Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Well-being and Independence (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval to continue to support the settlement of refugees in Denbighshire through the new revised scheme.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       confirms it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment (Appendix 1 to the report) as part of its consideration, and

(b)       agrees to continue to support the settlement of refugees in Denbighshire through the Global Resettlement Scheme dependent upon the terms and financing of such a scheme once published by the Home Office.

Councillor Bobby Feeley presented the report seeking Cabinet approval to continue to support the settlement of refugees in Denbighshire through the new scheme.

Cabinet was advised of progress with the Syrian Vulnerable Persons’ Resettlement Scheme within Denbighshire which was being replaced with a new and wider Global Resettlement Scheme from April 2020 to welcome around 5000 more refugees into the UK from beyond the Middle East and Africa.  Since April 2016 Denbighshire had successful resettled 18 families and were on track to meet the target figure of 20 families by March 2020.  Full details of the project’s successes, areas for improvement and lessons learnt had been included within the report.  The new scheme would be simpler to operate and aimed to provide greater consistency in the way refugees were resettled.

Cabinet supported the continuation of the scheme and were keen to ensure that the areas identified for improvement and any barriers to integration were addressed.  Councillor Mark Young sought assurances regarding housing standards and property conditions plus access to health care.  Officers explained that claims of damp and condensation had resulted from cultural lifestyle choices given the changes in climate with the heating on and windows closed and they were working to educate those families and where necessary extra extractors had been installed to help address those issues.  It was also explained that much work was being carried out both nationally and locally to ensure better access to dental and health care services for families and it remained a priority issue to look at options and ways of overcoming those barriers.  In response to further questions and assurances officers confirmed that the intention for families to take on full responsibility for tenancies after twelve months had been ambitious however ensuring those families had access to computer systems and understanding how to manage rent accounts had helped to smooth the process together with better sharing of information and ensuring families were aware of their responsibilities and expectations.  The areas for improvement had been highlighted as such and would be the focus for resources in the future.

Councillor Graham Timms reported upon the positive benefit of two families accommodated in Llangollen which had resulted in a better understanding of the plight of refugees.  In terms of the language barrier officers confirmed steps taken in that regard with the introduction of digital solutions and use of online apps but it was acknowledged that more could be done and the Home Office and Welsh Migration Partnership were also working to address the issue.  The importance of families accessing employment and training was also acknowledged and much work had been undertaken in that regard and to safeguard against exploitation.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       confirms it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment (Appendix 1 to the report) as part of its consideration, and

(b)       agrees to continue to support the settlement of refugees in Denbighshire through the Global Resettlement Scheme dependent upon the terms and financing of such a scheme once published by the Home Office.