THE LEADER of the Thurrock Conservatives believes that his campaign strategy to stop illegal traveller encampments in Thurrock will succeed in the long run.
Cllr Rob Geldhill has fought campaigns in his own ward of Little Thurrock Rectory and across the borough.
He said: "In January this year councillors on the cross party overview and scrutiny asked that a letter be written to the Government and ask for changes to the current law involving unlawful encampments.
In March, every Councillor backed Conservative calls for the Labour-run Council to investigate taking the same action of Essex, Harlow, and now even Barking & Dagenham Councils, and obtain an injunction to make unlawful encampments on Council land an offence, thereby allowing the police to take immediate action.
"As this has not been progressed I am meeting with the Chief Executive and other Council officers shortly to see why not and to try and move this forward.
With about 60 unlawful encampments last year in Thurrock alone clearly action needs to take place. However, would hope getting this dealt with locally would be prove more beneficial and happen faster than waiting for a full change in the law at a national level."
