COUNCILLORS eventually showed a united front in backing a new approach to tackle the borough’s homelessness problem.

An often heated discussion at this week’s meeting on Wednesday of the full council ended with elected members voting to support the town hall’s "integrated and coordinated" new scheme.

However, opposition councillors clashed with Labour counterparts about how an action plan should be implemented despite all sides accepting there was much common ground between them.

It led deputy leader Cllr Keith Cunliffe to describe the dispute as "a bit like two bald men fighting over a comb".

He told the chamber: “I think we’re all talking about the same thing and we’re agreeing on the same thing.

“Let’s provide the facilities and resources that are needed. Homelessness is a real issue for people in this borough and until we address it in an integrated way we’ll continue to have that problem. There’s an opportunity here for us to work together.”

The ruling Labour party revealed it is on the verge of approving its new approach that includes homeless hubs in Wigan and Leigh with associated health and rehabilitation services and tailored care plans.

A passionate plea from Bryn Independent Cllr Steve Jones introduced the issue to the chamber on Wednesday.

His motion called for the authority to "consider the possibility of opening a new council run sheltered accommodation" facility.

He said: “I actually think (the council) is doing a lot of good work, this (motion) isn’t instead of what’s going to be happening, this is an add-on.

“One of the problems we currently have (is) the night shelter situation has improved, but it’s 8pm to 8am and then they’re back on the street and we’re not tackling the deep issues that have caused these individuals to be out on the street.”

He added: “I speak to these people personally and I feel passionately about it. These people are sat on the streets and we’re playing politics. All I want is for these people to stop living on the streets.”

Cllr Jones said he was disappointed the ruling Labour group had tabled an amendment to his motion rather than suggesting they work together on a combined alternative.

Labour’s Cllr Terry Halliwell suggested the independent member was playing "political football with a very emotive subject".

The cabinet member for housing and welfare told the chamber: “Let’s talk about the people we’re here to talk about. The motion (from Cllr Jones) doesn’t allow us to do more, we want us to do more. It’s about dealing with the people who are sleeping on our streets.

“It’s not easy to help those people onto the next steps in life and we have put a number of initiatives in place to help them to get there.”

The Labour amendment – which called on the council to back its ‘new approach and initiatives’ that will ‘ensure that people receive the necessary support’ – was voted to replace the Cllr Jones motion.

Addressing the Labour group, Cllr Jones said: “My motion has been in for 10 days, I would have met with you and we could have worked together on this.”

Identifying that there was much common ground in the discussion, Conservative councillors Michael Winstanley and James Grundy said they were prepared to back the motion.

Cllr Winstanley, the leader of the opposition, said the council should continue to work with counterparts across Greater Manchester to establish a coordinated approach.

He said: “I want to bridge the gap between the two sides, I don’t think they’re too far apart. Cllr Jones has spoken passionately and it’s an emotive subject.

“I want to try and build on that and get a commitment from Cllr Halliwell that he could bring a detailed report (to council) later in the year to look at what has worked and what hasn’t worked.”

Cllr Cunliffe, who is also the cabinet member for adult social care, said: “What we have currently is a lot of money spent on homelessness services that are not integrated, it is fragmented and not achieving our aims.

“This is about integrating the services. The new service will provide that.”

The motion, originally Cllr Halliwell’s amendment, was backed unanimously by the chamber.