Homeless services 'at risk' amid funding proposals

A Lancashire charity's homeless services are "at risk" because of potential changes in funding from the city council, its chief executive has said.

Jeff Marsh said staff may lose their jobs at the Foxton Centre, which runs shelters for rough sleepers and women and youth services across Preston.

He said there is a proposal from Preston City Council to use the funding they receive from government "in a different way, and not with the Foxton Centre".

The authority said it was reviewing all current support and services for rough sleepers, in order to provide the best possible options for vulnerable people.

Foxton runs a youth and community centre in Oakham Court, a centre for Women on New Hall Lane and a homeless day centre on Fox Street.

The charity has 14 ensuite rooms for rough sleepers alongside a supported accommodation program, offering 35 bed spaces across the city.

Mr Marsh said: "We are uniquely placed, we've been doing this work for years and we just think the proposal form the city council is wrong.

"We would have to close our day centre which is an absolute tragedy.

"Part of our beef is there wasn't a lot of consultation about this, we were just delivered with a fait accompli at the end of November which doesn't leave us much chance to work with service users and our staff."

The local MP, Sir Mark Hendrick, said the situation is "a disgrace" and he was "absolutely furious".

"In my 25 years as Preston's MP, the Foxton's reputation has been absolutely tremendous," he said. "There's room for what the council wants to do as well as what Jeff at the Foxton have been doing for years."

Councillor Nweeda Khan, cabinet member for communities and social justice said: "Preston City Council firmly believes that any individual sleeping on the streets in our city is unacceptable.

"We asked our services users what was needed and 'more beds' was the answer. That is what we are committed to providing.

"Currently there is limited emergency accommodation in the city and the council have made the opening a new Night Shelter Service a priority project."

He said the authority are in negotiations with the Foxton Centre to see how the day centre can be managed and continue to meet the needs of those accessing its services.

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