Can this man break Dale Farm travellers deadlock? (From Echo)

Can this man break Dale Farm travellers deadlock?

8:10am Thursday 12th November 2009 in Basildon By Jon Austin

THIS is the man secretly brought in to help solve Basildon’s traveller crisis.

Richard Bennett, a Surrey councillor, is charged with getting hundreds of travellers off illegal Dale Farm, Crays Hill, by finding alternative homes and saving the need for a eviction, estimated to cost around £2.5million.

Hailed as a “negotiator”, the Reigate and Banstead councillor chaired the Local Government Association Gypsy and Traveller Task Group from 2004 until it disbanded in 2007. He has already met Basildon Council leader Tony Ball, its chief executive Bala Mahendran, and traveller spokesman Richard Sheridan for private talks in Basildon.

He also held talks with Billericay MP John Baron, who wants to avoid the eviction by finding another site.

Mr Bennett’s role is to mediate between the council and travellers to find a solution, which means the site is cleared without leaving people homeless.

He knows travellers’ leader Richard Sheridan, and publicly claims councils are not doing enough to develop sites and need to make provision ahead of current Government targets.

Mr Bennett said: “I can confirm I am working with the council to produce a solution to the ongoing situation at Dale Farm, but can make no further comment.”

He would not say who he was working on behalf of. It is understood many councillors were unaware of his involvement in Basildon.

Council leader Tony Ball said: “It is absolutely appropriate that he would be involved, to bring a national perspective.

“He is not taking over negotiations, and the council continues to negotiate with traveller families directly.

“There is no cost to the council.”