Night shelter plans for Burnley rough sleepers given £45,000 boost

A motion put forward by Coun. Afrasiab Anwar at last night's Full Council meeting led to £45,000 being set aside in the 2020/21 budget to go towards eliminating rough sleeping within the borough.

A cross-party working group aimed at tackling rough sleeping was also formed as the council agreed to make the issue a strategic objective moving forward.

Coun. Anwar, Labour representative for Bank Hall, said: "It's great news that £45,000 has been set aside to work with the voluntary sector on tackling this issue.

"I fully intend to be part of the working group and make sure this money is spent on helping to set up the night shelter.

"The public gallery was full last night and it shows just how important this issue is.

"As a Labour councillor I presented this motion, but it is the passion, the drive and the commitment of people like Mick Fleming and his team that should be truly commended."

Official Government figures released this morning, based on a single-night snapshot count, has the number of estimated people sleeping rough in Burnley at eight; up from one the year before.

Pastor Mick Fleming, whose Church on the Street Ministry has spent the last 12 months calling for a night shelter in the town, said these "laughable" figures came nowhere near to offering a true reflection.

But he was pleased Burnley Council had acknowledged the problem.

"It's extremely pleasing," he said. "The idea of a night shelter seemed impossible a few months ago, and now it's on its way to happening.

"I had said that we would need around £45,000 to help with the start-up costs, and they have found this in the budget. It's really good news.

"Even if we were to go off these official figures, there has been a near 1,000% rise in the number of rough sleepers in Burnley. In reality, there's been a 3,000% – 4,000% increase.

"This night shelter is going to make a huge difference."