Home Office Meeting Notes

NOTES FROM INTER-PARISH COUCIL MEETING AND HOME OFFICE REPRESENTATIVES

THURSDAY 17TH AUGUST 2023 AT THE GUILDHALL, GAINSBOROUGH.

Q – Question Asked from Audience.

SPC – Scampton Parish Council                  

HO – Home Office

WLDC – West Lindsey District Council

E/L – Sir Edward Leigh

LCC – Lincoln County Council

• SPC - How long does the HO intend to maintain RAF Scampton as an Asylum Seeker Camp?
• HO - There will be a maximum of 2000 people and it will be open for 3 years to get the best value for money.

• Q - How is it value for money bearing in mind it is estimated to cost £50m to get it ready?
• HO - The current expenditure is still ongoing so there is no definite costing but utilising the site for 3 years will offer the best value for money.
• SPC - If there are no definite costings then you can not claim that it is value for money.

• Q - There is a document circulating that states it is only value for money if the HO continue to use hotels?
• HO - Value for money is based on Wethersfield, Scampton & Portland over 3 years.

• Q - Does value for money include the loss of the Scampton Holdings £300m investment?
• HO - No!

• Q - Is it possible for us to see the calculations for the site to see how this is value for money?
  HO - Calculations will be shared to the extent that the ministers are prepared to share them.

• Q - If the intrusive surveys have only just started, how do you know what the costs are going to be?           
• HO - The HO have a reasonable idea of costs due to work that has been undertaken at Wethersfield.  Not all of the buildings are up to fire standards so will need to have doors, windows, carpets etc replaced.  However, Scampton is in a better condition than Wethersfield.

• Q - When the RAF pulled out of RAF Scampton, there was only 4 H blocks suitable for use.  Are you planning to refurbish all 14 buildings on site?
• HO - It has not yet been decided how many buildings are going to be used.  Some will not be used at all so they will be made safe.

• Q - There are currently no medical or catering facilities on site and the first residents are expected to arrive within a few weeks?
• HO - There is a kitchen already and there will be modular catering and medical facilities bought in onsite.

• Q - There is evidence that accommodation has already been bought onto RAF Scampton.
• HO - There is no accommodation on site yet.

• Q - Can you guarantee that there will be no more than 2000 people?
• HO - No, the HO representatives do not have the power to confirm that but they are not aware of any discussions with Ministers to increase the figure.

• SPC - Given that Class Q Permitted development commenced 16th April 2023 and lasts for just 1 year, are the HO going to apply for full planning and if so will it be through the local council?
• HO - The HO intend to use an STO (***) to increase the time extended and get planning through.
• WLDC - An STO is not an appropriate tool and they have made there position on this very clear.

• SPC - Given that the date of occupation has been moved 3 times and the intrusive surveys have only just started and that this is an ‘emergency’ situation why has the process so far taken so long?  And, has the HO conducted a full Dynamic Risk Assessment of RAF Scampton on which its planning assumptions are based and if so, where is it?              
• HO - The delay is purely down to the site not being ready.  The HO representatives said that they were very sorry for the delay, very sorry for the impact to residents and sorry about the house prices.  They said that they are genuinely sorry for the nerves and worries of the residents and that they will try and put people at ease.  There are planned engagement meetings with the community which will not be recorded but will be documented.
• SPC - SPC received a letter from Robert Jennerick on 16th August 2023 stating that the community meeting would take place on 18th August 2023 – this has obviously been cancelled.
• HO - There have previously been issues at the other sites during the engagement meetings and they need to make them effective but safe without taking too much of vital police time.  They are currently waiting for a suitable venue to confirm the available dates but they will be w/c 21st August 2023
• Q - It is a bit late in the day to start planning the first community meeting.  It is very unprofessional for the District Councillors to not be able to offer an update when asked by the residents in their local villages.  There have been demonstrations by far left and far right and the police have been able to manage them without any issues so why such a delay?
• HO - Sorry for the delay

• SPC - The HO claim that the is no risk and that it is just a perceived risk but perceived risks causes as much harm as real risks.
• SPC - Why would the MOD offer to move the personnel living is SFA if they feel that they are at risk if there is no increased risk to the residents?
• HO - The use of RAF Scampton is a government decision and they all fall under the same government so the HO are unsure why these moves have been offered.

• Q - This is the first HO meeting since the announcement back in March and house prices and fallen significantly and insurance prices have rocketed.  Are the HO going to offer any help/compensation to the residents affected by this?
• HO - The HO representatives were unable to offer any assistance but will pass back the comments.

• Q - 2000 immigrants will only be around 4/5 days worth of people arriving in small boats.  Are these now classed as migrants or are they illegal?
• HO - The Illegal Migration Act came into force on 20th July 2023 so now, anyone arriving on a small boat will not be able to request asylum.  This act is supposed to be a deterrent.  There are approx. 50000 people in hotels and 60000 in dispersed housing.  Half of these have arrived on small boats and half have arrived through some sort of visa, education, work etc.  People    housed in hotels and dispersed housing is having a negative impact.  The HO are trying to build better resources to support them all.

• Q - Why was Linton-on-Ouse not used?
• HO - The Ho tried very hard to se Linton-on-Ouse.  The HO representatives were not in position when the decision was made to not use it.  If it was offered up again then maybe they would look at using it again.
• SPC - Can Sir Edward Leigh lobby the Prime Miniter to use Linton-on-Ouse.
• E/L - Sir Edward Leigh has spoken to Priti Patel and she said that it should be opened as it is ready to go.

• E/L- Sir Edward Leigh was promised by Suella Bravermann that the site was only going to be occupied for 2 years so what assurances can we have that it is definitely only going to be 3 years?
• HO - The direction from the ministers is that it is 2000 people for a maximum for 3 years.
• Q - Will the HO work with Scampton Holdings during this time?
  HO - Yes!  We are happy to talk to Scampton Holdings to try and work together towards a replica heritage plan.   The HO will work to ensure that the assets all stay safe and are kept up to scratch.
• SPC - The HO have confirmed that they will providing the funding to bring Hanger 3 up to the standards of the other hangers.

• Q - Does keeping the assets safe include the runway?
• HO - No, the runway will not be maintained during the occupation.  The HO intends to demonstrate bio-diversity and encourage nature to the area.

• Q - Talking about encouraging nature etc is insulting.  If active MOD stations struggle to keep the sites up to scratch how can the HO confirm that this will happen to RAF Scampton?
• HO - The HO will not be funding nature projects but it has a responsibility to look after it.  There will be no asylum seekers or buildings on the runway.

• Q - Scampton Holdings must have a maintained runway in order to fulfil there £300m investment plan?
• HO - We are happy to talk to Scampton Holdings to create a workable plan.

• Q - Why are the HO so ‘late to the party’ with these meetings and what happens when (possibly) a new government comes in to power?
• HO - There just isn’t/wasn’t enough expertise for this new situation.  The site has only just been handed over to the HO from the MOD.  Pre covid, there were no asylum seekers in hotels and now they are widely being used so the roles of the HO have changed significantly and they have had to very quickly take on new roles and build capabilities.

• SPC - Since the only way of attracting medical professionals to take on the primary medical care of 2000 males on site is likely to be financial, how does to HO plan to source medica care for the site without pulling doctors and nurses from the Imp Primary Car Trust or from the pool of people who may normally be applying for positions within the Imp Trust?
• HO - There will be primary care onsite to manage triage, deal with conditions and prescribe medication through doctors and nurses.  Any secondary care needed will go into the wider local NHS.
• LCC - Welton Family Health Centre have been advised that it will

• SPC - What will be the financial costs for interpreters to assist in medical appointments?
• HO - There will be significant interpreters already onsite.

• SPC -  How are the HO going to control the spread of infectious diseases?
• HO - They will be screened on arrival for diseases and moved to an isolation area for as long a necessary.
• LCC - Lincolnshire Public Health are working closely with the HO.  As with an case in the UK, any reportable diseases will be notified to the local residents.

• Q - If it is not a detention centre and they are infected with a disease, are you able to stop them from leaving the site.
• LCC - It is not a detention centre so they have no powers to keep them in isolation.

• Q - Due to the fact that TB Is rife in lots of the countries that these males are coming from, is it time to reintroduce TB inoculations to the residents?
• LCC - The national programme for TB inoculation has changed so it is not necessary to offer vaccinations.  LSS are advising the HO on screening the asylum seekers.

• Q - If someone fails screening what will happen to them?
• A - They will be moved to an isolation room for as long as necessary.  If they are diagnosed with TB then they will be removed from RAF Scampton.

• SPC - How will the HO conduct ID and security checks if the asylum seeker has not ID?
• HO - They will be checked at Dover and their bio-metric details will be collected.

• Q - How do you check their age if they claim to be a minor with no ID?
• HO - This is key ongoing discussion.  There is no fixed wat to discover someone age.  This is currently under review and the HO are confident that the checks will work.

• LCC - If they are found to be underage, they are the responsibly of the County Council until they are 25.  Are the HO going to provide additional financial help for the education of these children?
• HO - No!

• E/L - When will the first people be arriving?
• HO - The exact date is being managed tightly but the lead up to the date will be discussed at the MAF engagement meetings.  The site will be ready by the end of September so 50 should be arriving then.  The site will be filled to 2000 as quickly but as safely as possible.

• Q - Will the 50-2000 be a phased approach?
• HO - Ramp up will only be credible when the site goes live.  The site will be filled as quickly but as safely as possible.

• Q - When is the HO going to stop using Lincolnshire as a dumping ground?
• HO - Lincolnshire does not have that many asylum seekers.  There are other counties with many more.  Each council has made a commitment to home asylum seekers in dispersed housing.

• SPC - What powers do the contracted security force have?
• HO - The asylum seekers will have been advised of the procedures and protocol of acceptable behaviour.  Serco will have a responsibility to report any incidents.
• SPC - An 18 year old in a hi-vis jacket is not a suitable form of security.
• HO - Serco will be able to do pat downs, bag searches and scan with a wand

• SPC - How may extra police will be provided for the security of the residents.
• HO - Lincolnshire Police will decide that.

• SPC - How will either force prevent an incident?
• HO - By all of the above.

• Q - What provisions are in place to reassure the public that a proper plan is in place?
• HO - Unsure at this moment.

• SPC - What will the HO do to prevent the closure of the school?
• HO - The HO are looking to engage with the parents of the school children.

• SPC - What safeguarding measure will the HO put in place to protect the pupils?
• HO - The asylum seekers will be told where they can and can’t go in the local area.  There will be sheeting put up on the fences around the school and CCTV will be installed at key points.

• Q - What if they are congregating around the school and refuse to move?
• HO - They will be told hard where they can and can’t go.  Evidence suggests that they do not want to hang around these types of places.

• SPC - How does the HO plan to maintain the land and property on the domestic side?
• HO - The HO will continue to look after the ground maintenance of the land.  The unused buildings will be made safe and secure.

• SPC - Would the HO consider passing the land onto WLDC or LCC for the community?
• HO - The HO would consider having a conversation with WLDC.
• SPC -  Due to the risk that the asylum centre brings, there will not be anyone willing to invest in the buildings.  Will the HO pay for this to happen?
• HO -  The HO will have to liaise with WLDC.
• SPC - The local precept was upped in order to take over the land maintenance but not building maintenance.
• HO - The HO are happy to support the ongoing plans.

• SPC - What are the HO doing to reduce the impact on traffic flow on the A15 and ensure the safety of not only the residents but also the asylum seekers?
• HO - The HO have a duty of care to the asylum seekers.   Key part of their initial briefing will be to explain how dangerous the A15 is.  The buses in and out to take the asylum seekers into other towns will not be done on mass.  These will be staggered movements.

• Q - What are they all going to do onsite if the do not want to go out on the bus?
• HO - There will be a gym & fitness area, a multi faith room, English lessons, a hairdressers amongst other things.  The asylum seekers are not able to work but may be able to take part in some volunteering.  There will also be professional charities onsite (Migrant Help) to liaise between asylum seekers and residents.

• Q - If you apply to WLDC for planning then it will almost definitely be flatly refused.  You are offering free transport, 7 days a week through the day/evening.  There are no buses in or out of Scampton or the surrounding area in an evening or on a Sunday.  Maybe if you offered the community something then you may get something back?
• HO - The HO agreed with this statement but are unable to offer anything to the locals.

• Q - What is going to happen to the dogs grave?
• HO - The grave will be fenced off and preserved.  There may be an option to allow access to it for special occasions/anniversaries.

• SPC - The risk assessment has not catered for the residents adequately.   Therefore there are substantial risks to the community.