‘I will fight this until my very lAst breAth’

St Michael’s Gate residents prepare protests

An hour of anger, tears and rallying speeches - passions in Parnwell remain incredibly high seven weeks after it was revealed that 74 residents are being evicted from their homes at St Michael’s Gate. The community is still wondering how Peterborough City Council could pay nearly £3 million over three years to Stef & Philips - one of two firms which is evicting the tenants - to use the properties astemporaryaccommodation for homeless people.

That anger manifested itself again on Tuesday evening at a Parnwell Residents’ Association meeting, and the man to feel the brunt of it was Tory wardcouncillor MarcusSims.

Criticised for what the audience perceived as a lack of enthusiasm on his part to stand upfor them, hewastold to “fight” for his constituents.

Cllr Sims was confronted by Cllr Julia Davidson, a Liberal Democrat member for Gunthorpe, She yelled: “Stop sitting there as a councillor saying, ‘there’s not a lot we can do.’ If it really bothered you as much as it bothers me, you’d get offyourhineyanddo something about it.”

Cllr Davidson then walked out, telling the audience of about 20: “Excuse me, I’ve got to go as I’m so upset with this.”

JelanaStevichasbeenavocal representative for her fellow residents in St Michael’s Gate. She, too, aired her feelings to Cllr Sims, telling him: “You can’t keep saying it’s Stef & Philips. The council have gone to bed with the company. They used tactics which I thought are quite vile saying, ‘if we don’t do this, another council will come in’.

“There are people that are scared, that aren’t sleeping, that have children. It’s cominguptoChristmas, whereare these people supposedtogo?”

Cllr Simssaid:“WhatIhave beendoingispouringoverthe internet trying to find loopholes, trying to find ways to stop it, but I can’t.”

Residents’ association chair Dot Haynes said she hadbeenexpectingacallfrom council chief executive Gillian Beasley onTuesday, after asking her to attend the meeting, but she had not rung.

The council said Mrs Beasley will meet the residents at their meeting on January 10.

The residents are now planning a protest outside the Town Hall, and then Parliament. A government ePetition will also be started to try and force a House of Commons debate.

Jelana added: “We need to change the law, and trust me I will address that if it’s the last thingIdowhileI’mbreathing.”

An upset Cllr Davidson leaves the meeting.