Decision details

Purpose of Report: This report provides an update on the use of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme (HfU) Government funding of around £3million. The background to the scheme and initial partnership and funding arrangements were outlined in a report to the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Communities on 19th April 2022 here:
https://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=736&MId=12698&Ver=4

Following this an initial 3 year budget and allocations were set down reflecting the known requirements at that time initially to meet the requirements of the Governments HfU scheme in securing resources to welcome and host guests.

This report now reflects the experience and reality of working closely with the Ukrainian community, the known related housing impacts and longer term support arrangements needed. Given this experience the report outlines spend to date and planned spend over the three-year period 2022/25.

The Executive will be asked to:
Note activities and how the funding has been allocated to date.
Approve plans for further significant expenditure to March 2025.
Allocate budget to the respective Housing and Customer and Community teams as set out in the report for the purposes identified.
Maintain the delegated authority to the Assistant Director / Director of Customer and Communities to make grants to partner organisations to support the programme in consultation with the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Communities (as granted on 19th April 2022).
Any other required delegations.

Resolved:  (i)      That the activities and allocations of funding to date be noted.

                   (ii)      That the plans for further significant expenditure to March 2025 be approved.

                   (iii)     That budget be allocated to the respective Housing and Customer and Community teams as set out in the report for the purposes identified.

                   (iv)    That the authority delegated to the Assistant Director / Director of Customer & Communities to make grants to partner organisations to support the programme in consultation with the Executive Member for Culture, Leisure & Communities, as granted by the Executive Member on 19 April 2022, be maintained.

Reason:     To continue to support York’s Ukrainian guests and make appropriate arrangements for ensuring their welfare, in line with human rights requirements and the priorities of the Council Plan.