Decision details

In September 2021, Cabinet received and approved a report to carry out investment to 3 x council owned Gypsy & Traveller sites.
The three sites, (White Towers, Little Lane and Lands End), have received limited investment historically in relation to existing accommodation (albeit additional new pitches and accommodation was added to 2 sites in 2013/2014). Consequently, the condition of the original pitches and accommodation does not meet modern standards of living, with many of the components nearing the end of their expected lifespan.
Additionally, the original layout on the sites does not allow for 6m separation distances as is recommended in the ‘Designing Gypsy and Traveller Site – Good Practice Guide’.
Cabinet subsequently approved plans to carry out investment to all three sites. The approved planned investment included the demolition of existing amenity blocks and their re-provision, re-designing the layout of each pitch to achieve adequate separation distances, surfacing treatments to each pitch and boundary treatments to pitches where required. Planned investment also included some wider site surface repairs where required.
The 2021 proposals also included plans to reduce the overall number of pitches across the 3 sites based on the Gypsy & Traveller Needs Assessment at that time. Reduction of the number of pitches is no longer planned following changes in the most recent needs assessment.
In approving the proposals, Cabinet accepted that the costs included in the report (£4.17m), were based on 2018 cost estimates and that the final anticipated costs would be higher due to inflationary increases
Since receiving Cabinet approval, work has been ongoing to mobilise the investment project. Planning approval for all three sites has now been granted, and the first stage of a two-stage tender process to appoint a contractor to carry out the works has been completed. This was facilitated via the Efficiency North New Build Framework in compliance with CDC contract standing order rules and with the support of corporate procurement team. SLHD (acting on behalf of CDC) now wishes to appoint R. H Fullwood & Co. to undertake the final detailed designs and preparing a detailed cost plan and delivery plan. To progress this, a PCSA needs to be signed.
It is anticipated that the pre-construction phase will run until April/May 2024, at which point, subject to successful completion of this phase, a full building contract will be awarded to enable works to commence in Summer 2024. A further ODR will be prepared in advance of the full contract award stage.
Costs in the region of £150,000 are anticipated to be incurred during the PCSA stage, and a budget for this is already in place as identified in the financial implications section of this ODR.

To enter into a Pre-Construction Services Agreement with R.H. Fullwood & Co. in respect of planned investment to 3 x Gypsy and Traveller Sites.

Option 1 – Investment in 3 council owned Gypsy & Traveller Sites – (recommended option)
The recommendation option, as previously approved by Cabinet, is to carry out investment to all three sites. As described above, the investment will include the demolition and replacement of all amenity blocks on individual pitches, in addition to pitch redesign, surface and boundary treatments.

Option 2 - Do Nothing
Given the lack of historic investment, the conditions on each site, in particular the amenity blocks, does not reflect modern living standards. Elements of the amenity blocks are reaching the end of their expected lifespan and now require replacement. Current conditions are generating high levels of complaints and dissatisfaction from residents, with temporary repairs becoming more difficult to carry out. Without intervention and investment, all 3 sites will fall into disrepair and will not meet required standards. Doing nothing is therefore not a viable option.