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Council under pressure to reverse decision to remove benches used by homeless

 The benches in Jubilee Square in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann
 The benches in Jubilee Square in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann  The benches in Jubilee Square in Belfast. Picture by Mal McCann

BELFAST City Council is under pressure to reverse a decision to remove benches used by rough sleepers.

The Irish News reported last week how the benches were taken away from Jubilee Square to "reduce any potential for anti-social behaviour and to discourage groups of people congregating in the area".

While concrete slabs remain in place at either side, the wooden slats used to make seating have been cut off.

The small square stands at the junction of Victoria Street and High Street close to the 'Cathedral Quarter', an area of the city centre busy with hotels, bars and restaurants, and the move follows complaints about drinking and drug-taking.

However, some councillors have criticised the decision at a time when homeless people are enduring freezing conditions.

Two years ago, an anonymous group placed a high-tech 'pod' in Jubilee Square offering shelter for those who sleep rough.

The council last night said the benches were removed only as a measure to address concerns around anti-social behaviour and on-street drinking "and was not to target the homeless community".

"Belfast City Council is committed, along with our city partners, to addressing the very complex issue of homelessness," a spokeswoman said.

"Council wants the city's homeless community to have appropriate accommodation and we work extensively with city partners to ensure support is provided to achieve that.

"Where people do not want to avail of such accommodation, other practical support is given - for example providing winter warmth packs and funding outreach work."

The decision was taken by council officials without input from elected members.

A reversal would, therefore, not need to go through any committee or full council meeting.

If it did, however, it would likely be forced through with support from Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance Party.

Sinn Féin councillor Jim McVeigh said it was "particularly harrowing" to hear that the council removed the benches in the middle of a spell of extremely cold weather.

"This did not go through any committee and Belfast City Council needs to review and reverse its decision and work to provide support at all times to anyone homeless in this city," he said.

"Anyone who supports this action by the council should quite frankly be ashamed of themselves."

SDLP councillor and homelessness activist Paul McCusker has also written to the council chief executive demanding an explanation.

The party would also support a reversal.

Benches on council property have been cut up in Belfast City Centre (pic taken last week). Picture by Mal McCann
Benches on council property have been cut up in Belfast City Centre (pic taken last week). Picture by Mal McCann Benches on council property have been cut up in Belfast City Centre (pic taken last week). Picture by Mal McCann

"It's sadly another example of the council taking decisions with absolutely no thought for the consequences it might have on some of the most vulnerable people in this city," he said.

"No-one chooses to sleep rough, no-one wants to be out on the streets in December in Belfast looking for a place to rest. We should be assisting people who find themselves in that awful position, not hindering them."

Alliance councillor Kate Nicholl has also asked for an explanation.

"The council must of course work to tackle anti-social behaviour but I am not convinced this has been handled sensitively," she said.

"Many homeless people go to Jubilee Square to socialise and while some may have substance abuse issues, many don't and instead just go there to sit because other people are there and they feel safe.

"I am concerned removing seating from a place members of the homeless community socialise, particularly at a time of year when isolation can be starkest and in sub-zero temperatures, is the wrong decision taken for the wrong reasons."

However, Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Rogers said he regretted the decision but said action needed to be taken.

He said the square "used to be absolutely beautiful" and the number of complaints had been "unbelievable".

"It has been a source of annoyance there for some time for many people. There's a lot of drinking goes on, drug taking, we have picked up numerous needles. We have had to take action and it's to be regretted," he said.

"I realise that some people have been sleeping rough there.

"This is an area that is now attracting a lot of people. Are we just to sit back as elected members and allow people to wreck and ruin, to use that square as a toilet? That's why these steps have been taken."