Decision details

Matter for Decision

In 2020 the Council made a pledge to resettle 200 refugees over 5 years. A major part of the resettlement programme is the provision of housing. In 2021, the Council agreed to provide 4 council properties per annum, outside of the current Lettings Policy, for the next five years, to help deliver the pledge. To continue the Council’s resettlement work, the resettlement pledge needed to be renewed including the allocation of housing outside of the current Lettings Policy.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

      i.         Agreed the pledge to:

a.    Welcome refugees and asylum seekers to rebuild their lives in Cambridge and the surrounding areas through wraparound support under our resettlement programme.

b.    Allocate a minimum of 4 City Council properties per annum, outside of the current Lettings Policy, for the next five years to help deliver the pledge to resettle refugees. With a proportion of these properties provided to refugees that require secure accommodation as prescribed by central Government refugee schemes.

c.    Engage with the East of England Strategic Migration Partnership to identify suitable accommodation for refugees based on household needs.

d.    Provide advice to refugees who are homeless to explore their housing options, including the Private Rented Sector.

e.    Work alongside local communities, agencies, and charities to provide services that support welcoming, cohesion, and the removal of any barriers to resettlement.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Strategic Resettlement and Community Equity Lead.

The Strategic Resettlement and Community Equity Lead said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.         It was difficult to comment how the Council compared to other local authorities as the needs of people seeking sanctuary varied. Some local authorities would have a higher number of people seeking asylum, whereas in Cambridge there were a higher number of people with refugee status and the challenges people faced because of their status was different. A needs assessment with refugees had been undertaken and the data from this would inform work moving forwards. There were national challenges that people faced for example access to health care, dentistry and school places. Benchmarking against other local authorities had been undertaken in relation to grant funding. The Council had been recognised as demonstrating good practice in the region and Central Government officials had visited the Council and met with refugees the Council supported.     

    ii.         Advised that the Council provided Central Government with data regarding the resettlement work the Council undertook for example the number of people who had been able to access English classes, the number of people who had been supported into employment and the number of people assisted with the health care system.

   iii.         The holistic support for the resettlement work was fully funded through Central Government grant funding and was based on the number of people the Council resettled in the city. With reference to the Local Authority Housing Fund, the Council had agreed to pursue this as the grant offered by Central Government through the Local Authority Housing Fund was at a better rate than the grant offered through Homes England, so it was believed to be a better decision to invest in these properties using the Local Authority Housing Fund.  

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.