BASINGSTOKE council is to undertake a review of the independent inquiry into the closure of Beechwood Lodge homeless hostel.

The community overview committee is to carry out the review following separate appeals from the chairman of Basingstoke Action for Single Homelessness, Ann Ritchie, and Basingstoke MP Andrew Hunter.

The original inquiry was commissioned by Basingstoke council last year following the death of four former residents of Beechwood Lodge who had been moved back into the community to make way for the closure of the hostel.

The committee will look at the report by Community Health Council chairman Frank Rust, its recommendations and the council's strategy on homelessness.

At next Tuesday's community overview meeting, the Cabinet member for housing, health and homes, Cllr Laura James, will give a presentation on provision for the homeless in the borough.

A number of witnesses - including former Beechwood Lodge residents, representatives of social services and Mr Rust - will be called before the committee to answer questions.

In his report, Mr Rust said there should have been better planning and co-ordination between those who ran Beechwood Lodge, Basingstoke council and Hampshire County Council over the re-housing of such a large number of people - 77 residents.

He felt there was not enough consultation with residents about the moving process.

He recommended that all vulnerable ex-residents should be contacted to ascertain the amount of support they were receiving.

He suggested that the level of support given by housing associations to vulnerable residents should be investigated and that support organisations such as BASH should be fully involved in homelessness strategies in the borough.