The status is awarded to local authorities for efforts helping people fleeing persecution and conflict.
Usually reserved for cities, a motion was tabled in September 2023 which triggered the decision to apply for accreditation. A period of assessment then followed.
‘This accreditation reflects our long standing commitment to being a welcoming, compassionate and inclusive county, where people seeking safety are treated with dignity and respect’, said Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council.
Maggie Filipova-Rivers, City of Sanctuary UK Programme Manager, cited a number of areas in which the authority was particularly effective. These included openness, working in partnerships, inclusivity and having the concept of ‘sanctuary’ within the foundations of its public services.
Other City of Sanctuary councils include Manchester and Stockport, the London boroughs of Brent, Lewisham, Greenwich, Wandsworth and Richmond, Birmingham and Wolverhampton, Bradford, Leeds, and Wakefield. In Wales, Abergavenny, Clwyd, Cwtch, Cardiff, Hay-Brecon-Talgarth, and Swansea also have this status.
Image: Claudio Schwarz / Unsplash
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