"Council of Sanctuary" likely to be reversed after opposition

Weston Town Council has been advised to reverse their decision after Labour's Cllr James Clayton pushed to see it overturned

The recommendation to reverse the decisons was made by the town council’s Council of Sanctuary Start and Finish Group following opposition from residents. 

In March of this year, there was a protest outside the town hall when the decision was being made, with some of the protestors allegedly including members of far-right activist groups from outside of the town.

At a meeting on March 24 this year, Weston-super-Mare Town Council voted to begin the process to secure designation as a Council of Sanctuary to better support refugees. 

The Council of Sanctuary Start and Finish Group recommends said there were a “range of opinions as part of the Council of Sanctuary engagement, with diverse views on a range of issues.” 

The group said the plans should be reversed due to the “cost, time and commitment” outweighing “any potential benefit”. 

It added that “Weston-super-Mare is a diverse and welcoming town with a range of communities, supported well by fantastic charities, community groups and individuals with which the Town Council works closely”. 

Labour Councillor James Clayton said: “Today I attended the start to finish group on the council of sanctuary. I am pleased to say that my recommendation to Finance and General Purpose was voted in favour for.  What this means is that we are asking for F&GP to refer the matter again to a full council in November where we will look to reverse the decision on becoming a council of sanctuary.”