Issue - meetings

A position statement on ‘Financing and Support Services for proposed Gypsy and Traveller Site (Lower Bristol Road)’.

Graham Sabourn – Head of Housing gave a brief introduction noting that the Panel have an interim report in their papers and that a full report on this will come to a future meeting.

The Panel raised the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Gerrish stated that there had been a lot of talk of the overall amount spent. He stated that the standard of pitches is an area for debate and that it would be useful to get information from other authorities and what they are providing. He asked if the Sustainable Urban Drainage best practice has been considered as the pitches would be concrete hard standing. The officer explained that it is non-permeable ground.

Councillor Bull suggested a visit to an existing site to enable panel members to have a better understanding of the reason for the level of expenditure. The officer explained that the key issue is understanding the issues around this site.

Councillor Symonds referred the DCLG guidance document and stated that many of the Panel’s questions may be answered in this document. Councillor Macrae stated that he had read this document and noted that many of the recommendations are not mandatory. The officer agreed that many of the recommendations are desirable but some are conditions when you bid for funding.

After some comments about the need for pitches, the Strategic Director explained that the issue had been referred to the Panel with a questions mark around the budget on the site. He explained that a more detailed report would be brought to the next meeting and that a visit or desk top survey could be done prior to the next meeting.

Councillor David Bellotti, Cabinet Member for Community Resources stated that if members wanted a site visit, that would be reasonable but suggested only the Chair and two others as visits are expensive. He stated that the site may include major highways work and the Panel must satisfy itself that the money is spent well. He stated that the administration would not change on the fact that a site will be provided.

The Chair reminded the Panel that there would be a full report on this issue at their July meeting.