PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is seeking to consult on changes to rents and water fees at its gypsy and travellers’ sites.
In a report to a meeting of the Authority’s Cabinet on March 9, Councillors will be advised that the increases are needed to bring sites up to the required standard.
There are five gypsy and travellers sites in the county with a total of 75 local authority pitches.
The report says that over the past decade – with the exception of the Waterloo site in Pembroke Dock which is awaiting closure – there has been significant investment in the sites.
The report goes on: ‘However, it is recognised that to bring our sites to the desired standard we need to extend our maintenance programme and invest in further improvements, which will be difficult to achieve due to the on-going budgetary pressures.
‘Without increases to rent levels, we will see a decline in our site conditions as budgets for maintenance will need to be reduced to meet cost reduction/efficiency targets.’
The report says that a programme of works will be drawn-up to improve the sites for residents while reducing running costs ‘with the overall aim of making the sites nicer places to live.’
Cabinet is being asked to approve consultation with occupiers of pitches over the proposed changes.
