Agenda item

To update the Executive on the current position and requirements relating to the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme.

Decision

(1)       That the Executive, on behalf of the Council, expresses its willingness and eagerness to join the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme and, subject to confirmed support from Lincolnshire County Council, agrees to accept three to five families over the course of the next year.

(2)       That the Executive, on behalf of the Council, commits the staffing and financial resources to join the scheme and continues to work in partnership with the other Lincolnshire authorities and relevant agencies to deliver the scheme.

(3)       That, should support from Lincolnshire County Council not be confirmed to progress with the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Programme, the Executive agrees to support three to five families over the course of the next year should officers advise that it is practicable and possible to do so and that this determination be delegated to the Chief Executive.

None.

In Autumn 2015 the Government pledged to accept 20,000 Syrian Refugees into the country from the official refugee camps in Syria by 2020.

The Strategic Migration Partnership in the East Midlands was led by East Midlands Councils. East Midlands Councils was seeking pledges for 75 to 80 families across the region for the March intake and had requested that Lincolnshire considered accepting additional families into the county. North Kesteven and South Kesteven District Councils had pledged to take further families and South Holland District Council had agreed to take a family. It was proposed that the City of Lincoln Council pledged to take three to five families during 2019.

A Lincolnshire Resettlement Group had been formed and was attended by the District Councils, the County Council and other relevant agencies and organisations. The group was chaired by the Deputy Chief Executive at North Kesteven District Council and it was intended that the group would continue to work together to share resources and good practice to progress the intake of further refugees into the county.

The Resettlement Scheme set out a number of requirements which had to be met by receiving authorities, including their arrival, accommodation, support and healthcare as detailed in paragraph 3.2 of the report.

Since the publication of the report it was understood that the County Council’s status in relation to its direction and support of the Programme may have changed. This would be established in due course, with the recommendation in the report reflecting that the City Council’s commitment would be subject to  confirmed support from Lincolnshire County Council.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, Leader of the Council, was keen to support this Programme. He proposed that the City Council continued to commit to supporting three to five families as set out in the report even if the County Council did not confirm its support, subject to the City Council’s officers reviewing the situation and advising that it would be practicable and possible to do so. The Executive supported this proposal.

A question was raised in relation to whether the City Council’s involvement in supporting the three to five families would involve the provision of housing. It was noted that a key aspect of the City Council’s offer of support in respect of those families would be in the provision of housing, whether that be social housing or private rented housing.

A comment was made regarding the Council’s current housing register and any negative feedback that may be received regarding the Council’s involvement in the Programme, particularly the provision of housing. Councillor Metcalfe referred to the housing need test which, given the respective families’ exceptional circumstances, did not think it would be difficult to reach the conclusion that these people should be given priority with regard to housing need.