Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR - REGULATORY

The Government has announced arrangements for extending its refugee resettlement programme beyond 2020, when its three largest current resettlement schemes are due to conclude. It is seeking pledges from local authorities to participate in the first year of this new global resettlement scheme.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the successful appointment of a specialist refugee support provider:

(1)        the Government’s extended refugee resettlement programme be supported;

(2)        ten Syrian refugees be resettled in North Hertfordshire in the first year of the new global resettlement scheme and authorises officers to make the necessary arrangements to deliver this commitment.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Council to continue to support the Government’s refugee resettlement

programme.

Audio recording – 22 minutes 54 seconds

The Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health presented the report entitled the Government’s Refugee Resettlement Scheme and drew attention to the following:

·                 10 Syrian families had been resettled successfully and integrated well into their communities;

·                 Appropriate support had been provided to these families;

·                 Syrian refugees were being sought for this resettlement as the infrastructure was already in place.

The following Members asked questions and took part in the debate:

·                Councillor Judi Billing;

·                Councillor Paul Clark;

·                Councillor Ian Albert;

·                Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb.

In response to questions the Strategic Housing Manager advised that:

·                 The families previously resettled were 5 strong;

·                 North Herts was well served with 3 bedroomed housing;

·                 Links would be made between families wherever possible;

·                 North Herts resettled approximately 20 percent of the families previously resettled in Hertfordshire;

·                 Getting the housing early was key to success;

·                 Refugees could have complex needs.

RESOLVED:

That, subject to the successful appointment of a specialist refugee support provider:

(1)        the Government’s extended refugee resettlement programme be supported;

(2)        ten Syrian refugees be resettled in North Hertfordshire in the first year of the new global resettlement scheme and authorises officers to make the necessary arrangements to deliver this commitment.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Council to continue to support the Government’s refugee resettlement

programme.