THURROCK Council leader Rob Gledhill has explained why the authority does not have responsibility for an unauthorised encampment of Travellers at Langdon Hills Country Park - even though the park is run and managed by the council.

And the council has even posted its signs at the park, which spread across the Thurrock and Basildon boundary, warning it is illegal to camp there.

The country park is divided into two sections, Westley Heights and One Tree Hill. Part of the Westley Heights area includes Beacon Field, which as its name suggests, is home to a beacon - which carries the insignia of Thurrock Council and Essex. The entrance to the car park has a sign topped by the words Thurrock Council.

Since the weekend the area has been home to a significant and undoubtedly unlawful encampment of Travellers - which has caused concern to nearby Thurrock Council tax-paying residents and was reported on Thurock Nub News.

However, it transpires that Thurrock Council does not have responsibility for managing illegal incursions, even though its own signs say its by-laws are being infringed by anyone camping in Langdon Hills Country Park.

Thurrock Council had been tight-lipped on the issue, not responding to our questions until today (Wednesday, 10 June) when it released a statement saying: "You have asked an enquiry about an unauthorised encampment at Westley Heights. The encampment is not at this location, it is at Beacon Field car park.

"Thurrock Council has made it clear that we are not the owners of the land and it would be the owner who has the responsibility to remove the unauthorised encampment.

Cllr Gledhill was quoted in the statement, saying: "As such, issues around unauthorised encampments would be dealt with by Essex County Council and the Essex County Traveller Unit.

"There is an arrangement whereby Thurrock Council cleans this car park and nothing else.

"I will be speaking to the Leader of Essex County Council in relation to this and make it clear that their lack of action has impacted the state of the car park and our officers will not be clearing this avoidable situation."

The council has video and picture evidence from Thurrock Nub News that the travllers are not on the car park, but spread across the open space of the country park, but it should also be pointed out the area of the park where the travellers are is outside the borough boundary.

Thurrock Nub News has been pressing the council for the reason it appears to have relaxed its rules on Traveller encampments - not just at Langdon Hills.

Despite having an injunction in place to move unauthorised encampments on immediately, last week it allowed an encampment in Aveley to stay on a public open space for nine days.

Today the council issued the following statement: "Thurrock Council continues to work with unauthorised encampments to make sure they can be moved on across the borough, in a way which is compassionate, understanding and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The borough has recently experienced several incursions and the council's Environmental Enforcement Officers along with partners and lead agencies – Essex Police and the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit (ECTU) – continue to work together to manage encampments under guidance, ensuring they are moved on safely, while considering the impact on the community.

Cllr Gledhill added: "During this time it is vital that we continue to manage unauthorised encampments using interim injunction procedures and make sure nobody is put at unnecessary risk, while considering any impacts on the local community.

"While the lockdown is in place, we are following a model of good practice alongside Essex Police and the ECTU relating to unauthorised encampments.

"We monitor encampments from arrival to departure and discuss options, including the use of our Tolerance Policy, sited by the High Courts as an example of best practise for extenuating circumstances.

"The Tolerance Policy (otherwise known as 'Negotiated Stopping') has been approved by the Court of Appeal and is also encouraged by Gypsy and Traveller charities and support groups.

"This is a challenging time for all and policies and processes are being flexed to meet changing guidance. Timelines are also varied due to new ways of working and we are following injunction processes and procedures in our submissions to the High Court."

Thurrock Nub news editor Neil Speight, who has filmed and reported from several incursions including the Beacon Field, says: "Clearly there is a difference at Langdon Hills between what the people who live nearby and use the park think is Thurrock Council land and what is actually Thurrock Council land. Signs and by-laws carrying Thurrock Council's signature are in place but actually it appears that the by-laws may not be enforceable because this is not Thurrock's land.

"No doubt this is all down to local history and division of areas as local government boundaries were drawn up but it seems incredibly confusing that a site that says 'Thurrock Council', is managed by Thurrock Council and staffed by Thurrock Council employees that Thurrock Council taxpayers pay for - is not in Thurrock. Clearly I have got this wrong and in calling for Thurrock to take action on this site, I was directing my questions at the wrong authority. For that I apologise for misleading readers and viewers, who I hope will forgive an understandable mistake - particularly as I have attended events at Beacon Hill run by Thurrock Council and staffed by its Rangers.

"And even a representative of Basildon and Essex Council thought this site was in Thurrock and advised residents accordingly.

"Sadly Thurrock Council do not these days indulge in dialogue and briefings with the media and do not answer questions, so from time to time they will have to reap the consequences of that. It appears I got this wrong in terms of laying the responsibility for this at Thurrock Council's door, so I will now be referring this matter to Essex County Council why they have not taken action."

Mr Speight added: "I am more than happy to make it clear if and when we get things wrong, for whatever reason, but i do take exception to the statement today by the council that says 'Thurrock Council has made it clear that we are not the owners of the land'. I don't know to who it has 'made it clear', because it certainly has not been to me, Thurrock Nub News or the residents I have spoken to prior to this afternoon's response to my question."