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Issue - meetings

Exempt Reports Under the Local Government Act 1972

Meeting: 22/11/2021 - Westminster Scrutiny Commission (Item 5)

5 Leader's Update pdf icon PDF 267 KB

To receive an update on current and forthcoming issues from Councillor Rachel Robathan, Leader of the Council.

Minutes:

5.1       The Committee received a written and short verbal update from Councillor Rachael Robathan (Leader of the Council) who provided an update on current and forthcoming priorities for the Leader.

 

5.2       The Committee discussed the following topics in detail:

 

           Afghan refugees living in Westminster, including their accommodation, support provided and financial reimbursements by central government.

           The good growth fund and the allocation of funding to areas such as Harrow Road.

           The continuation of Al-Fresco schemes and long-term funding settlements for temporary schemes.

 

5.3       The Committee were told that approximately 300 adults and 400 child Afghan Refugees were being accommodated in the Northern part of the City in hotels. It was noted that this was temporary measure until permanent homes were located for these refuges across London and the country. Members asked if the Council had considered using temporary accommodation to house the refugees. Officers explained that these refugees were on a different support pathway and could not use temporary accommodation.

 

5.4       The Committee discussed the need to manage expectations amongst the refugee community, as due to limited available housing, permanent homes would likely be sought in outer London boroughs and further afield.

 

5.5       The Committee discussed the financial implications of supporting these refugees and funding from central Government. The Committee were informed that the Leader of the Council will be meeting with the Home Office to discuss the permanent resettlement of these refugees.

 

5.6       The Leader of the Council put on record her thanks to the volunteers and officers at Westminster Connects, who have been supporting the refugee community since they have arrived. Information on what donations are needed for this group can be found on the fortnightly Westminster Connects newsletter.

 

5.7       Concerning the good growth fund, Members of the Committee asked the Leader how the Council is distributing its resources evenly across the City to ensure areas such as Harrow Road received investment.

 

5.8       Concerning the temporary Al-Fresco schemes across the City, the Committee discussed the financing necessary to make some of these schemes permanent. Officers informed the Committee that the some of the larger Al-Fresco schemes were in part privately financed and that they would be different solutions for different areas.