Isle of Wight Councillor Seeks to Ban Gypsies and Travellers | Suite101.com

Councillor Andy Sutton Misunderstood the Localism Bill

The Localism Bill 2010-11 received the Royal Assent to enter into law on November 15th 2011. It was designed to devolve much of the decision making on local issues into the council areas and provided a wider forum for public referendums. It was this which led Cllr Sutton to believe he could simply ignore his duties under the Housing Act 2004.

As time is running out on providing the recommended 24 sites ahead of the deadline, he wished to erase the need for them by removing the people.

The Isle of Wight Council's Director of Economy and Environment, Stuart Love, was quick to challenge this proposed solution. He explained, "The draft policy does not remove the requirement for councils to provide sites for gypsies and travellers, in fact it specifically states there remains a requirement to provide sites based on local evidence."

He rejected Cllr Sutton's assertion that the Council 'should revisit the core strategy', adding, "We also have responsibilities to this group of residents under other legislation, including the Housing Act and Equalities and the Diversities Act."

via suite101.com