Decision details

Annual Update on Migration Activity in Leeds

Reference: D54579

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Decisions:

Further to Minute No. 58, 21 October 2020, the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment submitted a report which provided an update on the delivery of migration activity in Leeds and which provided information on key migration population trends and the responses to national policy changes, together with details of the activities undertaken across the Council to support new and emerging communities.

 

In presenting the report, the Executive Member highlighted her desire for the issue of migration to once again be added to the relevant Scrutiny Board work programme next year, should the Scrutiny Board and its Chair be agreeable. The Executive Member thanked the migration programme team for their continued work in this area, and also highlighted a forthcoming and related training session being delivered for Elected Members.

 

Responding to a specific enquiry, the Board was provided with details of the actions being taken with Children and Families to identify local school places for those recent Afghan migrants of school age who were residing in Leeds.

 

Reference was made to the provision of data relating to trends of outward migration from Leeds and it was undertaken that such information would be provided to the Member in question.

 

Responding to an enquiry regarding the provision of appropriate and permanent accommodation for Afghan migrants coming into Leeds, the Board received an update on the current position and the liaison which continued with the Home Office and Migration Yorkshire to provide such accommodation.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report, together with the appended update overview, be noted; and that the approach adopted within the Council’s strategic, co-ordinated and inclusive approach towards migration for Leeds, as detailed, be endorsed;

 

(b)  That it be noted that the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment is responsible for leading this work through the Council’s Stronger Communities Programme;

 

(c)  That it be noted that the Chief Officer for Safer, Stronger Communities is responsible for leading the work of the Leeds Strategic Migration Board which oversees the delivery of the strategic, co-ordinated and inclusive approach towards migration in Leeds, together with the work of the Council’s Migration team which provides strategic and operational direction for the city;

 

(d)  That agreement be given for the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment to write to the Home Office requesting the establishment of improved communication structures between Government and the Local Authority in order to ensure that the effectiveness of the support provided is maximised and that Leeds’ experience and expertise is fully utilised;

 

(e)  That approval be given for a further annual report on migration activity in Leeds to be submitted to the Board at the appropriate time.

Publication date: 25/10/2021

Date of decision: 20/10/2021

Decided at meeting: 20/10/2021 - Executive Board

Effective from: 30/10/2021

Accompanying Documents: