Research finds out more about Shropshire's migrant workers

A group set up by Shropshire County Council to research the needs of the county’s migrant workers is making good progress in its work to find out more about the people coming to Shropshire to live and work.

The group’s work will help councils, the police and other organisations better understand and meet the needs of the county’s migrant workers and new emerging communities.

Members of the group, which was set up in November, include county councillors and officers from West Mercia Constabulary, Shropshire Partnership, Shropshire County Council and South Shropshire District Council.

A report to the county council’s corporate support services scrutiny panel this week (16 April) showed that the group has carried out a range of research, including a visit to Herefordshire County Council which is recognised for its success in this area. Members of the group are also due to visit Cornwall County Council in May to see what lessons can be learnt from their work.

Mike Owen, Shropshire County Council’s cabinet member for community well-being, who is a member of the group, said: “We must ensure that migrant workers are welcomed into Shropshire, but need to make sure that we understand and meet their needs, and help them to integrate with local communities.

“Shropshire is already carrying out a lot of good work in this area, but this research will help ensure that we come up with a programe of future activities that will be appropriate to those people coming to Shropshire, and that will make a real difference to them.”

The groups’ recommendations will be presented to the county council’s corporate support services scrutiny panel at its meeting in July.

18 April 2008