Decision details

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.