Date of meeting: 7 April 2022

Proposer: Councillors Powell, Appich, Bell

Seconder: Councillors Osborne, Allcock, Simson

Ward(s) affected: All

Joint Notice of Motion

from the Green, LABOUR AND Conservative Groups

This Council:

· Publicly restates its ongoing commitment to support refugees and asylum seekers and notes the council’s recent re-accreditation as a City of Sanctuary,

· Expresses solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and others fleeing displacement from conflict, oppression, and climate change,

· Notes the war in Ukraine is an act of aggression by political leaders, not by residents with Russian heritage living and working in this area, and reaffirms our city’s values that hate towards any of our diverse communities will not be tolerated,

· Agrees that Brighton & Hove City Council adds its name to the ‘Declaration of Solidarity’ established by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR); that currently brings together over 700 regional authorities in the UK & Europe, in support of the work of local and regional government in Ukraine.

Resolves to request that:

· TECC committee receives regular reports, so residents and councillors remain informed of ongoing work to support all refugees, as well as any capacity and resource needs affecting the local authority,

· Updates include public information on how community groups and individuals can assist, with reference to the new ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme set up by government.

Supporting Information:

We note the continued devastating impact of conflict, oppressive and racist regimes, climate change and famine, that is forcing many, including young children and families to leave their homes, often undertaking perilous journeys at great risk to seek safety and sanctuary.

We also note the context of the unacceptable invasion of Ukraine, that United Nations analysts predict will lead to one of the largest refugee crises in Europe since the second world war, having already displaced millions of people and expected to displace millions more. Council of European Municipalities and Regions: https://www.ccre.org/en/actualites/view/4276