EMERGENCY procedures are in place to help people off the streets and into accommodation and support services during the winter months.

These are the words of senior figures in the council who have spoken out to reassure the public in the wake of the news that the rough sleepers’ outreach programme delivered by Brighter Futures had been cut.

Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, executive board member for public health and wellbeing, added that the council is strongly committed to its pledge to protect the most vulnerable, including those who find themselves homeless on our streets. 

She said: “We developed a new homelessness strategy, approved by the Executive Board in December 2014. 

“This included a review of existing arrangements to make sure we target our services effectively to support homeless people into suitable accommodation and to prevent rough sleeping.”

Director of public health, Dr Rita Robertson added that a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court in May has meant that all local authorities have had to look again at the way services are delivered to homeless people.

She said: “Warrington’s multi-agency Homeless Commission recognised the significant impact the ruling would have on the council, including increased demand for advice, information and accommodation.

“We very much appreciate the work Brighter Futures has done locally over the past three years, but existing arrangements were considered no longer fit for purpose by the time our contract with them expired last month.  

“As we develop an integrated, multi-agency approach to the new challenge, our transitional arrangements to support rough sleepers and other homeless people are already in place and working well.

"For example, the recent rough sleeper challenge was very successful in accommodating rough sleepers before the winter sets in.”