I AM responding to the letter from Kate Mellor (Daily Echo, May 28) in order to explain the council’s policies over homelessness.

The original article in the Daily Echo was taken from a response I gave at a public meeting to a question asking what Bournemouth Council was doing about homeless people, and, in particular, those who were from other parts of the country or from elsewhere in Europe.

As far as I am concerned we are doing anything but turn a blind eye to this very serious problem. That is why I have emphasised that those with a true Bournemouth connection will always be supported by the council. It is right that the costs for those people are met by Bournemouth Council, but it is unacceptable that local council tax payers are expected to pay for those without a local connection, ahead of other local priorities. That responsibility is for their home authority and we will make sure that they take it up, not least because they are expected to do so by government. The council takes homelessness very seriously and is engaged in a broad range of activities which seek to identify and address the root causes.

Homelessness cannot always be prevented however, and when that happens the council may provide emergency accommodation, working closely with partner agencies such as Shelter and BCHA who do a really great job in providing support and assistance for local people in need of emergency housing and advice. By ensuring that a local connection is considered when dealing with homelessness, we will be able to find the most effective way towards solving the problem.

Housing is a top priority for Bournemouth Council and our new housing strategy sets targets which will contribute to the successful prevention of homelessness and improve the lives of those who are caught in a cycle of rough sleeping.

We have been building council housing again in Bournemouth for the past five years and have ambitious plans to eat into the council waiting list in a way that has not been achieved in a generation so that we can provide much needed homes for local people who need them.

I should be delighted to tell Ms Mellor more about what we are doing in Bournemouth if she would like to meet me to discuss our housing programme. I hope that this reassures your readers that we are dealing with these issues robustly and as a matter of priority.

CLLR JOHN BEESLEY, Leader of Bournemouth council