The decision to create a homeless hostel at Richmond Court in Boughton led to many concerns from local residents who a year ago formed the Boughton Community Support Group.
The Chronicle invited the group’s Kate Northcott to write an article highlighting the work carried out by the group during the past year
The past year has seen Boughton basking in the spotlight, illuminating both the good and bad.
Today’s by-election (Thursday, July 10), due to the tragic death of our ward councillor David Robinson , has delivered various political views on pressing local issues.
None so pressing for some than the controversial decision to remove the contract for housing adults with complex needs from the popular local charity Chester Aid to the Homeless to an unknown private limited liability business, known as FENW who will receive £5.2m over the five year contract with an additional £250k to upgrade Richmond Court into a new ‘super hub’ to accommodate up to 42 clients.
The hostels in Chester city and Ellesmere Port were shut to enable the finance for moving services away from city amenities to a quiet residential street in a conservation area on the canal side in Boughton.
Just a year ago, in response to the local concerns, Cllr David Robinson founded the Boughton Community Support Group to unite CWAC, FENW, Cheshire police and residents.
The decision had been made, whether residents agreed with the change in the provider and location or not (87% not) so it was time to unite and ensure the service would be accountable and engage with locals and to manage the mitigation measures put forward by CWaC.
The overriding aim was to ensure the facility was so well-managed that it provided a first class, safe and supportive service for clients while the wider community felt reassured that their environment would not be changed on a quiet residential street.
The experience of our first year has gifted us with rewards and regrets, a year that could be summed up by tears, tantrums, over 100 ASB incidents, drug deals, a fire, an heroic canal rescue and a few fights with council leader Mike Jones on Twitter.
The counter to this is the deep, lasting friendships that evolved, the shared support and grief when David died, and the realisation that we did have a voice.
The BCSG is best described as a broad church. We all have valuable experience to add to the group.
From the outset we assigned liaison roles. I was given FENW liaison. I resigned from that role pretty quickly due to an inability to extract anything of note as most answers were blocked with a ‘commercial confidentiality’ reply. I was swiftly moved to CWaC liaison with strategic commissioning.
So began my liaisons with Alistair Jeffs, director of strategic commissioning, an extremely bright commissioner, a man with empathy toward our feelings of powerlessness and contract concerns.
He listened, researched and conceded we had a point. Staffing levels were increased to five – we had our first positive impact.
Fellow member Clive reports on other BCSG wins: “We have ensured a quick delivery on updating the street lighting along the canal towpath and installing new CCTV cameras covering a large area on the canal side of Boughton and Spital Walk and upgraded fencing. We hope this upgraded security offers reassurance for all.”
A few conversations and guidance documents from the policy teams at Shelter, Crisis and Homeless Link offered us far more on industry best practice.
Why had they created a large one size fits all ‘super hub’ hostel when national guidance supported by the sector, and the consultants employed by CWaC when reviewing the service, recommends the Housing First model?
This promotes small scattered housing units of similar clients groups, with a success rate of over 80% in offering stability to many clients.
Have they really picked the right model and right provider? Local Frank doesn’t think so: “CWAC has imposed an important service in a totally inappropriate location. As a result we have an alienated community suffering as the provider struggles to satisfy its social responsibilities and at the same time manage and care for its homeless population.”
This reflected in views such as these from Mike, a local resident who has been affected significantly: “I have witnessed drug deals, been sworn at, my wife has been verbally abused and have recently become very concerned with unapproved people climbing in through ground floor windows.
“I am concerned that both the police and FENW do not seem able to prevent this, it all seems reactive rather than proactive.”
Other residents have reported feeling nervous and unhappy with the gatherings – a frequent occurrence as the controversial ‘Safe Seat’ service begins at 10pm every day.
People are made to wait outside and this can cause conflict and disturbance.
There is a shared belief that this is a management and strategic failure and not the fault of those trying to gain shelter for the night.
We have suggested ‘Safe Seats’ are chaotic, unsafe and provide inadequate provision. We believe our vulnerable people should not be given a chair to sleep in.
It is in CWaC and FENW’s gift to offer a better solution and service.
CWaC has recently concluded that the Safe Seats are ‘problematic’ and has been reviewing the service over the past six weeks. It will unveil its conclusions to us this week.
Local businesses have also encountered issues due to the relocation.
Neville Sidebottom, owner of the canal side bar and restaurant, Artichoke has had concerns regarding the safety of the location and its proximity to the canal for some time.
Late one evening last week his staff heard a loud splash. Employee Chris Price ran out and discovered a man floating face down in the canal.
Without a thought for his own safety he dived in and rescued him. They understood the man to be a vulnerable adult making his way along the canal towards Richmond Court.
We feel privileged to live in this wonderful suburb of Chester, we want to ensure all who live here feel safe and supported and that includes the vulnerable adults who are in crisis and need extra support.
The election of a new ward councillor today will hopefully bring us a new voice and advocate ensuring our goals are met.