Spelthorne votes to oppose Home Office plans to change asylum accommodation

The plans involve changing the mix of residents which currently includes families and single women, to an all-male facility.

Following extensive discussion and consideration of concerns raised by local residents, councillors backed a motion urging the Home Office to reconsider its approach. The motion calls on the Home Office to:

• Immediately reconsider plans to use the Stanwell Hotel solely for housing adult male asylum seekers
• Consult and collaborate meaningfully with the Local Authority on any future changes
• Continue engaging with key stakeholders and support the current client group of families and single women
• Take full account of local concerns, the capacity of local services, and the impact on the community

Addressing the meeting, Leader of Spelthorne Council, Cllr Joanne Sexton, said:

"I want to speak directly to every resident and reassure you, your voices are being heard, and your concerns are not being ignored by this Council. Earlier today, alongside Councillor Jon Button, I met with senior officials at the Home Office. We went into that meeting with one clear mission: to ensure that the voices of Stanwell are carried straight to the top.

"We left no room for doubt. Once again, we made it absolutely clear that the Stanwell Hotel is not, and never will be, a suitable location for this proposal. We have repeated, firmly and unequivocally, that this plan does not work for our community.

"However, I must be honest with you: as of now, we have not received the reassurances we wanted. The Home Office has not yet committed to stopping this proposal. We remain strongly opposed, and we will continue to challenge their plans at every possible opportunity. I will be seeking external legal advice on behalf of our community, and you can be rest assured that we will keep residents updated at every stage."

She added: "Following today's meeting, I have immediately written to the Home Office, asking for a full written response to every issue we raised. This isn't just about words, this is about accountability, transparency, and standing up for our community."

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The meeting documentation and a recording of the 7 August Council meeting are available on the Spelthorne Borough Council website at https://democracy.spelthorne.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=5132

Previous statements can be viewed on the Council's website:

Update: Stanwell Hotel and Council meeting - Spelthorne Borough Council

Home Office plans for Stanwell Hotel - Spelthorne Borough Council

Stanwell Hotel update - Spelthorne Borough Council

Spelthorne raises urgent concerns over Home Office plans for Stanwell Hotel - Spelthorne Borough Council