Decision details

To provide details on and agree how the Council can support the Home Office Afghanistan refugee programmes and update on the on the schemes funding arrangements.

RESOLVED –

1)    That the receipt of grant funding related to Afghanistan Refugee Programmes, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 22.4, be endorsed.

2)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Children and Families), in consultation with the Cabinet Member (Learning, Aspiration and Communities), to approve any changes to the approach and allocation of resources or adjustment to the number of families or individuals accommodated, within financial regulations as specified by Home Office funding Regulations, as set out at Appendix A, and the fair share allocation principle.

3)    That any future changes to the programme be delegated to the Strategic Director (Children’s Services), within the parameters of financial and contractual procedure rules and any future Home Office Guidance relating to changes, based upon consideration and recommendations from the Tactical Group.

4)    That, pursuant to (3) above, any significant delegated decisions be reported to a future meeting of Cabinet.

5)    That it be acknowledged that a longer term approach is being developed to manage resource implications in order to ensure that adequate resources to respond are in place, including housing, welfare and exchequer.

6)    That the Council’s ongoing engagement with regional and national bodies to managing any challenges arising from Home Office requests be endorsed.