Signing up to the City of Sanctuary Local Authorities Network

City of Sanctuary UK is a movement working across the country to ensure the UK is a welcoming place of safety for all and is proud to offer sanctuary to people fleeing violence and persecution.


Proposed by Cllr Darryl Smalley

Council notes: 

  • City of Sanctuary UK is a movement working across the country to ensure the UK is a welcoming place of safety for all and is proud to offer sanctuary to people fleeing violence and persecution.
  • Since 2016 York has been recognised as a City of Sanctuary; the Council alongside its partners work with refugee families who need accommodation and support, seeking to promote an environment of understanding and compassion within the city.
  • City of York Council is working to implement the City of Sanctuary pledges through its actions and policies, and with its partners in the statutory and voluntary sectors.
  • York City of Sanctuary team and other established charities are central in supporting Government-led refugee relocation programmes.
  • Since the announcement that NATO military forces would withdraw from Afghanistan, the Council has worked alongside the Home Office, Ministry of Defence and MHCLG to support the national effort with regard to both the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the later Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). The Council has committed to do its bit and has not set a limit on the number of individuals it is aiming to support. 

The Council acknowledges:

The importance of being an active member within a network of local authorities that are working towards a vision of welcome for all, facilitate the sharing of innovative practices which promote the embedding of a culture and practice of welcome and speak with one voice on national matters which affect local communities and local authorities.

Consequently, the Council resolves to:

  • Join the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network committing the council to work towards the Council of Sanctuary Award and agreeing to endorse the City of Sanctuary Charter.
  • Commit to working with York City of Sanctuary.
  • Draw up an action plan, for approval by the Executive, showing how the council will: learn about what it means to be seeking sanctuary; take positive action to implement welcome, safety and inclusion; and share its experience of sanctuary and welcome with the wider community and local organisations, spreading the word about its welcoming efforts.
  • Submit an application, within six months of joining the network, to go through the award appraisal process in order to gain accreditation as a Local Authority of Sanctuary.