Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive providing Members with an update following a recent decision by this Council which pledged a non-financial interest and support for the Syrian Vulnerable Persons and wider Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Schemes as well as the National Asylum Dispersal Scheme.  Members approval was also sought to a formal offer of accommodation to the Home Office so that work could start to plan for the next expected arrival of families to the East of England in Summer 2017.

A summary of the actions undertaken by Officers working with Essex County Council and other partners was set out in Appendix 1 to the report. 

Members were introduced to Miss Louise Gooch from the East of England Strategic Partnership who was in attendance to provide technical details, if required.

The Leader of the Council presented the report and advised that the Council could pull out of any offer made at any point, but by making an offer it was showing a significant level of commitment.  She proposed that the Council accepted the recommendations set out in the report.

During the discussion that followed Members expressed support to progress an offer of accommodation to a refugee family.  Some concerns were raised regarding the number of persons in temporary accommodation and on the housing waiting lists in the District.  The Leader of the Council confirmed that this proposal would have no effect on families on the current waiting list, and that there would be no financial cost to the Council as alternative funding was being pursued.  This report sought the Council’s approval to go ahead, make the offer and start the matching process. 

In response to further comments, Miss Gooch provided the Council with details of the individual schemes and process for housing persons from such schemes.

RESOLVED

(i)              that Members note the progress made to date,

(ii)            that a formal offer of accommodation to the Home Office under either of the following, be approved

a.               the Syrian Vulnerable Persons’ Resettlement Scheme, or

b.              the Wider Vulnerable Children’s Resettlement Scheme (Refugee families from a wider area, including the Middle East and North Africa).