Soup run reprieved?
Westminster Council continues to consider a ban on soup runs
Quakers in London remain concerned about the plight of homeless people in the city following confusion over a potential council decision. A housing charity has predicted that people will be ‘queuing up to commit acts of civil disobedience’ if Westminster Council pushes ahead with a by-law that would ban soup runs and rough sleeping.
Housing Justice told the Friend that they know of many people who are ‘happy to be arrested’ for distributing food in the area near Westminster Cathedral in London. Westminster Council triggered anger earlier this year when they announced proposals for a ban on soup runs in the area (see ‘Threat to soup runs’, the Friend, 10 March).
Following the controversy, Westminster Council insist that they would now prefer a ‘non-legislative approach’. They say that the large number of soup runs is disturbing local residents.
A spokesperson for the council told the Friend that ‘the best way forward’ would be to ‘get a number of soup run providers around the table’. He warned that legislation would still be considered if ‘the discussions with soup run providers aren’t productive’.
The council’s claim was met with scepticism by Alastair Murray of Housing Justice, a Christian charity backed by Quaker Peace & Social Witness (QPSW). ‘If they are seeking to meet with soup run providers, we are not aware of any overtures,’ he said. ‘They haven’t asked to meet with us’.
He said that he understands the Conservative group – which includes the majority of the council – have already agreed to press ahead with the by-law when the full council meets on 4 May.
The law would then come into force in the autumn. The Coombe Trust and Nightwatch are among the charities who plan to defy the ban.
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