A special Liaison Group set up by South Ayrshire Council and Strathclyde Police, to address issues arising from the unauthorised encampment at Maidens, has reported that the travelling people have moved on.

Following the latest Liaison Group meeting, which was Chaired by Jenny Thompson, Acting Director of Social Work, Housing and Health she said: “Members of the Liaison Group have worked closely with Maidens Community Council, and other local residents, to address the situation of the encampment

“Whilst neither the Council, or the Police, had any powers to remove the travellers all possible steps were taken to minimise the impact on the local community, and activities at the site were closely monitored.

“Now that the travelling people have moved on Officers from the Council’s Environment and Infrastructure Department will carry out further cleaning of the area to remove any waste that has been left.

“The co-operation the Council has received from members of the Community Council and local residents has enabled the situation to be dealt with in a constructive and appropriate manner.”

The Council’s policy on unauthorised encampments was established with guidance and recommendations from the Scottish Government, to ensure that a balanced and consistent approach is adopted to deal with such situations. Any action that was taken during the encampment at Maidens had to take this into account, along with consideration of humanitarian and welfare issues.

Some local residents in Maidens have asked if some form of barrier could be installed at the seafront to ensure that this situation does not happen again. However, before any changes could be made consultation with appropriate interested parties and the cost of any changes would have to be determined.

The Depute Leader of the Council, Councillor David Duncan said: “It is important to remember that South Ayrshire Council has an extensive coastline, and consideration therefore needs to be given to the implications of this with regards to travelling people and unauthorised encampments. The Council’s Social Work, Housing and Health Department will undertake to look into this matter, and report their findings to the relevant Council Committee, in order that Elected Members can decide on appropriate policy on this important matter.”

August 2005