A HOMELESS charity has criticised Cotswold District Council’s (CDC) decision to spend more than 67 per cent of a £240,000 pooled sum for tackling homelessness, on two newly created officer roles.

The council’s cabinet agreed earlier this month to set up a partnership with West Oxfordshire and the Forest of Dean district councils, meaning a pooled budget of £120,000 per annum over two years.

A total of £39,000 of the grant will be used for a Private Rented Sector Fund, which will provide loans of cash deposits, fees and advance rent payments to help new tenants.

However, a joint housing property manager will be paid £43,500 a year, while the joint private rented sector liaison manager will be paid £37,500, both over a two-year fixed term contract.

Graham Harris, who runs Cirencester Signpost with his wife Juliette, said the decision is “shameful, insulting and an utter disgrace”.

“What a kick in the face to all those who are struggling to get a roof over their head and those who quietly work so hard to give them dignity and hope,” he said.

“Whilst we accept there needs to be oversight and accountability of the funding, to have such a large proportion sucked out to pay salaries of this size is totally unreasonable.

“The money in respect of local homeless people needs to be focussed primarily on safeguarding vulnerable people.”

Graham said he wanted ‘scrutiny as to whether new roles are justified’.

He added: “The plight of the homeless remains as dire as ever and this proposal will add even more layers of bureaucracy to line the pockets of others.”

Cllr Stephen Hirst, CDC cabinet member for housing, defended the partnership scheme.

“The important thing to emphasise is that the two new officers will improve how we secure emergency accommodation across the areas covered by the partner councils, and should also help us move more people into permanent properties.

"The aim would be to reduce the number of long-term empty properties and free up accommodation for those most in need.

"We also plan to implement a private sector placement policy that works for the Councils and landlords.”

He added: “From a strategic viewpoint, it will be money well spent if we can secure more temporary and permanent accommodation and establish better working arrangements with landlords in the rental sector.”

124 homelessness applications have been made to CDC in 2016/17 while 1,499 households are currently on the social housing waiting list.