CORNWALL Council has agreed a three-year security contract worth almost £3.7 million to reduce the risk of antisocial behaviour, violence and emergency incidents at homeless pods and other supported accommodation for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of rough sleeping.

The contract was signed off by council leader Cllr Leigh Frost at an Individual Decision Day meeting on Wednesday (March 18), where decisions that have previously been made behind closed doors are now done in public for the sake of transparency.

He explained the service is a critical element of the council’s response to homelessness, providing safety, stability and safeguarding within high-risk accommodation environments. The current contract comes to an end in June.

The contract has an estimated total value of £3,695,959 over the initial three-year term. The service costs will be recovered through rental income paid for through Housing Benefit, with minimal cost to Cornwall Council.

The meeting heard that it “reduces risk of antisocial behaviour, violence and emergency incidents, not only to the residents living in in the support units but also provides reassurance to the neighbouring community”.

The contract covers static and mobile guarding, CCTV monitoring, access control, incident response (including fire evacuation and overdose/Naloxone administration), safeguarding duties and de-escalation of antisocial behaviour at housing sites in Cornwall that support rough sleepers and homeless people with support needs.

There were 22 original bid submissions, with 10 not evaluated having not met the criteria. The contract will be issued to the successful bidder on Thursday, March 26.