Worthing MP upset with hostel (From The Argus)

Worthing MP upset with hostel

5:00pm Saturday 4th July 2009 in

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AN MP has quit as patron of a homeless charity amid concerns about the way one of its hostels was being run.

Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, initially backed the “wet”

shelter for drunks and drug addicts when it opened in 2006.

But he resigned after Worthing Churches Homeless Projects (WCHP) scrapped a residents’ liaison committee.

He also feared that an agreed limit of 12 people in Delaney House, Selden Road, Worthing, had been breached because the charity needed to raise more money.

Mr Loughton said that by increasing capacity, possibly by bringing in addicts from outside the immediate Worthing area, the project would attract additional funding.

The charity said it was saddened Mr Loughton had resigned and brought it to the attention of The Argus.

It said the residents’ committee had run its course and that 85% of its clients gave their last address as Worthing.

Mr Loughton said: “I am not against the project, but I am absolutely against the way the charity has run it quite contrary to the undertakings given in the first place. I am very unhappy with the way things have turned out.”

Mr Loughton revealed his dissatisfaction after neighbour Mark Newman withheld his council tax to protest at disturbances at Delaney House which, he claimed, had made his home “worthless”.

He also complained the residents’ liason committee had been stopped.

A spokesman for the WCHP said: “Obviously, the charity was very saddened by Mr Loughton’s decision to resign.

“It is correct that we stopped the residents’ liaison committee meetings but this was because they had run their course.

“They were set up as an initial measure to answer any queries and to deal with any concerns local residents had.

“We now operate an open door policy, whereby if any of the local residents wish they can come to the door at any time and discuss their concerns with a member of staff.

“We have a very good relationship with the vast majority of our neighbours.

“It is true we increased the number of places at Delaney House. This was due to the fact that we have a constant waiting list for people needing to access the services as well as ensuring the financial viability of the project.”

The spokesman strongly denied suggestions the charity was bringing in addicts from outside the town. He added: “All the people who are currently on the waiting list have a local connection.”