Purpose

Approval is sought to add this project to the
2024/25 capital programme

Content

RESOLVED
 
KEY DECISION
 

That the
Executive:
 

a)   
Recommended to Full Council the approval of the
project being  added to the 2024/25
Capital Programme to deliver the Travellers Temporary Stopping
site  and establish a budget of
£1,300,000 to be funded through borrowing.

b)   
Delegated authority to the Executive Member for
Rural Communities and Localism in consultation with the Executive
Director for Place and Economy to submit an
application for planning permission for the project and
procure the necessary works to provide the Travellers Temporary
Stopping site, and undertake any other actions required to deliver
the project within the approved financial envelope.

Reason for Recommendations
:
 

·    
To procure
and undertake the required works in line with the Council’s
constitution and financial regulations in relation to
governance.

·    
There is a strategic
need to make provision for temporary stopping places to serve the
North Northamptonshire area, as demonstrated by the 2019 Gypsy and
Traveller Accommodation Assessment
(GTAA). 

·    
Currently there are no
temporary stopping places for transient travellers passing through
the NNC area to use which would provide safe and secure places to
stop with suitable facilities. 

·    
Provision of a temporary stopping
place within the Council’s area would enable the Council and
the Police to better manage UEs within the Council’s area and
limit the adverse impacts of UEs on settled
communities.
 

Alternative Options
Considered
 

·    
The only other option available is to do nothing,
however this would not address the strategic need for a temporary
stopping place within the Council area, which provides a safe and
secure place to stop with suitable facilities and would not allow
the Council and the Police working together to exercise
‘direction’ powers available to them in law to better
manage UEs and their impact on settled communities.
 

·    
Alternative locations for temporary stopping places
on land in the ownership of the Council were considered prior to
submitting the DHLUC Traveller Site Fund bid and disregarded as
being unsuitable.