Decision details

Date of Decision:

5 April 2019

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

Shokat Lal

Assistant Chief Executive

Specific Delegation:

(If any)

No specific delegation

Brief Description of Decision:

The Syrian Resettlement Programme was started in response to the refugee crisis created as a result of the Civil War in Syria.  The UK government launched the programme in 2015 and Rotherham committed to becoming a partner in the scheme in May 2016 and to take up to 30 individuals in phase two of the Scheme for a period of three years.

The decision is to extend the initial three year period for a further three years to support another 30 refugees in family units under the under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS), subject to the conditions set out in the 26 May 2016 Cabinet approval.

Reasons for the Decision:

To ensure a positive outcome for refugees as part of the wider humanitarian response.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

To not take any further refugees under the programme and to gradually reduce the programme of support as families move through the 5 year programme.

To widen the remit of the partnership to include both the VPRS and the VCRS schemes so that families who come to Rotherham would come from Syria and other countries.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Executive Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

None

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

None

Reports or parts of reports considered

Report to the Assistant Chief Executive – 5 April 2019 – Syrian Vulnerable Persons Refugee (VPR) Resettlement Scheme