Last week Belfast City Council came under fire from campaigners when they cut away up to 10-12 public benches from Jubilee Square in the city.
The area, best known as a congregating area for many of the city’s homeless people, had every single public bench callously cut away without a thought to those who used the space regularly.
I wrote about it here:
At the time I reported:
I recently became aware of a harrowing decision by Belfast City Council officials to remove public benches from an area in the city centre.
The “public space” at Jubilee Square is often used as a congregating point for some of the city’s homeless and most disadvantaged people.
Last week a council spokeswoman said the benches were removed as part of “general improvements and landscaping” which was supposed to “reduce any potential for anti-social behaviour and to discourage groups of people congregating in the area”.
Local campaigner Micky Murray said:
“Where do people go during the day when they don’t have a home?” he said.
“Many of the people within the homeless community go to Jubilee Square and socialise, some of them have substance misuse issues, some of them don’t, some of them don’t even socialise, they sit there because there is other people there and they feel safe.
“Cutting away seating so that they cannot sit there doesn’t help to address the homelessness issue or any anti-social behaviour issues we have here, all it does it give the message to anyone homeless in Belfast that the Council don’t care.”
And local resident Felicity McKee added:
“I feel this is a reflection on the Council and the lack of resources and care for the homeless generally. There are occasional mass outcries from the public, but rarely any lasting impact.
“This should be final wake up call for change to the general public and our politicians. To remove benches and force those who are most vulnerable in our society to sleep on the cold, frozen ground is a heartless act.”
The Council told the Irish News:
The benches were removed as part of “general improvements and landscaping” which was supposed to “reduce any potential for anti-social behaviour and to discourage groups of people congregating in the area”.
And they told me:
“The benches at Jubilee Gardens have been removed as a measure to address concerns raised around anti-social behaviour and on-street drinking, and was not to target homeless community.
“Belfast City Council is committed, along with our city partners, to addressing the very complex issue of homelessness.
“Council wants the city’s homeless community to have appropriate accommodation and we work extensively with city partners to ensure support is provided to achieve that.
“Where people do not want to avail of such accommodation, other practical support is given – for example providing winter warmth packs and funding outreach work.”
On 9th December I asked the Council the following questions, I’m still awaiting a reply:
1. What date were the benches removed?2. What was the total cost of having these removed (staff, resources etc)?3. How many benches were removed in total?4. What was the total cost of the installation of the benches in the first place?5. What is the cost of erecting a public bench anywhere in Belfast by the council?6. What will be done with this area now and what is the timeframe for this?7. What was the decision making process for removal of the benches? Ie, which department made the decision and which department executed it.8. Was it or would it have needed to have been ratified by the Council?9. How many complaints were lodged with Council in 2017 about “anti-social behaviour” in the area?10. What kinds of anti-social behaviour were outlined in these complaints?11. How many complaints have been received to date about the removal of the benches?12. Do you have any official figures (or estimates) about the number of people registered as “homeless” in Belfast?
However, today Felicity sent us these photographs, proving the Council had reversed their controversial decision following the outcry.
At the time of publishing we are awaiting a new statement from Belfast City Council.
Speaking of the new move by the Council Felicity said: “It’s a shame it took the fact it was the festive season to shame the Council into alerting their decision. I worry that had this occurred in the summer they would have waited till things quietened down.”
***UPDATE***
Campaigner Micky Murray gave some further insight into the Council’s decision to reverse. He said: “Following a meeting myself and Alliance Cllr Kate Nichol had with Nigel Grimshaw, Director of City and Neighbourhoods, earlier in the week we were advised that the benches were removed on November 30 following a decision made in August of this year, which is right in the middle of Homeless Awareness week.
“The council then had an inter-agency meeting on Wednesday and took the decision to replace the benches and bring the decision to the People & Communities committee in January, of which Cllr Kate Nichol is a member, to discuss alternative methods of addressing ASB.
“I wholeheartedly welcome the decision by the council to replace the benches, quite frankly taking them away and replacing them again is a waste of public funds when alternative methods could have been exhausted before hand.
“Jubilee Square is a place where not only do some rough sleepers use on occasion but is also used during the day when people using hostels have no place to go.”