AFGHAN RELOCATIONS AND ASSISTANCE SCHEME IN SHROPSHIRE

Please see below from Shropshire Councillor Ed Potter - please direct all enquiries to him:

Dear Residents,

It was brought to my attention last week that Nesscliffe Training Camp has been ear marked by the UK Home Office and the MOD for plans to house 200 Afghan individuals (a mixture of single people and families) to be housed temporarily at Nesscliffe Barracks in Shropshire. I understand these are people who have been identified as part of the Government’s Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) which offers Afghan nationals who worked for or with the UK Government relocation to the UK. This group of Afghans have not been in the UK before and I must stress they are not asylum seekers and all have the right to be in the country (i.e. they are not waiting for an asylum decision). The site is due to be used as transitional accommodation meaning people are only expected to be there for a maximum of 6 weeks before being moved onto a settled housing option, which could be anywhere in the UK.

Over the past few days I have received a number of updates and have worked with Shropshire Council who have been liaising with the Home Office and MOD to establish what might be required and any potential impacts on the community. I have been assured that the vast majority of the support needed for these individuals and families is being provided on the camp by the MOD and other agencies locally.

Nesscliffe has had a long association with the military and supporting those leaving and returning from conflict zones around the globe. I hope as a community we can support those in need. I appreciate there may be questions so please do not hesitate to contact me via my email or telephone number below and I will try and assist where ever possible.

Below are two links to website which can provide further information

https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/refugees-and-asylum-seekers/afghan-relocations-and-assistance-scheme-in-shropshire/

https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/refugees-and-asylum-seekers/

https://www.shropshiresupportsrefugees.org/

Edward Potter

Shropshire Counciilor Loton Division ( Including Communities of Alberbury with Cardeston, Montford, Great and Little Ness, Westbury and Yockleton)

Edward.potter@shropshire.gov.uk

07779117802