Council is facing traveller payout

1:32pm Friday 25th April 2008

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FURIOUS council bosses could be left thousands of pounds out of pocket after being told to compensate travellers for publishing their personal details online.

Watchdog, the Local Government Ombudsman, says Basildon Council should pay at least £300 to each person who made an official complaint.

Travellers are now set to make even more complaints following the ruling.

But the council is adamant it won't pay out.

Council leader Malcolm Buckley, said: "We are not obliged to adhere to ombudsman recommendations and will not be paying. The travellers asked for £3,000 each.

"The details were published in good faith.

"Travellers wanted councillors to weigh their individual circumstances against green belt policy.

"This meant members needed that information."

Mr Buckley said the procedure had since been changed, with personal details now only disclosed in private.

He added: "This has attracted complaints from some travellers, who are now unable to watch proceedings, so we are in a difficult position.

"We will write to the travellers to apologise and explain our stance.

"The ombudsman is likely to publish a public notice critical of the council."

The council published personal details of almost 100 travellers - including children's names, health problems, addresses and benefits payments - in a development control committee agenda.

It was done ahead of eviction votes for the Hovefields site, Wickford, and Dale Farm, Crays Hill, in the summer 2005.

The public document, which was also posted on its website, led to the Echo's exclusive Dole Farm story, which revealed most people at the sites were on handouts. Five families from Hovefields complained to the ombudsman, aided by the Childrens' Legal Service.

The council's appointments appeals and general purposes committee has considered the ruling and voted against paying up.

Grattan Puxon, who launched the complaint, said court action may follow if the council refuses to pay.

He said: "These were test cases. There were about 100 people affected across both sites, and they are now all likely to make complaints.

"I would have expected more than £300 each, which individually would not be a lot.

"But if all the complaints are successful it would add up to quite a lot."