We have heard recently that the group within Bath and NE Somerset Council which deals with travellers has got permission from the Strategic Directors to include boat dwellers in its work on Gypsies & Travellers. One of the B&NES officers responsible for its work with travellers says ”We will be making sure that this is reflected in our work as a group from now on”.
Posts Tagged ‘traveller’s rights’
B&NES Council include boat dwellers in traveller strategy
Thursday, July 8th, 2010Council Tax and Liveaboard Boaters
Tuesday, May 18th, 2010There have been a number of accusations recently that boaters do not pay Council Tax and so should not benefit from local services. This is incorrect. British Waterways pays the Government a composite levy in respect of Council Tax and Business Rates. This is collected centrally and the income is used to offset general central Government payments to local authorities through the Rate Support Grant. Therefore, anyone who pays a boat licence fee to BW contributes to this composite levy in respect of Council Tax.
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BW’s take on travellers
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010One of our correspondents recently asked Robin for British Waterways reaction to the recent DCLG ruling that ‘bargee travellers’ were bona-fide (couldn’t resist that one) travellers as far as Section 225 of the Housing Act 2004 is concerned.
Our very own Final Solution replied in her usual compassionate vein and, displaying a political skill we rarely see in Ms Ash, completely avoids answering the question.
And we just love her attempt to define ‘traveller’. I think we’re stepping into deep water there, dear.
The full presentation to the Area Board
Friday, January 29th, 2010Presentation to Wiltshire Council Bradford on Avon Area Board, 21 January 2010, by Kennet and Avon boaters.
The boating community is going to present the moral, legal and business arguments concerning the British Waterways consultation on local mooring strategies.
The presentation to the Area Board
Friday, January 29th, 2010Here’s the precis of Panda’s presentation to the Area Board for Bradford-on-Avon on Thursday 21st January 2010. It will form the basis for a press release to present the positive role of the boat dwellers amongst the local community, show how the threat to the boater’s lifestyle is a cause for concern throughout the community and ask the council to exercise their duty of care towards boaters as travellers.
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