Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will bring forward proposals to introduce mandatory eviction orders to be used by local authorities when unauthorised Traveller encampments take place in public parks; and if he will make a statement.

Our expectation is that local authorities will be proactive in their use of the existing strong enforcement powers that are available to deal with unauthorised encampments and development.

A possession order under Part 55 of the Civil Procedure Rules can be obtained by both local authorities and private landowners who require the removal of trespassers from property including land.

A local authority can use its powers under sections 77-78 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to direct individuals to remove their vehicles and belongings, and to leave highway land, or any land occupied without the consent of the landowner.

We have lifted the previous Administration’s restrictions on the use of Temporary Stop Notices, which give councils more freedom to take early and decisive action against unauthorised sites and encampments. Councils can issue such a notice on both private and public sector land.

In August last year we sent all Council Leaders a summary of the powers available to them to remove illegal and unauthorised sites; at the same time we reminded them of the need to act swiftly, working with other local agencies, including the police.