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Wethersfield: community update newsletter: August 2024

Updated 16 October 2024

This is an update with input from some of the key partners that feed into the Multi Agency Forum (MAF), which supports operational planning of the asylum accommodation in Wethersfield. The MAF consists of representatives from the Home Office, Braintree District Council, Essex Police, Mid and South Essex NHS, Essex Fire & Rescue, East of England Strategic Migration Partnerships and the site operator, Clearsprings Ready Homes.

This newsletter has been developed to help provide you, the local community, with relevant site updates and future developments, answers to questions you may have and provide reassurances to your concerns.   

Please share the following information with your networks.

Site update

In the past couple of months, a number of people have left the site having been resident at Wethersfield for the maximum of 9 months. Residents are also attending their interviews off site which Home Office provide transport to and from. Seeing their fellow residents attending interviews and leaving site when they get to 9 months is having a positive impact on others at site.

A regular bus service operates from site, taking residents three times a day into local towns. The bus service is required in order to limit any impact on the local community, and to allow residents the opportunity to see the local area whilst also being good for the physical and mental well-being of individuals.

Community Impact

During the pre-election period the Home Office paused engagement with local councillors as per Government guidance which can be found on gov.uk. Home Office officials have since met with councillors in July and will be meeting again this month.

A dedicated internal stakeholder working group has been meeting to discuss areas of concern, while valuable feedback from the community is shaping operational processes on site. This feedback has already helped further refine the two-day induction that new residents have on arriving at Wethersfield.

It was also recognised that the those living near the site should be informed if there are any planned protests outside the site. Home Office officials, Clearsprings and Braintree District Council are working with local Police to improve the communication with the local community in these instances. This engagement will continue between all parties. 

Finally, there have been rumours that some individuals on the site have been seen in an intoxicated state. The site is a no alcohol zone, and we will continue to ensure that the no alcohol rule is enforced.

Health provision

The onsite medical centre (GP surgery) continues to provide primary care services in line with what would be provided by any other Mid Essex practice. All new residents arriving at the site receive an assessment/health screen and are provided with a translated document which details what to expect from the service. All consultations are offered with telephone interpreters. Residents are all registered at the practice onsite for the duration of their stay at Wethersfield and can make appointments directly at the onsite centre.

Residents are encouraged to access their own records using SystmOne online should they need to seek medical treatment other than when on site. In the event of an individual attending or requiring medical treatment from hospital, they will be offered a follow up appointment with the onsite medical centre when they return. 

Community safety

Over the past few months there has been a reduction in crime in the area with statistics lower than neighbouring Essex and Braintree. The Essex Police website provides updates on notable incidents across the area, if you require any further information, please use this resource. 

Voluntary and community activity

Braintree District Council, with the support of the Home Office, have initiated a “Changing Lives” programme which offers sporting activities and coaching, three times a week. This programme has already been well received by residents, to the extent the activities are often at capacity.

These activities add to the schedule of initiatives already provided weekly onsite, including cooking classes, art, gardening, music and English language lessons and the use of the classroom, library, gym and recreational areas, as well as opportunities to use the outside spaces for football and cricket.

This funding for this scheme, provided by the Home Office and allocated in conjunction with Braintree District Council (BDC), is reducing pressure on statutory services and promoting a more self-sufficient site. 

Our support providers  

The service provider, Clearsprings Ready Homes, is running the site on behalf of the Home Office and they are responsible for the safeguarding of asylum seekers. Our service provider is experienced in managing asylum seeker accommodation in and orderly and secure manner.  

From 16 June 2024, Migrant Help have been offering face to face appointments to residents across 3 days allowing them to raise any questions that they may have on any matter, and the Home Office and Clearsprings are working together with Migrant Help to locate an office on site for them to offer their services to residents on an ongoing basis.

Special Development Order (SDO)

The Special Development Order, a type of secondary legislation, was laid in Parliament on 21 March 2023 and planning permission came into force on 11 April 2024. The SDO for Wethersfield consists of 27 conditions. As of 12 July 2024, 19 conditions requiring action have been discharged and remain subject to regular review. To date there are eight conditions which remain outstanding of which four relate to the proposed cap on the number of residents.  Work to discharge the remaining eight conditions is ongoing and we hope to discharge all conditions as soon as reasonably practicable.

Contact

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Home Office Direct Communications Unit via email at public.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk, by telephone at 020 7035 4848, or by post at:

2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF