Agenda and minutes

To receive any disclosures of interest from Councillors in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for Members.

Councillors Attewell, Boparai, Mooney, Sexton and Weerasinghe advised they were also Surrey County Councillors.

Councillor Nichols advised that he was on the Knowle Green Estates Board of Directors.

Councillor Woodward advised that he was on the Spelthorne Direct Services Board.

To receive and consider the motion as attached from Councillors in accordance with Standing Order 16.

In accordance with Standing Order 16 the Council received three written Notices of Motions.

Councillor Lee moved and Councillor Howkins seconded the following motion:

“In light of the decision made on 19 August by Mr Justice Eyre, granting Epping Forest District Council an injunction to cease the inappropriate use of the Bell Hotel in its district as an asylum seekers centre.  That the Council, without delay, engages the services of the KC used by Epping Forest Council (or another suitable experienced KC) to represent Spelthorne Borough Council in obtaining the same interim injunction against the owner of the Stanwell Hotel and to stop its use as an asylum seeker centre.

We ask all councillors to support this motion.”

During the debate it was proposed by Councillor Sexton and seconded by Councillor Bateson that the following amendment to Councillor Lee’s motion be considered:

“In light of the decision made on 19 August by Mr Justice Eyre, granting Epping Forest District Council an injunction to cease the inappropriate use of the Bell Hotel in its district as an asylum seekers centre and subsequent Court of Appeal decision that this Council, without delay:

1.    Engages the services of an experienced KC to represent Spelthorne Borough Council in taking all and any available action and exploring all avenues with regards to Stanwell Hall Hotel and stopping its use as an asylum seekers centre; and

2.    Lobby the Home Office to cease relying on hotels as accommodation for asylum seekers.”

Councillor Howkins requested a recorded vote on the amended motion put forward by Councillor Sexton.

The amended motion was carried and therefore became the substantive motion for council to consider.

It was proposed by Councillor Buck and seconded by Councillor Howkins that the following amendment to Councillor Sexton’s amended motion be considered:

“In light of the decision made on 19 August by Mr Justice Eyre, granting Epping Forest District Council an injunction to cease the inappropriate use of the Bell Hotel in its district as an asylum seekers centre and subsequent Court of Appeal decision that this Council, without delay:

3.    Engages the services of an experienced KC to represent Spelthorne Borough Council in taking all and any available action and exploring all avenues with regards to Stanwell Hall Hotel and stopping its use as an asylum seekers centre; and

4.    Lobby the Home Office to cease relying on hotels as accommodation for asylum seekers.”

And further that the Council resolve to initiate the process under the Licensing Act 2003 to revoke the operating licence of Stanwell Hotel, alongside other enforcement powers under planning law, and to request an immediate police investigation into the alleged drug-related concerns raised by residents and stop its use as an asylum seeker  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80/25