Agenda item

Maggs Day Centre

The following Motion on Notice was presented by Councillor Monica Stringfellow at the meeting:

“This Council notes the exceptional work performed by the Maggs Day Centre charity across Worcestershire in supporting people facing homelessness, housing insecurity, drug addiction and social exclusion. 

Maggs Day Centre in Redditch provides housing advice, and harm addiction support, supporting more than 100 people during its first six months of operation, showing the great need there is in Redditch for such a service. The numbers of homeless people in Redditch are difficult to assess as we are aware of those who are not currently sleeping rough, but who are moving from place to place “sofa surfing".

The limited opening hours currently offered by Maggs means that there is nowhere for people seeking help to access this support and means that most of the time there is nowhere for these vulnerable people to go for help, perhaps at a time when they most need support.  Getting the support and care they need in a timely manner, leads to a reduction in financial burden on the NHS, the emergency services and the Council.  

We request that the Portfolio Holder for Housing works in partnership with the Council, the NHS  and other organisations such as Cranstoun to explore the possibility of  increasing funding to Maggs to enable them to extend their current provision to five days a week aligning with the both the government target of ending homelessness and addressing the issue of anti-social behaviour in Redditch Town Centre, in particular Church Green, to support both those who require these services and the wider population in feeling safe within our town. 

Concerns regarding rough sleeping and associated anti-social behaviour in parts of the town centre can affect public confidence, footfall and the perception of Redditch as a safe and welcoming town centre.”

The Motion was proposed by Councillor Monica Stringfellow and seconded by Councillor Jane Spilsbury.

In response, the Leader thanked Councillors Stringfellow and Spilsbury for bringing forward the Motion and for recognising the valuable work undertaken by Maggs Day Centre, in partnership with the Council’s Homelessness Prevention Team, in supporting some of the Borough's most vulnerable residents.

The positive impact of the service was highlighted, it was noted that it had supported more than one hundred individuals during its first six months of operation.

Members were reminded that the Council had already demonstrated its commitment to tackling rough sleeping and preventing homelessness through the commissioning of support services.

The Leader reported that, on 13th January 2026, the Executive Committee had approved the allocation of Homelessness Prevention Grant funding for a three-year period from 2026 to 2029. As part of this decision, the Council had agreed to provide funding for the Maggs Rough Sleeper Outreach Service of £106,822 per annum for each of the three years.

It was further noted that this represented a significant change from previous funding arrangements. By moving to a three-year funding programme, the Council had sought to provide greater financial certainty and stability for delivery partners, enabling longer-term service planning. In addition, as part of the Council's response to the National Rough Sleeper Programme, officers had already been engaging positively with Maggs Day Centre regarding the proposal outlined in the Motion to expand its local provision. Initial discussions had indicated that extending the service to a five-day-per-week model would require additional revenue funding of approximately £145,000 per annum, together with an estimated capital investment of £19,000.

The Leader confirmed that, alongside the Portfolio Holder for Housing, he welcomed the ongoing work between officers, Maggs Day Centre and partner organisations to explore opportunities for funding, external grants and joint commissioning arrangements to support the development of enhanced services in Redditch.

In concluding his remarks, the Leader reaffirmed the Council's commitment to preventing homelessness and rough sleeping and to working collaboratively with partners to ensure that vulnerable residents were able to access the support they required.

During the subsequent debate, Members commented on the following points:

·       The Portfolio Holder for Housing advised that he had visited Maggs Day Centre and was engaged in discussions with the organisation regarding funding opportunities.

·       Members emphasised the importance of the language used within the Motion and observed that anti-social behaviour was often linked to factors such as drug and alcohol misuse rather than homelessness itself. The suggestion was made that greater support should be provided to those experiencing addiction and that attention should be focused on addressing the underlying causes of homelessness.

·       Members noted that homelessness extended beyond those visibly sleeping rough and included individuals experiencing insecure housing, sofa surfing, or fleeing domestic abuse, amongst other circumstances. It was also highlighted that advice and support relating to drug and alcohol misuse were available through Maggs Day Centre.

·       Reference was made to the Government's Homelessness Reduction Strategy analytical annex, which recognised the multiple and often complex factors that could contribute to homelessness.

In summing up the debate, Councillor Stringfellow thanked Members for their supportive comments. She explained that a number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Redditch town centre had complex needs and that coordinated packages of support were being put in place to assist them. Members were further advised that discussions with the Police had indicated their support for extending the service.

On being put to the vote the Motion was carried.

RESOLVED that

This Council notes the exceptional work performed by the Maggs Day Centre charity across Worcestershire in supporting people facing homelessness, housing insecurity, drug addiction and social exclusion. 

Maggs Day Centre in Redditch provides housing advice, and harm addiction support, supporting more than 100 people during its first six months of operation, showing the great need there is in Redditch for such a service. The numbers of homeless people in Redditch are difficult to assess as we are aware of those who are not currently sleeping rough, but who are moving from place to place “sofa surfing".

The limited opening hours currently offered by Maggs means that there is nowhere for people seeking help to access this support and means that most of the time there is nowhere for these vulnerable people to go for help, perhaps at a time when they most need support.  Getting the support and care they need in a timely manner, leads to a reduction in financial burden on the NHS, the emergency services and the Council.  

We request that the Portfolio Holder for Housing works in partnership with the Council, the NHS  and other organisations such as Cranstoun to explore the possibility of  increasing funding to Maggs to enable them to extend their current provision to five days a week aligning with the both the government target of ending homelessness and addressing the issue of anti-social behaviour in Redditch Town Centre, in particular Church Green, to support both those who require these services and the wider population in feeling safe within our town. 

Concerns regarding rough sleeping and associated anti-social behaviour in parts of the town centre can affect public confidence, footfall and the perception of Redditch as a safe and welcoming town centre.

Face Coverings

A second Motion on Notice was presented by Councillor Nic Pioli at the meeting:

“Council is asked to resolve

That Executive Committee be requested to instruct officers to engage with the police and re-visit the levels of reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in Redditch town centre where face coverings such as face masks or balaclavas were involved. That a report summarising the outcome of that engagement with the police be presented to the Executive Committee of the Council within three months to enable consideration to be given as to whether it would be appropriate to extend the measures contained in the PSPO for Redditch to include a restriction on the wearing of face coverings.”

The Motion was proposed by Councillor Nic Pioli and seconded by Councillor Roger Bennett.

In presenting the Motion, Councillor Pioli explained that the proposal did not seek the immediate introduction of a ban on face coverings. Rather, the intention was to establish an evidence base through officer engagement with West Mercia Police in order to determine whether amendments to the current Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) should be considered. It was argued that residents and businesses should feel safe in the town centre and that concerns had been raised regarding anti-social behaviour involving individuals wearing face coverings. Members were advised that the purpose of the Motion was to gather evidence and consider whether additional restrictions would be justified and proportionate. It was also acknowledged that any future consideration of PSPO restrictions would need to take account of relevant legal safeguards, including requirements relating to public consultation and the rights of individuals.

Following the presentation of the Motion, Members had detailed discussions and commented on the below points:

• A review of the existing PSPO was scheduled to be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Executive Committee in November 2026, ahead of the current Order expiring on 1st January 2027.
• The current review recommended a straightforward extension of the existing PSPO area and restrictions for a further three years in order to ensure continuity of enforcement powers and to avoid any lapse in the Order.
• It was reported that initial consultation with West Mercia Police and Safer Redditch partners had not identified sufficient evidence to support the inclusion of restrictions relating to face coverings as part of the forthcoming renewal process.
• Members acknowledged concerns regarding anti-social behaviour in the town centre and agreed that any future amendments to the PSPO should be evidence-based and supported by appropriate public consultation.
• Reference was made to reports of increasing anti-social behaviour, including incidents involving face coverings, and concerns raised by local businesses.
• It was recognised that face coverings could be worn for a variety of legitimate reasons and that any proposals for restrictions would need to be carefully considered.
• Members noted that the Council had the ability to amend a PSPO in the future where new evidence emerged and following the necessary consultation process.
• It was suggested that future consideration of PSPO provisions should also include wider issues, such as anti-social behaviour associated with electric scooters, electric bikes and certain locations not currently covered by existing restrictions.
• Members emphasised that the Motion sought only to facilitate further investigation and evidence gathering, rather than to introduce any immediate changes to the PSPO.

In concluding the debate, Councillor Pioli thanked Members for their contributions and reiterated that in his opinion the issue appeared to be becoming more prevalent. It was acknowledged that the Motion had been amended prior to being presented to Council to avoid any risk to the timely renewal of the existing PSPO and to focus on gathering the evidence required to inform future decision-making.

On being put to the vote the Motion was carried.

RESOLVED that

Executive Committee be requested to instruct officers to engage with the police and re-visit the levels of reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in Redditch town centre where face coverings such as face masks or balaclavas were involved. That a report summarising the outcome of that engagement with the police be presented to the Executive Committee of the Council within three months to enable consideration to be given as to whether it would be appropriate to extend the measures contained in the PSPO for Redditch to include a restriction on the wearing of face coverings.