Decision details

North Devon Council's Participation in the UK Resettlement Scheme for Refugees

Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Committee

Decision status: For Determination

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Environmental Health and Housing Services (circulated previously) regarding participation in the UK Resettlement Scheme for refugees.

 

The Head of Environmental Health and Housing advised that the Council had participated in resettlement through endorsement of Community Sponsorship and these schemes have been successful.

 

In response to questions, the Head of Environmental Health and Housing advised the following:

 

·         There were no revisions to the dates contained within table in the Briefing Paper.

·         The funding had not been announced for each person for the next year.

·         The Council would seek to lease properties through private sector leasing.  Two units would not have an adverse impact on the local housing market.  Other support services needed to be commissioned.

                          

RESOLVED:

 

(a)

That the Council pledges to secure two properties to accommodate new arrivals of refugee families under the local authority managed resettlement scheme in this area in 20/21;

 

(b)

That the Council pledges to support a further four Community Sponsorship schemes, and gives delegated authority to the Head of Service for Environmental Health and Housing, to determine applications in consultation with the Lead Member for Housing;

 

(c)

The Council pledges to secure up to two properties per year to accommodate refugee families under the local authority managed resettlement scheme in this area post 20/21, subject to:

 

 

(i)

Government confirmation of the numbers of people and associated funding.

 

 

(ii)

The Council’s organisational capacity to undertake this responsibility.

(d)

That the Council’s ongoing participation in the Devon Syrian Resettlement Governance partnership be approved, which was administered by Devon County Council.

 

Report author: Jeremy Mann

Publication date: 09/06/2020

Date of decision: 04/05/2020

Decided at meeting: 04/05/2020 - Strategy and Resources Committee

Accompanying Documents: