I appreciate that the council has got to make tough decisions about spending, with demand rising on all sides and your settlement from central government contracting.  

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However, I am concerned about the lack of budget planning to maintain, and ideally grow, support for people who are homeless in our community.  

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In particular, it has been well-publicised that Bath’s long-standing emergency hostel for people who are rough sleeping is at risk.  

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As a supporter of Julian House, the charity which runs the hostel, I am disappointed that the council is not presenting a clear plan for how to save this vital service.  

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The hostel plays a crucial role in supporting people in crisis. Rough sleeping is clearly a problem that is not going away in our area, despite successive governments’ commitments to eradicate it.  

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B&NES needs a strategy to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping sustainably, not sticking-plaster short-term fixes.  

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What is the council doing to find an alternative site for the hostel, and secure the future of other vital services to prevent homelessness?  Where is this represented in your budget proposals for next year and the years to come?