The eviction of Travellers from private and council-owned land must be handled sensitively, a leading councillor has stated.
Judy Hamilton, executive spokeswoman for housing, said the local authority will, however, appeal to the Scottish Government for more powers to break up illegal camps in the region.
It comes following high-profile incidents where unauthorised camps have been established at the Beveridge Park and Ravenscraig Sands in Kirkcaldy, and at the Eastfield industrial estate in Glenrothes.
However, while conceding more legal powers were needed to tackle illegal camps, the spokeswoman said a balance is key.
“Like private landowners, council land has been used for unauthorised encampments resulting in considerable staff time and cost to clear the sites,” she said.
“We enforce the law as it stands at the moment and do everything we can to support private landowners, local communities and the travelling communities.
“However, the council, through Cosla, will lobby for a change to the law and will revise its policies to ensure support to Gypsy Travellers, local business and residential communities is improved.”
