Notice of Motion referred from Council on the 7 April 2022

Date of meeting: 16 June 2022

Ward(s) affected: All

For general release

1. SUMMARY AND POLICY CONTEXT:

1.1 To receive the following Notice of Motion which was debated at and referred from the full Council meeting held on the 7 April 2022.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS:

· TECC committee receives regular reports, so residents and councillors remain informed of ongoing work to support all refugees, as well as any capacity and resource needs affecting the local authority,

· Updates include public information on how community groups and individuals can assist, with reference to the new ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme set up by government.

3. CONTEXT / BACKGROND INFORMATION

3.1 The following resolution from the full council meeting held on the 7 April 2022 for the committee to consider is detailed below:

JOINT NOTICE OF MOTION FROM THE GREEN, LABOUR AND CONSERVATIVE GROUPS

This Council:

· Publicly restates its ongoing commitment to support refugees and asylum seekers and notes the council’s recent re-accreditation as a City of Sanctuary,

· Expresses solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and others fleeing displacement from conflict, oppression, and climate change,

· Notes the war in Ukraine is an act of aggression by political leaders, not by residents with Russian heritage living and working in this area, and reaffirms our city’s values that hate towards any of our diverse communities will not be tolerated,

· Agrees that Brighton & Hove City Council adds its name to the ‘Declaration of Solidarity’ established by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR); that currently brings together over 700 regional authorities in the UK & Europe, in support of the work of local and regional government in Ukraine.

Resolves to request that:

· Updates include public information on how community groups and individuals can assist, with reference to the new ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme set up by government.

Supporting Information:

We note the continued devastating impact of conflict, oppressive and racist regimes, climate change and famine, that is forcing many, including young children and families to leave their homes, often undertaking perilous journeys at great risk to seek safety and sanctuary.

We also note the context of the unacceptable invasion of Ukraine, that United Nations analysts predict will lead to one of the largest refugee crises in Europe since the second world war, having already displaced millions of people and expected to displace millions more. Council of European Municipalities and Regions: https://www.ccre.org/en/actualites/view/4276

Brighton & Hove City Council

Council

6.30pm 7 April 2022

Hove Town Hall - Council Chamber

MINUTES

Present: Councillors Robins (Chair), Allcock, Appich, Atkinson, Bagaeen, Barnett, Brown, Clare, Davis, Druitt, Evans, Fishleigh, Gibson, Heley, Henry, Hugh-Jones, Janio, Lewry, Lloyd, Meadows, Mac Cafferty, McNair, Moonan, Nemeth, O'Quinn, Osborne, Peltzer Dunn, Powell, Shanks, Simson, C Theobald, Wilkinson and Williams

PART ONE

98 Solidarity With Refugees

98.1 The Joint Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Powell, Councillor Appich and Councillor McNair and formally seconded by Councillor Allcock.

98.2 The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote:

This Council:

· Publicly restates its ongoing commitment to support refugees and asylum seekers and notes the council’s recent re-accreditation as a City of Sanctuary,

· Expresses solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and others fleeing displacement from conflict, oppression, and climate change;

Resolves to request that:

· Updates include public information on how community groups and individuals can assist, with reference to the new ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme set up by government.

98.3 The Mayor confirmed that the motion was agreed.