Derby residents deserve transparency, consultation and proper safeguards over asylum accommodation in our city.

The use of hotels for asylum accommodation has already caused significant public concern. Residents are now understandably worried that closing asylum hotels could simply mean moving people into HMOs, private rented homes and residential streets across Derby without proper consultation or accountability.

That cannot be allowed to happen quietly.

This petition calls on Derby City Council to take every action available within its local powers and to formally press the Government on the parts it does not directly control.

We call on Derby City Council to:

Publicly oppose the continued use of hotels in Derby for asylum accommodation.
Publicly oppose any unmanaged dispersal into HMOs, Social or private rented housing. 
Make formal written representations to the Home Secretary, Government departments and Derby’s MPs setting out residents’ concerns.
Publish a clear statement explaining what the Council knows about current and proposed asylum accommodation in Derby, subject to any legal or safeguarding restrictions.
Seek firm assurances from Government and accommodation providers on community safety, policing, safeguarding, health services, housing pressure and local impact.
Use all available planning, licensing, housing, environmental health and enforcement powers robustly where properties are used or proposed for large-scale or inappropriate accommodation.
Provide regular public updates so residents are not left in the dark.
This petition is not asking the Council to do something outside its powers. It is asking the Council to represent Derby residents clearly, use the powers it does have, and formally challenge Government where decisions are being made nationally.

Closing asylum hotels must not simply mean moving the problem out of sight into local neighbourhoods, HMOs and private rented homes.

Derby residents should be consulted, listened to and protected.

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