Council employees who helped deal with an 'invasion' by a group of travellers at Looe's Millpool Car Park over the Easter Bank Holiday have been congratulated by Caradon's chairman John Crago. Cllr Crago told the recent meeting of the full council that thanks were due to all those involved for the efficient manner in which the problem had been dealt with. Councillors were later given a full report on the incident at last week's meeting of the Community Services Panel. The report pointed out that similar difficulties had been experienced in May 2005 when the car park had been 'occupied' by travellers who had been issued with seven-day eviction notices which had resulted in them departing on day six. As a result of the council's experience on that occasion changes had been made to the off-street parking order, which controls the way in which council car parks are managed, and the period for compliance with a notice to vacate the car park had been reduced to 48 hours. Following the arrival of the group on Thursday, April 13, staff had gone to the car park and served notices on the 12 vehicles and caravans, but they had not gone by the time the notice expired and staff returned on the Saturday. 'They were asked what they intended to do. The answer given was that they would be moving on Monday, but if we wanted them to move earlier, give them a site to move on to,' the report said. The report when on to explain that when they declined to move, the 12 vehicles were issued with £60 fixed-penalty notices. The owners of three vehicles decided to go and their notices were withdrawn but those who remained were warned that council staff would return the next day, Sunday, when further fixed penalty notices would be issued. At 10.30am on the Sunday the travellers said they were going to church and would leave that afternoon, but when staff began issuing further fixed penalties they began packing up and left by noon. Police had been present during all the encounters between council staff and the travellers and officers followed the convoy when hit left, heading for Liskeard. The vehicles eventually went to Callington and entered the council's car park there but when approached by a council employee they again moved on and were thought to have crossed into Devon. A full report is to be made to Cabinet recognising that all council car parks are vulnerable to occupation in similar manner and delegated authority is to be sought or arrange the resources necessary to secure removal as soon as the 48- hour notices expire.
