A TOWN Hall working group has expressed concern that Warrington risks failing to comply with a Government target to eradicate rough sleeping by 2012.
Councillors also fear the borough could be failing to meet the needs of vulnerable residents.
Members of the working group into rough sleeping in Warrington voiced their concerns in a report to the environment and housing scrutiny committee.
Problems date back to May last year when the First Base night shelter, which was costing the borough council about £283,000 a year, closed.
Another initiative, Room at the Inn, operated by the YMCA and church groups, was found to provide bed and breakfast provision at Patten Hall during the winter months.
Initially, this was to run from November last year to March this year.
The working group says this scheme has provided excellent value for money – at a cost of £48,000 a year.
It attracted large numbers of volunteers, had a positive impact on the town centre, reduced pressure on other services and help users to engage with other services.
The working group says it is essential that the borough council continue to support Room at the Inn for another 12 months while arrangements are made for alternative accommodation and positive daytime activities for clients.
The environment and housing scrutiny committee has recommended that financial support for Room at the Inn is continued to meet Government targets to eradicate rough sleeping while arrangements are made for alternative accommodation.
They say partnership working with the police and health services should be used to find funding for the scheme.
A TOWN Hall working group has expressed concern that Warrington risks
failing to comply with a Government target to eradicate rough sleeping
by 2012.
Town may be failing the most vulnerable
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
2 Comments
This was not a new report but the minutes of the last meeting of the committee, which received the report. Under the previous administration, the committee’s recommendation to continue funding was not acted on; the new Executive member (David Keane) last night said the funding to Room at the Inn would resume next month.
OK – but surely the problem was caused (and still exists) because of the closure of the First Base night shelter. Room at the Inn is useful – but not the long term solution.