Worthing Borough Council has taken the first step towards becoming a sanctuary for people fleeing violence and persecution.
The council has registered to join the City of Sanctuary movement, an umbrella organisation that supports the development of local multi-agency refugee networks to help displaced people rebuild their lives.
A cabinet role has been created to focus on equalities, inclusion and community safety, and the council has already been having conversations with community leaders, stakeholders and partners to find ways to address the challenges of creating community cohesion.
The council is also working with a range of partners to ensure that communities are safe and supported, with a focus on reducing crime, preventing anti-social behaviour, and safeguarding vulnerable residents.
By redesigning the way it works, the council is making it easier for people to get involved in activities that help strengthen their communities and is ensuring that its services are easy to access for everyone, especially those who may need extra support with the cost of living.
Joining the City of Sanctuary movement is the next step in the council’s ongoing work on inclusion and cohesion and was unanimously supported by all councillors after a motion was put forward at last month’s full council meeting by Green Party councillor Claire Hunt.
The motion called for Worthing to be a town that welcomes all people wherever they are from and specifically mentions a need to seek community cohesion between residents and travelling communities, including gypsies and travellers.
The council was also urged to consider how to engage with key stakeholders, staff and residents to gather their experiences of racism, migration and community cohesion.
In the coming months the council will host a series of community conversations with groups, partners and residents on how to work together to support people seeking sanctuary, building on what local organisations are already doing in this space across different sectors.
Cllr Rosey Whorlow, Worthing’s cabinet member for safety, equalities and inclusion, said: “In Worthing people seeking sanctuary are welcome and any violence or hate speech targeted at any of our diverse communities will not be tolerated and will be actively challenged at every opportunity.
“In order to really uphold the values and work needed to really improve the experiences of refugees and other minority groups, we hope that councillors from all parties can work together to make this town the best it can be.”
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