Joint statement from Highland Council Convenor Bill Lobban, Leader Raymond Bremner, and Opposition Leader Alasdair Christie.
“From the outset, The Highland Council has sought to engage constructively with the Home Office, both to understand the implications for local services and communities and to provide advice and guidance on the HMO requirements that would apply to Cameron Barracks if it were to be used to accommodate single adult males.
In discussions, the Council made it clear the Home Office would have to comply with relevant legislation in Scotland. At no point was an HMO licence application received.
Despite our repeated requests, plans were not provided, questions were not answered, and communication from the Home Office was limited. This has created prolonged uncertainty for local agencies and communities. While we still await official written confirmation, we welcome the fact that a decision looks like it has been reached, providing much needed clarity for local communities. The Highlands has a strong record of welcoming and supporting asylum seekers and refugees, however, Cameron Barracks was not a suitable site for the scale of the proposal under consideration.”