Councillors in traveller "U-turn"

From the archive, first published Monday 23rd Apr 2007.

THREE councillors have been slammed for taking part in an important traveller site vote - despite previously saying they were no longer impartial.

Geoff Williams, Basildon Lib Dem group leader, and Labour councillors Phil Rackley (Pitsea North West) and Lynda Gordon (Lee Chapel North) took part in a vote to refuse temporary planning permission to traveller families at Hovefields, Wickford, at the latest development control committee.

Mr Williams voted to refuse permission while the Labour members voted for approval.

They have come under fire because they refused to take part in a similar vote over the Dale Farm camp, Crays Hill, in February, arguing it was because their openly anti-eviction views meant they were no longer impartial.

Mr Williams said at the time: "I have made my position clear on the traveller issue."

Mrs Gordon, also previously said her views on the issue were known.

She now argues she was just referring to Dale Farm, not Hovefields, and would still opt out of votes over the Crays Hill camp.

She said: "Residents and travellers living in Crays Hill would not believe I could be impartial about Dale Farm."

The three said they had voted over Dale Farm before, but never Hovefields.

However, Echo research shows Mrs Gordon and Mr Rackley voted against releasing £300,000 to evict travellers from Hovefields at full council on July 14 2005.

Mr Williams took part in this vote and on June 9 2005 voted against evicting travellers from Hovefields.

Tory council leader Malcolm Buckley said: "They are going back on the original comments, no doubt following pressure from the electorate who has made it clear travellers should be treated like anyone else in planning applications."