At a full council meeting on Thursday 13 July, Dorset Council Leader, Cllr Spencer Flower, made the following comments in response to a question about the Home Office’s decision to house asylum seekers on a barge in Portland Port.
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… Read more Latest statement on asylum seeker barge
We are aware of the Home Secretary’s announcement this afternoon, 5 April 2023, confirming that the Home Office wishes to proceed with its plans to house asylum seekers in floating accommodation at Portland Port.
In late March this year, Dorset Council was made aware of discussions between Portland Port and the Home Office to site an accommodation barge for asylum seekers in Portland Port.
“After much careful consideration, Dorset Council has decided to not pursue legal action to challenge the Home Office’s decision to site a barge for asylum seekers in Portland Port. Based on specialist legal advice, and the experience other councils have had across the country, any legal action we take is unlikely to be successful and… Read more Our legal position regarding the asylum seeker barge
Cllr Laura Beddow, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Culture and Communities said: “Dorset Council continues to work with other statutory agencies and partners including the Home Office, Dorset Police, Health, Weymouth and Portland Town Councils and Portland Port. The situation is complex, but we are jointly preparing for the arrival of the barge in Portland.… Read more Statement from Cllr Laura Beddow re Portland Port barge
We are aware of the Home Secretary’s announcement this afternoon, confirming that the Home Office wishes to proceed with its plans to house asylum seekers in floating accommodation at Portland Port. Dorset Council’s position has not changed. We still have serious reservations about the appropriateness of Portland Port in this scenario and we remain opposed… Read more Statement in response to Home Office announcement
Dorset Council and the local MP Richard Drax have been made aware of conversations between the Home Office and the owners of Portland Port to site floating accommodation for asylum seekers in the port. We have serious concerns about the suitability of the location for this facility. The council has had limited input and has… Read more Statement: Home Office proposal to use Portland Port
