To consider the transfer of the day to day management of the 2 council owned gypsy sites to the Kent County Council for an initial period of 3 years, subject to satisfactory performance. The agreement will commence on 5^th April 2010. A management fee of £37,500 will be payable annually to the Kent County Council and this will be subject to an annual review.

That the proposed transfer of the day to day management of Stilebridge Lane, Marden and Water Lane, Ulcombe gypsy sites to Kent County Council under an agreement for a period of 3 years, subject to annual review and satisfactory performance, be agreed and the transfer of responsibility to commence on 5^th April 2010. 

That delegated authority be given to the Assistant Director for Development & Community Strategy to complete negotiations with Kent County Council and enter into a signed agreement as outlined in Appendix A of the report of the Assistant Director for Development and Community Strategy.

The day to day management of the 2 council owned sites has caused capacity issues for the council since the management was handed back from the Kent County Council (“KCC”) to the Borough Council in 2004. The function was initially assigned to Housing; it passed to the planning enforcement team in 2006 but has since been passed back to Housing in 2009.

This function is primarily a site management role and the expertise the council once had in housing management moved across to Maidstone Housing Trust with the housing stock transfer. Since the return of the function for the second time to Housing we have been looking into a better solution for the site management. This has included discussions with KCC Gypsy and Travellers unit who are willing to take on the management of the sites on behalf of the Borough Council for a fee equivalent to the vacant site manager post and is less than the fees currently paid to the agency staff member. 

The KCC Gypsy unit already manages a number of sites throughout Kent and it is logical for our sites to once again be included in their management portfolio. It will give greater flexibility in providing cover during staff holidays or illness, will provide a 5 day a week specialist service as opposed to the current 3 days, and KCC will be able to manage site vacancies across several sites in Kent which may in turn reduce waiting lists through greater mobility.

The agreement with KCC will involve their team managing rent collection, administration of electricity cards and water charges, day to day repairs and maintenance and dealing with tenancy issues such as arrears and evictions. The Borough council will remain responsible for major improvements to the sites and overall provision for Gypsies within the Borough. A copy of the proposed agreement is at Appendix A to the report of the Assistant Director for Development and Community Strategy.

The Council could continue with the existing arrangements but with the many reasons pertaining to management time, appropriate housing management skills, and capacity issues already highlighted this is not an option that we could continue with longer term.

The other option is to perhaps look at a registered social landlord (RSL) to manage the site on our behalf. An initial approach to various RSL’s was made but nothing positive was forthcoming from them.  This is not thought to be a viable option. In any event this option would be likely to cost the Council considerably more.