Conservative council motion targets van dwellers - what next?

Am shocked by a Brighton and Hove City Council motion on "van dwellers" in Brighton, put forward by Conservative council leader Mary Mears.

The wording of it beggars belief - "This Council does not support van dwelling as an acceptable or appropriate lifestyle choice".

Acceptable or appropriate?

Surely it is a part of individual freedom that people can decide for themselves which lifestyle is acceptable.

It is grossly unfair that the Conservatives have chosen to single out a minority group for this kind of insult. Were they attacking another minority group protected by the law, they would not get away with this kind of language.

The issues surrounding van dwellers are complex and sensitive, and attacks such as this can only make things worse.

The motion continues by saying that since van dwellers do not tend to fit the legal description of gypsies and travellers, Brighton and Hove Local Authority has "no specific duties" towards them.

I think the Council does have a duty, to all of those living in Brighton and Hove, to provide safe housing for all those who need it. For all those who didn't see yesterday's Argus, over 2% of buildings in Brighton are lying empty - a saddening waste when so many families live without a fixed address.

Rather than deeming their lifestyles unacceptable, the Council could look for some specific area with toilet and waste collection facilities for van dwellers, away from houses and residents parking. 

This motion is to be voted on at a full Council meeting on Thursday, and I hope that the Labour and LibDem Councillors will join the Green group in quashing it.

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