A County Hall spokesman has been reported as claiming that "The county council totally rejects Councillor Moyle's comments regarding the management of Boscarn." This statement cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.

As a fellow portfolio holder of Kerrier district council and a fellow county councillor, I must defend my colleague against the implication that his allegation of gross mismanagement of the site, which caters exclusively for gypsies, by the county council, is without foundation. The public might wish to consider the following facts, relating to the recent history of this site.

1. In October, 2003 Kerrier district council, as the relevant planning authority, wrote to the deputy director of social services to advise the county council, who had for some years the responsibility of managing this site, that 48 caravans were now on the site. Planning permission had been granted only for 36 caravans which, given the site's size, was the maximum number which could be accommodated safely. The density had been prescribed by the Caravan Sites and Development Control Act 1960 and the associated Model Fire Regulations.

2. After 12 months had elapsed without a response from County Hall, the county council were reminded by letter, once again in October 2004, of the continued contravention of planning and fire regulations at Boscarn.

3. Throughout this period, caravans and vehicles were concentrated at densities far in excess of what was permissible and such excessive concentration would not appear to reflect concern for the safety and well-being of the gypsy community itself. Furthermore, the fly- tipping around the site encouraged others in the wider community to do likewise with the result that a prominent eye-sore within an area of attractive landscape was created. The clearance costs, which were approximately £30,000 per annum, had to be shouldered, not by the county council, but by the unfortunate Kerrier taxpayers.

4. Towards the end of October 2004, I also wrote to the previous Liberal Democrat leader of the county council, requesting him to account for the apparent laxity at Boscarn and to indicate the disciplinary action which he proposed to take. His reply was: "It is really not a matter of calling individuals to account for breaches in the fire regulations. I have to say that I am very impressed by the dedication and professionalism of the council staff involved in the site's management."

The standards of management of Boscarn Parc seem to mirror the degree of responsibility and competence which would appear to flourish at high levels in the county council. It is difficult to believe other than that the attitude displayed at Boscarn will have done incalculable damage to the confidence of the general public in any statement which emanates from County Hall. As a result, the wheels of the recently launched community newspaper and the unitary authority bandwagons threaten to come off.

Graeme Hicks, county and district councillor, Redruth south