Issue details

Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation

This report sets out what is required from Barnet Council – across a range of services including housing and social care - in order to achieve the Council’s commitment to resettle 50 refugees in Barnet as part of the Government’s Syrian Vulnerable Person Relocation (VPR) scheme. The report provides background to the VPR scheme and how the Council will work with the Government to welcome and accommodate the 50 refugees and register them with the appropriate universal and specialist services in the borough.  The report also sets out how the Council will assess the potential need for further support in order to meet the requirements of the scheme and the standards of service offered to all Barnet residents.

 

The report presents financial modelling of the potential costs to the Council of participation in the VPR scheme, based on initial assumptions about the size and potential requirements of those resettled – which will be subject to change based on actual referrals - and analysis of how these compare with the funding committed by Government to cover costs of resettlement for the first year of the scheme. The report also looks ahead to subsequent years. The Government has committed to providing funding for years 2-5 (in line with the period of 5 years Humanitarian Protection status that will be granted to refugees). The level of funding available in years 2-5 is yet to be finalised, although the Government has committed to making funding available to cover this period.  The Council is in close contact with the Home Office and expects to receive confirmation imminently.

 

Reflecting the degree of uncertainty about the potential financial implications – particularly over the longer-term if the circumstances of those resettled were to change - the report recommends the earmarking of a £100,000 contingency, allocated from the risk reserve.  The size of the contingency fund will be kept under review and is intended to help meet the potential costs of delivering the VPR scheme in future years without placing an undue financial burden on service budgets.

 

Due to the urgent nature of the decision, the Chief Executive has utilised the urgent provisions in the Constitution to approve the earmarking of a contingency in order for the Council to move as quickly as possible to begin accepting referrals from the Government as it meets the commitment to resettle 50 Syrian refugees in the borough, reflecting the degree of urgency required and the preference of Members to respond as quickly as possible.

Decision type: Non-key

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 17/11/2015

Decision due: 17 Nov 2015 by Chief Executive

Decisions