Homeless and drugs at golf course, claim

Locals have voiced their fears ahead of the Cannock Community Forum meeting which takes place on September 16.

Concerned neighbours who live near Cannock Park Golf Course have asked the district council to clarify who is responsible for management, maintenance and security of the area and what is being done to tackle the problems.

One resident wrote to the council to ask if security of the golf course and Ancient Wood by Green Keepers compound is the responsibility of Wigan Trust or Cannock Chase Council amid worries over the level of litter and acts of anti social behaviour.

Residents are concerned about people drinking, drug taking and smoking cannabis in the park and reports of homeless people sleeping rough on the course. Mike Edmonds, Head of Commissioning said: "Cannock Chase Council has overall responsibility for the management, maintenance and security of all areas of Cannock park, including the golf course.

The council discharges its responsibility for the golf course via a contract with Wigan Leisure Culture Trust (WLCT) and it discharges its responsibility for maintenance of Cannock Park, excluding the golf course which is maintained by the Council's in-house team, via a contract with The Landscape Group (TLG)."

Mr Edmonds confirmed that no formal security personnel are employed or funded by the council, WLCT or TLG for Cannock Park Golf Course and advised residents to report any criminal activity to the police.

In response to the concerns of a person sleeping rough on the park Mr Edmonds said: "The incident of persons sleeping rough on the golf course has been reported to the council's homelessness team who are investigating this matter."

The Cannock Community Forum meeting will be held at the Civic Centre in Cannock and will start at 7pm. Staffordshire Police have been invited to attend the Forum to respond to the issues raised.

Councillor Maureen Freeman said: "I was contacted six weeks ago by concerned residents who had witnessed people sleeping rough on the golf course. There was an increasing amount of rubbish appearing including alcohol cans and on my visit to the park last week I found a man and woman sleeping in the bushes.

"After speaking to various services at the council the rubbish has now been removed and the trees have been cut back. My main concern was that these people were using the area as a toilet and we have dog walkers and children using the park so something needed to be done to ensure the park is kept clean and safe."