8th September 2015, Uttlesford: Residents for Uttlesford (R4U), the local advocacy group for towns and villages, has formally called on Uttlesford District Council to hold an emergency Extraordinary Full Council Meeting to review the Council’s plans and preparedness for dealing with the current refugee situation. R4U’s request is in response to significant representations from constituents.
R4U Leader at UDC Cllr John Lodge said “Our district could well be expected to play a part in the current refugee situation as it has done in the past. For example Stansted Airport was the UK government’s primary entry point in 2006 when Lebanon was evacuated, and the Council ran the reception centre.”
Cllr Lodge continued “Residents expect the Council to be prepared. They wish to know: how UDC would support any refugees that may come to the District; the Council’s plans if Stansted Airport were to be an entry point again; and how funds would be secured from the government to support any obligations. So R4U has called for an Extraordinary Full Council Meeting to review UDC’s preparedness. This is an important non-partisan issue so we’ve also asked for all councillors from all parties to be fully involved.”
Under its constitution UDC is required to respond to R4U’s request and schedule the extraordinary Full Council meeting.