Dorset Council and Dorset Police have set out their shared position on the Home Office's plans to house asylum seekers on a barge in Portland Port later this year.

The organisations have questions about the proposal that remain unanswered, and continue to seek clarity from the Home Office on plans. Both agencies have statutory responsibilities to ensure minimal impact on local services, should the Home Office's plan go ahead.

The controversial plans were announced by the Home Office last month, with the government saying that the barge would reduce the reliance on expensive hotels – currently costing £6million a day – and deliver a more orderly, cost effective and sustainable asylum accommodation system.

The scheme is said to be an important step in progressing the Prime Minister and Home Secretary's priority to "stop the boats", but plans for the barge, called Bibby Stockholm, have been heavily criticised, including by South Dorset MP Richard Drax.

The Bibby Stockholm barge will be berthed at Portland port for at least 18 months offering basic and functional accommodation, healthcare provision, catering facilities and 24/7 security to minimise the disruption to local communities.

Cllr Spencer Flower, leader or Dorset Council, said: "Dorset Council's position has not changed. We still have serious reservations about the appropriateness of Portland Port in this scenario and we remain opposed to the proposals.

"However, like all local agencies, we have statutory responsibilities to fulfil and collectively we want to ensure robust arrangements are in place if this goes ahead.

"We still have unanswered questions which we are waiting for the Home Office and the barge operator to respond to. I want to reassure local people and businesses that Dorset Council, along with its trusted partners, is working to address concerns."

David Sidwick, Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, added: "I would like to reassure Dorset residents that Dorset Police have started the necessary and detailed planning required to ensure both asylum seekers and residents will be kept safe. Currently though, they also have detailed questions that need answering and that are necessary to ensure the safety of all concerned.

"I have been and remain in regular contact with both the Home Secretary and the Policing Minister, with regard to the funding that will be required to meet the extra policing needs that this project will entail.

"I am determined that the funding should not come from the current police budget or from the people of Dorset and I will continue to push the government to fully fund the necessary security requirements brought about by the decision they have made to site this barge here in our county."

A multi-agency forum (MAF), which includes representatives from national, regional and local public sector agencies and the Home Office, has been established and meets weekly.

Four sub-groups have also been set up in addition to the MAF to look at the operational plans for provision of health services, the safety and security of both asylum seekers and local residents, regulatory arrangements, and voluntary sector involvement.

They are:

• Health (Social Care and Public Health included)
• Safety and Security
• Place and Regulatory Services
• Community and wider stakeholder engagement and communication

This group meets weekly to discuss plans and arrangements. The collective aim is to ensure minimal impact on local services, communities and businesses.

Dorset Council and Dorset Police will continue to seek clarification from the Home Office on how it plans to operate the barge.