Dorset Council called on to condemn migrant barge for Portland

A Weymouth Councillor has put forward a motion

Author: Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy ReporterPublished 11th Jul 2023

Weymouth councillor Tony Ferrari is calling on this week’s full Dorset Council meeting to condemn the siting of the 500-place accommodation barge in Portland Harbour

The Littlemoor and Preston councillor has the support of fellow ward councillor, Cllr Louie O’Leary, in putting the motion, which also asks for it to be removed as soon as possible.

With other backers also from the ruling Conservative group,including Cabinet members, it is likely that the resolution will be approved.

In it Cllr Ferrari says: “This council condemns the commercial agreement between the Home Office and Portland Port for the mooring of the Bibby Stockholm barge to accommodate up to 500 asylum seekers at this location. That the mooring of the barge in Portland Port is an entirely inappropriate location and should be removed at the earliest opportunity. That Dorset Council, while not the decision makers, will work with agencies to mitigate the impact this will have on Dorset.”

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held at County Hall, Dorchester at 6.30pm on Thursday July 13th.

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