to the executive board

It is also believed that the council is dealing with other FOI requests on the same topic.

Cllr Bennett has made contact with the travelling community and hopes to meet with them to help bring about a solution.

He is now demanding the council to ‘come clean’ and ‘tell the truth’.

“Cllr McLaughlin has denied that land in Padgate is being considered for use as a travellers’ transit site but last week Cllr Paul Kennedy (CON – Hatton, Stretton and Walton) revealed that the task group had voted to recommend one location for this purpose last December,” he said.
 
“Who is telling the truth? If the land in Padgate has never been considered as Labour say then Cllr McLaughlin should have no problem telling us which site was recommended in the meeting last December. 

“If it is not the Padgate site then surely Labour have nothing to hide?

“We should all be told what is being discussed at this secret group which seems to meet behind closed doors and never reports back to the rest of the council.

“Labour say they are an open and transparent council. 

“Therefore I call upon Cllr McLaughlin to practice what she preaches and provide the people of Warrington with a complete list of sites being considered for a travellers’ transit site.”

A petition calling on the council to consult residents on the transit site location before finalising plans has gained 2,103 followers.