Decision details

(ACX) Extension of partnership agreement with Migration Yorkshire

Decision Maker: Assistant Chief Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

ROTHERHAM METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL

RECORD OF OFFICER EXECUTIVE DECISION

 

Date of Decision:

 

1 October 2021

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

 

Jo Brown, Assistant Chief Executive

Specific Delegation:

(If any)

 

Nonspecific

Brief Description of Decision:

 

 

That the existing partnership agreement with Migration Yorkshire be extended to include the provision of ‘wraparound’ support to Afghan guests in bridging accommodation.

 

Following the urgent evacuation of Afghan nationals following the fall of the country to the Taliban, emergency ‘bridging accommodation’ was set up in hotels across the UK, including a hotel in Rotherham.

 

Rotherham Council has an existing Partnership Agreement with Migration Yorkshire, following the Cabinet decision on 26 May 2016 to participate in the Vulnerable People’s Resettlement Scheme (VPRS). Under this arrangement, support is provided by the Refugee Council to those people resettled in Rotherham under the relevant programme. An extension was agreed to the arrangement in 2019, when RMBC agreed to take additional families under the VPRS.

 

The existing partnership arrangements will be extended to provide wraparound support for Afghan guest in bridging accommodation.

 

The wraparound support will be provided for a six-month period, with a break clause inserted after three months should the hotel no longer be in use. Should guests still be accommodated after three months, monthly reviews will be scheduled thereafter, to assess numbers with the fees amended proportionately.

 

Funding options have been explored with Finance Officers and there are sufficient funds in the Home Office funding allocation to support an extension to the existing agreement. Assurance has been given that mitigations are in place to minimise financial risks should hotel use cease prematurely.

 

Reasons for the Decision:

 

 

To ensure that appropriate wraparound support is provided to Afghan guests.

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

 

The alternative option to continue the use of existing RMBC staff to provide wraparound support was rejected as it created thus approach created pressure on the delivery of other services as roles could not be backfilled. Council staff also to do not have access to the range of specialist support available through existing partnership arrangements.

 

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

 

N/A

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

 

N/A

 

Reports or parts of reports considered

 

17.09.21 Letter from Sean Palmer – Home Office re. Bridging Accommodation

Record of Delegated Decision; 5 April 2019

Cabinet Report from 26th May 2016

 

 

I certify that this is a true record of the executive decision to

 

Signed by the Decision Maker  

 

 

Dated:          8 October 2021

 

Name:          Jo Brown

Job Title:     Assistant Chief Executive

Publication date: 14/10/2021

Date of decision: 01/10/2021