At the last Council meeting the outgoing Mayor Will Lane made the most extraordinary speech in celebration of diversity and the co-dependent community it has engendered. I surprised myself by giving him a standing ovation; I believe most if not all Council members joined in.

In London, many boroughs are working towards becoming Boroughs of Sanctuary, demonstrating a commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for those seeking refuge. This currently includes: Lewisham; Camden; Islington; Ealing; Richmond; Wandsworth; Royal Greenwich; Waltham Forest; and Sandwell.  

A Borough of Sanctuary is a term used by the City of Sanctuary UK network, which works to create a more welcoming environment for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in the UK. It signifies a local authority's commitment to providing a place of safety and support for individuals fleeing persecution or violence. 

Key aspects of a Borough of Sanctuary:

o   Welcoming and inclusive environment:

Boroughs of Sanctuary aim to create a culture of welcome and support for those seeking sanctuary. 

o   Collaboration and partnerships:

They often involve local councils, community groups, and charities working together to provide resources and support. 

o   Specific goals:

These may include ensuring fair treatment and access to essential services, providing language support, and promoting cultural understanding. 

o   Recognized by City of Sanctuary:

Boroughs are formally recognized as such by the City of Sanctuary UK organization. 

Given our history of opening our arms to migrants and to refugees – most recently those from Ukraine and Afghanistan – and the stability of our communities now comprising 54% of non-British born residents, we ask the Council to commit fully to the four guidelines above, and to ask for recognition to be acknowledged as a Borough of Sanctuary.

Moved by Councillor Emma Dent Coad

Seconded by Councillor Dr Mona Ahmed

With Council’s consent to use the altered text version, Cllr. Dent Coad moved, and Cllr. Ahmed seconded it.

‘At the May Council meeting, the outgoing Mayor Will Lane made the most extraordinary speech in celebration of diversity and the co-dependent community it has engendered. I surprised myself by giving him a standing ovation; I believe most if not all Council members joined in.

In London, many boroughs are working towards becoming Boroughs of Sanctuary, demonstrating a commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for those seeking refuge. This currently includes Lewisham, Camden, Islington, Ealing, Richmond, Wandsworth, Royal Greenwich, and Waltham Forest.

A Borough of Sanctuary is a term used by the City of Sanctuary UK network, which works to create a more welcoming environment for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in the UK. It signifies a local authority's commitment to providing a place of safety and support for individuals fleeing persecution or violence. 

Key aspects of a Borough of Sanctuary:

Boroughs of Sanctuary aim to create a culture of welcome and support for those seeking sanctuary. 

They often involve local councils, community groups, and charities working together to provide resources and support. 

These may include ensuring fair treatment and access to essential services, providing language support, and promoting cultural understanding. 

Boroughs are formally recognized as such by the City of Sanctuary UK organization. 

Given our history of opening our arms to migrants and to refugees – most recently those from Ukraine and Afghanistan – and the stability of our communities now comprising 54% of non-British born residents, we ask the Council to commit fully to the four guidelines above, and to ask for recognition to be acknowledged as a Borough of Sanctuary.’

This Council, therefore, welcomes the work underway by its Councillors and officers to: 

1. Use monies made available by the Pension Fund for levelling up purposes to acquire temporary accommodation properties, which is a new way of tackling a pan London problem that could be a game changer if it succeeds; and
2. Promote the financial model that makes using monies made available by the Pension Fund possible, so that this Council and other councils can unlock external institutional investment to acquire the homes needed to help address the problem. 

And this Council wishes to thank the Investment Committee, in particular the chairman Cllr Marshall, for their work in managing the Fund, both discharging their fiduciary duties and thinking creatively about how to reduce the burden on local people, as well as Cllr Will, who has driven this work forward with a single-minded focus on doing what is right for the greater good.

This Conservative Council includes people who have lived in temporary accommodation in the borough and who live in social housing. We know that safe and decent homes are the foundation upon which a stable and happy life can be built. We will continue supporting the most vulnerable.

After the mover and seconder of motion had spoken, a debate ensued with contributions from Councillors Hammond, Jedut, Wade, Lari and Zvedeniuk.

The motion was put to the vote by the Mayor and was declared not carried.