SUBMISSION FROM EAST COMMUNITY COUNCILS

I have been asked to give evidence on behalf of all the Community Councils in

In preparation for today’s session, I emailed all the Community Council Chairmen. It appears that travellers come regularly to several coastal sites, namely Bents, Yellowcraigs, Broxmouth near , John Muir Country Park, various sites around and the land around . Until 2 or 3 years ago, they also came regularly to the Bents Car park. However, erected barriers which prevent access by high vehicles such as caravans. None of these sites are official camping sites. The travellers stay for short periods only ( no more than 2 weeks)

There is an official site near .

In discussion with other Community Councillors and local people, the following points emerge:

1. Most people recognise and respect the fact that travellers have a right to their way of life, even though it is very different to that of the settled community. However, there is a strong feeling that this respect should be mutual. 2. Not all travellers should be ‘tarred with the same brush’. However, those who travel mainly in the summer months and stay in unofficial sites for only a short period seem to be the ones who give travelling folk a bad reputation. 3. The behaviour of some travellers gives rise to fear and disgust among those living in houses adjacent to the travellers’ site e.g. threatening and abusive language, defaecating in full view of the public. 4. Some in the settled community resent the fact that these people do not pay rent or Council Tax. 5. The settled community also resents the fact that it costs Local Authorities a lot of money to clear up the mess left by travellers. 6. East Lothian has beautiful beaches and countryside and attracts a large number of visitors, many of them day visitors. The presence of travellers near tourist attractions such as the beaches acts as a disincentive to tourists. 7. In Cockenzie and Port Seton, there is a real fear that after Cockenzie Power Station closes on 31st March 2013, many more travellers will come to the land around the Power Station. This problem may be exacerbated by the introduction of coastal car parking charges by East Lothian Council this summer

Other points

1. There is an official site near Whitecraig, with toilets, etc. which is used all year round. Travellers pay a rent. 2. There is a desire among some E.L.Councillors to designate official sites for short term occupancy. These sites would have services such as toilet facilities and rubbish collection, but so far no agreement has been reached as to where these should be. 3. If police are notified of the presence of travellers, they visit 3 times a day. 4. Police will liaise with private land owners, and, if necessary, assist /advise them on how to get an eviction order. 5. Police report an increase in the number of complaints to them about bogus workmen when travellers are in the area.

Sheila M Chambers Vice-Chair Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council 11 January 2013