City of York Council has passed a motion at full council on 21st of October 2021, committing to join the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network, and work towards a ‘Council of Sanctuary’ Award 

Proposed by Cllr Darryl Smalley, the motion passed with cross-party support and only one vote againt. Joining a vibrant network across the country, the council will be promoting a message of welcome whilst working towards a kinder, fairer and more effective way of supporting people seeking sanctuary

Council notes:

City of Sanctuary UK is a movement working across the country to ensure the UK is a welcoming place of safety for all and is proud to offer sanctuary to people fleeing violence and persecution.
Since 2016 York has been recognised as a City of Sanctuary; the Council alongside its partners work with refugee families who need accommodation and support, seeking to promote an environment of understanding and compassion within the city.
City of York Council is working to implement the City of Sanctuary pledges through its actions and policies, and with its partners in the statutory and voluntary sectors.

York City of Sanctuary team and other established charities are central in supporting Government-led refugee relocation programmes. Since the announcement that NATO military forces would withdraw from Afghanistan, the Council has worked alongside the Home Office, Ministry of Defence and MHCLG to support the national effort with regard to both the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the later Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). The Council has committed to do its bit and has not set a limit on the number of individuals it is aiming to support.

The Council acknowledges:
The importance of being an active member within a network of local authorities that are working towards a vision of welcome for all, facilitate the sharing of innovative practices which promote the embedding of a culture and practice of welcome and speak with one voice on national matters which affect local communities and local authorities