Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Culture and Communities, said:
“Over recent weeks, Dorset Council has been negotiating with the Home Office to secure an appropriate funding package for our work on the Portland barge scheme. It is essential that we can continue to meet residents’ needs while also providing new services for asylum seekers, without any additional pressure on local taxpayers.
“The funding that has been agreed – £3,500 per occupied bed space – will allow us to fulfil our duties. In addition, a one-off payment of £377,000 will help provide asylum seekers with activities, volunteering opportunities and English-speaking lessons, which will be delivered through our superb local voluntary and community organisations.
“We have been working very closely with our partners, including Dorset Police and NHS Dorset, as well as with the Home Office and Portland Port to ensure robust arrangements are in place. This includes additional community safety officers in Portland and Weymouth, extending the operational hours of the CCTV in the area, providing safeguarding training for barge staff, and working in partnership with local voluntary and community organisations.
“The decision to site a floating barge in Portland Port for 500 asylum seekers was made by the Home Office and facilitated through a commercial arrangement with Portland Port. Dorset Council was not consulted and had no decision-making powers over this arrangement.
“From the outset, Dorset councillors have been clear about their concerns and opposition to the location of this scheme. The council explored options to pursue legal action to challenge the Home Office’s decision. Following specialist legal advice and the experience of other councils across the country, Dorset Council made the decision not to take legal action as it was unlikely to be successful and would incur high costs to local taxpayers.
“The council, as a statutory organisation, has legal duties to fulfil to everyone who is resident in the area. This includes the asylum seekers who will be housed on the barge. We believe it is in everyone’s best interest for us to play our role in minimising any impact on local services and ensuring arrangements run as smoothly as possible.”
We live on portland and have a considerable time to wait for a doctors appointment, so how will this improve? With 500 bargies on the same waiting list.
Hello Mike, thanks for your question. Dorset’s Chief Medical Officer said yesterday that “The Home Office has granted additional funding for NHS Dorset to deliver a service to the 500 asylum seekers arriving in Portland. This service will be provided on board the barge, and will not impact on local primary care services. The level of service people on Portland are receiving now, will be no different when the barge arrives.” I hope this helps. Kirstie
Rather conflicting messages in regard to medical services in the local area and the impact of 500 people needing routine and ongoing medical care, not to mention their mental health.
This is what the government says about it from their fact sheet:
“How will this impact local services, including health?
* For all sites, we are considering the impact on local services including the NHS, police and fire services and working with local partners to develop bespoke plans that take account of local environmental issues, heritage and any risks associated with each site. This includes providing basic on-site healthcare provision to limit pressures on local NHS services. This is being actively discussed through the MAF.”
The on site medical services I will speculate being a first aid trained employee or at best a nurse.
You say it will minimally impact the local services, however in the email from Dorset Council on July 3rd it says:
“The information below has been developed by members of the Multi-Agency Forum Communications Subgroup which includes representation from the Home Office, Portland Port, Dorset Council, Dorset Police and NHS Dorset.
Local partners have a collective responsibility to ensure the safety of people residing in the county and as such, the residents of Bibby Stockholm are entitled to make use of local services including access to secondary healthcare as appropriate and registering with a GP practice.”
Which GP practice are they going to be registered with then? Every GP practice in Weymouth and Portland is under pressure. Face to face appointments are like hens teeth and all of them have recruitment issues . An extra GP cannot be produced out of thin air. What strategy is going to be put in place to ameliorate this?
Hi Jenny, from NHS Dorset “The Home Office has granted additional funding for NHS Dorset to deliver a service to the 500 asylum seekers arriving in Portland. This service will be provided on board the barge, and will not impact on local primary care services. The level of service people on Portland are receiving now, will be no different when the barge arrives.”
Hope this helps, Kirstie
No it doesn’t . What “ service “ is planned? As in my comment, the asylum seekers are entitled to register with a GP. Will one be provided?
Hi Jenny, we’re not really best placed to speak on behalf of NHS Dorset. Can I suggest you email communication@nhsdorset.nhs.uk for more information about what NHS Dorset is doing to mitigate the impact on health services. Thanks, Kirstie
This extra funding for these illeagal immigrants that DCC so glibly puts without putting additional pressure on local taxpayers . Just where do you think this money is coming from ?
Does this mean if they bring their own Doctors,Dentists and nurses with them, we could book into be seen? If so there will be a queue from local people . My understanding from the Home Office bulletins that the asylum seekers are allowed to register with GPS, dentists of their choice. Some clarification needed.
Hi Carol, from NHS Dorset “The Home Office has granted additional funding for NHS Dorset to deliver a service to the 500 asylum seekers arriving in Portland. This service will be provided on board the barge, and will not impact on local primary care services. The level of service people on Portland are receiving now, will be no different when the barge arrives.”
Hope this helps, Kirstie
I was holidaying in weymouth this week if you let the asylum seekers go roaming they will not be going back on the barge they will run but when I saw you were giving free meals and where they were staying its a 5 star hotel so no wonder there staying my hotel was absolutely rundown ,food was diabolical and we paid a fortune for a break.i would consider putting a tag on them but some do gooder would say its inhumane but it’s goid enough for prisoners.
Hi Kim, sorry to hear your stay in Weymouth was not as good as you had hoped. Please be assured, accommodation on the barge will not be five star – it is very basic. The barge is a Home Office scheme that Dorset Council has had very little say in. The Home Office will provide the asylum seekers a basic allowance of £9.10 per week plus meals on board the vessel, not the council.
I am more concerned that the “guests ” on board the barge will not be aligned to our culture, especially where females are concerned. What education will these people be given regarding the dress and equal opportunities they will encounter with our resident females or those who relate to a female or trans agenda. What additional protection will be given to assure the female population of Weymouth and Portland that they should have nothing to fear from our new residents?
With the funding from the Home Office there will be 2 additional Community Safety Officers and additional resource through Dorset Police. This funding will also be used to strengthen existing CCTV in the Portland and Weymouth area. Thanks, Kirstie
500 mainly young men who have not had the company of a female for months, if not years, what could possibly go wrong?
I’ve impressed on my daughter not to let my granddaughter go to the beach for a swim, unless she has a bodyguard. I am very concerned. Free bus to Weymouth and £ 9 pocket money, what else to do but lie on the beach….I know walks and English language lessons are being provided. BUT. I just hope there is an active and effective police presence.
Funding from Government will provide additional policing in and around Portland and Dorset Council is providing additional Community Safety officers while the barge is in Dorset.
But the have a right to a community GP according to the report.
Yes, through a provider that the NHS will be working with from the Bournemouth area.
When was the planning application put in for the barge?. Where was the application advertised?, what objections were recieved?, the barge is classed as a multi occupancy, does it conform to MO legislation? How much council tax revenue will it bring in?
Before you say it doesn’t need planning permission, the prison ship (barge) required it, and on investigation the rest of the above is also required, so the next question is if the above hasn’t happened, then why has DC not followed proper procedure? Who is going to take the fall for failure of duty?
This could end up in court and our council money being used due to incompetence.
Hi Steve, planning is not required as it’s not on land, the barge will sit in the water therefore isn’t subject to the same planning laws. Kirstie
How can the local service be maintained with just additional funding considering the current shortage of medical professionals? When attending the needs of the asylum seekers on the barge these
professional individuals cannot be available to attend to the needs of the local population. We also know that additional funding often gets lost/absorbed without trace and makes no real difference to the service the public is entitled to.
I look forward to a reply with facts and figures. The public is tired of hearing general statements which are meaningless.
yours respectfully
Annie Mollett, a local resident
Hi Annie the NHS said last week that “The Home Office has granted additional funding for NHS Dorset to deliver a service to the 500 asylum seekers arriving in Portland. This service will be provided on board the barge, and will not impact on local primary care services. The level of service people on Portland are receiving now, will be no different when the barge arrives.” Hope this helps, Kirstie
They might have an on board GP but what if they need to be referred to Hospital for an operation, consultation with a consultant etc… will they be at the end of the queue .. or will they be seen before those that have already been waiting for over a year – or will they be seen in a private hospital
We’re not sure of the answer to this. The Home Office and NHS Dorset are probably best placed to respond here. Sorry I can’t help, Kirstie
It’s interesting that additional medical staff can be provided at short notice for asylum seekers but apparently not to alleviate existing staff shortages in our hospitals and FP surgeries.
GP!
Where are the NHS worker going to be Stolen from!
A private provider based in the BCP council area. Kirstie
This country is being destroyed along with our beautiful Dorset by the unmanageable amount of assylum seekers which lots of them are not from war torn countries. Be it on your council heads if people become at risks from this monstrosity which you call a barge.
Why can’t these illegal immigrants be put to work can’t the government realize that 500 young single men with nothing to do will only be a danger to the community
They are not permitted to work until their asylum applications have been determined. We have been been given a funding package from Government to provide activities for the asylum seekers while their applications for asylum (and refugee status) are being considered. If they are granted asylum, they will be permitted to work.
So it seems we can offer dental treatment to the migrants yet people in the UK are finding it so hard to access dental treatment now – how is this right? What about local people not wanting this barge and do not have a say on whether they disagree. Most of the people are economic migrants who have left a safe country (France) so are not fleeing persecution as they have left a safe country to get to the UK. We do not have the infrastructure to keep doing this for economic migrants we should only help people who really are fleeing persecution only and unlawful migrants should be sent to Rwanda for full assessment and sent back to the country the came from if proved to not be fleeing persecution. I accept some legal migration but how can this be sustained indefinitely.
Nice so the Bargies will get there own private service, I thought one of the main arguments was they come to the UK as English is there second language. £3,500 per week month?
£377k so it’s nothing to do with ££££
Hi
Di you have any rgn job vacancies on asylum seekers barge in portland.
I understand the job vacancies are being advertised by the Home Office through Weymouth Job Centre.
Unless asylum seekers cross into Great Britain with passports they should be returned to their country of origin immediately, get a passport and come to GB legally
I have a daughter living nearby and I am worried for her safety, some of the videos we are seeing does not look as though much is being done with the undocumented single men as it is, how will you keep tabs on another 500 when they decide to start causing chaos?
Hi Mel, the funding from the Home Office will allow for additional police officers and community safety officers for Portland. Kirstie
My eveyday life will be totally affected. I used to walk my dog, early hours before dawn due to my work in the NHS, down by Castletown. With 500 extra men around the corner, with no curfew or extra security, i obviously wont be able to do that anymore. Nothing to do with race, creed or colour. More to do with my sense of safety gone. It’s bad enough the street lights are rarely on, but this scares me enough that i will be unable to perform the simplest of my everyday tasks. It appears to be all about the asylum seekers with no consideration to the population who pay their taxes and council tax. WHY?
Dorset Council had no input in the commercial decision which was agreed between Portland Port and the Home Office. We oppose the location for this barge, our councillors still feel Portland Port is the wrong location but we have no powers to change the commercial decision.
Barges for OUR homeless……???
We cancelled our yearly holiday and won’t be returning while this situation is ongoing. I’m to the left politically, but not a chance in hell I’m taking two young daughters near 500 disenfranchised men with no curfew, whatever their race/religion.
Add in the fact that these young men are often from countries that have abysmal women’s rights and rape statistics, and it’s a no brainier. That extra cctv and two support officers will mean nothing to the women and children who will be attacked.
Funny that the more ‘upmarket’ UK destination we’ve chosen could arguably cope with this better (they have a hospital for a start) but this location was chosen instead.
Thanks for your comment Abigail, Dorset Council shares your view that Portland Port is the wrong location for such a facility but by the time we were made aware of the proposal, the commercial contract between the Home Office and Portland Port was almost complete. We still are of the view that Portland is not the right location for this accommodation, but we have no legal grounds to challenge. K.
I have just read a comment from a woman who will feel unsafe walking her dog in the early hours and as a woman myself I can fully understand how she would not feel safe and her normal life is curtailed because no- one is interested in what she feels and what she wants – how can a government disregard people’s views and concerns – why are illegal migrants rights more important when the infrastructure is not there anyway for many people who now find It difficult to see a doctor and cannot see a dentist – we have a social housing shortage and cannot house people for many years on a long waiting list and at the moment cancer treatment waiting times are getting longer. I supported the conservative government but Rishi Sunak needs to do better than this
How about Moor it on the Thames outside Westminster… let those who think it’s such a good idea share the facilities of Westminster. The house of commons bar is cheap so we hear.
I feel sorry for the local people to have this dumped on them as a woman I would not feel safe with 500 single men in the area allowed to roam about as they please. I have a holiday booked to the area and now am not looking forward to it and its going to make tourist avoid it like the plague!
All these people who are protesting that the barge is not suitable for the asylum
seekers and is like a prison
1- It is better accommodation and they have ever had in their lives
2- If these protesters are so concerned why don’t they take them into their own
homes.
I think this state a lot
Can we be assured that 500 single men who have broken the law getting into our country, will respect our laws and county and who will be responsible if they don’t.
Hi Vern, thanks for your comment. We can’t give that assurance, in the same way we can’t be assured that nobody will ever break our laws, whether they were born in the UK or not. Police will be monitoring.
Take a lesson from France.This is just the beginning of another corridors of power recipe for disaster.Should not be happening.As an experienced global traveller whoever is responsible is bringing trouble to Dorset.Take a trip to Bournemouth to get some idea of where this is leading.Why not Hong Kong,Shanghai or Osaka ?? I wonder.
What provision for sewage and waste will be allowed for on our already stretched system?
Hi Len, Portland Port has their own contractual arrangements in place to deal with waste and sewage. For more information on this, you would need to contact the Port. Thanks, Kirstie
Surely it is Dorset Council should address this query NOT ME.
What assurances do we have that our beaches will be pollution free.
Access to medical facilities is probably the most contentious issue and perhaps should have been the headline (far more important than CCTV and language training).
However, providing funding does not mean doctors and nurses being available in addition to the services presently provided on Portland. I would like to see published the actual solution so we can judge the impact, please?
Actually, I think it does. The NHS said last week that “The Home Office has granted additional funding for NHS Dorset to deliver a service to the 500 asylum seekers arriving in Portland. This service will be provided on board the barge, and will not impact on local primary care services. The level of service people on Portland are receiving now, will be no different when the barge arrives.” I hope this helps.
Can we all remember that we are all Gods children and try to welcome them? As I don’t live in the immediate area it’s easy for me to say but a lot of them have been through terrible times and need support.
Dorset is such a friendly place let’s not lose that
Yes, Brona we are all gods children but where is god who allowed all these single men to leave their women folk to fend for themselves in these mostly misogynistic countries when they should stay and fight for the rights of their mothers and sisters instead of running away to leave these undefended women to cope alone. I for one is fed up with these wokish people who won’t see the reality of this very dangerous situation we are in. Also where is our army and navy paid for by the taxpayer should they not be called up to defend our shores which are being invaded by this army of unknown danger. Remember the Troy horse!!!
Hi kirstie, I have read so many articles and this funding plan was dealt with weeks ago! And you’re supposedly getting a GP from Bournemouth who put together a team! There seems a lot of people making profit off this barge and what’s to say you don’t use it because it was only 5 years ago they had the Verne prison changed to immigration centre costing a lot of money and only months later it was converted back to a prison! And can you give a rough breakdown on what the £377k will be spent on and and the £3500 per person? Also when someone leaves the barge, what happens and where do they go? Because they will need money and accommodation which is in very short supply?!
I think what people also want to know is where will these people get prescriptions from as there are only 2 pharmacies on the island and 1 in Wyke because these services are being pushed to there limit, or will they get prescriptions direct to the barge? And what about dentists and psychiatrists?
People are also concerned about the bus going in to town with safety etc as 500 people is a lot and they get £9.10 a week which if they get couple of soft drinks and chips they ain’t gonna get much change! Then the rest of the week what will happen? And what about security? I understand the port has some but what about in town and Portland for them and for us? If you put 3-4 extra security as additional to the standard we have this time of year because it’s a large area to cover and it’s all good saying about CCTV being operated longer etc but that means nothing!
I’m not trying to be awkward, but if you have only finalised a deal with the home office then we want to know and how do we know there criminal records background?
And finally will local companies get a subsidy for potential loss of trade over the next 18 months and for longer if needed? And for the cruise ship industry the port provides local tourism for businesses in the area and further afield because a cruise ship cancelled docking due to safety of passengers! These are just basic questions for them and for us so we know what’s going on? It’s not for trouble or offending any one!
Hi John, the NHS said last week that “The Home Office has granted additional funding for NHS Dorset to deliver a service to the 500 asylum seekers arriving in Portland. This service will be provided on board the barge, and will not impact on local primary care services. The level of service people on Portland are receiving now, will be no different when the barge arrives.” Thanks, Kirstie
I’m not even gonna try replying! We need answers and solutions and you are just copying and pasting the same and answer for different questions! If you don’t know at Dorset council then what do we do? Barge could turn up anytime? Can the council make signs so we can get the tugs to park it on the 2nd breakwater and they can get boat over or you they could go on the Tristram ship that has rooms if it’s good enough for the navy then it’s fine for them!
Hi John, we’re genuinely not trying to be evasive or difficult. As we have stated many times this barge is the result of a commercial arrangement between the Port and the Home Office. Dorset Council had no part in that decision. What we’ve been doing since then, is working with our partners in Health, Police, with the Town Councils, the Port and the Home Office to try and understand what this means for residents and us as a council, which has statutory duties (by law) to provide services to communities. We have been told that the barge will arrive sometime in the next 10 days but it is very much dependent on the weather. We have no jurisdiction at sea, so the question about making signs is not something we are able to pursue. We are assured by NHS Dorset that the funding they have received means people living on Portland will see no difference in the current level of primary care. Thanks, Kirstie
But the problem being is this is on your turf and you can do something about it! I really don’t understand and not being awkward and not being racist, but if I say something we get in trouble for it! With the covid obviously a lot of appointments and operations were cancelled and we trying to get on top of it still for our own residence but all of a sudden there is money and doctors for people who have come on there own accord! I think the budget at the home office should be taken off them and pumped into the NHS!
These people have got so much for them when there are people living on the streets but no one helps them first! I honestly understand why people seek asylum because of wars etc in their home country! Don’t mean it’s our problem all the time and why are they allowed of the barge and aloud to go in to town and Portland on a bus service paid for by us but I have to pay to go on it! For a start Portland port comes under a border line in to the country so they need certified ID or passport so everytime there allowed through they get anonymity but if go through the gate I would be told to turn around and go away or I will be arrested! I know this all sounds petty but it’s true! When we were part of the EU it was alright to put asylum seekers in tent city for years! And the prison in the Verne 5 years ago changed from prison to immigration centre cost money and then a few months after they had changed it back to a prison all costing the tax payer! If we make the slightest remark we are discriminating and get punished for it! Don’t you think the government are discriminating us by everything they are doing! They have access to mental health treatment and everything else when we wait months even years in other cases!
And what I have not seen is when they get granted to stay for 5 year’s minimum where are they gonna stay because they shouldn’t given housing as people have to wait years and they are in Dorset now so they will be front of Que before all the families waiting! And last thing I think they should stay on the barge it’s our peak time of the year with tourism and holiday makers but there allowed to go to town or Portland when we don’t know who they are and the home office assure us they have been checked and finger prints and photos taken! For a start finger prints aren’t use to all crimes and even the home office can’t guarantee they are safe and have been checked these people can make any identity up for when they come in to the country and if the government done proper checks they would have to investigate each person and go back to there country of origin and check everything it’s impossible! How long does it take for family’s to find their siblings in this country when they are split apart at birth and everything is all recorded! This makes no sense at all but now we have no choice and you as a council and them as the government we have nothing and no support! And Richard Drax may as well give his notice to parliament because all he does is put his jacket over his office chair so they think his in because if nothing gets done no one notices and he probably travels around the world all year trying to twin Dorset with places in Mauritius and Italy! I’ve said enough but could write a library worth but everything I probably written on here will be blocked or reported! I’m just telling you what most people are thinking but we ain’t allowed an opinion! Cos it’s probably discrimination to a cauliflower 😂
all you are doing is passing the blame on each other! Dorset Council knew about this the day the home office spoke to the port! even if you weren’t in the initial conversation someone would have told you imminently and the idea has been made publicly for a couple of months! gives plenty of time to contact your legal team and oppose it!
even if this GP from bournemouth with his team who are all NHS workers and being paid at the same time to do it by the NHS! they have only gone out there way is the lump some of cash! so you are taking NHS staff away from the public service! yet you still haven’t told me why our council of jellyfish, haven’t stopped it and why the closest dentist accepting new adult patients is over 200 mile away up north according to NHS website! the barge aint here yet so if you can let the dentist help relieve the waiting times in the area for now! and where will they stay because if the turn around on the barge Is 3-6 months they won’t get appointments in time im waiting January before I can get my teeth sorted!! I know you will tell me you need to speak to the NHS directly, but I have tried no reply and home office!
if you are our council you would let us know and find out for us your getting paid for twice even!
Richard draw knew about it but all he does is talk aload of crap on TV would love to run as an MP just get rid of him, useless tw@t!
we don’t want the barge and we don’t need the barge! they come through France etc….. you should have told the French who have had millions off us to help stop and why can they not seek asylum in France etc…..
all I know is we are gonna need a bigger boat!
and final thing where are these immigrants going once they have been granted asylum? because I have been on the housing for years let alone the family waiting!
Disgusted that this is happening when we can’t even look after our own people properly
Is kirstie snow a real person, it’s AI all answers.
Do you think our tourist industry will be affected by 500 men wondering freely in Weymouth during the high season. We have all heard that some regular guests are already saying they won’t return. Also, can I ask what the Asylum Seekers will be doing on the barge during the long cold wet windy winters we experience here. It could be a very testing time with different nationalities and religions being cooped up together. Will they be given any religious guidance or just left to their own devices.
The funding from the Home Office will allow us to provide appropriate activities, which include English speaking lessons, for the asylum seekers while they await the outcome of their asylum applications. The Home Office is responsible for cultural awareness sessions. Kirstie
What company and whom did Dorset Council seek legald advice from that advised dcc not to persue with challenging Home Office as it wasnt viable
Elaine
We sought advice from an experienced barrister who has been involved with other councils’ legal challenges. Kirstie
Well i feel for the portland /weymouth folk , i live west scotland and go to weymouth every year for holiday but a wont be returning , for 1 minute never think even 500 people is not alot because it is , line 500 folk up and you will see , i somehow dont fancy a pint down at the harbour when its dark , feel for the weymouth people .
I have holidayed in Weymouth a couple of times since covid.I can now say however I will not be going back there.I don’t want to go on holiday to be in the company of asylum seekers and will be looking at spending my money elsewhere.
Good news that the local council has managed to profit out of it as usual though even though the tourism industry will suffer
Thanks for your comment, GMP. Dorset Council has not profited from the funding allocated to it by Government. The majority of this funding is being held back until we have a better understanding of what is needed. Some of the funding will be used to provide two additional CSAS officers (Community Safety officers) to be on patrol in Portland – this is in addition to an increase in Dorset Police officers – and we are able to increase CCTV on the island and in Weymouth. The affect the barge may or may not have on the area’s tourism economy won’t truly be known until it’s been in place for some time.
Weymouth is a big tourist destination for UK holiday makers. I’m due to go really soon and I think it will be my last time. The tourist industry will be hit really hard and I can see shops and hotels closing due to nobody wanting to go there. The crime rate will rocket and people will feel unsafe to walk on the sea front. The MP of Dorset needs to fight to get this barge moved before it’s to late.