Agenda item - Solidarity with Refugees

Proposed by Councillors Powell, Appich and Bell on behalf of the Green, Labour and Conservative Groups.

98.1    The Joint Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Powell, Councillor Appich and Councillor McNair and formally seconded by Councillor Allcock.

98.2    The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote:

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.

98.3    The Mayor confirmed that the motion was agreed.