Issue - meetings

To consider the policy for the level of fees charged by BCP Council for the duties in relation to Licenced Caravan/Mobile Park Home sites.

The policy, which is a requirement in law under Section 10A (2) Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, sets out those fees showing how they are calculated and how they will be reviewed in the future.

The percentage increase proposed this year is in line with the recommended corporate inflation for this year.

The Chair received a request to rearrange the agenda running order and the Caravan Site Fee Policy report was considered next.

Matthew King, Private Sector Housing Manager, presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Committee considered the policy for the level of fees charged by BCP Council for the duties in relation to Licenced Caravan/Mobile Park Home Sites.

The policy, which was a requirement in law under Section 10A (2) Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, set out those fees showing how they were calculated and how they would be reviewed in the future.

It was noted that the percentage increase in fees proposed for 2026 was in line with the recommended corporate inflation.

In response to various questions raised, the Private Sector Housing Manager advised that there were 21 permanent caravan sites throughout BCP. Residents were not consulted about the proposed increase in fees as fee setting was set on a cost recovery process in terms of administering the licence, however, site owners were able to pass licence fees on to caravan owners. It was highlighted that if an overspend was created on one site, it would be reflected across all sites.

A committee member queried the fee relating to the ‘fit and proper person’ requirement. Members were advised that the Mobile Homes (Requirement for Manager of Site to be Fit and Proper Person) (England) Regulations 2020, set out the Council’s duty to assess whether a site owner or manager was a ‘fit and proper person’ to operate a mobile home site. It was an offence for a site licence holder to operate a park home site unless they, or their appointed manager, met this requirement.

The fee was intended to cover the Council’s costs in carrying out various checks, including administration, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and officer time. The fee applied for a five-year period, during which conditions could be imposed if considered necessary.

A committee member highlighted that they had a caravan site in their ward, which had experienced various issues in the past. They felt it would be beneficial for the committee to retain ownership of setting the fees instead of delegating annual fee amendments to the Director of Housing and Public Protection in the future so that any complaints could be discussed. The Legal Adviser confirmed that all fees were calculated on a cost recovery basis and if there were any issues at the sites, complaints could be raised with the Council and dealt with accordingly.

RESOLVED that

a) Members agree the proposed policy and fees as stated, and

b) Annual fee amendments be delegated to the Director of Housing and Public Protection in the future.

Voting: For - 8

             Against -1

             Abstain - 0