Questions about the launch of the 'Big Change' initiative

Big Change: Richard Shaw, Sanctuary Trust; Denis Skelton, Petrus; Councillor Shaun O'Neill, Chair of the Rochdale Township; Margaret Wight, Rochdale Foodbank; Mark Foxley, Rochdale Town Centre Management

Residents say they are pleased to see the launching of the 'Big Change' initiative aimed at reducing ‘our all too visible and shameful homeless problem’, but they are asking ‘does this mean that the ill-conceived PSPO proposal has been kicked into the long grass?’

Secondly, ‘does this mean the start of a serious strategy for dealing with the homeless problem?’

Mark Foxley, Town Centre Manager, and Mark Widdup, Director of Neighbourhoods at Rochdale Borough Council, answer their concerns.

Mr Foxley said: “I would stress that this is not a project for homeless people and would like to point out that many of the people begging in Rochdale town centre are known to be not homeless.

“We would encourage readers get behind Big Change initiative and make a donation however, large or small:

http://bigchangerochdale.co.uk/donate-to-the-campaign

“We understand the council is pressing ahead with the PSPO plans, businesses have been consulted and welcome the council’s efforts to improve the town centre visitor experience.”

Mark Widdup, Director of Neighbourhoods at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is not about homelessness. It is about tackling a whole range of issues that severely impact on the experience of our residents, visitors and businesses.

“The council recently completed a consultation on the PSPO, which will give us and our partners additional powers to deal with a range of antisocial behaviour issues in Rochdale town centre, including street drinking and begging.

“We received lots of comments and suggestions, including positive and negative views and requests for the scope of the order to be increased to include other areas like the railway station.

“A report about the consultation feedback will be presented to councillors, who will then decide how to proceed.

“The council already supports homeless people in a number of ways, including funding emergency overnight accommodation, helping people address the issues which lead to them being on the streets, and commissioning specialist accommodation for people with complex needs.

“The council also works with local churches, the Council of Mosques and local voluntary groups, including Feeding Rochdale Homeless and Soup Kitchen, to find a way of engaging with people who are in need.”