Issue - meetings

Resolved

(1)    That having given due consideration, the presentation on Resettlement and Migration be noted.

(2)    That officers be requested to consider publishing key information on resettlement and migration data that is frequently requested though Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, to help manage future FOI requests.

(3)    That mandatory member training on resettlement, asylum and migration be included in the member development programme.

The Committee considered resettlement and migration schemes in Cherwell to assist asylum seekers and refugees. The Portfolio Holder for Housing provided introductory remark, and the Committee received a presentation from the Head of Resettlement that detailed the ongoing work carried out by the Resettlement and Migration department.

Committee members posed questions to the Portfolio Holder for Housing, the Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Housing and the Head of Resettlement, including on the definition of “legal” / “illegal” routes, the financial, resource and social impacts of the scheme to the Council and wider community, as well as the impact on housing supply and the volume of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests issued.

A question was asked about the resource burden arising from Freedom of Information requests and whether there was a resource limit placed on dealing with this. The Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Housing explained that there is a statutory limit on the number of hours a response takes before the council can place a charge. It was very rare to receive individual requests that exceeded this limit. Notwithstanding, dealing with the volume of Freedom of information requests was a resource pressure on the department.

In response to a question seeking clarification on what extent the schemes are compulsory and to want extent were local choice, the Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Housing explained that the Homes for Ukraine programme was based on sponsors and hosts within the district, so the Council had no control over the numbers of people wishing to live in Cherwell. It was very much a local offer to a group of people who needed housing.

The UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS) was an initial agreement to settle 18 families predominantly from Syria. This programme had significantly reduced over time. The Afghan families’ schemes placed all people in properties that were formally Ministry of Défense (MOD) (so not social housing or private housing). Whilst the Council could refuse to support families and not get involved in the programs at all, there had been an expectation nationally that local authorities would play their part.

Further questions had been submitted by members of the Committee in writing and the Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Housing said that she would be happy to provide a written answer to those.

It was proposed by Councillor Lynne Parsons to recommend that the Executive make training on Resettlement and Migration mandatory as part of the member development programme. This was seconded by Councillor Andrew Crichton.

The Committee discussed the motion. On being put to the vote, there were 4 votes for, 4 votes against and 1 abstention.  The Chairman used their casting vote in favour of the proposal. It was agreed that mandatory member training on resettlement, asylum and migration be included in the member development programme.

Resolved

(1)       That having given due consideration, the presentation on Resettlement and Migration be noted.

(2)       That the Council Executive be recommended to publish key information on resettlement and migration data that is frequently requested though  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49