TWO Somerset councils are to share more than £240,000 to combat rough sleeping in their towns.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has meted out more than £46m to local authorities to help address the problems associated with people sleeping on the streets.

The lion’s share of Somerset’s funding will go to Somerset West and Taunton Council, which will use it to continue its existing work with housing providers and its ‘Streetwise’ team.

South Somerset District Council will receive the remainder, which will go towards support work and other similar projects.

Communities secretary James Brokenshire MP said the funding was part of the government’s strategy to “end rough sleeping for good”.

He added: “We are taking the necessary steps to make that happen, already providing 2,600 additional beds and 750 more support staff for the most vulnerable people in our society.

“But we must keep up the momentum, and that’s why we are giving this funding to areas and projects that need it, ensuring progress continues to be made and people are given the help they need to turn their lives around.”

The new Somerset West and Taunton Council (which replaced Taunton Deane Borough Council and West Somerset Council on April 1) will receive £210,739 of the overall allocation.

Taunton Deane was awarded more than £231,000 in the previous round of funding in June 2018, which it used to pay for “specialist support” to help rough sleepers into accommodation and eventually into independent living.

A spokesperson said: “This recent allocation is recognition of the results achieved so far and will enable the council to continue its work.”

The council has been working with Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Somerset County Council and other partners, prioritising rough sleepers which are causing anti-social behaviour in Taunton and elsewhere in the district.

The new funding will allow the work of the ‘Streetwise’ team to continue, including more street warden patrols in Taunton town centre.

It will also enable the continuation of the Diverted Giving scheme which allows people to donate directly to the Open Door charity rather than giving money to beggars. The charity provides meals, showers, laundry services and other support to rough sleepers from its base on Mount Street in Taunton.

The council has also been involved in Shine a Light Week in December 2018, where rough sleepers were provided with food, shelter and a free health check, as well as advice on finding accommodation, benefits and support.

A spokesperson said: “As a result of this work the number of rough sleepers in Taunton has dropped by more than a third.

“The Streetwise agencies continue to work proactively to provide the necessary support to individual rough sleepers who are benefiting from this, as well as the wider community.”

South Somerset District Council will receive £30,844 from the government towards combating rough sleeping through its existing housing team.

The council has said it is “likely” that the funding will go towards “essential drug and counselling support work” for people who are at risk of rough sleeping.

The council voted in October 2018 to set aside an additional £160,000 a year to “provide funding for services to assist single adults who are in need of accommodation and to prevent homelessness.”