Council reaffirms its commitment to supporting people seeking sanctuary
In its first full meeting of 2024, council debated significant points of interest to the district, with a motion centred around support for Ukrainian refugees and the council’s commitment to supporting people of any background displaced by war and persecution.
The Council passed the motion and resolved to continue to collaborate with Oxfordshire councils, statutory and voluntary sector partners in the development of a strategic approach for supporting people seeking sanctuary from any background which is coherent, effective, and compassionate.
The motion came ahead of 24 February marking two years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The motion was echoed by a quote issued by Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing at South Oxfordshire District Council, ahead of the anniversary.
South Oxfordshire District Council met on Thursday 22 February. You can find all the details of the meeting here.
Highlights:
Council agreed a motion supporting all people seeking sanctuary, which was proposed by Councillor Giles, reaffirming the Council’s commitment to the district as a welcoming place for all – including people seeking sanctuary having been displaced by war and persecution.
Council noted South Oxfordshire is home to around 400 Ukrainian refugees who have arrived under the Home for Ukraine, Family and the Ukraine Extension schemes. Thousands of temporary visas are set to expire in 2025 which is already causing problems in terms of securing employment and tenancies.
Council believes that the government needs to urgently remove uncertainty around Ukrainian’s ability to make the UK their home and that Ukrainians that come to the UK under the Ukraine Family Scheme, Homes for Ukraine, and Ukraine Extension scheme should be able extend their stay and apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (in line with other refugee schemes).
The council’s resolutions included a request for the leader to write to the Minister of State for Immigration to request that Ukrainian refugees are provided with a route to settlement.
For the council to make information accessible to Ukrainian refugees and signpost to advice. Council finally resolved to continue to collaborate with our partners in the development of a strategic approach for supporting people seeking sanctuary from any background which is coherent, effective, and compassionate.
The motion was passed unanimously and the Council Leader, David Rouane, thanked all the residents in South Oxfordshire who have opened their homes to our Ukrainian guests.
Ends
