Blackburn with Darwen is to seek ‘Council of Sanctuary’ status for its long record of welcoming asylum seekers.
Accreditation gives the borough the status of being welcoming and supportive of sanctuary seekers living within it. The process will take up to 18 months and costs £1,500 for a three-year period.
Blackburn with Darwen is currently home to 750 asylum seekers as well as 13 Afghan families and 70 Ukrainians.
Proposing the move to Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive board meeting on Thursday night housing and public health boss Cllr Damian Talbot said; “We believe we are a welcoming borough. We have a diverse population and we have a good record in welcoming people.”
Council leader Cllr Phil Riley said the award would recognise the work of the borough with asylum seekers an refugees for more than 20 years adding: “Those who seek leave to stay want to be welcomed and supported but also want to contribute in various ways.”
The borough received a £561,000 Home Office Asylum Dispersal Grant for 2024/25 but last year faced a summer surge in the number of former asylum seekers seeking emergency housing in the borough following being granted refugee status by the government.
Cllr Talbot’s report to the meeting said: “Accreditation provides a clear strategic framework for cultural and institutional change for all local stakeholders which ensures they contribute to the creation of a welcoming environment for people seeking sanctuary in local communities.
“It will allow council staff to access a wider network of learning, training and sharing of best practice with peers across the country.
“Blackburn with Darwen has a long history of welcoming and supporting those seeking sanctuary, including those from the former Yugoslavia shortly after becoming a unitary borough.
“There are currently 750 asylum seekers residing in Blackburn with Darwen in SERCO accommodation. SERCO are contracted by the Home Office to house asylum seekers living in the North-West.
“The number of asylum seekers in the borough has risen from 350 to 750 since January 2023 as a result of government policy changes. There are currently 13 Afghan families living in Blackburn with Darwen under the Afghan Relocation Assistance Programme (ARAP) and 70 individuals have arrived under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
“A strong and effective multi-agency partnership approach is in place to support asylum seekers and refugees in the area which involves multiple council departments, external partners and the voluntary, community and faith sector.
“Blackburn Central High school was awarded the School of Sanctuary award in February 2020, the library service is working towards a Libraries of Sanctuary Award and Blackburn Museum is working towards a Sanctuary in the Arts Award. “
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