The Isle of Wight Council could formally oppose significant new asylum accommodation being imposed on the Island without prior consultation, under a motion being put before councillors next week.
Reform’s Councillor James Whelan is calling for the authority to demand a meaningful say over any significant new asylum accommodation or dispersal arrangements proposed for the Isle of Wight.
The motion is due to be considered at a meeting of Full Council next Wednesday (16th September).
It calls on the Government to ‘restore effective control’ of the United Kingdom’s borders and argues that national immigration and asylum policies should not transfer unsustainable financial, housing or service pressures onto local authorities.
Under the proposals, the Isle of Wight Council would oppose the imposition of significant new asylum accommodation, dispersal arrangements or other centrally directed placements on the Island without meaningful prior consultation.
Any proposals should also be assessed for their potential impact on housing availability, adult and children’s social care, education, healthcare, community infrastructure, policing and community safety, transport, safeguarding and council finances, according to the motion.
Councillor Whelan’s motion highlights what it describes as the particular geographical, financial and infrastructure challenges facing the Isle of Wight. It also raises concerns about pressures on housing and says the conversion of residential properties into Houses in Multiple Occupation should be subject to appropriate democratic scrutiny.
If councillors support the motion, the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive would be asked to write to the Home Secretary and other relevant Government departments.
They would seek a commitment that the Isle of Wight Council would be consulted before any significant new asylum accommodation or dispersal arrangements were introduced on the Island.
The motion also calls for greater transparency about the local effects of national asylum and immigration policy wherever disclosure is legally permissible.
This would include information about the number of people being supported through council services, accommodation arrangements, additional costs incurred by the authority, Government funding received, pressures on statutory services and any significant proposed changes to accommodation or dispersal arrangements.
Councillor Whelan is also seeking a commitment from the Government to fully fund additional costs placed on the Isle of Wight Council as a direct consequence of national immigration and asylum policy.
The motion states that Island taxpayers and existing frontline services should not have to absorb those costs.
At the same time, it would reaffirm that the council will continue to meet its statutory, safeguarding and legal obligations.
Councillors are also being asked to reaffirm that decisions which significantly affect the Isle of Wight should respect local democratic accountability and that elected Island representatives should have a meaningful voice when national decisions have substantial consequences for Island communities.
Full Council will decide whether to support the motion when councillors meet on 16th September.
