MORE money is needed to finish building the Gypsy and Traveller permanent site in Machynlleth.

And Powys County Council (PCC) also need to protect themselves in case they need to cover a possible shortfall of £750,000, in the project funding.

This is in case a grant funding bid to the Welsh Government fails, or they PCC receives less money than expected.

Work on the project to turn the unofficial camp site on the outskirts of Machynlleth into a permanent one, has started.

But, a shortfall of £41,000 in funding was been found in the tendering process.

This is due to safety measures that are now needed on building sites due to coronavirus.

The project will now cost £1.326 million rather than the £1.285 million that had been budgeted for, when the go ahead for the scheme was given earlier this year.

Portfolio holder for Housing, Cllr James Evans, (Gwernyfed – Conservative), said: “This is an ongoing project that’s been discussed for a number of years.

“The tender was £41,000 over what we budgeted for, this is just a realignment of finance to make sure there’s enough money in the pot to pay for this work to be done.

“The sooner we can get this project over and done with the better.”

Council Leader, Cllr Rosemarie Harris,  (Independent – Llangynidr) added: “I used to have this portfolio and I can remember the family were living in difficult circumstances, the quicker we can do this the better.”

The financial changes were approved unanimously by the Independent/Conservative cabinet.

The report also shows that £456,000 needs to be moved between PCC accounts, which is called virement,  to fund the project.

This money will come from the Homefinder Receipts Reserve, amounts over £500,000 need to be approved at a full council meeting.

In June, PCC  revealed that a three way deal worth over £10,000 between themselves, Machynlleth Golf Club and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) was needed to bring the scheme to fruition.

Machynlleth Golf Club sold land on a 50 year lease to PCC, while NRW sold PCC, 6.4 acres of land south of the A489 road to become common land, and replace what the golf club lost.

Earlier this month Welshpool based, SWG Group, started work on the site.

It is estimated that work  will be finished in January, and  five households will be accommodated appropriately, will be able to access services and pay rent.

Local authorities in Wales have a legal responsibilities and duties to provide suitable accommodation for Gypsy and Traveller families.