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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED to support and cooperate with the Home Office, and its service provider (Clearsprings Ready Homes) in the provision of accommodation in Powys for asylum seekers.” 3. In 2025 the Council submitted a non-binding Expression of Interest in an attempt to secure greater local influence over Asylum Dispersal and better outcomes for communities. However, the Home Office has yet to respond, meaning the current arrangements remain exactly as they were previously. Residents deserve facts rather than speculation. The facts are straightforward: there has been no increase in the number of asylum seekers housed in Powys, there is currently only one family of four living in accommodation arranged through the Home Office provider, and the Council continues to seek greater local control over any future arrangements. As County Councillors, we all have a responsibility to provide accurate information, challenge rumours and ensure public debate is based on evidence rather than fear and misinformation.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to support and cooperate with the Home Office, and its service provider (Clearsprings Ready Homes) in the provision of accommodation in Powys for asylum seekers.” 3. In 2025 the Council submitted a non-binding Expression of Interest in an attempt to secure greater local influence over Asylum Dispersal and better outcomes for communities. However, the Home Office has yet to respond, meaning the current arrangements remain exactly as they were previously. Residents deserve facts rather than speculation. The facts are straightforward: there has been no increase in the number of asylum seekers housed in Powys, there is currently only one family of four living in accommodation arranged through the Home Office provider, and the Council continues to seek greater local control over any future arrangements. As County Councillors, we all have a responsibility to provide accurate information, challenge rumours and ensure public debate is based on evidence rather than fear and misinformation.
Response by the Cabinet Member: I am concerned that the question from Cllr Lewington risks creating unnecessary alarm by suggesting there is a surge of asylum seekers arriving in Powys when the facts simply do not support that claim. While media reports have highlighted larger boats being used to cross the Channel, this does not mean more people are arriving or being placed in Powys. The available evidence shows that arrivals to the UK by small boat during the first five months of 2026 were significantly lower than during the same period in 2025 – 38% lower in fact. Most importantly, the position in Powys has not changed. 1. There remains just one family of four asylum seekers living in accommodation in the south of the county, placed there by the Home Office's accommodation provider, Clearsprings Ready Homes. 2. The Council does not hold this information. The Home Office is responsible for asylum dispersal with their appointed contractor Clearsprings Ready Homes. For background, the Council endorsed this in 2021 when the previous Conservative and Independent Cabinet Executive voted for the following recommendation put forward by former Councillors Myfanwy Alexander and Iain McIntosh: “The Council supports and cooperates with the Home Office , and its service provider (Clearsprings Ready Homes) in the provision of accommodation in Powys for asylum seekers.” The minutes from that meeting show the previous Conservative and Independent Cabinet: “RESOLVED to support and cooperate with the Home Office, and its service provider (Clearsprings Ready Homes) in the provision of accommodation in Powys for asylum seekers.” 3. In 2025 the Council submitted a non-binding Expression of Interest in an attempt to secure greater local influence over Asylum Dispersal and better outcomes for communities. However, the Home Office has yet to respond, meaning the current arrangements remain exactly as they were previously. Residents deserve facts rather than speculation. The facts are straightforward: there has been no increase in the number of asylum seekers housed in Powys, there is currently only one family of four living in accommodation arranged through the Home Office provider, and the Council continues to seek greater local control over any future arrangements. As County Councillors, we all have a responsibility to provide accurate information, challenge rumours and ensure public debate is based on evidence rather than fear and misinformation.
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