City council to debate housing asylum seekers in hotels after Epping court case

COUNCILLOR SAYS IT IS ‘VITAL LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE NOT PLACED AT A DISADVANTAGE’

- By ZENA HAWLEY

COUNCILLORS will have their say on the use of hotels in Derby to house asylum seekers when they meet on Wednesday.

Members of the city council opposition Conservative group have put forward a motion entitled Asylum Hotels, Planning Compliance and Local Housing Impact, which will be debated during the full council meeting.

The motion seeks to make sure that hotel use by asylum seekers does not disregard planning controls, compromise the safety of areas around hotels and reduce available affordable housing.

The motion was put forward following a ruling last month in which a High Court judgement was granted to Epping District Council to stop asylum seekers being placed at the Bell Hotel, Epping. Subsequently, the Home Office won an appeal, overturning the interim injunction from the High Court that would have forced asylum seekers to leave the Bell Hotel.

The Court of Appeal found flaws in the High Court's ruling and allowed asylum seekers to remain at the hotel but Epping Council subsequently sought permission to appeal to the Supreme Court, which has now been refused. The council can still seek a judicial review later in October.

At the time of the initial ruling, Conservative group leader Council-lor Steve Hassall, who has put forward the motion, said Derby deserved its own Epping moment and vowed to raise the subject in the council chamber.

The motion states that it is “being brought forward in the interests of fairness, safety, and the protection of Derby's communities. While the city recognises its duty to act lawfully and with compassion, it is also vital that local residents are not placed at a disadvantage through decisions made by central government”