By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Serious concerns have been raised over dozens of people rough sleeping in Gloucester in freezing temperatures.
The issue was raised at Gloucester City Council’s meeting on November 21.
Community Independent Councillors Alastair Chambers (Matson, Robinswood and White City) called on the council to protect the most vulnerable by installing CCTV to keep tabs on those roughsleeping in Gloucester.
He and Cllr Brendon O’Donnell (Matson, Robinswood and White City) were out during the night last week checking up on people sleeping rough.
They say they are concerned about the dire conditions these people face and question why they are not put up in hotels.
Cllr Chambers said is troubling to see the number of people sleeping rough in Gloucester particularly when the temperature drops below zero.
“Our observations shed light on a harsh reality that too often goes unseen or is brushed aside,” he said.
“The contrast between the resources supposedly available—such as empty hotel rooms—and the dire conditions faced by these individuals raises significant questions about priorities and decision-making within Gloucester council.
“The delay in activating Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) and the potential manipulation of rough sleeper counts are deeply concerning, especially when lives are at stake in freezing weather. Our perspective highlights a painful truth: no one would choose to endure such harsh conditions if they had a viable alternative.
“This situation underscores the urgent need for compassion-driven solutions and accountability in addressing homelessness.
“Brendon and I were shocked to find that there were more than 20 people sleeping rough in our city when temperatures were minus two and felt like minus four (Celsius) as stated on google weather platform for Gloucester.
“My car’s thermometer was reading -2.5. Each corner we crossed in Gloucester city we found another homeless person.”
He said he believed there are spare rooms in hotels and questioned why the council is not booking rooms for rough sleepers.
“After speaking to some homeless charities who I will not mention their names. They have advised me that the council does a once a year count of rough sleepers.
“But the week before they do their once a year count, suddenly the rough sleepers are not in the city for a few weeks. However once the count is completed, like magic the rough sleepers are back on the streets.
“It’s quite frightening what really happens in the council to meet KPIs and make graphs look good. It’s in fact very sad and appalling.”
Councillor Rebecca Trimnell (LD, Westgate) said there were advantages and disadvantages to having CCTV in the city centre. She said it was quite complex but did not rule out the idea.
“What I want to do is see where we have CCTV at the moment,” she said.
A City Council spokesperson said they have a well-established procedure in place to mobilise our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) during periods of severe weather that present a risk to the health and well-being of individuals who are sleeping rough.
They said the suggestion council officers delayed the implementation of SWEP provision, manipulate rough sleeping counts, or influence rough sleeping numbers in any way is disappointing and undermines efforts to engage and support rough sleepers.
“SWEP is implemented when temperatures drop below freezing for a minimum of three nights, and we mobilised SWEP on November 19,” a spokesperson said.
“The council and its partners aim to ensure that every person sleeping rough across the city during a SWEP period is contacted and given the opportunity to attend SWEP provision that evening.
“On November 19 every rough sleeper was contacted, with one individual refusing the offer of accommodation. Unfortunately, of the remaining individuals, 13 did not attend the SWEP accommodation that was offered, and those bed spaces remained empty that night.
“Where individuals are offered SWEP accommodation it is available for them to take up at any point during the evening, and there is no requirement for individuals to attend by a certain time. As such, in addition to those individuals who choose not to take up an offer of accommodation, others may be visible in the city prior to them attending the SWEP provision that night.
“The use of SWEP accommodation ensures that rough sleepers are provided with ongoing advice and support from a range of partners that engage with rough sleepers during the year, and the use of hotel accommodation is often unsuitable and incompatible with rough sleeper’s needs.
“The suggestion that council officers delayed the implementation of SWEP provision, manipulate rough sleeping counts, or influence rough sleeping numbers in any way is disappointing and undermines the considerable efforts of the wide range of partners who work to engage and support rough sleepers.
“We advise people if they see anyone sleeping rough to contact StreetLink (website: https://thestreetlink.org.uk ) and our rough sleeper outreach team will be alerted and will then offer help to that person.
“Please remember that StreetLink is not an emergency response service and if someone requires urgent medical attention, call 999. Also please call 999 if the person is under 18 or is with someone who is under 18.