Proposed by Councillor Phil Davies

Seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan

Whilst Council welcomes a national response to the placement of Syrian refugees and will work with authorities across the Liverpool City Region to respond to this humanitarian crisis, we call on the Government to fully fund the costs of resettlement in the long term and not just for one year. Further, that the necessary infrastructure is put in place to ensure that already over-stretched and under-funded Council services can deliver a proper resettlement programme to ensure that refugees and their families can integrate into our Communities with the enabling support they will require.

An amendment which had been circulated in advance of the meeting was submitted in accordance with Standing Order 12(1) and (9), as follows:

Proposed by Councillor Phil Gilchrist

Seconded by Councillor Dave Mitchell

Insert at end:

Council recognises the recent progress reported by the Local Government Association in addressing these and other concerns.

Council notes that, according to the LGA:

A.  the Government has agreed that there will be funding beyond 12 months for each refugee within the scheme.

B.  Government also understands the need for full funding to minimise any impact on local services.

C.  in the expanded scheme, there will be additional funding for refugees beyond the first 12 months and we understand this will not be taken from the overall council allocation.

And that the LGA is seeking confirmation that:

·  these arrangements will be applied to all cases since the 20,000 expansion was announced so councils which come forward early will not be disadvantaged.

·  refugees arriving in the first months of this scheme are unlikely to include unaccompanied children. We are in separate discussions with the Home Office and DfE to develop a fairer national scheme for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Council, therefore, requests the Leader to work with the LGA to address any additional local concerns so that Wirral can play its part in helping.

Following a debate and Councillor Phil Davies having waived his right of reply, the amendment was put and carried (58:0).

The substantive motion, as amended, was put and carried (58:0).

Resolved (58:0) -

Whilst Council welcomes a national response to the placement of Syrian refugees and will work with authorities across the Liverpool City Region to respond to this humanitarian crisis, we call on the Government to fully fund the costs of resettlement in the long term and not just for one year. Further, that the necessary infrastructure is put in place to ensure that already over-stretched and under-funded Council services can deliver a proper resettlement programme to ensure that refugees and their families can integrate into our Communities with the enabling support they will require.

Council recognises the recent progress reported by the Local Government Association in addressing these and other concerns.

Council notes that, according to the LGA:

A.  the Government has agreed that there will be funding beyond 12 months for each refugee within the scheme.

B.  Government also understands the need for full funding to minimise any impact on local services.

C.  in the expanded scheme, there will be additional funding for refugees beyond the first 12 months and we understand this will not be taken from the overall council allocation.

And that the LGA is seeking confirmation that:

·  these arrangements will be applied to all cases since the 20,000 expansion was announced so councils which come forward early will not be disadvantaged.

·  refugees arriving in the first months of this scheme are unlikely to include unaccompanied children. We are in separate discussions with the Home Office and DfE to develop a fairer national scheme for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Council, therefore, requests the Leader to work with the LGA to address any additional local concerns so that Wirral can play its part in helping.