Issue - decisions

Extension of Refugee Resettlement

25/03/2019 - Extension of Refugee Resettlement Arrangements

16.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report advising Cabinet of requests that the Council continues to resettle refugees under both programmes until May 2020 and to seek approval for the extension of both agreements, together with a variation to the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS) agreement to incorporate resettlement of additional refugees under the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme.   This would not include any unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

 

 

16.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:- 

 

 

 

(a)

notes the contents of the report and in particular the financial implications;

 

 

 

 

(b)

approves the acceptance of Home Office grant funding by entering into an extension to the funding agreement, subject to submitted costs being agreed, to deliver the Gateway Protection Programme between April 2019 and March 2020;

 

 

 

 

(c)

agrees to the Council continuing to be the Accountable Body for the Home Office grant in respect of Hull City Council and the Refugee Council and that the funding agreements with both organisations for the elements of the programme that they deliver be extended on terms which reflect the Council’s agreement with the Home Office;

 

 

 

 

(d)

agrees that the existing funding agreement with Leeds City Council, as the regional accountable body, for delivery of the Syrian Vulnerable Person’s Resettlement Scheme in Sheffield be varied to provide funding to the Council (i) to continue providing resettlement and support under the scheme, and (ii) to provide resettlement and support under the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme, from April 2019 to March 2020;

 

 

 

 

(e)

delegates authority to the Executive Director, Place, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial Services, to instruct the Director of Legal and Governance to finalise terms and complete the necessary documentation; and

 

 

 

 

(f)

delegates authority to the Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods to accept a small additional increase in the number of refugees to be resettled if requested to do so, subject to adequate funding being offered, sufficient properties being available and the service being able to accommodate and support the additional refugees.

 

 

 

16.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

16.3.1

The Council now has over 14 years’ experience of management and delivery of

Refugee resettlement programmes, the longest involvement of any local authority in the UK.

 

 

16.3.2

The Council has managed a successful programme delivery partnership with Hull City Council and the Refugee Council since 2011. As well as overall management of the programme, the Council has also managed the provision of housing and associated tenancy support for the Gateway refugees. The local authority VCF partnership provides excellent quality and value for money services and delivering a further programme going forward will ensure the continuity of the current delivery partnership as well as providing the best housing and resettlement services for new refugees arriving in the city.

 

 

16.3.3

The UK government have committed to resettling the most vulnerable Syrian

refugees, bringing people to the UK who have fled the war and are temporarily

based in neighbouring countries. The VPRS is funded by central government, with money provided at a level which funds the Council and its delivery partners to provide services and support to refugees for a period of up to 5 years following arrival in the city.

 

 

16.3.4

The Government has committed to resettling families with vulnerable children under the Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement scheme and other local authorities in the Yorkshire and Humberside region have taken families under this scheme.

 

 

16.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

16.4.1

If the Council did not extend the funding agreements with the Home Office and Leeds City Council for Migration Yorkshire it would mean that refugees waiting for resettlement may not be offered a place of sanctuary.  It could affect national targets to resettle refugees.

 

 

16.4.2

The current delivery partners have committed to continuing the existing arrangements for the requested period of extension.

 

 

16.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

 

 

 

None

 

 

16.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

 

 

 

None

 

 

16.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

 

 

 

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Place

 

 

16.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

 

 

 

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