Issue - meetings


Asylum Update - Resettlement Programme

Meeting: 04/09/2023 - Executive (Item 22)

22 Increase service family accommodation for ARAP scheme members pdf icon PDF 444 KB

Report of Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Housing

Purpose of report

 

To increase the delivery of housing and support for the ARAP scheme (Afghan Resettlement and Assistance Programme) in Cherwell. The original figure was to accommodate 10 families in MOD housing which has now been achieved. The request is to increase our offer of accommodation for a further 6 properties making 16 in total by early 2024. 

Recommendations

 

The meeting is recommended:

 

1.1      to delegate authority to Assistant Director Housing and Wellbeing in consultation with Portfolio Holder Housing to:  

? 

a.    agree variation to existing agreement to extend the offer of accommodation from 10 properties to 16 properties for the period as deemed appropriate.  

 

b.    agree and utilise future accommodation for the same purpose.  

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)           That authority be delegated to Assistant Director Housing and Wellbeing in consultation with Portfolio Holder Housing to:  

? 

a.     agree variation to existing agreement to extend the offer of accommodation from 10 properties to 16 properties for the period as deemed appropriate.  

b.     agree and utilise future accommodation for the same purpose.  

 

Minutes:

The Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Housing submitted a report to increase the delivery of housing and support for the ARAP scheme (Afghan Resettlement and Assistance Programme) in Cherwell. The original figure was to accommodate 10 families in MOD housing which has now been achieved. The request is to increase our offer of accommodation for a further 6 properties making 16 in total by early 2024. 

 

In introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for Housing highlighted that this was pioneering work between the council and the MOD with funding provided by the Home Officer. The Chairman reiterated the comments and asked officers to write to the Minister of State (Minister for Veterans’ Affairs), the Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP, to invite him to visit the work the council was undertaking.

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That authority be delegated to Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing in consultation with Portfolio Holder Housing to:  

? 

a.    agree variation to existing agreement to extend the offer of accommodation from 10 properties to 16 properties for the period as deemed appropriate.  

b.    agree and utilise future accommodation for the same purpose.  

 

Reasons

 

The ARAP scheme offers priority relocation to eligible current or former Afghan nationals who were locally employed staff by the British military forces and who are assessed to be under serious threat to life. CDC currently leases 10 properties from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for housing Afghan refugees under the Government’s ARAP scheme. CDC has been offered a further six properties to resettle more Afghan families who worked with British forces during the war in Afghanistan.

 

Alternative options

 

Option 1: Not offer to partner the Home Office in their commitment to settle families in the UK who were part of the United Kingdom military operation in Afghanistan. Rejected because Cherwell District Council considers itself part of the UK response  to supporting refugees

 

Option 2: Provide accommodation through our regular housing register.

Rejected By partnering with the MOD we are able to provide a resource not usually available to non-service personnel and so protect the applicants on the housing register from an increase in people seeking homes through that route.