The Director of Housing submitted a report to provide an update to Cabinet on the progress made in Year 1 of the Council of Sanctuary Framework 2025-28 and to seek approval for the implementation of the Year 2 Action Plan.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.    Note the progress made in Year 1 to implement the Council of Sanctuary Framework and Action Plan and the emerging risks and challenges for delivery over the next year and beyond

2.    Approve the adoption of the new Framework Action Plan for Year 2 (26-27); and

3.    Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, to update the Action Plan when required to respond to emerging risks and challenges.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Note the progress made in Year 1 to implement the Council of Sanctuary Framework and Action Plan and the emerging risks and challenges for delivery over the next year and beyond

2.    Approve the adoption of the new Framework Action Plan for Year 2 (26-27); and

3.    Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, to update the Action Plan when required to respond to emerging risks and challenges.

The Director of Housing submitted a report and provided an update to Cabinet on the progress made in Year 1 of the Council of Sanctuary Framework 2025-28 and sought approval for the implementation of the Year 2 Action Plan.

Councillor Smith noted that she was proud of the councils Sanctuary status and noted that the report, framework, action plan and review demonstrated that the commitment extended beyond a slogan or ambition. She highlighted the scale of work undertaken across departments in the council to deliver the commitments and maintain Sanctuary status. She noted that the year 2 action plan included measures to tackle misinformation and hostility towards refugees and asylum seekers through myth busting, stressing the importance of addressing these issues alongside celebrating the work being carried out. She thanked officers for their work.

Councillor Chapman noted that there was significant hostility towards people seeking asylum and those granted the right to remain and said it was importance to do everything possible to mitigate this. He welcomed the action plans holistic approach, highlighting that it extended beyond housing to include a broad range of support.

Councillor Railton proposed.

Councillor Arshad seconded.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Note the progress made in Year 1 to implement the Council of Sanctuary Framework and Action Plan and the emerging risks and challenges for delivery over the next year and beyond

2.    Approve the adoption of the new Framework Action Plan for Year 2 (26-27); and

3.    Delegate authority to the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, to update the Action Plan when required to respond to emerging risks and challenges.