Content

8.1

The Head of
Communities accompanied by the Strategic Lead for Asylum introduced
the report which sought approval to allocate the Asylum
Dispersal Grant (the Grant) in line with the recommendations below;
and also sought delegated authority to the Director of Communities
from November 2023 to March 31st 2026, in consultation with the
Director of Finance and Commercial Services and the General Counsel
and informed by, and working with the voluntary, community and
faith sector regionally and nationally, to make decisions on the
allocation of funds from the Grant to meet the aims and objectives
outlined in the report.
 

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure
Policy Committee:-
 

1.    
Approve the use of the Grant to fund the
continuation and development of the current SCC Strategic Asylum
function in Communities Service, until March
2026.

2.    
Approve the decision to ring fence part of the Grant
from November 2023 to March 2026 for the purpose of responding
flexibly to asylum and migrant community needs in Sheffield, along
with the wider sanctuary cohort, to support their
integration.

3.    
Delegate authority to the Director of Communities
from November 2023 to March 2026, in consultation with the Director
of Finance and Commercial Services and the General Counsel and
informed by, and working with the voluntary, community and faith
sector regionally and nationally, to make decisions on the
allocation of funds from the Grant to meet the aims and objectives
outlined in this report.

4.    
Approve the decision to appoint dedicated resources
to work for the benefit of people seeking asylum, the migrant
community in Sheffield, and the wider sanctuary cohort in
accordance with Table 1.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

Increasingly, the
interconnectedness and complexities of the asylum system now mean
that this is no longer solely an immigration issue.
 
Sheffield will continue to
welcome those seeking asylum, refugees
and migrant groups to the city. As such, there will be increased
demand over time for not only infrastructure, but also services
including education, health, wellbeing, inclusion and socio-economic independence to support
their integration.
 
At Full Council a motion was
unanimously passed in July 2023 in which the Council agreed a range
of measures reaffirming our commitment to being a City of
Sanctuary, as well as a commitment to becoming a Local Authority of
Sanctuary. The recommendations in this paper promote the ability of
the city to respond effectively to national asylum policy and act
meaningfully to help those seeking refuge in our
city.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

The alternative option to
decline the Grant was considered and rejected because of the clear
financial and operational need to address asylum
dispersal.
 
Acceptance of the Grant will
enable delivery and support of strategic activity to ensure that
the needs of asylum seekers in the Asylum Dispersal Scheme are met.
This work is essential not only for those directly affected, but
also benefits the wider host community, and all who live or work
in, and visit our city.
 
Given the ongoing, national
asylum context and continued numbers of people seeking safety in
the UK, significant likelihood exists that Sheffield will continue
to be asked to accommodate people awaiting asylum decisions. In
addition to this, the city is home to an increasing number of
refugees, arriving via different routes. Given the clear benefit of
this funding for the vulnerable sanctuary community, the
alternative action, to decline the funding, was
rejected.