§ Mr. Jonathan Sayeed (Bristol, East)On a cold dark night a few weeks ago 1,100 constituents from Hengrove, Stockwood, Whitchurch, Easton, Eastville and Brislington turned out for a public meeting. They signed a petition to Parliament to curb the incompetence and political malice of Avon county council.
The petition is about gipsies. It calls on the Government to amend the Caravan Sites Act 1968 and section 39 of the Public Order Act 1986 in such a way that the Caravan Sites Act
places a duty upon the local authority to publish a list of all sites under consideration for permanent, temporary, emergency or other provision"—something that Avon council is not doing—hold public consultation on each of the sites"—again, something that the council does not do—hold all council meetings and its committees and subcommittee meetings convened to discuss action under the act in public so that councillors can be accountable for their views and their votes"—again, something that Avon county council refuses to do; and itstates that no site be placed close to people's homes".It asksthat the running costs of the site be paid for by the users and is not a financial burden on the local residents.It asks that relief be afforded 686to local residents whose property may be adversely affected by the imposition of such a site.It asks that councils should not act in such a wayas to attract travellers to their area"—something that Avon county council is doing at the moment.The petition also states that
Section 39 of the Public Order Act be amended so that those adjacent to the land as well as the landowner are given protection under this section of the act.Finally, and very importantly, it asks that the Government abolishAvon County Council … at the first available opportunity and Bristol returned to a single tier authority.The petition, from 1,100 residents in the areas concerned, has my full and hearty endorsement.
§ To lie upon the Table.