Decision details

Agreed budget provision as outlined in Option 1 below and within the attached report.

Option 1:
Staffing

Refugee resettlement
Supervisor 0.5
Refugee resettlement worker 1.5
Refugee resettlement coordinator 0.5
YorHome development worker refugees 0.5
Local area coordinator 0.5
Tenancy sustainment officer temporary accommodation and
traveler sites 1
+ Grant funding for organisations £90k

Total cost £192,701.25

Option 2:
Staffing

No further staffing and remove the grant funding pot.

Total cost £0

Option 2 results in a larger underspend which could be used to fund wider council services, however it also leaves the council in a vulnerable position where it is unlikely that adequate support will be offered to Ukrainian refugees in 2025-6 as well as those approaching housing and homeless services after receiving positive asylum decisions. It is unlikely further government funding will be made available for those who have already arrived.

In addition option 2 does not help in meeting the wider support and tenancy sustainment needs of customers in temporary accommodation and traveler sites or the ongoing funding needs of LACs

Option 2 is rejected due to the risk that this will lead to an increase in homeless presentations, poorer outcomes for refugees/asylum seekers and reputational damage to the council. Although the short term savings are greater it is likely that in the medium term this would lead to increased costs to the council through the provision of more expensive services.