Issue - meetings

            The Board received a presentation from Mr J. Mckibbin who outlined to Members the work the North West Border Agency carried out in Halton. The Border Force was a law enforcement command within the Home Office. Border Force secured the border and promoted national prosperity by facilitating the legitimate movement of individuals and goods, whilst preventing those that would cause harm from entering the UK. This was achieved through the immigration and customs checks carried out at ports and airports.  Border Force officers worked at 140 sea and air ports across the UK and overseas and their responsibilities included:

·                checking the immigration status of people arriving in and departing the UK;

·                searching baggage, vehicles and cargo for illicit goods or illegal immigrants;

·                patrolling the UK coastline and searching vessels;

·                gathering intelligence; and

·                alerting the police and security services to people of interest

Members noted that the priorities for the Border Force were to:

·                deter and prevent individuals and goods that would harm the national interests from entering the UK;

·                facilitate the legitimate movement of individuals and trade to and from the UK;

·                protect and collect customs revenues for trade crossing the border;

·                provide excellent service to customers; and

·                provide demonstrable effectiveness, efficiency and value for money

            On behalf of the Board, the Chair agreed to write to both local MP’s to highlight the cuts to Home Office services in Halton and the potential further reductions in service.

            RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted and the Chair thanked Mr Mckibbin for his informative presentation.