Controversy Erupts Over Sandhurst Council Meeting

A boycott at Sandhurst Town Council on Tuesday saw a majority of councillors, including all the Liberal Democrats and the lone Labour member, stay away from an extraordinary meeting about so‑called "councils of sanctuary".

The Conservatives attended and were criticised for "enabling" Reform UK after the meeting went ahead without most parties present.

Reform UK campaign manager and Sandhurst councillor John Edwards had proposed a motion arguing that accommodating "illegal" asylum seekers put residents' safety at risk and saying there was "continued uncertainty" about Bracknell Forest's plans on becoming a council of sanctuary.

On June 25 a majority of councillors voted not to discuss the motion, saying Bracknell Forest had no such plans and it was not a parish council matter. After that vote an emergency meeting was called so Reform could press the issue.

Some Tories switched their position at the emergency meeting. One surprise was moderate Conservative Nick Allen, who supported the motion despite voting against discussing it in June.

The motion was amended by veteran Conservative Dale Birch and the amended motion was passed unanimously.

Local politicians across the spectrum say vulnerable refugees are welcome - including Ukrainians, Afghans and Sandhurst's large Nepalese community - but most do not want to significantly expand provision. Bracknell hosted Afghans at the Grange Hotel, and Bracknell MP Peter Swallow has asked the minister to count that hosting as a significant contribution.

Lib Dem Mike Forster said: "It was a pointless exercise, the Council had already voted against discussing a meaningless motion that was nothing to do with Sandhurst Town Council.

"It’s a shame that the Conservatives decided to become a mouthpiece for the far right, helping to spread their policies of hate and division. Shame on them."

Cllr Nick Allen said: "Im not in favour of Sandhurst Town Council debating council of sanctuary but on this occasion I let it go. "Im not in favour of the policy but it has nothing to do with Sandhurst Town Council."

John Edwards said: "It’s not for Sandhurst Town Councillors to decide which meetings to attand. It’s very disappointing that they didn’t show up.

"The Afghan re-settlement scheme is too wide. There were only 1,600 interpreters but 50,000 people have come over including human rights activists and LGBT people.

"It’s unfair that Afghans under the resettlement scheme are housed in hotels, but a British veteran in Bracknell and his family have been housed in a one bedroom flat with severe mold for five years."

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter