THE USE of a motel as temporary accommodation is the subject of a petition complaining about anti-social behaviour by some of those moved there.
The petition has around 500 signatures, not all from Johnston residents. It calls for the removal of those housed at the Silverdale to alternative sites within Pembrokeshire
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pembrokeshire County Council rented lodges at the Silverdale in Johnston. The Council’s original plan for the Silverdale was to house people stepping down from hospital care to community-based care who were not ready to return to their own homes.
However, faced with a directive from the Welsh Government to control the risk of spreading the virus among the homeless population and those sleeping rough, the Council had to change its plans to accommodate homeless people from Pembrokeshire at the motel.
Speaking at a Council Committee meeting earlier today (Jun 23), Johnston’s county councillor Ken Rowlands said he had been inundated with complaints about drunken and yobbish behaviour by some of those moved there.
Cllr Rowlands said he hadn’t been told of the Silverdale’s use before arrangements were made and said he had made representations to Council Chief Executive Ian Westley, the Police, and the Council’s social services department.
Ken Rowlands said he was not satisfied by the information he received and said he had fielded many emails complaining about those accommodated there breaking social distancing rules and being drunk – and possibly under the influence of drugs – in public.
Responding to Cllr Rowlands, the County Council’s Director of Social Services, Jonathan Griffiths, said the Council were aware of complaints and were in constant communication with Police about the nuisance alleged to have been caused.
Mr Griffiths said not all of those at the Silverdale should be or deserved to be tarred with the same broad brush. He added that the Council was placed under an obligation placed on it by the Welsh Government and the lodges at the Silverdale were available and identified as suitable accommodation to meet it.
The Council has used the Silverdale as short-term accommodation for the homeless in the past.
