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vans, including that of the resident Warden appointed to supervise
the security and cleanliness of the site. Main water supply
and drainage are provided with individual washing and W.C.
facilities. To provide for short stay residents a deposit is payable
in addition to a weekly rent. The deposit is refundable subject
to the standing being left in a satisfactory condition on a resident
leaving the site. No undue problems have arisen regarding
the lettings of these standings, although each application is, of
course, subject to careful scrutiny.
With regard to South Park Caravan Site it is annoying to
think that with the cost of providing this park—being in the
region of £40,000—the Council's request to the former Minister
of Housing and Local Government that Havering should be designated
as an area to which Section 10 of the Caravan Sites Act,
1968 should apply was turned down. It is hoped, however, that
further consideration will be given to this request during 1971.
It is also ironic to think that with expenditure of the order
of that mentioned above the overall problem of the itinerant
traveller will still present a potential public health hazard, as
unless the Secretary of State for the Environment confirms the
Borough as a designated area there would appear to be no legal
control over any itinerant camping on the roadside, waste land or
other sites, and whilst the Council may take action to move them
on it still raises the question—a national as well as local one
of what to do with these people who do not ave the desire to
establish themselves in any particular district and who, because
of their method of living, are loath to raise the deposit necessary
to obtain the right to rent a site on such a park as that provided
by this Council. At present plots on South Park are rented to
those travellers who can afford the £40 deposit required to secure
the contract and agree to pay the weekly rent of £2.75 occupation
charge.
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