Agenda item

(A) Refugees and Asylum Seekers

 

The following motion was moved by Cllr Julie Ireland and seconded by Cllr Will Connolly:

 

“Bromley Council, like other authorities, has a responsibility to house refugees and asylum seekers. The Council recognises the importance of supporting these individuals and the local community. While the Home Office leads the support for refugees and asylum seekers, the Council plays a role in ensuring they receive the necessary local services.

 

Council appreciates the valuable work to set up and run the Ukrainian Support Hub and aims to expand on its success. Additionally, Council acknowledges the generosity of the voluntary sector in the borough, which is eager to collaborate with the Council in supporting the new arrivals.

 

Therefore, Council recommends that the Executive:

 

1. Establish a Support Hub Service to coordinate local services and connect refugees and asylum seekers with other available support.

 

2. Collaborate with local partners, including other levels of government, non-profit organisations, and community groups, to ensure the effective delivery of services and support to refugees and asylum seekers in the borough, with a particular focus on preparedness for their arrival.

 

3. Serve as a liaison with the Home Office regarding the welfare of refugees and asylum seekers in the borough, with a strong emphasis on monitoring the quality of services provided by the Home Office's local contractors responsible for accommodation and meals.

 

4. Provide public information about the Council's role in supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the borough.

 

5. Allocate resources from existing budget allocations to operate the Support Hub and advocate for additional funding and support from other sources.”

 

The following amendment was moved by Cllr Simon Jeal and seconded by Cllr Jessica Arnold:

 

Add the following words after the second paragraph:

 

“The Council’s ability to support refugees is limited by lack of government funding and processes which instead diverts money to private companies making profit from the asylum dispersal scheme, which not only raises accommodation costs for local authorities competing with them when trying to source temporary accommodation, but also results in inadequate support for refugees and asylum seekers, as recently demonstrated by people accommodated in the borough who recently presented at community food providers because they were not being provided with enough appropriate foods.

 

The Council resolves that the Chief Executive should write to the Home Secretary, to raise these deficiencies and call for an urgent and immediate change in contract terms with the current contract providers so that sufficient funding can  be provided directly to local councils including Bromley, who (partnering with our strong local voluntary sector) are better able to deliver a cost effective and supportive service for refugees and asylum seekers, as demonstrated through the delivery of our Ukrainian Support Hub.”

 

Remove the following text:

 

“Therefore, Council recommends that the Executive: 

1. Establish a Support Hub Service to coordinate local services and connect refugees and asylum seekers with other available support. 

2. Collaborate with local partners, including other levels of government, non-profit organisations, and community groups, to ensure the effective delivery of services and support to refugees and asylum seekers in the borough, with a particular focus on preparedness for their arrival. 

3. Serve as a liaison with the Home Office regarding the welfare of refugees and asylum seekers in the borough, with a strong emphasis on monitoring the quality of services provided by the Home Office's local contractors responsible for accommodation and meals. 

4. Provide public information about the Council's role in supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the borough. 

5. Allocate resources from existing budget allocations to operate the Support Hub and advocate for additional funding and support from other sources.” 

 

Motion, if amended, to read in full -

 

“Bromley Council, like other authorities, has a responsibility to house refugees and asylum seekers. The Council recognises the importance of supporting these individuals and the local community. While the Home Office leads the support for refugees and asylum seekers, the Council plays a role in ensuring they receive the necessary local services. 

 

Council appreciates the valuable work to set up and run the Ukrainian Support Hub and aims to expand on its success. Additionally, Council acknowledges the generosity of the voluntary sector in the borough, which is eager to collaborate with the Council in supporting the new arrivals. 

 

The Council’s ability to support refugees is limited by lack of government funding and processes which instead diverts money to private companies making profit from the asylum dispersal scheme, which not only raises accommodation costs for local authorities competing with them when trying to source temporary accommodation, but also results in inadequate support for refugees and asylum seekers, as recently demonstrated by people accommodated in the borough who recently presented at community food providers because they were not being provided with enough appropriate foods.

 

The Council resolves that the Chief Executive should write to the Home Secretary, to raise these deficiencies and call for an urgent and immediate change in contract terms with the current contract providers so that sufficient funding can  be provided directly to local councils including Bromley, who (partnering with our strong local voluntary sector) are better able to deliver a cost effective and supportive service for refugees and asylum seekers, as demonstrated through the delivery of our Ukrainian Support Hub.”

 

On being put to the vote, the amendment was LOST.

 

The original motion was put to the vote and LOST.

 

(B) Council Support for LGBTQ+ Equality

 

The following motion was moved by Cllr Simon Jeal and seconded by Cllr Kathy Bance -

 

“Bromley Council notes with concern the record rise in homophobic and transphobic hate crime in London and across the UK in recent years. The Council unequivocally condemns such acts - including the recent incident on 27th June (during Pride Month) of hate-crime motivated vandalism of floral displays, created by local primary school children, on Bromley High Street. 

 

We reiterate our unwavering commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ people living, working and studying in Bromley, including the Council’s own staff and those accessing Council services. We will continue to work with Police, Health Service partners, Schools and employers across the borough to challenge anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and provide inclusive services in line with our Equality Policy.

 

As part of this commitment, the Council agrees to establish a cross-party members’ task and finish group to consider options for Bromley Council, within existing budgets, to mark and celebrate events of significance to LGBTQ+ residents as part of the Civic calendar. To provide recommendations to this effect to the Mayor.”

 

It was moved by Cllr Thomas Turrell and seconded by Cllr Colin Smith that the motion be amended to read –

 

“Bromley Council notes with concern the record rise in reported homophobic and transphobic hate crime across London which remains the responsibility of Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to get a grip of. The Council unequivocally condemns such acts - including the recent incident on 27th June in Bromley of hate-crime motivated vandalism of floral displays, created by local primary school children, on Bromley High Street. 

 

The Council reiterate our unwavering commitment to treat all Bromley residents, employees and members of society fairly, whatever their background without fear or favour.”

 

 

The following members voted in favour of the amendment:

 

Councillors Jonathan Andrews, Felicity Bainbridge, Yvonne Bear, Kim Botting,  Mark Brock, Aisha Cuthbert, Peter Dean, Robert Evans, Simon Fawthrop, Adam Grant, Sunil Gupta, Christine Harris, Mike Jack, David Jefferys, Andrew Lee, Kate Lymer, Christopher Marlow, Tony Owen, Angela Page, Will Rowlands, Shaun Slator, Colin Smith, Diane Smith, Melanie Stevens, Harry Stranger, Michael Tickner and Thomas Turrell (27)

 

The following members voted against the amendment:

 

Councillors Jeremy Adams, Jessica Arnold, Kathy Bance, Graeme Casey, Will Connolly, Sophie Dunbar, Alisa Igoe, Julie Ireland, Simon Jeal, Josh King, Ruth McGregor, Tony McPartlan, Chloe-Jane Ross, Alison Stammers, Ryan Thomson, Sam Webber and Rebecca Wiffen (17).

 

The following members abstained:

 

Councillors Mike Botting Hannah Gray, Colin Hitchins and Keith Onslow (4).

 

The amendment was CARRIED.

 

The motion as amended above was put to the vote and CARRIED.