Hey everybody! So this past week the petition has received a lot of attention, from councillors and ex-mayors. This has led to even a demonstration and sleepout planned. However, instead of focusing on that I figured I'd keep you all informed with the council's response (and backtracking). There has been an email thread going round which reaffirms what Katrina Wood emailed me: (Wycombe District Council do not want to fine rough sleepers in the Wycombe district, we’d much rather assist them instead. We’ve made huge efforts in partnership with various agencies across the district including Wycombe Homeless Connection (WHC) to provide as much help and assistance as possible to those who find themselves rough sleeping, for whatever reason. This help includes the drop-in at WHC, an emergency bed when available through the outreach team and help into accommodation through the Wycombe Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme that we fund. Last year, the outreach service managed to find accommodation for 70% of all referred rough sleepers across Bucks – sadly the majority of the remainder chose not to accept the help and support that was offered. We would be grateful if anyone with concerns about a rough sleeper contacts the national street link service on 0300 500 0914 or email to our local outreach teamoutreach@connectionfs.org.in so that we can continue our successes in resolving their housing need. Rough sleeping is the most extreme form of homelessness, which is fully deserving of the attention and support that we provide along with our partner agencies. We want to prevent a need to rough sleep and to help those that find themselves on the street. We aim to operate a “no second night out” for rough sleepers in the district. Wycombe District Council’s Cabinet has now approved the use of fixed penalty notices should public spaces protection orders (PSPO) or community protection notices (CPN) be implemented in the future. The accompanying report provided a couple of examples of how the new powers could be used. Fixed penalty notices could be issued to anyone behaving anti-socially such as defecating or urinating in public places, graffiti and drunken behaviour. This is for anyone behaving antisocially, whoever they are or whether they do or don't live. However, at present fixed penalty notices cannot be used as there are no PSPOs or CPNs in place) of which I have responded to as I don't believe the council truly understand why I have made this petition and why all you lovely people have signed it. Here was my response which outlines why were are passionate about it: I have been forwarded your conversations with others by Sarah Mordaunt and my mother Kate Vale. I am 'the girl' who has started the petition and seemingly won't back down. As you mentioned, this information was sent to me by Katrina Wood. I am aware of this information. I was aware of this information before. As a member of Speen Baptist Church, I have had close ties with Wycombe Homeless Connection for many years and understand and really value their work. But I also know that they do struggle in peak times. I also know how unhelpful the council has been with social justice projects, and with aiding the Wycombe Homeless Connection from time to time. I am not dismissing the council's work with projects at all, I am just informing you that I am aware of the council's efforts and the strengths and weaknesses that have been. My petition was created after reading a BFP article where it explained the public spaces protection orders (PSPO) or community protection notices (CPN) may be implemented. As a schoolgirl in Oxford, who regularly visits London, I was aware of successful campaigns in both Oxford and Hackney whereby the plan was removed to fine rough sleepers as part of the PSPO and CPN. This petition is focused on the removal of the plan within the PSPO or CPN which suggests that rough sleepers may be fined £100. I started this as the majority of rough sleepers are homeless. I am not stating that the council are trying to make it illegal to be homeless. I am instead challenging the plan that indirectly targets the homeless, as most homeless are rough sleepers. Crisis states that in Autumn 2014 it was suggested that there were 2,744 rough sleepers on any one night in England -a rise of 55 per cent from Autumn 2010, when the figure was 1,768. This is taken from one of the main homeless charities in the UK. This shows a positive correlation between those who are homeless and those who are sleeping rough. This petition is focused to prevent the council from introducing the fine of £100 to rough sleepers in the area as part of the PSPO or CPN. It does not focus on skateboarders, those who urinate publicly etc... I have never suggested it does. I have never suggested any other aim, and so those who may be differing to me on this subject (Trevor Snaith for example, as I have not spoken to him, yet he seems to have brazenly leapt into the campaign) may not be following what the petition suggests. I do not think I could emphasise this point enough. This petition is focused to prevent the council from introducing the fine of £100 to rough sleepers in the area as part of the PSPO or CPN. I only wish to make this plan exempt within the PSPO or CPN. Please forward this to any council members who seem to think that a foolish 17 year old decided to challenge them without reason. I know what I am talking about, I have done my research, and I will not be belittled due to my age or political understanding.