From the Bristol Evening Post
Councils are to benefit from a Government cash injection of tens of thousands of pounds as part of moves to open new Traveller camps across the South West.
North Somerset Council, tasked with saving £47 million over four years, is one of those set to bank around £6,000 for every Traveller pitch it creates over the coming years.
The incentive payments come as part of the Government’s New Homes Bonus, a scheme to encourage construction of new houses and flats.
Under the scheme, the Communities Department will now pay councils the same amount they could expect to claim in council tax from any newly built authorised pitch for a traveller caravan. The New Homes money will be paid for six years after planning permission is given.
As part of its core strategy document, North Somerset Council plans to provide 14,000 new homes across the district by 2026.
The authority will be awarded the New Homes Bonus for each of the houses it provides across the district.
It is also looking to provide up to 36 new pitches – mainly in the Weston-super-Mare area – for existing traveller communities.
North Somerset Council deputy leader and executive member for planning, Councillor Elfan Ap Rees, said: “The amount of funding we will for providing new traveller pitches is quite small compared to overall New Homes Bonus payments.
“We are only looking at providing pitches for existing Traveller residents in North Somerset which are needed as a result of growth of these families.
“The New Homes Bonus funding is aimed at encouraging councils to provide new accommodation and as an authority we are planning to provide 14,000 new homes across the district by 2026, including up to 36 new pitches for Travellers.”
In the past funding was available to help authorities with the cost of providing new traveller pitches but this was withdrawn several years ago.
Mr Ap Rees said as the money from the Government fund was not ring fenced it could be spent on improving the infrastructure in areas due to be developed.
He added: “This money could be used to improve the infrastructure in these area and provide new facilities.
“In the past there were grants available to help with provision for travellers but these were withdrawn.
“The New Homes Bonus was also not applicable to Traveller pitches so this announcement by the Government now clarifies the position.”
The authority is now looking to work with housing associations and developers to create new Traveller pitches.
see also The Western Daily Press - Cash incentive for councils to create Traveller pitches
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