Purpose

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.

Content

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.