Issue - meetings

Maidstone's approach to the Syrian refugee crisis

Meeting: 08/12/2015 - Communities, Housing and Environment Committee (Item 89)

89 Report of the Head of Housing and Community Services - Maidstone's approach to the Syrian refugee crisis pdf icon PDF 111 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That this report be referred to the Policy and Resources Committee for consideration due to the potential acquisition cost which could not be accommodated within the Communities, Housing and Environment Committee’s budget.

Minutes:

Members considered the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services which sought Committee’s approval for the Council to assist Syrian Refugees, as outlined by the Prime Minister in October 2015.

Members noted that the Scheme (Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme) (VPR) had been expanded by the Government as it intends to resettle 20,000 Syrians.  The scheme would prioritise those most vulnerable.

 

Members also noted that there would be a very stringent vetting process before the refugees were released to the Council by the Home Office and Government offices.

 

In response to questions from Members, the following was noted:-

·  The Head of Finance and Resources advised that it was within this
Committee’s remit to purchase from capital funds but as the increase in homelessness has impacted on its capital funds already, this could have an additional burden on the Committee’s budgetary resources.

·  The Head of Housing and Community Services advised that the reasoning behind recommending that this Council take 6 single males is due to the fact that it would be easier to place these individuals in shared accommodation.  The advantages being that it  would make it easier to deliver good community support as it would be targeted to one place and the accommodation could be utilised for the homeless in the future.

·  The funding received from the Home Office would be provided for five years.  Should the funding exceed the allocated spend then the Council would not expect to deliver any further services.

 

It was moved by Councillor Mrs Blackmore and seconded by Councillor Newton that the report be referred to the Policy and Resources Committee providing it had no impact on any other deadlines which had to be met regarding the allocation of the individuals coming to this country.

Voting:  For:  6  Against:  3  Abstentions:  0

The amendment was carried.


RESOLVED:  That the report be referred to the Policy and Resources Committee providing it had no impact on any other deadlines which had to be met regarding the allocation of the individuals coming to this country.

Voting:  For:  6  Against:  3  Abstentions:  0