Present
Chairman; Cllr Colin Darracott
Police: Martin Holliwell and three others
Somer: Glyn John
Other B&NES representatives
About seventy local residents.
Introduction
Colin Darracott, Liberal Democrat, chairing the PACT meeting commenced: “Welcome all, this is the best attended PACT meeting, to date, in
When the Chairman asked if anyone was present to represent Somer Housing, no one responded. However, a representative of Somer Housing Group, Glyn John, eventually appeared apologising for being late, due to traffic. Glyn John informed the meeting that Hayley Austin, project manager for the proposed hostel at Caroline House and Longacre, was unable to attend because she had another appointment at the same time, and that he had been asked to step in at short notice. A lot of protests ensued, and people commented that it showed a complete disregard to the local community. Residents present, said: ‘if Hayley Austin cannot take the heat of the kitchen, she should get out’. It was also said that that she received a salary to take part in consultations with the wider community. People at the meeting had taken time to attend.
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- Colin Darracott informed the meeting that Somer Housing are revising the architectural plans in response to local feedback. They hoped to integrate this feeback into the revised plans. The new drawings will, this time, probably be posted online. This will take place by the end of the week. The chairman also confirmed that it was Somer’s intention to go ahead with the planning application. This will probably be lodged before the end of August. The application will then be open to objections from the public. One speaker pointed out that the planning process could only receive objections on planning grounds. Objections based on the wider social issues would be rejected as out of order.
- A member of the audience asked why most people are prohibited from building extensions onto listed buildings, but big organisation such as Somer are allowed to do so with the support of B&NES Council? Somer’s representative was not able to answer, and explained that he had not been briefed and had to step in at short notice. The Chairman insisted that these objections can be raised at planning consent.
- When asked whether other possible sites in
- Another resident commented that this was not a planning issue; because the fundamental objections were the choice of the location for such hostel; and also that Somer was not able to run the present hostel on the premises. There was no evidence this situation would change once the bigger scheme is in place. The meeting was reminded that people in the present hostel have already been victims of a rape, assault, drug dealing, and violence. There are also serious security, health and safety concerns; all evidenced in the 2005 assessment. The resident concluded: ”You build on success not failure. Caroline House is already a failure!” This was met by a round of applause.
- Another member of the public commented that a similar hostel in
- There was a query about the corpse recently found at 1, Longacre. It was pointed out to Somer`s representative that there was still a general duty of care, and this must be enhanced when dealing with vulnerable people.
- The Chairman explained that open market principle applied, but that all residential property was, in the first instance, offered to Somer.
- The police officers present were asked how many police visits had occurred at Caroline House/Longacre – Martin Holliwell directed the reply to Alex Schlesinger, who told the meeting that under the freedom of information, he had been told that 95 police calls to Caroline House had taken place between May 2003 and May 2008. The audience asked how this figure compares with other areas in
- Several people present asked about the present ownership of 3 & 4 Longacre. People also asked how much it was being sold for. When asked what price was being negotiated between the council and Somer, Glyn John again replied: ‘I have no idea’.
- Someone mentioned that a house in poor structural condition, opposite Caroline House, had just sold for £320,000, at auction, and that people are entitled to be allowed to make informed comparison.
- Another person alerted the meeting that three council owned houses on the Royal Circus were sold to Somer for just £48,000: a fraction of the true market price.
- A question was raised in respect of an agreement within B&NES Council’s Housing Department taken 5 years ago to dispose of the housing stock. Colin Darracott stated that there is an obligation to get best value for money for the Council with the exception of affordable housing or properties that may be of value to the community. It was pointed out that Caroline House and 4 Longacre was initially designed for community use.
- Members of the public reminded the meeting that there was an absence of transparency and there was also inconsistency on the part of the Council who insisted on placing a public asset: Cleveland Pools, on the market but preferred to sell 3 & 4 Longacre away from market competition. One to be forced on the open market the other to be decided behind closed doors.
- Another person present suggested that there should be a better redistribution of Council money in favour of the
- It was asked what the contribution Somer had made to the area? The Somer representative was only able to mention the play area and landscaping at Snow Hill.
- When it was confirmed children will be accommodated along with drug users and ex offender, a question was asked about the percentage of children that are likely to be placed in the new block, Glyn John responded that he had no figures available. There was discussion of the dangers to children in the area, including traffic, pollution, drug dealing and other crime.
- A resident then asked about Somer’s child protection policy Glyn John had no idea. Another resident said he had been in touch with Hayley Austin and had established that despite its size and extensive responsibilities Somer does not have a Child Protection Policy.
- The police were asked about the number of times they were called out to the area, and how they would respond to an increase in vulnerable people in Caroline House; The reply was; ‘The more people you fit in the more issues you get, and that leads to delays in getting there and response time’.
- In reply to a question, the Somer representative said that there are only three empty flats in the Snow Hill area, and 100 people waiting for each one.
- On the choice of the location for the hostel, a resident explained that the stretch near Longacre is already a magnet for people dealing in drugs coming from outside the Snow Hill area; and that Somer`s proposal will only add to the problem.
- Colin Darracott was asked about keys motivator for the choice of the site and what alternative sites had been considered. The meeting was told that apparently there are no sites in
- There was no adequate explanation of why a location in
- A resident made the point that the premises at 4, Longacre are within a designated Local Shopping Area in the Bath Local Plan, as adopted. Why, therefore, allow a change of use when a viable commercial offer had been made? Cllr. Colin Darracott said that the status had not changed yet and that the change would have to be part of the planning application.
- Alex Schlesinger asked why; if the property was designated as retail, was it being offered to Somer under first refusal? Colin said: ‘Yes, it is bending the rules, all plans are there to be deviated from’.
- One resident suggested that the matter should be referred to the District auditor, whilst another commented: ‘Somer had better watch themselves because we will be watching them’ even if the project goes ahead.
- One resident asking about the 2005 report that was so damning in its condemnation of Somer’s management of this site. There were obviously ongoing funding issues and an absence of supervision. Caroline house had received the lowest grading: D. No other establishment in
- Yet another resident pointed out that given the appalling record it is madness to build an extension for more people.
- People asked for clarification of the relationship between Somer and Bath Self Help. Somer representative claimed at first that ‘Bath Self-Help’ is not a part of Somer, but when challenged admitted that it is in a fact a division of Somer.
- When asked about a Service Agreement between B&NES and Somer and Bath Self Help and the Council. The Somer representative said he had no idea (again).
- The debate focused again on the suitability of the location - Complaints were expressed about the lack of police activity in the vicinity of the Longacre Tavern both at night and during the day. Members of the audience reported drug dealing and that when called, the police were very slow to respond. On many occasions; they did not even bother to address the issue. It was again mentioned that the area around the Longacre was a magnet for drug users and dealers who came from locations outside of
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No one at the meeting, other than the Somer representative spoke in favour of the proposed hostel. Many felt that Somer was not being truthful with the community, and held local residents in contempt.
