About the issue

Migration is a vitally important issue in the South West. The region is an attractive destination for Migrant Workers, who contribute their skills and labour to increasing the Region’s economic prosperity, and is also an important destination for Asylum Seekers and Refugees, many of whom are fleeing persecution in their home country.

Migration brings a number of benefits to the region but there are also a number of challenges such as ensuring migrants are able to access local services, can receive appropriate information and are able to integrate into the community.

For more detailed information on the issue visit our catalogue of research and best practice here.

The Regional Strategic Co-ordination Board for Migration was formed by the South West Councils in order to bring together key regional stakeholders and address the various challenges around migration that the region faces. The Board plays an overarching role in developing regional strategies on migration and ensuring that elected members are able to take ownership of regional issues. It reports to the Executive Committees of the South West Councils.

The Strategic Migration Partnership: The Regional Strategic Co-ordination Board for Migration forms the overall co-ordinating body of the region’s strategic migration partnership. Specific work is carried out by the two sub groups known as the South West Migrant Worker Action Group and the South West Regional Forum for Asylum Seekers and Refugees.

For more information on Migrant Worker issues click here.

For more information on Asylum Seekers and Refugees issues click here.

To view the Strategic Migration Partnerships 3 year plan click here.

Membership and terms of reference

The Board includes Local Authority Mmbers and Chief Officers and representatives from key voluntary, statutory and private organisations as well as the Chairs of the Migrant Worker and Asylum Seeker and New Refugees Forums. The terms of reference and full membership list of the Board are currently under consideration.
The current Chair of the Board is Councillor Roger Hutchinson.

Links with National Organisations

The Board is represented on the Government’s National Migration Group which represents all Regional Strategic Coordination Groups and on the LGA Asylum and Refugee Task Group, which includes elected Members from each English region, Wales and Scotland.

Funding

The South West Councils receives an annual Enabling Grant from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) for the work of the strategic migration partnership. The grant funds the achievement of key performance indicators agreed between the partnership and the BIA and is implemented through the partnership’s Business Plan. A report on the Board's progress with fufilling the Business Plan is produced in a 6 month review.