Poorly managed gypsy and traveller site refurbishment project

Archived press release

Date Published: 12/08/08

The Ombudsman found fundamental errors from the outset in Northampton Borough Council’s project to refurbish an approved gypsy and traveller site,

There were fundamental errors from the outset in Northampton Borough Council’s project to refurbish an approved gypsy and traveller site, finds Local Government Ombudsman, Jerry White. In his report, issued today (12 August 2008) he says “it is hard to conceive of a more poorly managed project from start to finish”, and makes a number of recommendations for the Council to  remedy problems at the site and pay compensation totalling £4,200

‘Mr Allen’ (not his real name for legal reasons) and 12 other residents of an approved gypsy and traveller site in Northampton, complain about refurbishment work undertaken to the site; in particular to amenity blocks housing kitchen and bathroom facilities.

The Ombudsman upholds the majority of the complaints made. While he does not uphold complaints about inadequate consultation on the refurbishment proposals, he criticises the Council for not consulting residents subsequently to advise what the refurbishment would cover. 

He highlights specific “fundamental errors” in that the Council failed at the outset:

• to adequately involve its own Asset Management Team in the planning and preparation of the works;
• to enter into a written contract with the contractor; and
• to ensure there was an adequate schedule of works.

As a result the budget was insufficient for the planned work, there was insufficient attention given to matters of health and safety, it was unclear in places what the schedule of works was expected to cover, there was insufficient prioritising of work and a lack of record as to the condition of amenity blocks on handover. The Ombudsman also says “the Council must accept criticism for its failure to respond sooner to warnings that the refurbishment was going badly wrong”. 

The complaint has also highlighted other failings. The contract for management of the site was allowed to lapse with insufficient attention given to a new arrangement. While the Ombudsman accepts the Council has challenges managing the site, he finds that insufficient attention has been given to the needs of residents in this regard.

 The Ombudsman finds maladministration causing injustice and the Council has agreed to apologise to the complainants and pay them compensation totalling £4,200. 

It has also commissioned specialist surveys to consider the condition of roofs and a report of damp conditions in amenity blocks already refurbished, and has agreed to complete the final outstanding refurbishment to two amenity blocks commencing in September 2008. The Council will be seeking funds to put the recommendations of the specialist report into effect. 

The Council is also to ensure that measures are in place to ensure consultation with residents on matters of site management (ensuring a transparent complaints procedure is also in place) and will be reviewing certain decisions in the light of further consultation.

The Ombudsman now further recommends that the Council reviews whether current electrical supply arrangements are sufficient for the needs of residents, given evidence that this might be inadequate. He also asks the Council to share with residents the outcome of the specialist surveys referred to above and asks it to conduct further visits to residents to check any other outstanding repairs not covered by the specialist surveys.

Report ref 06B15314 et al