AN estimated 150 people attended a public meeting following concerns over asylum seekers arriving at the Fir Grove Hotel without any local consultation.
Grappenhall Cllrs Mark Browne and Helen Speed called the meeting to give local residents an opportunity to find out more about the arrival of asylum seekers at the Fir Grove Hotel. The Hotel closed to the public after the owners struck a deal with the Home Office.
Since the announcement of its closure, the two Councillors have visited the hotel and spoken to the management company, Serco. They have had talks with Warrington Borough Council and have reported back to Stockton Heath and Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Councils.
Helen said, “We decided it was important for local residents to have an opportunity to find out more. We worked with Grappenhall Methodist Church to organise the meeting, which was attended by about 150 people. The speakers were from Warrington Council, whose role involves looking after asylum seekers and refugees, our local Care UK Charity and Warrington South MP Andy Carter.
“Regrettably, without any consultation, the Home Office had simply informed Warrington Borough Council that the Hotel had been selected to house asylum seekers for the next twelve months. The Council has a duty of care to these new residents, despite receiving very limited support from the government.”
Mark added, “Local residents raised a range of opinions and concerns. These included a lack of public consultation, loss of hotel staff jobs, inability to access accurate information about the Home Office proposals, the inappropriateness of having asylum seekers in the Fir Grove Hotel, pressures this will place on local resources such as school places and health services, concerns about potential rises in crime, compassion for the circumstances that the asylum seekers are facing and a desire to help where they can. The Officers from Warrington Council explained the situation and the steps they are taking to manage this, despite the lack of money being sent from the Home Office.”
Care UK Charity explained that they had been involved with other local schemes and had helped asylum seekers with practical assistance including ‘Pop Up Dignity Shops’, arranging activities and receiving donations such as clothes and toys from the public. They have offered to act in this way for the Fir Grove Hotel.
Mr Carter explained that he is not a member of the Government and personally does not agree with the decision to put asylum seekers up in the hotel. He has raised this issue with both the Prime Minister and the Home Office, including Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick.
Mark and Helen said they do not have access to privileged information or power to change this Government decision. Should the public have any queries on the use of the Hotel, they suggest these are sent to the Home Office via Andy Carter or Warrington Council. They are grateful to everyone who spoke at the meeting and they will be working closely with Council Officers to ensure a regular system of communication is put in place for local residents to allay any further concerns. They will also keep residents informed directly.
