The Home Office has written to the Chief Executives of all North Yorkshire Local Authorities seeking agreement to participate in the national Asylum Dispersal Scheme as part of a national push to widen dispersal.  This request is not to be confused with the Government’s programme for resettlement of Syrian Refugees, who are not classed as ‘asylum seekers’ and for whom completely separate arrangements have been made.  This report seeks consideration of this request.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will support and participate in the North Yorkshire Asylum Seekers Dispersal scheme, subject to the conditions as set out in Annex A of the report.

The subject of the decision:

The Home Office had written to the Chief Executives of all North Yorkshire Local Authorities seeking agreement to participate in the national Asylum Dispersal Scheme as part of a national push to widen dispersal.  This request was not to be confused with the Government’s programme for resettlement of Syrian Refugees, who were not classed as ‘asylum seekers’ and for whom completely separate arrangements had been made.  This report sought consideration of this request.

Alternative options considered:

Cabinet considered that there was insufficient information provided in the report to make a decision on participation within the Asylum Dispersal Scheme.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet requested further clarification regarding a number of issues, particularly around the infrastructure that was required to successfully accommodate asylum seekers including the support mechanisms that would be available; accessibility to services and facilities they may require; and expertise they may need such as interpreters and clarification of the costs to the Council and funding.  Assurance was also sought that any risks had been identified and assessed.

THE DECISION:

That consideration of the request to participate in the North Yorkshire Asylum Seekers Dispersal scheme be deferred for the provision of further information and the additional clarification on the issues raised by Cabinet, and that a further report be submitted to a future meeting of Cabinet.