To receive any questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.
Minutes:
Mr Arthur Shenton spoke in relation to item 4 on the agenda, Syrian Vulnerable Persons Scheme, and stated that he was a retired teacher and had taught in Tiverton for quite a while and had also been a lecturer in Education at Plymouth University. He had lived in Washfield for nearly 30 years. This morning we had emailed you a document about the position in Washfield with regard to the Syrian refugees. I am going to ask a question on behalf of my fellow villagers in Washfield, who as you will know from the email are very passionate and committed to supporting a refugee family in Washfield as a simple human response to the dreadful suffering these people have endured. Before I ask a question I would just like to remind us all that Washfield already has a proud history of supporting vulnerable people fleeing from war. In September 1939, children escaping the bombing in London were welcomed into families in Washfield and I recently discovered that two of these children, 11 year old Martin Corey and his sister Nancy where given a safe haven in the house next to where I now live and so we, the present day residents of Washfield, wish to be part of that noble British tradition of extending a helping hand to families who are in desperate circumstances. We ask that the Cabinet today makes an in principle decision that a Syrian refugee family can be resettled in the Washfield property that we are offering subject to resolution of the planning consent issues. I understand that councils all over the country are finding it very difficult to find suitable properties but here we are offering a property. We understand that the process takes between 6 weeks and 3 months from when Mid Devon notify Devon County that a suitable property is available. We ask that today, as soon as the planning position is resolved, you will immediately notify Devon County Council and thus begin the process. We the residents of Washfield, many are represented here, and the surrounding villages, pledge to fully support the family as detailed in the document that was emailed to you earlier today.
Annabel Taylor-Ross, speaking in relation to the same item, stated that she had had the privilege of working in various refugee camps in conflict zones when she worked for the UN. It is well documented that the best place for refugees is to stay as near to home as possible so that they can return when circumstances allow but sadly in the case of Syria it is unlikely that for these particular refugees that that would happen at any time in the near future. I have been in communication this week with former UN colleagues who are still working for UNHCR and they totally support the notion that for these particular refugees who have been handpicked for this scheme that resettlement in the UK is their best chance. In the refugee camps that I have been in there are huge amounts of dignity as well as huge amounts of hope in a place where you would imagine the most dire hopelessness. We watch the news with desperation back here in the west but we don’t often get the chance to do something practically that may make a difference to people by giving them the stepping stone they need to help themselves. We would like to ask the Cabinet to change their proposal from ‘up to 5 refugee families’ to ‘at least 5 refugee families’ so that if this is a success and if it does work we are not then hampered or hamstrung by paperwork, we can go straight forward and open this opportunity up for more families in the future. We would also like to congratulate the Council on having their eyes wide open to join this scheme to be able to do something at a time when the world probably needs a bit more humanity in it.
Mr Gerald Conyngham, also speaking in relation the refugee item, stated that he was from Crediton and was the convener of the ‘Welcoming Refugees in Crediton’ Group. We have got just under a hundred people who have been attending meetings and have offered support in Crediton. We have been going for just over a year and we are really glad that this point has now been reached and there is a recommendation to Cabinet about accepting 5 families. We very much hope that you will accept it. My question really is related to the paper that has gone to you about the role of the council in supporting these families. I am aware that there are enormous pressures on you as a council, pressures on officers dealing with homelessness etc. We in our group, and I’m sure I speak for Washfield as well and Bradninch, are very able and wanting to help in every way we can to support these families. When I read the paper I got the impression that everything was going to be done by the officers, that surely is not the case, we can do a lot, for instance, some of visits that the officers do, why can’t some of that be done on your behalf by local groups working on behalf of the Council? That would relieve the pressure on you and your officers. My question is, what role do you see us being able to undertake in supporting these families which we very much hope will be coming to Mid Devon. We would like to add that we have got one or two properties that will become available in Crediton which we can pass on to you.