Residence Workplace rethink on West Northants asylum proposal

14 January 2023

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has welcomed the Residence Workplace’s choice to not pursue its present plans to quickly home as much as 400 extra asylum seekers within the space.

In December the Residence Workplace knowledgeable the Council of its intention to make use of a former resort as a fourth website for asylum contingency lodging in West Northants, with the opportunity of it turning into operational this month.

Nevertheless yesterday night (Friday 13 January) Residence Workplace officers notified the Council that it had determined to not pursue use of the lodging at current.

The transfer comes after WNC expressed its considerations over the unsuitability of the proposed location and the added pressure that offering entry to important companies would place on already-stretched well being, schooling and social care.

West Northamptonshire is at present supporting extra resort friends than another space within the East Midlands with round 600 together with 250 Afghan friends throughout 2 resorts, with the rest in three of the Authorities’s asylum contingency lodging. As well as, round 500 Ukrainian refugees, who additionally want entry to native companies, are staying with hosts within the space.

We welcome the Residence Workplace’s rethink on at present utilizing this former resort as a fourth website for asylum contingency lodging in West Northants. Its location is completely unsuitable, in shut proximity to 2 of the opposite websites and would place unprecedented strain on native well being companies and GP surgical procedures, trigger capability points in close by faculties and extra pressure on grownup social care.

We’re extremely pleased with how residents throughout West Northants have welcomed tons of of refugees fleeing persecution and battle, and the very fact we already help the most important variety of friends in our area is testomony to the kindness and generosity of our communities. However we will need to have adequate sources in place to satisfy their important wants and the form of dedication West Northants has made must be equally unfold throughout the UK.

Cllr Jonathan Nunn, Chief of the Council

I’m happy that our representations to the Residence Workplace expressing critical considerations about their proposal have been taken on board and I wish to thank members of the area people, WNC councillors and employees for his or her involvement and help.

We are going to proceed to carefully comply with the Residence Workplace’s future plans round lodging help for asylum seekers and maintain communities engaged and up to date.

Councillor David Smith, Cupboard Member for Neighborhood Security & Engagement, and Regulatory Companies