Now the dust has settled, and the last piece of soiled toilet tissue has been picked up, Its time to reflect on the very successful swoop by council staff, officers and other agencies at Witham Country Park last week, and to plan for the future.
Firstly I must commend the staff that set about the task of clearing up the disgusting mess that the illegal campers left behind, as they got on with the task in hand without complaint and really did demonstrate what a credit they are to our Town.
Having been present during the main campsite clearance, it really beggars belief how anyone can choose to live in such conditions.
Anyway, back to last Friday and a meeting where most of those involved in the operation, came together to discuss the outcome.
As it turned out 10 people ended up actually arriving at West Street, where with the assistance of interpreters, appointments with the DWP (Dept. of Work and Pensions) were arranged to try and help them to help themselves, so to speak. The down side being that the DWP scheduled these over a two week period and in all probability the interviewees will not bother to attend anyway.
The process of arranging this took two days, with staff at West street working incredibly hard to help these people, and the cost continuing to escalate, estimated in the region of £5000
The complete apathy and unwillingness of these people to engage with society comes as no surprise as they seem more than happy living the lifestyle they do.
All were known to police or had a criminal record and they seem to be content with a choice of life that involves shop lifting, drug taking, excessive drinking, scavenging in the bins behind KFC and Gregg’s, and being a general nuisance.
Rather than being victims of the current economic climate, they have made a lifestyle choice that most of these individual’s have lived for many years.
However, the task that was presented to Boston Council was one of protecting public safety and the action required was action that could not and should not be avoided.
The “kind soul” who arranged for these vagrants gain access to the process of assistance, is from the rough sleeping unit and is part of the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG).
Fortunately her involvement brings with her the good news that the borough will get £10000 of funding to help with the situation.
Well, of that, I am truly glad, but let’s not forget that the £10000, whilst not coming directly from the local Council tax payer, is none the less still coming from all of us, The Taxpayer.
Looking to the future, there is hope that full Council will pass the new byelaw that is needed to help in dealing with this problem, however as with many things that come before elected members in Council Chamber, whether it will be passed, is by no means a guarantee, it will however get my complete support.
I shall keep readers up to date with progress on this and many of the issues that are currently facing our town……Watch this space…
Firstly I must commend the staff that set about the task of clearing up the disgusting mess that the illegal campers left behind, as they got on with the task in hand without complaint and really did demonstrate what a credit they are to our Town.
Having been present during the main campsite clearance, it really beggars belief how anyone can choose to live in such conditions.
Anyway, back to last Friday and a meeting where most of those involved in the operation, came together to discuss the outcome.
As it turned out 10 people ended up actually arriving at West Street, where with the assistance of interpreters, appointments with the DWP (Dept. of Work and Pensions) were arranged to try and help them to help themselves, so to speak. The down side being that the DWP scheduled these over a two week period and in all probability the interviewees will not bother to attend anyway.
The process of arranging this took two days, with staff at West street working incredibly hard to help these people, and the cost continuing to escalate, estimated in the region of £5000
The complete apathy and unwillingness of these people to engage with society comes as no surprise as they seem more than happy living the lifestyle they do.
All were known to police or had a criminal record and they seem to be content with a choice of life that involves shop lifting, drug taking, excessive drinking, scavenging in the bins behind KFC and Gregg’s, and being a general nuisance.
Rather than being victims of the current economic climate, they have made a lifestyle choice that most of these individual’s have lived for many years.
However, the task that was presented to Boston Council was one of protecting public safety and the action required was action that could not and should not be avoided.
The “kind soul” who arranged for these vagrants gain access to the process of assistance, is from the rough sleeping unit and is part of the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG).
Fortunately her involvement brings with her the good news that the borough will get £10000 of funding to help with the situation.
Well, of that, I am truly glad, but let’s not forget that the £10000, whilst not coming directly from the local Council tax payer, is none the less still coming from all of us, The Taxpayer.
Looking to the future, there is hope that full Council will pass the new byelaw that is needed to help in dealing with this problem, however as with many things that come before elected members in Council Chamber, whether it will be passed, is by no means a guarantee, it will however get my complete support.
I shall keep readers up to date with progress on this and many of the issues that are currently facing our town……Watch this space…
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