Whitehall and local authority officials have struck a deal over the treatment of controversial bail hostels. After talks between the Ministry of Justice and Local Government Association, the department has agreed to consult with councils over future sites for the hostels. The agreement will also allow councils to consult with local residents over any proposals. Until now, residents have had little say in whether a bail hostel should be opened close to their homes. The Ministry of Justice's largest private contractor, Clearsprings, has been able to open 196 sites around England without consultation, and concern has arisen that some hostels are close to schools. Sir Jeremy Beecham, LGA vice chair, said: ‘There is no merit in putting people who are entitled to bail behind bars. [But] councils have been deeply concerned at the previous lack of consultation with councils, police and the probation service about where these units should be sited.'
