Agenda item

8.1

The Head of Communities accompanied by the Strategic Lead for Asylum introduced the report which sought approval to allocate the Asylum Dispersal Grant (the Grant) in line with the recommendations below; and also sought delegated authority to the Director of Communities from November 2023 to March 31st 2026, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial Services and the General Counsel and informed by, and working with the voluntary, community and faith sector regionally and nationally, to make decisions on the allocation of funds from the Grant to meet the aims and objectives outlined in the report.

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee:-

1.     Approve the use of the Grant to fund the continuation and development of the current SCC Strategic Asylum function in Communities Service, until March 2026.

2.     Approve the decision to ring fence part of the Grant from November 2023 to March 2026 for the purpose of responding flexibly to asylum and migrant community needs in Sheffield, along with the wider sanctuary cohort, to support their integration.

3.     Delegate authority to the Director of Communities from November 2023 to March 2026, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial Services and the General Counsel and informed by, and working with the voluntary, community and faith sector regionally and nationally, to make decisions on the allocation of funds from the Grant to meet the aims and objectives outlined in this report.

4.     Approve the decision to appoint dedicated resources to work for the benefit of people seeking asylum, the migrant community in Sheffield, and the wider sanctuary cohort in accordance with Table 1.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

Increasingly, the interconnectedness and complexities of the asylum system now mean that this is no longer solely an immigration issue.

Sheffield will continue to welcome those seeking asylum, refugees and migrant groups to the city. As such, there will be increased demand over time for not only infrastructure, but also services including education, health, wellbeing, inclusion and socio-economic independence to support their integration.

At Full Council a motion was unanimously passed in July 2023 in which the Council agreed a range of measures reaffirming our commitment to being a City of Sanctuary, as well as a commitment to becoming a Local Authority of Sanctuary. The recommendations in this paper promote the ability of the city to respond effectively to national asylum policy and act meaningfully to help those seeking refuge in our city.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

The alternative option to decline the Grant was considered and rejected because of the clear financial and operational need to address asylum dispersal.

Acceptance of the Grant will enable delivery and support of strategic activity to ensure that the needs of asylum seekers in the Asylum Dispersal Scheme are met. This work is essential not only for those directly affected, but also benefits the wider host community, and all who live or work in, and visit our city.

Given the ongoing, national asylum context and continued numbers of people seeking safety in the UK, significant likelihood exists that Sheffield will continue to be asked to accommodate people awaiting asylum decisions. In addition to this, the city is home to an increasing number of refugees, arriving via different routes. Given the clear benefit of this funding for the vulnerable sanctuary community, the alternative action, to decline the funding, was rejected.

8.1

The Head of Communities accompanied by the Strategic Lead for Asylum introduced the report which sought approval to allocate the Asylum Dispersal Grant (the Grant) in line with the recommendations below; and also sought delegated authority to the Director of Communities from November 2023 to March 31st 2026, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial Services and the General Counsel and informed by, and working with the voluntary, community and faith sector regionally and nationally, to make decisions on the allocation of funds from the Grant to meet the aims and objectives outlined in the report.

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee:-

1.     Approve the use of the Grant to fund the continuation and development of the current SCC Strategic Asylum function in Communities Service, until March 2026.

2.     Approve the decision to ring fence part of the Grant from November 2023 to March 2026 for the purpose of responding flexibly to asylum and migrant community needs in Sheffield, along with the wider sanctuary cohort, to support their integration.

3.     Delegate authority to the Director of Communities from November 2023 to March 2026, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial Services and the General Counsel and informed by, and working with the voluntary, community and faith sector regionally and nationally, to make decisions on the allocation of funds from the Grant to meet the aims and objectives outlined in this report.

4.     Approve the decision to appoint dedicated resources to work for the benefit of people seeking asylum, the migrant community in Sheffield, and the wider sanctuary cohort in accordance with Table 1.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

Increasingly, the interconnectedness and complexities of the asylum system now mean that this is no longer solely an immigration issue.

Sheffield will continue to welcome those seeking asylum, refugees and migrant groups to the city. As such, there will be increased demand over time for not only infrastructure, but also services including education, health, wellbeing, inclusion and socio-economic independence to support their integration.

At Full Council a motion was unanimously passed in July 2023 in which the Council agreed a range of measures reaffirming our commitment to being a City of Sanctuary, as well as a commitment to becoming a Local Authority of Sanctuary. The recommendations in this paper promote the ability of the city to respond effectively to national asylum policy and act meaningfully to help those seeking refuge in our city.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

The alternative option to decline the Grant was considered and rejected because of the clear financial and operational need to address asylum dispersal.

Acceptance of the Grant will enable delivery and support of strategic activity to ensure that the needs of asylum seekers in the Asylum Dispersal Scheme are met. This work is essential not only for those directly affected, but also benefits the wider host community, and all who live or work in, and visit our city.

Given the ongoing, national asylum context and continued numbers of people seeking safety in the UK, significant likelihood exists that Sheffield will continue to be asked to accommodate people awaiting asylum decisions. In addition to this, the city is home to an increasing number of refugees, arriving via different routes. Given the clear benefit of this funding for the vulnerable sanctuary community, the alternative action, to decline the funding, was rejected.