Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 16, 2026

Purpose: Cabinet considered a report providing details of the City of Sanctuary following a Notice of Motion debated at full council on 9 October 2025. The report recommended that the Council join the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network and commit to working towards the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Award.

Content: Cabinet agreed to:   1.  Join the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network and commit to working towards the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Award, by incorporating a new City of Sanctuary Framework within the Thanet Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy when it is next reviewed later in 2026. The adoption of the new Thanet Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy will be a matter for the Full Council;   2.  Lobby central government to permanently extend the notice period to leave Home Office Accommodation to 56 days following the granting of leave to remain.

Reasons for the decision: The decision supported the proposals set out in the motion presented to full council on 9 October 2025 and provided a mechanism for embedding the vision and aims of the City of Sanctuary across the Council.   A 56 day notice period for people granted leave to remain to leave their home office accommodation would enable more time for the Council to provide meaningful homelessness prevention support. It would also better align with the Council’s duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2027.

Alternative options considered: Cabinet considered not supporting the recommendation to join the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network. Agreeing to join the network was considered to be in line with the intention of the Notice of Motion that was discussed at the meeting of full Council on 9 October 2026.   Separately, the Cabinet also considered not supporting the recommendation to lobby the government to permanently extend the notice period to leave Home Office Accommodation to 56 days following the granting of leave to remain. This was rejected as a 56 day notice period would enable more time for the Council to provide meaningful homelessness prevention support and be better aligned with the Council’s duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2027.