PRESS RELEASE 04/06/26
Bracknell Conservatives have accused Labour of trying to sneak through a highly controversial “Council of Sanctuary” declaration by burying it in the small print of a bland strategy document and by signposting it as a cabinet ‘decision’ to be taken in late June 2026. There is no requirement for a Council to adopt this designation. Bracknell Conservatives further believe that the Council should be focusing on cutting the £5M overspend, supporting local businesses, promoting further Town Centre regeneration, improving the state of our Borough and getting the Land Searches function back on track.
The call, which the Conservative Group strongly opposed at the full Council meeting on 22 April 2026, signals to the Government that Bracknell is open for mass resettlement of asylum seekers and refugees. A formal letter, which we are releasing today, was sent to Cllr Purnell by the Conservative Group raising serious concerns about this issue. A response received from the Labour Leader ‘noted’ our concerns and indicated that She had not yet been briefed. This is a serious failure of leadership and brings, once again, into question the integrity of the administration.
This response raises serious concerns about the Political Leadership of Bracknell Forest Council Labour Minority administration. If the Leader doesn’t know about what it means yet, Conservatives would like to know who is promoting this. The proposal did not feature in Labour’s manifesto and has no mandate from Bracknell Forest Residents.
Cllr Gareth Barnard, Leader of the Bracknell Conservative Group and Councillor for Whitegrove, said:
“We are proud of the compassion and generosity shown by Bracknell Forest residents in welcoming the Nepali community to our Borough and more recently refugees from Ukraine and British Nationals from Hong Kong. Our communities have stepped up and extended a warm hand to those in genuine need. We have done our bit but we can’t take in the whole world. Formally declaring our Borough a ‘Council of Sanctuary’ as Labour put forward sends a clear message to Sir Keir Starmer that Bracknell Forest wants large-scale resettlement of asylum seekers and refugees. With housing, schools, GP surgeries and local services already stretched, this is deeply irresponsible. Residents deserve honesty, not policies smuggled through in the small print.”
Cllr John Harrison, Conservative Councillor for Binfield North and Warfield West, added:
“Bracknell Forest residents warmly welcomed British passport holders from Hong Kong who have settled here, support themselves and play a part in our community. In contrast, a ‘Council of Sanctuary’ risks opening the floodgates to uncontrolled dispersal programes without any proper regard for local resources.”
Cllr Gareth Barnard continued:
“Conservatives voted against this policy and we specifically oppose this Council of Sanctuary commitment. We demand that any such plan is subject to a full debate and an open vote at Full Council, together with proper public engagement and consultation with Bracknell Forest residents.
This is virtue signalling of the worst kind. It is not needed, will cost money and resources and will achieve nothing positive. It is a slap in the face for our residents who have always shown the true Bracknell Forest character – compassion and support when it is needed and the right thing to do. The Conservative Group is urging local people to contact their councillors and make their voices heard before it’s too late.
END
Below is a copy of the letter sent to Cllr Helen Purnell, Labour Leader of Bracknell Forest Council.
What is it, in plain English?
A “Council of Sanctuary” is a voluntary label or award that a local council can choose to apply for.
It comes from a national charity called City of Sanctuary UK. The idea is that the council officially declares it is a “welcoming place” for refugees and asylum seekers (people the charity calls “people seeking sanctuary”).
It is not a law. It is not something the Government forces councils to do. It is completely optional.
What does a council actually have to do to get it?
To earn the badge, a council normally does these things:
- Pass a formal motion at a full council meeting saying they want to become a Council of Sanctuary.
- Write a strategy or action plan.
- Train council staff and raise awareness among employees.
- Work more closely with charities and voluntary groups that help asylum seekers and refugees.
- Hold some kind of public event or “celebration” to mark the achievement.
- Review their services (housing, benefits, education, etc.) to make them more “inclusive” for these groups.
Is it about bringing more asylum seekers to Bracknell Forest?
Officially, no. The charity says the award is only about supporting people once they are already here. Decisions about who comes to the UK and where they are housed are made by central government, not local councils.
Critics say that publicly branding your area a “Council of Sanctuary” still sends a clear signal to Whitehall that your borough is happy to accept more people. It can make it harder for the council to push back against future dispersal schemes.
Does it cost money?
Yes - in time and staff resources, even if the charity claims the admin side is “minimal”.
Councils have to:
- Write strategies and plans
- Run training sessions
- Organise events
- Attend meetings with partner organisations
At a time when Bracknell Forest Council is already facing a roughly £5 million overspend, many residents and councillors question whether this should be a priority.
Has Bracknell Forest already done a lot for refugees?
Yes. The borough has a strong track record of supporting people in genuine need:
- Welcoming Ukrainian refugees
- Supporting British National (Overseas) passport holders from Hong Kong
- Long-standing support for the Nepalese community
Conservatives argue that Bracknell Forest residents have already shown real compassion without needing an official “sanctuary” badge.
So what’s the argument about?
Supporters say it’s a compassionate, symbolic step that helps integration.
Opponents (including Bracknell Forest Conservatives) say:
- It wasn’t in Labour’s election manifesto
- It’s being pushed through with very little public debate
- The Labour Leader reportedly hadn’t even been briefed on it
- It’s expensive virtue signalling at a time when basic services are under pressure
- There is no legal requirement for any council to do this
Bottom line
A Council of Sanctuary is a voluntary political statement dressed up as an award.
It doesn’t change the law. It doesn’t decide who comes to Britain. But it does commit the council to spending time, money and political capital on a particular approach - at a time when many residents think the priority should be fixing the council’s finances, improving local services, and focusing on the people who already live here.