9th August 2007, 07/269
West Lancashire on the map for tackling migrant worker
issues
West
Lancashire's excellent work for rising to the challenges of
tackling migrant working issues has been highlighted as an example
of best practice.
For some years West Lancashire District Council and its partners
have led the way when it comes to looking at issues surrounding
people who come from oversees to work during the growing
season.
A District Councillor Panel and a Multi Agency Group was set up in
2003, which included representatives from West Lancashire District
Council, Lancashire County Council, Police, Primary Care Trust and
others. The group created an action plan and between 2003 and 2006
carried out work to address the issue of seasonal agricultural
workers in the rural parishes.
The way the council and this multi agency group have taken the
initiative has been detailed in 'New European Migration - a good
practice guide for local authorities', out yesterday (8th
August).
Published by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), it
applauds how the Council and partners prepared for the arrival of
EU migrant workers with welcome packs, outreach work and planning
guidance for agricultural workers' accommodation. It also praises
the group for its research to determine the needs of employers and
to gather data about the community.
Cllr Geoff Roberts, Leader of West Lancashire District Council,
said: "In West Lancashire we have a large agricultural base and
several years' experience of receiving migrant workers so we are
delighted that our proactive approach in dealing with these issues
has been recognised nationally. We have carried out lots of
positive work including the production of welcome packs and a joint
policy cohesion statement, endorsed by the Local Strategic
Partnership, welcoming the contribution that migrant workers make
to the economy."
"By working with our partners we are ensuring that local
communities have a sustained and improved quality of life, and that
the needs of the workers from overseas are respected. We are
continuing to do all we can to sustain community cohesion and have
further plans in the pipeline to carry our good work
forward."
Over the last year or so, due to the changing scale and pace of
migrant working, this group has evolved and expanded. Group members
now include growers, voluntary agencies and those working with the
migrant workers' communities. They have been developing a further
action plan to see how they can address their varying needs.
As a result the District Councillor Panel recently endorsed a
number of new key initiatives to continue their good work. This
includes updating the existing welcome pack; developing a common
web page; creating a register in West Lancashire of safe, decent,
affordable accommodation; reviewing external funding opportunities;
producing a research paper; and developing initiatives for
increasing dialogue between partners to share information. These
new initiatives will compliment the existing work, which has also
been recognised as an example of good practice by the Audit
Commission.
For a copy of the current welcome pack, visit the Business section.
Related information
> Council
news
> Business
support
> Seasonal/migrant workers