CITY residents aired their concerns before Cornwall Council’s cabinet about the unauthorised travellers’ encampment on Tremorvah playing field earlier this month. 

Councillors were questioned on Wednesday by concerned neighbours who described the “occupation” of the green space which is often used by children.

A group of between 20 and 30 caravans moved to the field next to the magistrates’ court on Tuesday, July 9, having initially parked up at the Tregurra Park and Ride on the city outskirts. The Travellers moved to a new location on July 15 but left rubbish and human faeces in the popular park.

During the meeting at County Hall/Lys Kernow, councillors faced questions from three concerned members of the public. Paul Caruana said the Travellers “used and abused” the site. “They left excrement, lots of litter and truck loads of tree cuttings in the field. Why aren’t they liable for the damage they do and clean-ups that have to occur once they have departed?”

Mrs C Carnachan asked: “Why were they able to access what is essentially a children’s play area? Children who are gaining confidence walking to school alone in Years 5/6 walk through this area to gain confidence before stepping up to secondary school. We were attacked by seagulls due to the mess.”

Mr G Mundy added: “The ‘occupation’ … has been a deeply upsetting experience for all people whose houses back onto the site. The noise, rubbish and intimidating behaviour made our lives a misery. What actions will the council take to ensure that this cannot ever happen again?” 

Cllr Carol Mould, portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, said Cornwall Council became aware of the unauthorised encampment on July 10, and provided advice and assistance to Truro City Council, which as landowner would make any future decisions regarding the occupation of the land.

“I completely understand the concerns raised and the questions asked of this Cabinet in regard to returning the site to its original condition and preventing recurrence,” said Cllr Mould. “In this case, any such costs would have been met by Truro City Council alone, as there are limited legal mechanisms available in these circumstances to recover the costs.

“Private spaces such as Tremorvah need to be easily accessible to the public. However, this accessibility often makes those areas susceptible to unauthorised access and occupation. Given these challenges, any action to restrict further access and occupation would be a decision for each individual landowner to make on a case-by-case basis.”

During the same meeting, cabinet members signed off a new Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Strategy, which aims to provide more support for the minority group by improving health, wellbeing and education for its members.

The community is the second largest minority ethnic cohort in Cornwall after those that identify as Cornish, but “face some of the starkest inequalities in society” according to the report. 

It sets out details of working with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community to provide better living conditions and access to almost every service the council offers. The local authority has liaised with other public bodies including Devon and Cornwall Police and Jobcentre Plus.

“The development and delivery of the strategy presented today is a clear opportunity to start to work with a deeper understanding of the challenges and inequalities faced by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community,” said Cllr Mould. “The ambition in time is to seek to improve the relationship between that community and the wider communities in Cornwall.”

Council leader Cllr Linda Taylor seconded a recommendation to back the strategy. She added: “I’m not going to get away from the fact that it will be a difficult conversation for some people to have, but we absolutely have to recognise that it’s been long overdue what we do to support this second largest ethnic group within Cornwall.”

Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek, portfolio holder for children and families, added: “In terms of education, our young people who are within the travelling community really have difficulties in gaining a decent education and being able to become positive and active members of our society.”

Independent councillor Julian German asked how many officers are employed to work with the community following cuts to the council’s Gypsy and Traveller team. Cllr Mould replied that “three or four officers” work closely with liaison group Traveller Space.

“It’s fair to say previous administrations have kicked this can down the road and the team that works at Cornwall Housing is very small. They’ve hung on to this as best they can, and are making do the best they can with the money they have,” she added. 

Cornwall Housing has the responsibility for the management and maintenance of three local authority-owned residential Gypsy and Traveller sites in Cornwall: Boscarn Parc in Tregojorran, Pool; Wheal Jewel in St Day; and Foredown Parc in Pensilva.