OPPONENTS of a homeless hostel have described council answers to their questions as ‘disappointing and vague’.
Residents recently protested Cheshire West and Chester Council’s executive and asked 21 questions about plans for the 36-bed unit at Richmond Court, Boughton, which have been answered.
Angela Chidley of Hoole Lane responded: “Many of the answers are disappointing and vague, which, given the way we have been dealt with so far, was to be expected.”
Lack of consultation first stirred the community into action followed by what was perceived as giving back-word over a full council motion to consult on the decision to choose Richmond Court as the location.
But the council answered that only the executive can make a decision over the contract not the full council and argued: “The minute does not call upon the executive to change the location or to consult on an alternative location.”
The contract to deliver homelessness services including the Richmond Court facility was awarded to Chester and District Housing Trust (CDHT) and Forum Housing following a competitive tendering process.
But CDHT chairman Bob Thompson raised eyebrows when he told a public meeting that Richmond Court had not featured in the housing trust tender, despite it being the building owner, but ‘was the preferred location of Chester West and Chester Borough Council’. Protesters argued it followed the location choice was ‘not a consequence of an open tendering process’.
But the council said these facts were ‘incorrect’ in another response to residents, although Cllr Thompson stands by his comments.
To see the full list of 21 questions and answers, visit www.chesterchronicle.co.uk.
