Agenda item

The Chairman has directed under Standing Order 36.9 (1) that the following Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Cross shall stand referred to the County Council.

This motion calls on East Sussex County Council to declare that we understand the important role it plays in welcoming people who are fleeing violence and persecution by offering them safety and sanctuary and therefore resolves to adopt these Core Principles:

1. All asylum seekers, refugees and migrants should be treated with dignity and respect.

2. A fair and effective process to decide whether people need protection should be in place.

3. No one should be locked up indefinitely.

4. No one should be left sick or destitute in our society.

5. We should welcome the stranger and help them to integrate

This motion calls on East Sussex County Council to commit to applying to become a member of the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network, with the aim of becoming a recognized Council of Sanctuary.

Becoming recognised as a County Council of Sanctuary involves the following:

- developing a strategic place-based approach to supporting new arrivals to integrate and rebuild their lives

- building on existing partnerships across public and voluntary sectors providers to enable development of a wholistic offer of support

- engaging with people with lived experience to ensure that services meet the needs to people seeking sanctuary

This motion further calls on East Sussex County Council to join the Migrant Champions Network and appoints a councillor to act as a Migrant Champion. That this councillor is recognised within our Council as an advocate for migrant constituents, and for migrants' rights issues within the local council and beyond.

36.1     The following motion was moved by Councillor Cross and seconded by Councillor Hilton:

This motion calls on East Sussex County Council to declare that we understand the important role it plays in welcoming people who are fleeing violence and persecution by offering them safety and sanctuary and therefore resolves to adopt these Core Principles:

1. All asylum seekers, refugees and migrants should be treated with dignity and respect.

2. A fair and effective process to decide whether people need protection should be in place.

3. No one should be locked up indefinitely.

4. No one should be left sick or destitute in our society.

5. We should welcome the stranger and help them to integrate

This motion calls on East Sussex County Council to commit to applying to become a member of the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network, with the aim of becoming a recognized Council of Sanctuary.

Becoming recognised as a County Council of Sanctuary involves the following:

- developing a strategic place-based approach to supporting new arrivals to integrate and rebuild their lives

- building on existing partnerships across public and voluntary sectors providers to enable development of a wholistic offer of support

- engaging with people with lived experience to ensure that services meet the needs to people seeking sanctuary

This motion further calls on East Sussex County Council to join the Migrant Champions Network and appoints a councillor to act as a Migrant Champion. That this councillor is recognised within our Council as an advocate for migrant constituents, and for migrants' rights issues within the local council and beyond.

36.2     The following amendment was moved by Councillor Maynard and seconded.

This motion calls on East Sussex County Council to declare that we understand [insert words] and embrace the important role it plays in welcoming people who are fleeing violence and persecution by offering them safety, [insert words] a role carried out effectively and enthusiastically by East Sussex County Council.

            (Delete)

and sanctuary and therefore resolves to adopt these Core Principles:

1. All asylum seekers, refugees and migrants should be treated with dignity and respect.

2. A fair and effective process to decide whether people need protection should be in place.

3. No one should be locked up indefinitely.

4. No one should be left sick or destitute in our society.

5. We should welcome the stranger and help them to integrate

This motion calls on East Sussex County Council to commit to applying to become a member of the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network, with the aim of becoming a recognized Council of Sanctuary.

Becoming recognised as a County Council of Sanctuary involves the following:

- developing a strategic place-based approach to supporting new arrivals to integrate and rebuild their lives

- building on existing partnerships across public and voluntary sectors providers to enable development of a wholistic offer of support

- engaging with people with lived experience to ensure that services meet the needs to people seeking sanctuary

This motion further calls on East Sussex County Council to join the Migrant Champions Network and appoints a councillor to act as a Migrant Champion. That this councillor is recognised within our Council as an advocate for migrant constituents, and for migrants' rights issues within the local council and beyond.

36.3     The amendment was CARRIED after debate.

36.4     The following motion was moved and CARRIED:

This motion calls on East Sussex County Council to declare that we understand and embrace the important role it plays in welcoming people who are fleeing violence and persecution by offering them safety, a role carried out effectively and enthusiastically by East Sussex County Council.