Issue - meetings

REPORT OF SERVICE DIRECTOR – HOUSING & ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

To update Cabinet on the current position regarding refugees and to provide a flexible approach to meeting increased housing demands whilst also ensuring appropriate support is provided to refugees.

RESOLVED:

(1)  That Cabinet noted the local position regarding the resettlement of refugees and it supports more focused resettlement efforts for this client group as part of the Council’s wider housing role;

(2)  That Cabinet delegated to the Service Director – Housing and Environmental Health and the Service Director – Resources in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health and the Executive Member for Finance & IT, the authority to decide the allocation of Home Office funding to support the resettlement of refugees (for matters that are not reserved for Cabinet).

REASON FOR DECISIONS: There is likely to be increased demand for housing services from refugees in the foreseeable future and the recommendations in this report seek to manage this efficiently, whilst ensuring appropriate support services are in place.

Audio recording – 37:07

Councillor Sean Prendergast, as Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health, presented the report entitled ‘Refugee Resettlement and Home Office Funding Update’ and advised that:

·       The Council had a strong record on support provided to refugees.

·       It was anticipated that demand would increase following changes to government policy, and it was important to be proactive in response.

·       He would continue to keep Cabinet updated on progress or changes.

Councillor Ian Albert requested that the Service Director – Resources and the Executive Member for Finance and IT were to be involved in the process, as well as the currently listed Service Director and Executive Member. This was proposed as an amendment by Councillor Albert and seconded by Councillor Prendergast.

A further request to include the Executive Member for Community and Partnerships to be included in the process was rejected. In response to this, the Chair advised that meetings took place between Cabinet colleagues outside of this meeting and it was important all Cabinet members were consulted on projects, but not all needed to be involved.

In response to a question from Councillor Ruth Brown, Councillor Prendergast advised that the recommendations were trying to deal with likely pressure, so that the Council can be more focussed on meeting those demands as and when the issues occur.

The Chair noted that central government needed to support local councils and to appreciate the pressures and burdens they were under.

Councillor Sean Prendergast proposed the motion, as amended, and Councillor Alistair Willoughby seconded and following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED:

(1)   That Cabinet noted the local position regarding the resettlement of refugees and it supports more focused resettlement efforts for this client group as part of the Council’s wider housing role;

(2)   That Cabinet delegated to the Service Director – Housing and Environmental Health and the Service Director – Resources in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health and the Executive Member for Finance & IT, the authority to decide the allocation of Home Office funding to support the resettlement of refugees (for matters that are not reserved for Cabinet).

REASON FOR DECISIONS: There is likely to be increased demand for housing services from refugees in the foreseeable future and the recommendations in this report seek to manage this efficiently, whilst ensuring appropriate support services are in place.