The City of Sanctuary movement began in Sheffield in October 2005 and, in September 2007, the council formally declared the city to be the country's first official City of Sanctuary.

To achieve this status, a city must improve the experiences and opportunities of refugees and asylum seekers, so that they can make more of a contribution to the communities within which they live.

A report detailing Sheffield's progress in this area over the past two years is to go before the council's Cabinet committee meeting on Wednesday next week.

Councillor Gail Smith, Sheffield Council's Cabinet member for independent and healthy living, said that Sheffield is a city that takes pride in the welcome it offers to people in need of safety.

She said: "This week, people of all different backgrounds joined us to celebrate Refugee Week launch, to celebrate Sheffield's history of welcoming refugees, and to acknowledge the many and varied contributions refugees have made to the city.

"Providing a safe place for people who are in genuine need is part of the Sheffield character.

"We were the first area in the UK to take part in the United Nations Gateway resettlement programme, and we're reaping the benefits of a diverse and vibrant community contributing to the local economy."

Back in February this year the council voted unanimously to adopt a manifesto developed by the City of Sanctuary movement's 90 local supporting organisations, including schools, community centres, faith groups and community forums across the city.

Sheffield was the first city to formally adopt its own manifesto; since then at least nine other cities have followed suit.

According to the new progress report, Sheffield is becoming a city where asylum-seekers and refugees are "fully included in the activities and membership of local community groups", and where "host communities receive support to enable them to integrate asylum-seekers and refugees."

It adds that Sheffield is doing well in ensuring that people seeking sanctuary can access essential services such as education, health and transport, and asylum seekers and refugees are also given a voice in the media and local decision making.

Coun Smith added: "Whilst helping those who are disadvantaged is something with which few people would argue, we still need to do more to challenge stereotypical views about asylum seekers and refugees. That's why it's so encouraging to hear their voice in mixed local communities, debating issues that all Sheffield citizens care about.

"It's also good news that where communities have faced tensions, a new mediation service is helping people see eye-to-eye.

"I'm proud that Sheffield has taken a lead amongst other cities on these issues, and look forward to seeing the work move forward and take effect."

Craig Barnett, the City of Sanctuary movement's national co-ordinator, said: "Sheffield has become an inspiration to cities all over the country for the way it has taken a lead as the UK's first City of Sanctuary.

"This movement has come from the people of Sheffield, who want to be proud of their city and the welcome they offer to people in need of sanctuary."

The Cabinet committee meeting at which the City of Sanctuary report will be discussed takes place at 2pm on Wednesday, June 24 at Sheffield Town Hall.