For City of Sanctuary groups working with their local authority is an important element in becoming a City of Sanctuary. A welcoming place of safety for all requires commitment and action from local authorities. We encourage City of Sanctuary groups to work in close collaboration with their local authorities in order to gain their commitment to joining the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network and to becoming a ‘Council of Sanctuary‘.
Over the coming months we will be working with the Local Authority Network Steering Group to develop resources to support groups to work with their local authority to become a ‘Council of Sanctuary’. See the case studies to find out more about the growing number of local authorities with a deep commitment to being a welcoming place of safety who are demonstrating best practice.
Note: Prior to Dec 2020, City of Sanctuary UK used to run a locale-wide assessment process for cities, towns and other places. After much reflection and consultation, this process which saw whole cities and town designated as places of sanctuary, was scrapped. What replaced it is an institution by institution approach to embedding welcome locally. The Local Authority network was born, along with the Council of Sanctuary award. Councils are a key local institution that has the potential to lead the way in creating a tapestry of organisations, institution and places that seek to include and support people of sanctuary seeking background.