Wokingham Borough Conservative Group have questioned why Liberal Democrats brought a vague motion to Council in support of a policy the Council is already following.
The Motion called on the Council to sign pledge to become a Borough of Sanctuary, welcoming those fleeing violence and persecution.
Wokingham Borough Council already has a strong track record of welcoming refugees.
Under the previous Conservative administration, the Council offered a safe haven to people fleeing Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Ukraine.
In April last year Wokingham Borough had welcomed more Ukrainian people than Reading, Bracknell or Slough.
The Conservative Group believes this motion has been rushed through without proper analysis of what this would do differently.
At the Full Council Meeting on Thursday 20 July Labour councillors proposed an amendment to the motion that was rejected by Liberal Democrats and Conservative councillors. A Labour councillor claimed that refugees had received poor treatment in the Borough, but Conservative Cllr Phil Cunnington said that if this occurs it should be properly reported and investigated as soon as possible to ensure it does not continue.
Nationally, since 2015, 480,000 people have arrived in the UK through safe and legal routes worldwide, as well as via country-specific routes from Syria, Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Ukraine.
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, Leader of the Conservative Group, said, “We have supported and will continue to support people who are refugees, but we cannot vote for this motion which is so lacking in substance.
“If the Libs Dems think there can be improvements made in how we treat people who arrive in the Borough having fled conflict, violence, and persecution, then they should say what that is and produce a detailed report from officers that can be scrutinised.
“They have already had to row back on one decision this month after failing to follow the correct decision-making procedures.
“This motion offers no information, no measurable change. In fact, the first line says that we’re already, ‘a place renowned for being welcoming and friendly and for the strength of its communities’.
