Councillors will be asked to make Perth and Kinross an area of sanctuary as part of the UK City of Sanctuary Scheme when they meet next week.
Councillors will be asked to make Perth and Kinross an area of sanctuary as part of the UK City of Sanctuary Scheme when they meet next week.
Perth and Kinross has provided a sanctuary for several groups of people from around the world in recent years. These include families fleeing conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine:
Additionally, Perth and Kinross Council is currently supporting 40 Children Alone Seeking Asylum (CASA). These are young people between the ages of 15 and 23 (up to 26 if in education) who have arrived in the area from 11 different countries.
All costs for supporting those seeking sanctuary are borne by the UK Government.
City of Sanctuary status provides coordination and development support for networks of community groups supporting those seeking sanctuary. There are currently five other Scottish members of the City of Sanctuary initiative: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, East Lothian and Forth Valley (Stirling).
Alongside the proposals, Perth and Kinross would make a commitment to support approximately 20 people each year, comprising of four to six families. This would allow the local authority to access UK and Scottish Government funding to support groups and plan strategically for the provision of services.
Suitable homes for these families would be sourced from the private-rented sector in line with the current arrangements in Perth and Kinross. This has been successful for both the families and landlords involved and avoids placing any additional pressure on the waiting list for council housing.
Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Grant Laing said: "Most of us will never have to contemplate the horrors that force people to flee their homes, never mind experiencing them.
"I am proud of our track record in Perth and Kinross in welcoming and supporting those seeking sanctuary in our area. Time and time again we have extended the hand of friendship when it is required.
"Becoming a UK City of Sanctuary makes that humanitarian commitment clear."
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