A COUNCILLOR has told a fellow Labour councillor to remove a video in which he criticised planning chiefs for deferring a decision over eight new emergency bedrooms at James Lee House.

The authority's development management committee was expected to approve plans for the Brick Street homeless hostel's chapel and meeting room to be converted into eight new overnight rooms at its meeting on November 29.

But a decision was deferred by councillors following fears that the beds could replace the Room at the Inn homeless shelter, on Winmarleigh Street.

Following the meeting, Cllr Tom Jennings (LAB – Bewsey and Whitecross) filmed a video, which has racked up more than 4,700 views on Facebook, outside James Lee House urging residents to get behind his Back The Beds campaign.

In the video, published on Monday, he said: "I am outside James Lee House today because last week some councillors chose to delay an application for the proposal of eight new emergency beds to be built here for homeless people.

"People sleeping rough on our streets in this freezing, bitter weather.

"Now these councillors, who had homes to go to at the end of this meeting, chose to delay a decision on this and to not approve these new beds.

"I represent the town centre on the council and I walk through our town centre daily to get to the Town Hall and I'm sure you see, as I do, the situation we're facing.

"Something has got to be done

"So I'm asking you now to add your voice to my campaign at backthebeds.com and together we can get these councillors to make the right decision and back these beds."

However, Room at the Inn's management committee has criticised the politician.

A spokeswoman said: "The councillors on the planning committee deferred making a decision on the proposed shelter at James Lee House as it was unclear if it was an addition to homelessness provision in Warrington, or if was intended as a replacement service to Room at the Inn – a 10-bed night shelter, which has been in operation for seven years.

"We had suspicions that our £36,000 supporting people contract with the council would be stopped if the James Lee House shelter went ahead, effectively pulling the plug on our services and leaving the town with only the proposed eight-bed facility.

"We fear for the safety of the homeless community in Warrington without our service.

"The situation will become even worse if are not able to provide a service.

"The planning committee were doing their jobs correctly in wishing to seek clarification and they also had issue with the basic nature of the proposed facility, especially if it was to replace Room at the Inn."

Susan Blyth manages the site, which operates for 20 hours a day, 365 days a year.

She said: "Room at the Inn have always worked hard to provide relevant and much-needed services to meet the town’s needs for people experiencing difficulties in their lives.

"In the hope that intervention does change lives, we are happy to work with other agencies to continue to make a difference."

Cllr Amanda King (LAB – Great Sankey South) is calling for Cllr Jennings to take the video down immediately.

She said: "It's a shame he has decided to take this on in the manner he has – it is not supportive of his fellow councillors.

"Any extra provision for the homeless is always welcome.

"We have to respect our hard-working councillors on the planning committee, who take their roles very seriously.

"Room at the Inn provides a great service.

"Personally, I would like to see Room at the Inn continue to be supported and grow from strength to strength and also to see other services expand in the town.

"It's a shame that such a video has been produced and it should be taken down immediately.

"Keep up the great work Room at the Inn."

For further information about the campaign visit backthebeds.com.