Many councils have passed motions over the past 20 years to become a City of Sanctuary – committing to be a council that is welcoming and safe for everyone regardless of beliefs, ethnic background or migrant status.
With a rise in racism, and rising incidents of hate-speech and violent attacks on migrant communities, many councils are re-affirming their commitment to being a City of Sanctuary.
The template council motion below is adapted from a motion moved in Sheffield (the UK’s first City of Sanctuary) last year.
This Council notes:
- [AREA NAME’S] proud history of welcoming people from around the world to live, settle, put down roots and grow our city – from engineers to teachers, doctors and nurses, entrepreneurs, artists and sportspeople – all local residents who have made us who we are today; an inclusive, tolerant, diverse city
- This year will mark [XX] years since [AREA NAME] became a UK City of Sanctuary, demonstrating many years of civic commitment to being a welcoming, safe and compassionate city
- The inclusive and ambitious spirit of our council’s strategy, shaped through engagement with thousands of residents, to create a shared vision for future generations;
- The range of community festivals, faith celebrations and neighbourhood fun days held across [AREA NAME] this year, which brought people of all generations and backgrounds together and showcased the city’s generosity, creativity and pride
This Council believes:
- People from all over the UK and from countries across the world will be part of [AREA NAME’s] future and will contribute great things to the next chapter of our story;
- Many in our community, including migrants and people from ethnic minority communities, are currently feeling fearful and intimidated by the terrifying rise in racism and anti-migrant words and actions
- That scapegoating migrants, for example threatening to deport those with indefinite leave to remain, is a racist attempt to sow division and hate
- That civic leaders, councillors and institutions have a responsibility to speak out against racism, Islamophobia, Antisemitism, and all forms of hate, and to model unity and compassion in their words and actions
- That people from diverse backgrounds coming together helps to build mutual understanding and belonging, and recognition that we have more in common than that which divides us
This Council resolves:
- To defend free speech as a cherished British value, but to state clearly that inciting hatred or violence is criminal, not expression
- To reaffirm [AREA NAME’s] commitment to being a recognised City of Sanctuary, ensuring we remain a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone
- To mark and celebrate the [XXth] anniversary of being a City of Sanctuary, and to support events within local communities to celebrate this milestone
- To work with communities to develop a bigger, citywide, programme of events and activities for 2026 that bring people together, strengthen cohesion and celebrate our diversity
- To align this work with the Council’s Community Strategy and demonstrate that we are a city of many communities, working together to create one place where we all belong