Robert Duncan has called on Councillor Ian Cooper to clarify how the authority plans to tackle issues around immigration.
Councillor Cooper heads up the new Reform UK administration at the county council, which took control following May鈥檚 elections.
In an open letter to Councillor Cooper, South Staffordshire resident Mr Duncan said that 鈥渞ecent local election results suggest that illegal immigration played a significant role in rallying support, often resonating with many citizens鈥 concerns for safety, economic stability, and community cohesion”.
He continued: 鈥淕iven this context, I believe it is both timely and necessary to seek clarification on your council鈥檚 strategic approach to this pressing issue. Specifically, I would like to understand what concrete measures the council intends to implement to tackle illegal immigration.
鈥淗ow do you plan to collaborate with national immigration authorities and local law enforcement to ensure that all residents feel secure and that our community鈥檚 integrity is duly maintained? Additionally, in what ways will these initiatives be communicated transparently to the public, so that residents can have confidence in the actions taken and provide constructive feedback?
鈥淎s local government leaders, you hold the profound responsibility of striking a delicate balance between safeguarding our borders and upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals. It would be most reassuring to know that the policies being pursued are based on a thorough assessment of both local needs and the broader national legal framework.
鈥淚n this light, I believe an open forum or public meeting addressing these concerns would not only validate the electorate鈥檚 voice during the campaign but also reaffirm the council鈥檚 commitment to responsible and considered policy making.
鈥淚 respectfully urge you to address these questions with detailed responses that clarify how your council will manage illegal immigration issues while protecting the values and safety of our community. The outcome of such a dialogue would greatly contribute to reinforcing trust between local government officials and the citizens they serve.鈥
In a written response, Councillor Cooper said: 鈥淭he control and protection of our country鈥檚 borders is a national issue, but the impact of central government policy is felt in communities across Staffordshire. We have a long history of supporting those in need, however, the continuing challenge to hard-pressed local authorities is in how that help is found and provided.
鈥淭he most pressing issue is the dispersal of asylum seekers. Serco houses asylum seekers directly into our communities on behalf of the Home Office, bypassing input from the county council and the local borough or district council.
鈥淎lthough their accommodation is funded externally, the issues of health care, community support and the knock-on effect on reduced availability of accommodation within an area fall on us locally to deal with.
鈥淭he Staffordshire Leaders鈥 Board has previously identified asylum dispersal as a priority issue. I aim to reignite that commitment so that Staffordshire鈥檚 voice is loud and clear in lobbying government for the necessary change and support.鈥
Councillor Cooper was also quizzed on immigration actions at the first full council meeting under the new Reform UK administration. In a written question, Stafford representative Councillor Ann Edgeller said: 鈥淚mmigration played a major role in Reform’s campaign 鈥 with this in mind, knowing the only small boats coming into Staffordshire are canal boats and putting a halt to immigration is within the Government鈥檚 remit to resolve, what action is this council going to take to fulfil the election pledge you made to the people of Staffordshire, to reduce the level of immigration?鈥
Councillor Cooper responded: 鈥淐learly the question shows no regard or understanding of the issues and concerns which are felt across Staffordshire in towns such as Tamworth and Cannock, to name two examples. Those living in leafy, rural parts of the county are unaffected yet by mass uncontrolled migration; one of the reasons why the Conservatives are seen as out of touch and don鈥檛 represent the majority.
鈥淩eform UK are opposed to illegal migration into UK along with controlling the numbers of legal migrants. I would ask the councillor to be clear in which group she is referring to as these are two very different groups of people 鈥 I would suggest she re-drafts her question for another occasion.
鈥淗owever, I don鈥檛 think the Conservatives are in any position to criticise, bearing in mind that immigration to the UK rose from over 250,000 net, per year in 2019 under Boris Johnson to just under one million in 2023/2024 alone in the year prior to them leaving office.鈥