MEMBERS of the public are being asked to have their say on how to best reduce the number of rough sleepers in the district.

Tendring Council has set out four key areas for addressing the issue of homelessness as part of a drafted document laying out plans to tackle the problem.

The authority is now looking to gather the ideas and opinions of residents living in the area with regards to what else could be done for the vulnerable.

As part of the initiative, the council want to improve early intervention and education, and increase the amount of suitable accommodation on offer.

Councillors want to be able to offer better partnerships and explore new and more effective ways to tackle rough sleeping.

To do this they hope to a perfect a system which allows them to be able to identify those at risk of homelessness more quickly and increase the number of move-on properties.

Paul Honeywood, Tendring Council cabinet member for housing, said the causes of homelessness could be many and varied and are often outside the council’s direct control.

But the council is determined to help everyone in the district to live in quality accommodation.

“The council has a proud record of preventing and tackling homelessness, but we recognise that we can do more,” Mr Honeywood said.

“Reducing homelessness and rough sleeping requires a partnership approach and the council, as a community leader, will encourage agencies to work together with us on this issue.

“Whilst the numbers of people sleeping rough are low compared to other areas, we recognise we need to intervene more quickly to respond and, more importantly, we need to do more to prevent it in the first place.”

The public consultation will run from January 13 until February 23, after which time the council’s cabinet will consider the draft report.

Responses to the consultation will also be taken into account before councillors consider whether or not to approve the proposed strategy.

The current draft of the homelessness strategy can be read online at tendringdc.gov.uk/housing/housing-strategies-policies.

Alternatively, a copy can be provided at the council’s offices in Pier Avenue, Clacton.