Hertfordshire considers becoming Council of Sanctuary

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 10:54 · Archive

Hertfordshire County Council is considering joining the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network.

Hertfordshire County Council's cabinet will consider committing the county to joining the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network on 14 October. The motion to seek council of sanctuary accreditation was first proposed by Labour councillor Alistair Willoughby earlier this year.

The proposal has proved divisive. More than 3,600 residents have signed an e-petition on the council's own website calling for any decision to be put to a referendum. Broxbourne Conservative MP Lewis Cocking has criticised the move as a 'grandstanding gesture'.

According to the council's officers' report, becoming a 'council of sanctuary' would not impose legal obligations on the council to provide additional immigration services, nor would it confer immigration-related powers or functions. It would instead offer a 'structured recognition framework' to review how existing services, partnerships and policies work for new arrivals, and identify opportunities for better co-ordination, accessibility and community cohesion. Council leader Steve Jarvis stressed that it would not change what the council does or who would come to live in Hertfordshire.

How it is being reported

• Hertfordshire County Council confirms divisive refugee sanctuary debateCouncillors could commit Hertfordshire County Council to taking its first steps towards accreditation as a “council of sanctuary” within days.Hemel Gazette · 12 Oct, 10:32
• Hertfordshire set to take first steps to becoming 'Council of Sanctuary'Councillors could commit Hertfordshire County Council to taking its first steps towards accreditation as a council of sanctuary within days.Watford Observer · 10 Oct, 16:50

In this story: Hertfordshire County Council · City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network · Alistair Willoughby · Lewis Cocking · Steve Jarvis · Hertfordshire

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