Rough sleepers living in ‘shadow of cathedral’ moved on and tents removed

A councillor said that there was a growing number of tents being pitched near a cathedral

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Rough sleepers have been moved on from a Peterborough area after council enforcement action. Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment to end rough sleeping was discussed at Peterborough City Council’s recent full council meeting.

Councillor Steve Allen asked cabinet members what steps were being taken to remove the “growing number of tents” pitched in and around Bishop’s Road Gardens, raising concerns that it was in the shadow of the Cathedral.

Cabinet member for public health, homelessness and poverty, cllr Ann Shaheed, confirmed that the rough sleepers had already been moved on. She said: “We welcome the new prime minister’s commitment to ending rough sleeping and we are eagerly awaiting further details at the moment.

“The council’s homelessness service already undertakes daily outreach at known and reported rough sleeping hotspots. The individuals recently sleeping in tents in Bishop’s Road Gardens are known to the rough sleeper team and have received ongoing support and engagement.

“As part of that, officers have worked proactively with them to explore alternative accommodation and encourage a move away from rough sleeping. In partnership with the enforcement team, the council followed the appropriate process and served notice that the area would be cleared, and that notice was enacted on July 23 and the tents were removed.

“We however remain committed to balancing enforcement with support. Our priority is to continue assisting people sleeping rough, work with partners to manage the area appropriately and help individuals move into suitable accommodation as quickly as possible.”

Cllr Allen claimed there was a “proliferation” of rough sleepers and asked how the council would manage to keep on top of the issue.

Cllr Shaheed responded: “Very recently our integrated housing board met to discuss the ongoing challenge of this particular cohort of rough sleepers. As we know, many of them do have complex needs and often refuse offers of support.

“As part of this meeting, it was agreed that a renewed focus was needed to case manage these individuals more effectively, bringing together different areas of the system to offer more wraparound support.”