Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director of Community and Children’s Services, concerning an update on the work done to date to tackle the negative impacts of rough sleeping.

A Member acknowledged the efforts to remove hazardous items and support rough sleepers but raised concerns about street and walkway cleanliness in areas with high levels of rough sleeping, including public urination and the provision of bathroom facilities. Officers recognised the importance of maintaining a clean environment and highlighted the recent cleansing efforts, including pressure washing, and new methods of communication that was being used to provide live updates and coordinate responses. The outreach team regularly signposted rough sleepers to available facilities, including those offered by businesses and accessible public spaces, noting that further signposting work could be done.

A Member shared concerns about used drugs, abandoned fires and rubbish at Barbican Tube Station left by rough sleepers, emphasising the difficulty of coordinating responses between City Police and TfL and asked whether an arrangement could be made to efficiently cleanse the area when similar incidents occurred. Officers committed raising this issue with the Chief Inspector.

The use of pallets for rough sleepers was discussed and whether alternatives were available, such as a roll mat. It was explained that providing sleeping equipment could be seen as supporting or sustaining rough sleeping, acknowledging that there was an ethical complexity of this issue.

RESOLVED: - That the report be received, and its contents noted.