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CO-OP HITS MANCHESTER HOMELESS SQUAT WITH COURT DATE
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Star date: 5th September 2016 HOMELESS HOLD OUT OLIVE BRANCH TO CO-OP BEFORE COURT "Show a bit of love for the community like you claim to do in all your posters..." NOMA (GP), of which the Co-op is a partner, has slapped a court notice for 12th September on young homeless people occupying the Ducie Bridge pub on Miller Street in Manchester, in preparation for an eviction. However the squatters are now asking the Co-op and its 8.4million members to work with them and let them stay "Do something for your local community that supported you from the day you started and made you what you are today" says Chris in a message from the squat. Full details here...
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NOMA (GP) - a partnership of the Co-operative Society and a vehicle managing the BT Pension Fund - has notified young homeless people currently occupying the Ducie Bridge pub on Miller Street in Manchester of a court date on September 12th at which it will be looking to re-posses its property. Homeless people moved into the empty Ducie Bridge pub around three weeks ago, arguing that it provided a safe haven for those who would otherwise be sleeping in city centre doorways. The pub is due to be flattened as part of the massive £800million NOMA regeneration on land surrounding the new glass Co-op HQ. So far there's no affordable housing in the `high quality' apartment, hotel, office and retail schemes that have been announced, while £15.4million of public money from Europe and Manchester City Council has been lavished on public squares in readiness for the area's makeover. The land around and including the Ducie Bridge was transferred outright to NOMA (GP) from the Co-op in 2014 for £30.7million, and the intention is to bulldoze the pub for new office blocks. It's already been empty for over a year and now, in an open message, the homeless people are asking the `ethical' Co-op to let them stay in the property until demolition... "We understand you've got plans but we also understand that you were developed to give the poorer people in Manchester and the surrounding area a chance of improving their lives, which is something you seem to have forgotten" says Chris from the squat, who is also from Salford "Well, here's a group of people who are positive, want to move on in their lives but who just don't have anywhere to live" he adds "So rather than leave the building empty, why don't you work with us and we'll stay in the building until your planned dates come along? And in the process of us staying here you're supporting us, enabling us to look for work, get our benefits going and look for support from community groups, health groups and other services... "...You'll be giving us a place where contacts can be made, relationships can be built and lives can move on and get better, even in that short period of time between now and you pulling the pub down" he explains "Let us stay here, give us that opportunity; do something for your local community that supported you from the day you started and made you what you are today. Give something back. It's not going to cost you anything and we will work with you faithfully, truthfully and honestly. "Come down and speak to us and show a bit of love for the community, like you claim to do in all your posters" he concludes "Stand up for your true meaning. We are the poor, we are the working class, we're the community in this area. We're positive. We want to be part of the future of this town but it has to be done fairly and it has to be done right." The Co-op is claiming trespass: that the homeless people forced entry into the pub and that their safety is at risk because of asbestos. Both claims are refuted. The asbestos, they explain, is boarded off in the cellar of the property, and entry was gained legally via flimsy boards on the windows. Now they are hoping that the Co-operative's incredible 8.4million members will put pressure on the company to resist court action and compromise... Or that maybe former Salford and Eccles Labour MP Hazel Blears – now a Member-Nominated Director of the Co-operative Group, on a basic fee of £60,000 a year for two days work a month – will intervene... "I think we've proved in the time we've been here that we're not here to cause trouble" Chris explains "We're just a bunch of individuals who want as normal a life as possible but can't afford to get a property, or the Council are unwilling to let us onto the property ladder; so we've come together and formed a little family to create safe environments for young people, and people of every age, to stay in." The values, as stated by the Co-operative Group are "self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity". A statement on the Group's website adds: "In the tradition of their founders, co-operative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others..." If the Co-op doesn't adhere to these values, and proceeds with eviction, Chris says he will resist any attempt to throw him back onto the streets... "They are going to have to drag me out kicking and screaming" he says "It will show their complete and utter failure to be a cooperative..."
The Salford Star asked the Co-op/NOMA if it would meet with the homeless people to try and resolve the issues, and to let them stay short term. The Co-op/NOMA didn't respond.
See also previous Salford Star article: Ethical Co-op Threatens Homeless People With Eviction - click here
See also the article on NOMA in Vice.com written by Salford Star editor, Stephen Kingston – click here
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Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate) wrote
at 08:01:34 on 10 September 2016 |
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| Dear @wrote, I wish I knew who you were so I could buy you a drink. I have never read such an informative and witty comment, in all of my life. Thank you for bringing a smile back to my face once again. You certainly have a way with words. Kindest Regards, Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate). |
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Michael James Felse wrote
at 12:41:30 on 09 September 2016 |
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| Sharon and Tahir thank you for the facts about Salford housing. I am sorry to hear such neglect comes from those put in power we trusted. |
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wrote
at 08:58:47 on 09 September 2016 |
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| Tahir and Sharon you are absolutely right about Felse, he jumps on every good article that the Star publishes and spouts his own self serving drivel. He has absolutely nothing of importance to say it is all rhetoric in an attempt to keep his name visible for any upcoming election. Remember this is the man who put himself up for Police and Crime Commissioner and Mayor, and now it seems he's putting himself up for GM Mayor. He's deluded and way past his 1974 sell by date!!
And NO Mr Fesle, I am not a Labour Councillor blah blah blah, just someone who knows you for what you truly are.... Irrelevant! |
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Sharon Hooley (Independant Housing Advocate & Activist) wrote
at 21:04:14 on 08 September 2016 |
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| Dear Mr Michael James Felse,//I am just going to be very blunt here. What on earth are your political views and your self promotion on your comments going to do for these poor young homeless people at this very moment? Answer, in my opinion,...ABSOLUTLY NOTHING.//Rather than commenting on your very nice holiday in Spain and how you have paid up to be a UKIP member...try replying on what YOU can do and get something done. Talking Politics doesn't feed hungry mouths, keep them clean or safe from disease or violence.//At least Ducie Bridge Pub is doing more than the Co-Operative, Salford and Manchester Councils are. |
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Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate) wrote
at 06:38:43 on 08 September 2016 |
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| Dear Michael James Felse, I feel that my advise to you fell on deaf ears. I'm trying to show people how to achieve their goals, whether that be Politics, or just trying to keep a roof over your head. In my last comment to you, I attempted to do both. Your sponsors have absolutely nothing to do with this homeless situation. Your trip to Spain has nothing to do with this homeless situation. I researched and typed from my sick bed to ensure the homeless received the right information to hopefully delay their eviction, see them appropriately rehoused and get them some well deserved help from the Council Funded Support Services. I also supplied the general public information that shows what will happen to these young homeless individuals if they were evicted and put back onto the streets. So I requested that you stop mentioning Spain and Political Views, and used your knowledge and experience, as a caring individual, to help these young homeless people. I also said that by legally defending these young homeless individuals, you will get positive media attention, thus gaining well earned credibility and status. What have you done? "Absolutely Nothing". I am on my last legs, quite literally. I have just won my seventh case against a housing provider, who's evidence was somewhat flimsy in court, so their case collapsed. For the last year I have had to legally defend myself against the Salford Council, The GMP, and the Housing Association that dragged other parties into this legal case, for the last 12 months. Do you know why I am constantly targeted by nearly every service in Salford? Because I defend those who no one else will defend. I always win, because my weapons of choice are compassion, honesty, truth, and justice. Now if my only choice is to use what's left of my life to defend another injustice against a group of young, vulnerable, homeless people, then so be it. Because, in my opinion, it is obvious Mr. Michael James Felse that you do not give a damn about this case, and the vulnerable people involved. Do you honestly think Mrs. Blears will listen to anything you have to say? But she might just listen to me, because I do have a great deal of credibility, integrity, and compassion, which, in my opinion, you do not seem to possess. These young, vulnerable, homeless people deserve a chance in life. Somewhere down the line, things went wrong for them, and they ended up homeless. That, in my opinion, Mr. Michael James Felse is all that matters. I am not at all interested in your sponsors and your trips to Spain. In conclusion, and in my opinion, you would not make a good candidate for any political party, as you don't even have the ability to pretend your interested in the welfare of these young homeless people. These people need help Mr. Michael James Felse, not just words. So why don't you just put your feet up in Spain, and leave this homeless case in the hands of someone that really cares. I would like to end by saying "Shame on you Mr. Michael James Felse". |
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Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate) wrote
at 19:26:00 on 07 September 2016 |
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| Very well said Angela Penny Barratt. I wish more people in this world were like you. The world would be a better place. |
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Angela Penny Barratt wrote
at 10:16:32 on 07 September 2016 |
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| Noma /Co op/ Manchester city council / must compromise / why carnt these young people stay in this building / until work is done/ instead of throwing them on the streets and boarding the pub up/ no one is one drugs/ they seek love in one and other/ they are a family 👪 / being supported by us/ united by homelessness and they are safe/ please do not throw these young people on the streets. |
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Michael James Felse wrote
at 09:10:19 on 07 September 2016 |
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| Thank you Tahir for your advice. With my sponsors funding these skills confrerence trips it is only right I try to promote the events. I wish more could get to be UK Tutor of the Year as it opens invites from the other awarded Lions countries as delegates to events. City and Guilds are across the globe and I feel so honoured to represent the whole of the UK at these events as it puts Salford on their map. I tell them Greater Manchester is open for business post Brexit which makes being the 2016 UK skills Oscars holder a very responsible and important year. Thanks. Felse. |
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Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate) wrote
at 09:09:11 on 07 September 2016 |
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| Hiya J, yes my comments did have paragraphs, but they do get stripped away when commenting on The Salford Star. Sorry that you got a little overwhelmed trying to read my comments. I will put a // when there is a new paragraph. Kindest Regards, from Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate) |
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J wrote
at 06:26:17 on 07 September 2016 |
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| Tahir - Did your comments have paragraphs which got stripped when you submitted the comment? I wonder if you'd consider denoting a new paragraph with two slashes? (//). It's very difficult to read a wall of text like that. |
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Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate) wrote
at 18:01:28 on 06 September 2016 |
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| Dear Mr. Michael James Felse, thank you for you kind words concerning my somewhat informative but lengthy comments. I do believe that you are a good man, but you keep bringing politics into every single comment on the Salford Star. You have mentioned you are in Spain at the moment, which means you have the means to get to Spain, and some physical ability. Imagine you are one of these homeless people living at the mentioned Public House. How would you feel reading that a person who could possibly help you is basking in the sun in Spain. In my opinion, it was not important, relevant, or supportive to mention this. Secondly, in my opinion it certainly is not relevant to mention that your a paid member of UKIP, and then mention your political agenda. This in my opinion is self serving. You are an able bodied, intelligent human being. Instead of using the Salford Star to increase your political standing, and agenda, use it to show people your human qualities. It's a case of "Deeds" and not just "Words". I am bed ridden, so I researched this particular case, and wrote one comment, which could easily be used within a court of law, to stop the appending eviction of homeless people from the mentioned Public House. The second comment I wrote was to shock the general public within Manchester, so they stop turning a blind eye to homelessness. Both of these comments were relevant, accurate, and informative. Your comment, in my opinion, simply flatters me, and boosts your own political agenda and beliefs. This, in my opinion, is of no practical use to the homeless whatsoever. So I would like to offer some well though out advice. The most brilliant political minds in history use "Good Deeds" and "Results" to boost their political status. When you get back from Spain, go to the mentioned Public House, and then, more importantly, fight for these people, not using a political name such as UKIP, but as a passionate caring individual called Mr. Michael James Felse. Results offer their own rewards. Help these homeless people, and use every last breath you have to protect them, and you will get full media attention as a result. Show the people of Manchester that you care, and one day, you will have a great deal of public support, and maybe a political position within the Local Government. As always, Kindest Regards, from Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate). |
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wrote
at 12:16:36 on 06 September 2016 |
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| Felse, how many times do you want to tell us that you are on holiday in Spain?!?! Oh sorry no you are now an ambassador! Never seen such a self serving, deluded oaf in all my life! |
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Michael James Felse wrote
at 07:10:57 on 06 September 2016 |
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| Well said Tahir. As I write from Spain let me state my disgust at the Coop and demand Hazel Blears gets this sorted in favour of our young homeless. I can confirm my deposit payment has been made to UKIP making me a valid contender for the UKIP Greater Manchester Mayor election. My priorities include taking political domination out of politics. The Greens will be given the assembly lead on environment. English Democrats will be commissioned to bring the English devolution HQ to our region. Conservatives will get the assembly lead role on inward investment and Tony Lloyd will be offered one of the 2 labour posts as deputy mayor to keep his experience provided he apologises for the bad action seen in the fracking dispute. My role will be for housing, jobs, skills, prime innovations for young people, double care hours and equality. |
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Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate) wrote
at 07:10:19 on 06 September 2016 |
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| I have just read a legal article which literally says everything you need to know about homelessness, and how the Local Council manages it. Research shows that one in ten local authorities across England and Wales are using new powers introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 to criminalise homelessness. Local authorities are using Public Spaces Protections Orders (PSPO’s) to introduce bans on rough sleeping, begging and loitering which has the effect of making being street homelessness illegal. PSPO’s allow local authorities to ban any activities that have a “detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality”. If a PSPO is breached it leads to a £100 fine, which is obviously completely unaffordable for someone who is street homeless. Non payment of the £100 fine can lead to a criminal conviction and a £1000 fine. Recent government statistics suggest that the number of street homeless people has risen by nearly a third in the last year. The effect of the PSPO’s mean that the local authorities are penalising the people they should be helping. The money spent on consulting on and obtaining PSPO’s would be much better spent funding support services and hostel accommodation for the street homeless. If someone is street homeless they are entitled to present as homeless to the local authority and must be provided with advice and assistance. If someone is in priority need because they are particularly vulnerable then they must be given temporary accommodation pending the Local authorities assessment. If you or anyone you know is street homeless and in need of assistance contact Stephensons housing law solicitors on 0333 323 3945. If these homeless individuals, who are currently living in the Public House are evicted, the local council is likely to criminalise them for being homeless. It just disgusts me how the Local Council and the Police prefer to waste their money criminalising the homeless, which costs a great deal of tax payers money, rather than support the homeless individual and relocate them to a suitable property, at a fraction of the cost. Therefore if you do see a homeless person on the streets, phone your local council, and inform them of their duties towards a Vulnerable Adult who is sleeping rough. If they fail to support them via an application made under a Section 184 of the Housing Act, then inform the homeless person that they are entitled to Legal Aid in order to challenge this refusal of Council Duty. Section 184 of the Housing Act 1996 states the following. "If the local housing authority have reason to believe that an applicant may be homeless or threatened with homelessness, they shall make such inquiries as are necessary to satisfy themselves whether he or she is eligible for assistance, and I if so, whether any duty, and if so what duty, is owed to him or her under the following provisions of this part. They may also make inquiries whether he or she has a local connection with the district of another local housing authority in England, Wales or Scotland. On completing their inquiries the authority shall notify the applicant of their decision and, so far as any issue is decided against his or her interests, inform him or her of the reasons for their decision. If the authority have notified or intend to notify another local housing authority under section 198 (referral of cases), they shall at the same time notify the applicant of that decision and inform him of the reasons for it. A notice under subsection (3) or (4) shall also inform the applicant of his right to request a review of the decision and of the time within which such a request must be made. Notice required to be given to a person under this section shall be given in writing and, if not received by him or her, shall be treated as having been given to him or her if it is made available at the authority’s office for a reasonable period for collection by him or her or on his or her behalf". I believe we all have a duty to help the vulnerable, disabled and elderly, who are sleeping rough within our city. Simply turning our head away in ignorance is not the answer. We must legally fight for these people, as one day, it might be you on the streets of Manchester. One bad investment, a relationship breakdown, or a mental health condition would certainly be enough to put anyone these days on the streets. We should treat the homeless as we would like others to treat us. With respect, dignity, and professional intervention we can end homelessness for good.
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Tahir Chakotai (Independent Housing Advocate) wrote
at 18:43:29 on 05 September 2016 |
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| What an utterly disgusting situation for these poor young homeless people. Maybe the homeless in this situation should allow “Court Action”, but with someone defending them who knows the regulations regarding the Housing Act 2004, the Localism Act 2011 and the recent Social Care Act 2014. The Localism Act states; “Authorities are still obliged to ensure that social homes go to the most vulnerable in society and those who need it most". The Localism Act 2011 also states; "People who experience a homelessness crisis need somewhere suitable to live. Local Councils have a duty to house people who are eligible, in priority need and unintentionally homeless; and this duty will remain in place. Central Government will also continue to fund and provide support / advice to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping.” (The above are Direct quotes from the Localism Act 2011.) Regarding the Social Care Act 2014, all Councils have a Duty to safeguard vulnerable people, and if someone is living on the streets, in my opinion, they should automatically be deemed vulnerable. It is also clear that a large number of homeless people have Mental Health problems, Learning Difficulties and / or are on the Autism Spectrum. As such they definitely and specifically must class as vulnerable. As should anyone with physical disabilities or other illnesses. Therefore the Manchester City Council’s Social Services Department should be involved as soon as a homeless person’s plight is brought to their attention. In this case, several articles featured within the Salford Star Online Publication. So, where are the Social Workers, Mental Health Workers, and the Manchester City Council's Homeless Team? The Social Care Act 2014 makes specific mention of the need for suitable housing of vulnerable people and makes it the Local Council’s responsibility. In a previous article written by the Salford Star, I mentioned that there are countless Low Demand Council / Housing Assosiation Properties, that remain empty, year in, year out, because they are either in undesirable areas and / or they are in a state of poor decorative order. So although this is not ideal, a roof over your head is still a roof over your head. Every year, the Council and Housing Associations loose a great deal of revenue due to the fact that they are unable to rent their Low Demand Properties. So one option to reduce homelessness in Manchester and Salford would be to rent such properties to the homeless. If we address the social issues surrounding why a person is homeless and then rent them a property, they can start to rebuild their lives, and would also be providing extra revenue for the Council and / or Housing Associations. As far as the property contains Asbestos and that is why the homeless cannot reside in the mentioned Public House, in my opinion, this is a load of old rubbish. I live in a 1955 built, ex council tower block, which contains a high level of Asbestos. As long as that Asbestos is covered and not exposed, or the tenants are unable to access the areas that are contaminated with Asbestos, this is perfectly legal. All buildings, empty or tenanted should have an up to date Asbestos Register. So somebody should undertake a Freedom of Information Request, and find out if the company who owns the building has an up to date Asbestos Register on the mentioned Public House. If they do not have such a document, then they should be reported to the Health and Safety Headquaters based in Liverpool. Telephone Number 0300 003 1747. If that building is to be demolished at some point, and they have not produced an up to date Asbestos Register, then they are exposing those who are demolishing the building and the general public to lethal doses of Asbestos. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 states the following. If you want to do any building or maintenance work in premises, or on plant or equipment that might contain asbestos, you need to identify where it is and its type and condition; assess the risks, and manage and control these risks. Therefore if the Asbestos is encased where it is unlikely to be disturbed, and / or it is in a place where the tenants would have no access, then no court would unlawfully evict tenants from a building. Also these people, in my opinion, cannot be evicted using the new Section 144 of the LASPO brought into effect in September 2012 because the dwelling they currently reside in, without the owners consent, is not deemed a residential building. Section 144 clearly states the following. If people are squatting in a clearly residential property, they risk arrest and so losing their home, but it does not cover all situations. The law DOES NOT cover situations where the property is not residential, people are or were tenants (including sub-tenants) of the property, people have (or had) an agreement with someone with a right to the property, people in the property are not intending to live there (merely visiting maybe). So the whole eviction process could be delayed because those who are squatting within the Public House, are doing so in a Non Residential Building, and are not being exposed to any form of Asbestos. Also, if any of the homeless who reside within the building are diagnosed with a severe Mental Health condition, a Mental Disability and / or a Physical Disability, then, in my opinion, they should be deemed as a Vulnerable Adult. As a Vulnerable Adult, the council would have a duty to rehouse them under the Homelessness Act 2002. If they refuse to undertake such an assessment, using a Section 184, ( Decision of Homlessness), and to then not rehouse the Vulnerable Adult using a Section 198, then Legal Aid can be obtained to force a Judicical Review, as it could be stated that the council have failed to take into account the vulnerable adults disabilities, thus breaching their Equality Duty, and breaching the current Equality Act of 2010. If these squatters are facing eviction, I would strongly recommend a Solicitor called Mrs. Amy Tagoe of Stephensons, who does undertake, from time to time, unpaid work, to help and support those who are deemed Unintentionally Homeless. Their address is Stephensons Solicitors LLP, Unit 3, Brewery Yard, Deva City Office Park, Trinity Way ,Salford, Manchester, M3 7BB. Their contact number is 0161 832 8912. So any of the ideas I have mentioned, would either delay the eviction of the homeless from this Public House, and / or would actually see these homeless individuals rehoused adequately. I would like to request that anyone who is able bodied, and has some spare time, tries to practically assist and support, where possible, these individuals, as it is obvious, in my opinion, that the Manchester City Councils Services are failing their duties by not ensuring that the Social and Housing needs of these individuals are being met. As far a The Manchester City Council is concerned I would like to say the following, there is housing out there for the homeless, you do have some Low Demand Properties which stay empty year in, year out. So in my opinion, this homeless problem is not being caused by the Conservatives, it is being caused by ignorance. Place these people in your Low Demand Housing, give them access to adequate Social Care and Mental Health Services, and as a result, you will reduce the homeless population in Manchester, increase your revenues because as a result of each empty Low Demand Property being tenanted, you will be getting extra rent and council tax as a result. This, in my opinion, is not a complex issue to fix. All it takes is understanding, compassion, humility, and a great deal of finacial common sense. |
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norma parkinson-green wrote
at 16:55:46 on 05 September 2016 |
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| Can't the Co-op work with Manchester and Salford Councils to ensure these young homeless people have somewhere permanent to live and to be able to make a life for themselves that is worth living? Too much money is being sent abroad when people in our own country are suffering such devastation. Come on, charity begins at home first, sort this mess out! |
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