Home » Councillors and How the Council Works > Issue

Issue - meetings

Motion from the Liberal Democrat Group - Refugees

 

 

Meeting: 09/11/2017 - Council (Item 60)

60 MOTION FROM THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GROUP - REFUGEES pdf icon PDF 37 KB

:

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a motion from the Liberal Democrat Group concerning refugees.

 

On a motion from Councillor Dine Romero, seconded by Councillor Tim Warren, it was

 

RESOLVED that;

 

The Council notes that:

 

  1. Since becoming involved in the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme, B&NES has welcomed 37 people from 8 families to the local area, as of October 2017.

 

  1. B&NES has also agreed to take in 23 Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, of whom 14 have already arrived and are now living with foster families, as of October 2017. The Council has actively sought to recruit additional foster carers from the local community.

 

  1. Councils and the LGA have urged the Government to put in place long-term funding arrangements to ensure that individuals starting a new life in the UK are properly supported.

 

  1. It has been a year since the Council has discussed the situation of refugees who have been welcomed into the B&NES community and so an update is timely.

 

The Council resolves to:

 

  1. Reiterate its willingness to be involved in the Government’s national resettlement schemes and receive an update from officers on the Council’s involvement to date.

 

  1. Welcome the partnership working between the Council, charities, faith groups, and local voluntary organisations, including Bath Welcomes Refugees and Julian House, the Genesis Trust, Developing Health & Independence, and The Nest.

 

  1. Commend the work of the Connecting Families team, social workers and other Council officers who are involved in supporting refugees in B&NES; and commend the work of charities, faith groups, and local voluntary organisations who are fundraising and giving practical support to refugees in B&NES.

 

[Notes;

1.  During debate, a motion that the meeting proceed to the next business was moved by Councillor Alan Hale, seconded by Councillor Lisa O’Brien, and lost with 18 Councillors voting in favour and 30 Councillors voting against.

 

2.  The successful resolution above was carried with 59 Councillors voting in favour and 1 Councillor abstaining.]

: