Agenda item
Motion A: Asylum Seeker Community and Council Support - Proposed by Councillor Andy Graham, Seconded by Councillor Duncan Enright
West Oxfordshire District Council reaffirms
a) its pride and appreciation in the way our local community has and have come together to support asylum seekers. Local organisations, voluntary groups and our officers have shown professionalism and empathy to the plight of the families staying in the hotel in Witney for short periods while their asylum applications are processed. It has been a good collaborative effort across public sector partners to support the hotel and make sure those staying there are supported as well as local communities. We have seen our communities donate clothes, bicycles and other items to help the predominantly families housed in the hotel. The empathy and compassion shown is a true testament to the strong, inclusive communities we have here in West Oxfordshire.
This Council reaffirms
b) that here is no room for those who wish to divide our communities by raising fear through misinformation and heightened rhetoric. We believe hotels are not the best form of accommodation in the long term for those seeking asylum and we expect the government will continue to look at alternatives in a pragmatic and measured way to reduce their use. We will continue to work with partners to ensure the hotel is well managed while it remains in its current use.
This Council believes
c) As it currently stands the Council have no intention of pursuing any planning enforcement against the hotel in Witney as we do not believe there are any planning or other grounds to take enforcement action
Minutes:
As Council had agreed to re-order the motions to take Motion E first, Motion A was taken last to maintain the rotation between political groups on the advice of the Director of Governance and Regulatory Services.
Cllr Graham introduced the motion, reading it out as follows;
West Oxfordshire District Council reaffirms
a) its pride and appreciation in the way our local community has and have come together to support asylum seekers. Local organisations, voluntary groups and our officers have shown professionalism and empathy to the plight of the families staying in the hotel in Witney for short periods while their asylum applications are processed. It has been a good collaborative effort across public sector partners to support the hotel and make sure those staying there are supported as well as local communities. We have seen our communities donate clothes, bicycles and other items to help the predominantly families housed in the hotel. The empathy and compassion shown is a true testament to the strong, inclusive communities we have here in West Oxfordshire.
This Council reaffirms
b) that here is no room for those who wish to divide our communities by raising fear through misinformation and heightened rhetoric. We believe hotels are not the best form of accommodation in the long term for those seeking asylum and we expect the government will continue to look at alternatives in a pragmatic and measured way to reduce their use. We will continue to work with partners to ensure the hotel is well managed while it remains in its current use.
This Council believes
c) As it currently stands the Council have no intention of pursuing any planning enforcement against the hotel in Witney as we do not believe there are any planning or other grounds to take enforcement action
Councillor Graham introduced the motion, stating that people had fled their homes through no fault of their own and the Council stood to support them. He stated that the motion was about expressing community values and solidarity with people who had faced displacement. He also criticised those who he deemed sought to spread fear and dishonesty.
Councillor Duncan Enright seconded the motion.
The motion was debated, and the following points were raised;
- It was an emotive issue, particularly as many asylum seekers were children.
- Officers were thanked for their work
- It was important to spread compassion and tolerance
- Diversity was welcomed.
- Many stated that the asylum seekers housed in the hotel wished to integrate in the community and learn English, and that there had been a lot of community support within the broader community.
- Those seeking asylum had a right to be properly assessed on this, and criticised statements that asylum seekers should be deported without being assessed.
- Stated that refugees were welcome in West Oxfordshire.
- It was important to provide hope for refugees, as they had faced difficult circumstances.
In summing up, Councillor Graham expressed how welcome it was to have unanimous support across the chamber.
The motion was voted on and agreed as follows;
Voting record - For 31 for Against 0, Abstentions 0
Council resolved:
That the Council:
1. Reaffirmed its pride and appreciation in the way our local community has and have come together to support asylum seekers.
2. Reaffirmed that here is no room for those who wish to divide our communities by raising fear through misinformation and heightened rhetoric. We believe hotels are not the best form of accommodation in the long term for those seeking asylum and we expect the government will continue to look at alternatives in a pragmatic and measured way to reduce their use. We will continue to work with partners to ensure the hotel is well managed while it remains in its current use.
3. Believed as it currently stands the it had no intention of pursuing any planning enforcement against the hotel in Witney and did not believe there are any planning or other grounds to take enforcement action
There was some further wording here but looks like we don't consider that to be part of the resolution as it was more explanation.