| Disappointment at decision to proceed with Yew Tree House despite strong objections | |
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26 July, 2000 Full Council last night agreed to go ahead with plans to use part of yew tree house as temporary accommodation for the homeless despite strong objections from the local community. The decision was taken despite what Liberal Democrat Councillors believed to be serious flaw's in the proposal. The Conservative Administration, with support from the Labour group, pushed through the proposals against the wishes of residents and a 300 strong petition. In a minor concession to the residents the Conservatives and Labour groups agreed to a trial period of six months but when pushed on what would be significant enough difficulties to warrant not extending the "experiment" they were unable to give details. Liberal democrat Councillors expressed concern over the failure of the proposal to address the real needs of either the homeless or the residents at Yew Tree House. Commenting on the decision Co-Chair of Community Overview and Ward Councillor Rolson Davies said "We believe that this decision is flawed. The elderly residents of Yew Tree House must be our top concern and I am afraid that the decision taken last night does not place them at the centre of their thinking. The guarantees offered are of little comfort as the key problems of disruption and upheaval for the residents of Yew Tree House remain. |
The decision was very disappointing and we now must hope that the trouble the residents and ourselves foresaw does not emerge. We will of course be closely following the situation." And Fellow Ward Councillor Ian McDonald added "On several occasions over the last 18 months members have come forward with other possible suggestions for dealing with this very serious problem of homelessness facing Kingston but nothing has ever come back. The decision last night to mix two vulnerable groups of people in this way does nothing to tackle the problems of either group. The need for real long term solutions to homelessness and the need for high quality sheltered accommodation for the elderly were left unresolved and overlooked by last nights final decision. The decision last night merely fudges the issue while putting our elderly residents into a difficult situation of instability and upheaval." |
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