Agenda item

Notice of Motion - Cllr T Ferrari

To consider the following Notice of Motion proposed by Cllr T Ferrari seconded by Cllr L O’Leary and supported by Cllrs T Coombs, G Carr-Jones, B Goringe, J Haynes, C Brooks, N Lacey-Clarke, M Penfold, R Cook, P Harrison, J Worth, J Dunseith, B Ridout, M Parkes, M Barron, D Shortell, G Suttle and P Wharf.

 

Asylum Seekers Barge – Portland Port

 

That this council condemns the commercial Agreement between the Home Office and Portland Port for the mooring of the Bibby Stockholm barge to accommodate up to 500 asylum seekers at this location.

That the mooring of the barge in Portland Port is an entirely inappropriate location and should be removed at the earliest opportunity.

 

That Dorset Council, while not the decision makers, will work with agencies to mitigate the impact this will have on Dorset.

 

 

 

Minutes:

Asylum Seekers Barge – Portland Port

 

 

The Chief Executive laid out some background information prior to the council debate.  This is attached at appendix 4 to these minutes.

 

Notice of Motion

 

“That this council condemns the commercial Agreement between the Home Office and Portland Port for the mooring of the Bibby Stockholm barge to accommodate up to 500 asylum seekers at this location.

 

That the mooring of the barge in Portland Port is an entirely inappropriate location and should be removed at the earliest opportunity.

 

That Dorset Council, while not the decision makers, will work with agencies to mitigate the impact this will have on Dorset.”

 

Proposed by Cllr Tony Ferrari

Seconded by Cllr Louie O’Leary

 

Supported by:

Toni Coombes, Graham Carr-Jones, Barry Gorringe, Jill Haynes, Cherry Brooks, Nocturin Lacey-Clarke, Mary Penfold, Robin Cook, Paul Harrison, John Worth, Jean Dunseith, Belinda Ridout, Mike Parkes, Mike Barron,

David Shortell, Gary Suttle, Peter Wharf,

 

In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.3 (a) this Notice of Motion, upon being proposed and seconded, was debated by Full Council.

 

The following amendment was proposed by Cllr Paul Kimber, seconded by Cllr Brian Heatley.

 

Amendment

 

“This Dorset Council recognises the contribution that Refugees have made to our Dorset economy and Society, over the years whilst we accept the Bibby Stockholm Barge is inhumane and is entirely inappropriate.

Dorset Council welcomes all refugees to be treated, with dignity, and respect”.

 

The amendment was carried.

 

The following amendment was proposed by Cllr Kate Wheller, seconded by Cllr Jon Orrell.

 

Amendment

 

“DC’s opposition should be voiced at every opportunity and any legal means taken to reject the Barge.

That DC urges the Home Office to increase resources to speed up the asylum application process.”

 

The amendment was LOST

 

The following amendment to Cllr Ferrari’s NOM was proposed by Cllr Ryan Hope.

 

Dorset welcome’s refuges however this council condemns the commercial Agreement between the Home Office and Portland Port for the mooring of the Bibby Stockholm barge to accommodate up to 500 asylum seekers at this location, Portland Port is an entirely inappropriate location. Furthermore, the use of the Bibby Stockholm barge is not appropriate for people fleeing war and legally seeking asylum in this country. They should be housed in decent accommodation with proper facilities and more crucially, their claims should be properly and consistently processed.

 

The Bibby Stockholm is required due to the government’s Governments mismanagement of the asylum system and this is what needs to be reviewed therefore

 

“Dorset Council calls on the government not to allow the Bibby Stockholm barge to be placed at Portland Port and for the government to carry out a urgent review asylum system to remove the requirements to use such accommodation”

 

Should the government not listen and The Bibby Stockholm barge still come Dorset Council, while not the decision makers, will work with agencies to mitigate the impact this will have on Dorset and explore avenues to have it to be removed at the earliest opportunity”

 

Following advice from the Director Legal and Democratic Cllr Hope withdrew his amendment.

 

The substantive motion was CARRIED

 

Decision:

“That this council condemns the commercial Agreement between the Home Office and Portland Port for the mooring of the Bibby Stockholm barge to accommodate up to 500 asylum seekers at this location.

That the mooring of the barge in Portland Port is an entirely inappropriate location and should be removed at the earliest opportunity.

 

That Dorset Council, while not the decision makers, will work with agencies to mitigate the impact this will have on Dorset.”

 

Dorset Council recognises the contribution that Refugees have made to our Dorset economy and Society, over the years whilst we accept the Bibby Stockholm Barge is inhumane and is entirely inappropriate”.

Dorset Council welcomes all refugees to be treated, with dignity, and respect”.