Agenda item

Members were reminded that in September 2015 the Government had committed to resettling up to 20,000 Syrian refugees in the UK during this Parliament. Success in meeting the offer of 20,000 refugee places depended on the commitment of local authorities throughout the UK to accept refugees and the Government had indicated that they would try and place Syrian refugees equitably across the country. 

Selection of refugees coming to the UK would be undertaken by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).  UNHCR would refer cases to the Home Office to check eligibility and carry out medical and security checks. The Council would be asked to accept or reject cases and on accepting a case, to arrange housing, school places etc.

The Home Office was keen to see a significantly higher number of South East Authorities coming forward and Surrey County Council had requested local district councils to pledge to make offers to accept Syrian refugees.  A Surrey Group had been formed to coordinate the offer under the Relocation Scheme which included representatives from Surrey County Council, health and the participating Boroughs and Districts.  A local partnership would be established to develop a resettlement offer to households which drew on the support and services available from local services in all sectors.

The funding available from central Government had been included in the spending review and in two-tier authorities would be shared between County and Borough. 

Concern was expressed in relation to the plight of Christian and other persecuted sects in Syria which were not necessarily being addressed by current aid programmes.  It was considered that the government should be urged to take urgent action to assist these groups.

Resolved that

(i)              a provisional undertaking be given to the Home Office to resettle 2 households in Surrey Heath in the coming year under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme for Syrian Nations, subject to the project being deliverable within the funding available;

(ii)            a review of the first 2 resettlements be undertaken after the first year and, subject to the results of the review, a further 8 households be resettled over the following four years;

(iii)          the details of the best fit, and the acceptance of the specific families be delegated to the Executive Head of Regulatory after consultation with the Leader and the Regulatory Portfolio Holder;

(iv)          the Leader be asked to request the government to take action to address the plight of Christian and other persecuted sects in Syria.