A COUNCIL will continue to work with homeless people across the county all year round, a senior figure has said.

Cllr Bernie Attridge, deputy leader of Flintshire County Council, said unlike other areas, they do not have a specific Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) because there is a commitment throughout the year to accommodate anyone without a safe place to stay.

The council will provide accommodation for individuals even if there is no statutory duty to accommodate.

Cllr Attridge told the Leader: "We don't activate SWEP because we act every day. We pride ourselves in Flintshire, compared to other authorities who have massive problems with rough sleepers. We aren't saying we don't have a problem at all, of course we do. I'm aware of three of four in the last week, but as soon as we are made aware, we will help.

"If they are sleeping rough and we are made aware as an authority, we will put them in emergency accommodation.

"As cabinet member for housing, I'm proud that we pick up every single person whenever it is, whether it's Christmas day or late at night. We won't leave it until it's freezing cold to do something about the issue, we are quite unique in Flintshire."

At a recent Community and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee, members welcomed the regional homeless strategy and local action plan and discussed the 'housing first approach' as well as ways to tackle youth homelessness.

The council has also made available some additional emergency beds this winter which can be accessed 24/7 so that any demand can be met in the most appropriate way.

Cllr Attridge added: "I am extremely proud that Flintshire does not need to implement different procedures in winter. We believe rough sleeping is unacceptable at any time of year and do all we can to ensure nobody has to sleep rough."

The Leader has previously reported that the councillor helped a homeless man in Connah's Quay with emergency accommodation after being made aware of it earlier that day.