Causeway Coast & Glens Council to seek clarification over asylum seeker plan obligations

A report, presented to members of November’s Leisure and Development Committee, noted that whilst the Home Office instructed the closure of so-called asylum seeker hotels UK wide, some hotels continue to operate as a necessity in the absence of alternative emergency accommodation.

Three hotels in Northern Ireland continue to function as contingency accommodation including the Magherabouy Hotel in Portrush which continues to be used as family accommodation, while the Rambler Inn in Portstewart has ceased to operate as contingency accommodation as of August.

The report added: “Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council have previously received funding from the Asylum Dispersal and Refugee Integration funding programmes, administered by the Executive Office (TEO), to address priority needs by developing and delivering support initiatives and signposting services to those requiring information and relevant services applicable to their asylum seeker status.

“The funding included support to establish and/or build upon the necessary networks and infrastructure within local communities and provide support to groups to minimise any potential impact on resources available to support local communities.”

Causeway Coast & Glens Council had a meeting with TEO and The Home Office in October, at which further dispersal funding was confirmed with no match funding required from council.

Council was requested to submit action plans “outlining initiatives to meet the priority needs of asylum seekers and refugees in their area” which must include provision for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and the establishment of a local support/information hubs.

Committee members were asked to approve the action plan including the hiring of a part-time, temporary council officer to deliver it, at no cost to council.

Head of Service, Community and Culture, Julie Welsh said council and its partners had “developed a strong understanding of support required through the asylum process” over the past three years, “from hotel accommodation through to dispersal and post-decision transitions”.

She added: “Council’s role here really is to facilitate the work that goes on within communities and with statutory organisations.”

TUV Councillor Allister Kyle said that while the action plan is fully funded by TEO, Council’s main priority must be its ratepayers.

“That includes the time spent by our officials,” he said. “I believe that this project should be overseen by TEO who have drawn it up and are funding it.”

DUP Alderman John McAuley asked if Council were being “told” to implement the plan by the Home Office.

“Yet again we find ourselves doing other departments’ work for them,” he added. “They seem to come up with these big plans and then tell Council we need to carry out and implement [them].

“We’re using Council resources effectively to implement these plans, we’re taking Council resource away from projects that would have been on our list prior to these asylum schemes, so there’s certainly concern within the community that we’re running a two-tiered system.

“I know this is one of these topics that you could end up labelled very easily, but they’re getting healthcare, they’re getting education, the last time they were getting transport to Belfast for legal support, they’re getting put up in a hotel, so where does this stop?

“What’s the legal position for Council, do we have to provide this?”

Ms Welsh said the Home Office and TEO asked Council to submit an application but there is “no legal requirement” to do so. She added: “So it’s entirely up to Council whether or not we proceed with the project or we don’t.”

However, Director of Leisure and Development, Pat Mulvenna, said it was her understanding Council had a “legal obligation” to provide the action plan.

“Council had previously tried not to accept this money and were told they had to deliver the programme anyway,” she said. “Maybe we can actually just confirm that so that the members don’t have to make a decision on this issue right now.”

UUP Councillor Richard Holmes put forward a successful motion that Council defer the decision to the next Committee meeting, so members could receive a legal opinion before making their decision.