Issue - meetings

This report provides a response to the change.org  e-petition which asked the Council to remove the bench arms installed on Rougier Street.

The decision will be taken by the Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport and Planning.

Resolved: 

(i)   That the petition and the information set out within the report highlighting the reasons for installation of the bench arms be noted.

(ii)  That option 1, to retain the bench arms, as set out at paragraph 25 of the report, be agreed.

Reason: To ensure that the city continues to take a proactive approach to supporting individuals who are homeless, street drinkers or who find themselves in difficulty whilst at the same time ensuring that the benches are available for use by bus users and where possible be compliant with the guidance adopted by the council in the Streetscape Strategy & Guidance document.

It was noted that the decision would be considered in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport and Planning.

The Executive Members considered a report that highlighted a response to the change.org e-petition which asked the Council to remove the bench arms installed on Rougier Street.

Officers gave an update and highlighted the support that the Council offered to individuals who were homeless, threatened with homelessness, rough sleeping or street drinking.

They stated that the installation of the bars was not directed at rough sleepers or anti-homelessness and that the Council made numerous interventions to ensure no one had to sleep rough.

Officers highlighted that the City of York Streetscape Strategy & Guidance, that was adopted in 2014, stated street furniture must comply with British standards and be accessible for all to use, which included the installation of arm rests on benches to assist older people.

Officers confirmed they had received numerous complaints from users feeling vulnerable at the bus shelter in Rougier Street.

The Executive Members agreed the bars were installed as a duty of care to support older people. They noted that some individuals did choose to rough sleep or street drink and although these were known as a vulnerable group, other groups, such as the elderly, should not feel intimidated or repelled by the substances they find when using the bus shelter. They also felt that the bad condition of the shelter made it an unsuitable place to sleep and agreed that the homeless had other options available to them.

Resolved: 

(i)   That the petition and the information set out within the report highlighting the reasons for installation of the bench arms be noted.

(ii)  That option 1, to retain the bench arms, as set out at paragraph 25 of the report, be agreed.

Reason: To ensure that the city continues to take a proactive approach to supporting individuals who are homeless, street drinkers or who find themselves in difficulty whilst at the same time ensuring that the benches are available for use by bus users and where possible be compliant with the guidance adopted by the council in the Streetscape Strategy & Guidance document.