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This Wednesday in parliament we debated some of the issues around traveller sites and temporary camps established without permission.

This is an issue which can arouse strong feelings and has been a particular recent concern to residents and businesses near to Park Farm and Shearway Business Park in Folkestone.

I believe that we have to consider reviewing the law in this matter, as their would seem to be large loopholes which are being exploited. For example, even when a traveller site has been created, without any permission having been granted, it can take months to establish whether or not the people on the site are allowed to be there or not.

Often sites will have been carefully selected by travellers, like on roadsides or lay-bys, where there may be some uncertainty as to who the landowner is, and it make take sometime to establish this.

I think we should consider turning this around. Rather than the authorities having to prove that a traveller camp doesn’t have permission to be established where it has been, the travellers should have to prove that they do have the right to be there, or otherwise be moved on straight away.

Last Friday I joined Captain Matt Clifton at the Salvation Army in Folkestone for the breakfast club they run every morning. As well as meeting some of the helpers and guests, I was able to hear more about their work in the community. Matt and his family will shortly be moving to a new posting in Maidstone and I know they will be greatly missed by all their friends here.

Later that day I held the first of my new monthly business surgeries at the Channel Chamber of Commerce’s offices on the Shearway Business Park in Folkestone.

The idea of the surgeries is to discuss specific issues being faced by the local business community. These can include measures that the Government is taking to support business, like for example cutting the rate for small and larger businesses, as well as local issues like parking or training for young people. We had a full surgery and I’m looking forward to the next one on 1st October.

Following that I met with Catch 22 at South Kent College in Folkestone. This organisation works with young people in Kent, and across the country, between the ages of 16 and 24, many of whom will have had a difficult childhood and may have been in care. Their work helps them to start to fulfil their potential in education or training for work. It also helps vulnerable young people to find accommodation and apply for a home of their own.

There is often help and new opportunity available to people but the process of accessing it can sometimes be complex and somewhat baffling. There is a real need for organisations that can help people through this, as they get back on their feet.

If you would like to find out more about Catch 22 and the services they provide, you can visit their website on www.catch-22.org.uk