UP FRONT : IN FOCUS
A home from home 1
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Our borough has always been hospitable to refugees – to people fleeing war and persecution – and now is no different . Some residents have even opened up their homes .
Ealing Council was one of a handful of London authorities that stepped in to help take unaccompanied children from the notorious ‘ jungle ’ camp in Calais before it was shut down towards the end of last year . It provided 13 social care places for these ‘ Dubs children ’, as they were called . The council also offered four more placements ( two residential and two fostered ) for other young people . It has also taken in more than a dozen other asylum seeking children in the past year .
Council leader Julian Bell has joined other campaigners to call on the government to reverse its decision in February to end the Dubs scheme for child refugees .
Ealing residents have also swung into action – with more than a dozen local people hosting destitute refugees and asylum-seekers in their own homes through a new group of volunteers , Refugees At Home .
The group was co-founded by Acton resident Sara Nathan . She has a guest , who we will call G . He arrived from Syria ( via Calais ) last year and wants to find a job as soon as possible – and get his wife out of their war-torn country .
Councillor Bell , who paid a visit to Sara ’ s home recently and met G , said : “ It was good to meet G and his host Sara and it was clear to me how positive the experience has been for both of them .” Read the full story and find out more at ealingnewsextra . co . uk / features / refugees you run a business in the borough or trade here ? A two-day exhibition and networking event will connect companies , and put suppliers in touch with purchasers , as well as showcasing local talent . The Ealing Business Expo & Networking Festival takes place on 9-10 June – between 11am-7pm both days . It is being hosted at Ealing Town Hall . It is free to attend as a visitor , and stands are available for local businesses to purchase , starting at £ 190 . There will be talks , speed networking , displays , live Q & A , panel discussions and a live performance by local band Chasing Deer will close the event on 10 June . For more information contact info @ contactusealing . co . uk or visit www . ealingbizexpo . co . uk
2New licensing for privately rented housing came into force on New Year ’ s Day . Under the two new schemes , a licence holder will have to comply with several conditions relating to the management and condition of the property , including its gas and electrical systems and fire safety . They also have to provide a written tenancy agreement – and anti-social behaviour by tenants has to be properly managed . The licences last for five years , but each can be reviewed if standards are not being met . There are two schemes : The first is called ‘ additional licensing ’, which makes it a legal requirement for most houses in multiple occupation ( HMO ) to be licensed . The second new scheme , known as ‘ selective licensing ’, will make it a legal requirement for all privately rented properties ( not just HMOs ) in Acton Central , East Acton , South Acton , Southall Green and Southall Broadway to be licensed . To find out more or to apply for a licence , visit www . ealing . gov . uk / PRSLicensing
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Sara Nathan , Councillor Bell and refugee G around ealing Spring 2017 11