Issue - meetings

[Report of the Deputy Chief Executive. To be introduced by the Leader of the Council.] This report will set out what the Council currently does and what is planned for the future to support refugees and unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report which set out in a single document the existing and expected support for refugee families and households on No Recourse to Public Funds, in light of humanitarian crisis through the closure of the Calais camp. The report also outlined the Council’s support for children that have a right to come to the UK through the Dublin agreement and delegated responsibility to the Deputy Chief Executive for working with the Home Office to resettle 10 Syrian families.

In response to Cllr Engert’s questions the following was noted:

·         The Council had been speaking with the Home Office for a number of months on the resettlement of refugee families. The actions in relation to the resettlement of refugee families taken by other boroughs did not have Home Office agreed support and it was necessary to have this. It was important to note that there were families that arrive in Haringey, outside of the scheme, as well as   number of unaccompanied minors and families that are supported through NRPF by the Council.

·         It was important to note that the Council had been part of small number of boroughs that had pursued the resettlement agenda and worked hard to ensure there was Pan London support for this action. The Council recognised this as an emergency but were dependent on the Home Office actions in terms of the timing of re- settling families.

RESOLVED

1.    To note and endorse the response by the Council and local partners to the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by conflict in Syria by resettling up to 10 Syrian refugee families in Haringey.

2.    To note the support that the Council and local partners are providing to asylum seekers, refugees and unaccompanied asylum seeking children through the schemes that are currently in operation;

3.    To delegate responsibility to the Deputy Chief Executive to enter in to an agreement with the Home Office to resettle up to 10 Syrian refugee families in Haringey;

4.    To note that officers will continue to work with statutory partners, VCS organisations, and faith and community groups to ensure appropriate support is provided to refugees, asylum seekers and unaccompanied asylum seeking children who resettle in Haringey.

Reasons for decision

To set out in a transparent and accountable way, the support that Haringey Council and local partners have been and will provide to anyone resettling in Haringey through the support schemes that currently operate in the UK.

To set out how we do and will continue to offer asylum seekers, refugees and unaccompanied asylum seeking children a place of safety.

Alternative options considered

The alternative option considered is not to enter into an agreement with the Home Office on the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. Given the significant migration crisis, it is felt that Haringey should continue and enhance the part it plays in the wider London and UK effort to provide assistance.