Vital £3,000-a-month homeless shelter funding secured until May 2020

The funding, which Warrington Borough Council provides to Room at the Inn, on Winmarleigh Street, has been under review.

It had been extended until January 31 next year but uncertainty continued to surround its long-term future – with concerns raised over the possibility of it being cut.

However, during Monday’s full council meeting, new council leader Cllr Russ Bowden delivered a much-needed boost for the site.

He said: “We have some very difficult issues but sometimes we just need to pause and reflect to make sure we are making the right decision.

“I think organisations in the town, such as Room at the Inn, have made good progress in working with the council in order to address some of the issues that we have identified over recent times.

“I think it is now the time to say that this council does support Room at the Inn and other providers in tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in the town.

“I will commit my administration to safeguard the funding for Room at the Inn until May 2020, subject to them continuing to work with the council to make the best possible service offer that we can have here in Warrington.”

Room at the Inn centre manager Susan Blyth said she was thrilled with the announcement from Cllr Bowden (LAB – Birchwood).

She also reaffirmed the importance of having early interventions to help people on the streets and hailed residents for their generosity.

“We are delighted,” she added.

“It means that we can have a bit of sustainability and plan ahead, as it is very hard to plan ahead when you are not sure about your funding.

“It is about improving the services that are there and ensuring people have the right support, as well as re-energising people to show them that they are valued.

“We also want to work in partnership with other agencies, so there is a more unified approach to homelessness.

“The public response has been amazing again – it is just phenomenal.

“The money raised by residents and groups at Christmas helps us through the very hard times.”

The 10-bed shelter says it costs £440 per day to run the site.

Cllr Bowden, who is the executive board member for corporate finance, was formally elected as leader at the full council meeting on Monday after taking over from Cllr Terry O’Neill.

Now in his first full day in the borough’s top job, he has vowed to bring a new dimension to the Town Hall leadership.

But he hailed Cllr O’Neill for his ‘record of delivery’ while he has been in charge.

Cllr Bowden said: “Terry has got an outstanding record of public service to this town, the town of his birth, and that culminated in him becoming leader.

“I have always recognised the role that we have as a council and our collective responsibility, regardless of party and position within the council, to protect the wellbeing of residents to the best of our collective ability.

“I think in the last couple of years we have seen the impact of some very difficult topics – the local plan PDO and Warrington Western Link.

“And, actually, what we have done is not really lead from the front and take that message to residents and engage with them and talk about the challenges the council faces.

“I will be leading from the front.

“I will set up leader’s forums to allow the public to hold me and my colleagues on the executive board to account.”

Cllr O’Neill (LAB – Burtonwood and Winwick) is confident the leadership is in safe hands after stepping aside.

He said: “I am sure Russ will do an excellent job.”

Cllr Cathy Mitchell takes up the role of deputy after securing the support of the Labour group in a meeting on Thursday.