COUNCILLORS have been accused of 'wanting social cleansing of the Cultural Quarter' as a row over homelessness erupted in the town's Labour group.

Council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill has signed a petition to 'stop Windsor Council from removing rough sleepers before the Royal wedding'.

The petition on Change.org now has more than 250,000 signatures.

After signing the petition, Cllr O'Neill (LAB – Burtonwood and Winwick) forwarded it on to the Labour group and asked anyone 'who feels the same' to do so as well.

But it sparked a heated discussion among members on the issue of homelessness.

Room at the Inn homeless shelter is situated close to the Cultural Quarter, with fears raised over a proposal for eight new emergency beds at James Lee House – which has been backed by Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, executive board member for health and wellbeing – replacing the site.

In the e-mail thread after Cllr O’Neill forwarded on the petition, which has been seen by the Warrington Guardian, Cllr Steve Parish (LAB – Chapelford and Old Hall) said: "We've got some councillors wanting social cleansing of the Cultural Quarter...."

However, Cllr McLaughlin (LAB – Latchford West) 'took objection' to his claim.

She said: "Working to improve outcomes for homeless people and helping them move quickly into supported services with professional support and through psychologically informed services; investing £1.5m in additional accommodation for homeless people; investing resources in targeted support such as additional outreach services provided by CGL – all of these are about supporting the most vulnerable in our town.

"I don't know what support they are implementing in Windsor, but here in Warrington a direct and consistent focus – since David (Keane) set up the homelessness commission – has resulted in a clear reduction of our annual rough sleeper count, going against both national and local trends.

"This isn't an accident, and the charity Homeless Link has engaged with our housing officers to learn how we have managed this.

"It is through a very focused approach – the Rough Sleeper Action Group, the Hard to House panel, the New Start offer, changes to commissioned contracts and the individual support we offer via Warrington Wellbeing and Housing Plus.

"If this is 'social cleansing' I'm all for it."

Her remarks resulted in a response from Poulton South councillor Colin Froggatt.

He said: "It's true Maureen. Some councillors do want to clear the Cultural Quarter of rough sleepers and think this can be achieved by undermining Room at the Inn."

Cllr Jean Carter, executive board member for children's services, asked Cllr Froggatt for where his 'evidence' of this was before Cllr McLaughlin commented again.

She said: "Homelessness decisions in this town are based on what will achieve the best outcomes for vulnerable people.

"They are supported through the work of the Protecting the Most Vulnerable Policy Committee, the Homelessness Priority Action Group and the Health and Wellbeing Board.

"My focus is on the health and wellbeing of these very vulnerable people.

"That is the only consideration on which decisions are informed and made.

"The argument around 'social cleansing' does not stand up to scrutiny when you consider that the location of our New Start housing is also in close proximity to the Cultural Quarter."