Bailiffs could be brought in to evict a pair of rough sleepers in Bath from a makeshift shelter they have occupied for nearly two years.
The Guildhall in Bath
The duo have refused all efforts to move them into more suitable housing or sheltered accommodation.
After a previous attempt to force them out backfired, Bath and North East Somerset Council is now looking to use a court order to remove the clearly visible, unauthorised and unsanitary encampment from Green Park amid concerns for their safety.
The site, made up of pallets and tarpaulins, is between a steep drop to the River Avon and a busy walkway.
A decision notice set to be signed off by multiple cabinet members says the duo will continue to be offered multi-agency support to try to get them into more suitable accommodation.
It says: “This approach will require a carefully coordinated approach which seeks to support the individuals whilst at the same time removing the encampment following proper legal process and managing the reputational risk of the council.”
The duo have stayed in their makeshift shelters since October 2019 and occasionally been joined by others, with some low level antisocial behaviour reported by the police.
They have been in regular contact with outreach workers from Julian House, Avon and Wiltshire Mental health Partnership and substance misuse specialists DHI.
After repeatedly refusing support, the council served a notice threatening to remove their possessions.
The decision notice says: “This action was unsuccessful in moving the rough sleepers on and contributed to complete deterioration in relations between the rough sleepers and outreach workers.
“Since this incident the individuals completely refuse to engage with outreach workers at all and have on occasion been aggressive.
“The outreach team has now reduced the frequency of welfare visits to once every three to four weeks.
“It was agreed that the team should continue to offer support/welfare services as best as it safely can and that any further enforcement action would be carried out by the police/council enforcement teams.
“No further action has been taken during the coronavirus pandemic.”
If cabinet members agreed to apply for a county court possession order and the council succeeds it will bring in the bailiffs.
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
