London plans to ban soup runs ..

Soup run ban ?

London Councils are putting forward a proposal to prevent or restrict the "distribution of free refreshments", aimed at preventing soup runs. This proposal is included with a number of less controversial measures in a Private Bill, the contents of which will be finalised at a meeting on the 13th November. The consultation ends on Friday 2nd November.

This is from the consultation document -


Distribution of free refreshments:

Problem Free refreshments and food are regularly distributed on public land, particularly by organisations wishing to assist the homeless. The unfettered distribution of free food and refreshments causes nuisance to occupiers of premises, often residential premises, in the vicinity of such land.

Solution It is proposed to prohibit the distribution of free refreshments on land designated by a London borough council. It would also be an offence to cause another person to distribute such refreshments. To be designated, land would have to be in the open air, and open to public access. Unlawful distribution of free food would be an offence, and would be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (i.e. up to £2500). Exemptions would be included, for example, the distribution of refreshments to people taking part in sporting events or giving out free samples outside retail premises.

Comments are welcome on the proposal to prohibit the distribution of free refreshments in designated areas. Consultees are particularly asked to comment on exemptions.

Comments should be sent to Oliver Hatch, Parliamentary and Public Affairs Officer, London Councils, 59½ Southwark Street, London SE1 OAL or

London Councils website here
http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/doc.asp?doc=21012&cat=980


The news story on the BBC is here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/england/london/7063914.stm

More here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/5206368.stm

Political propaganda ...

A statement from the council said there were between 80 and 100 homeless people on its streets on any given night but there were at least 50 groups distributing free food. "


The number of street homeless people sleeping in the Westminster area is in dispute, and subject to much controversy. The regular headcounts carried out by the council have been openly criticised for the way that they have been conducted. Westminster city council have been publicly accused of manipulating the street homeless figures by independent verifiers that have accompanied council officials on the counts.

Independant charitable organisations which conduct their own counts and calculations report the true figure to be more than double that of Westminster city councils claim.

Also interesting to note the eastern European migrants that are living destitute on Londons streets have been conveniently re-classified as ' tourists ' in an attempt to reduce the street homeless numbers. If and when these people are included into the official street homeless figures, the count increases by up to 20/30%

See: http://forums.homeless.org.au/showthread.php?p=13377#post13377

The " 50 groups distributing free food " is also very misleading. This number certainly does not operate within the Westminster city council boundaries on a daily basis. If we counted every soup run that operated within the Westminster city council area over a weekly period we might reach this number of 50. Simple arithmatic would give us the correct result as perhaps an average of 7 soup runs per day over a 7 day period. Even this figure I would personally dispute because many of these soup runs operate outside of the Westminster city council area in neighbouring boroughs such as Camden and Lambeth. Westminster city councils argument is at best fundamentally flawed, and at worst very misleading.

This report by Westminster city council is in my opinion a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. They are using the disputed street homeless figures of Westminster city area, and including in their count the soup runs that operate outside of their area. If we were to count all of the street homeless people in London, and also all of the soup runs that operate in London we would get a much fairer indication of the true numbers of both.
Surely if the soup runners from outside the Westminster City council area are to be included in these figures, then equally the street homeless people from outside Westminster city should also be included.

A newspaper article several months ago reported sensationally " One soup run for every two homeless people in Westminster " of course their figures where based on these same figures from Westminster city council.


Sorry guy's, it dosn't add up ....

Unlawful distribution of free food would be an offence, and would be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (i.e. up to £2500).

A law that makes it illegal for a man to give food to another who is hungry, is an odius law. :mad:

Konstantin

Plans by the local London authorities to ban the soup runs (food vans) serving the homeless have been abandoned.


Press release: Clause in tenth London Local Authorities Bill relating to provision of free food in the street. 16/11/2007

A clause relating to rough sleepers was discussed by London's council leaders on Tuesday. Following the meeting, members decided not to include the clause in the 10th London Local Authority Bill. Leaders are instead setting up a cross-party working group to look at the challenges involved, and to explain the good work that is already being done by the boroughs, charitable partners and voluntary organisations, in assisting rough sleepers to get off the streets.

The working group will draw on best practice developed in all the inner London boroughs, including Westminster where more than 1,000 rough sleepers are permanently helped off the streets every year and back towards independent living. Extensive work is already done to address the complex needs of rough sleepers including drug and alcohol abuse services, initiatives to reconnect them with family members, counselling, training for employment and daily living, and accommodation.

Through the working group, members will be visiting boroughs most involved in helping rough sleepers and the charitable partners who deliver many of the services. They will look at the funding, powers and best ways to coordinate the support necessary to help London’s most vulnerable people back into independent living.

Whilst the working group's timetable, scope and membership have not yet been finalised, the working group will draw upon the expertise of London Councils' Adult & Social Services Forum and Housing Forum members. The working group is expected to report back to Leaders' Committee in spring 2008.

From here: http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/doc.asp?doc=21282&cat=937

Sounds like a step towards closer regulation and control of charitable activity. Probably the end game is to try and restrict the locations and times of such services based on community impact / complaints hot zones.

While red hot tempers will flair, on the same token, service providers can't sit on their high horse and not take into consideration the impact of their service provision on the general public. In terms of the general public's situation there needs to be a level of they need to cop it sweet because the work is important balanced with we need to respect their comfort zones and wants at the same time and minimise our impact on the outsiders as a consequence of our service provision.

I think this is definitely a case of the first salvo is not the game... look at the chess board and focus on the end game, understanding the goals of all stakeholders. Look also at the motivators of stakeholders what they want and don't want.

Politicians care about what we tell them to care about, thus the loudest stakeholder that gets their position covered the best via the media is the one that will always be most dominant in negotiations.

London soup runs - get your game right in the media and tables will turn to your significant favour. Done right this is an opportunity to get lighting, power hook-ups, public space seating, outdoor shelter canvas, lockers, security cameras (where it's wanted), water taps, volunteer access to toilets, storage, equipment, geez Louise the list goes on.

They want control over designated locations... milk the negotiation for your wish list. If you have the media upper hand you can set up... realistically where ever you want.