Colchester Borough Council complains to Home Office after influx of asylum seekers
It comes as ministers are trying to ease overcrowding at migrant processing centre
Colchester Borough Council says local services are being put under pressure after an influx of asylum seekers into the area.
They're being placed into a number of hotels by the Home Office, as it takes steps to address overcrowding at several migrant processing centres including Manston in Kent.
Council bosses have hit out at a lack of communication from officials about new arrivals and says support organisations are already streched by the need to care for refugees already here.
Councillor David King, Leader of Colchester Borough Council, said: “Colchester is proud to be a place of sanctuary.
"We have a long history of welcoming refugees and asylum seekers to our city-to-be.
"Again and again, we have proven that in times of crisis, Colchester is there to support families fleeing war and persecution.
“But I am angry at the Home Office's failings and that we face new arrivals when others do not, when many of our partner authorities across the UK are not called upon to do their bit.
"And when Colchester already has the highest number of Ukrainian refugees in the county, has the highest number of asylum seekers in dispersed accommodation in the region too. And has housed the largest number of refugee families in Essex.
“We understand the pressures of the asylum system and that they use hotels as a short-term solution; but we get no advance warning from the Home Office when asylum seekers are placed in hotel accommodation, and we should, and need to, get adequate time for planning to make sure the much-needed wrap-around support is in place for these families.
Councillor King is calling on officials at the Home Office to take greater responsibility for the crisis:
“I ask that the Home Office give us, and all authorities, sufficient notice, and better consult with councils prior to sending people to hotels.
"I also ask that they provide long term support to and recognise the pressures created for Colchester and help spread the challenge, so that other Districts take their fair share."