The Home Office has introduced a Community Sponsorship Scheme whereby local community groups can take responsibility to welcome and support refugee families from conflict-ridden regions directly into their communities. This complements resettlement work that has been undertaken by local authorities as part of the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS). Surrey County Council and Surrey’s Districts and Boroughs have been active participants in the VPR Scheme since 2015 and over 100 families have been resettled in Surrey. The Community Sponsorship Scheme was paused by the Home Office during the pandemic and is now being reintroduced.
A faith group has identified a house to accommodate a refugee family in Mole Valley and has prepared an application to the Home Office for Community Sponsorship. The group is seeking the Council’s consent to be a Community Sponsor in line with Home Office requirements. Surrey County Council agreed on 22 January 2019 to encourage and enable Community Sponsorship and gave consent to a previous prospective Community Sponsor in Mole Valley.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 17/05/2021
Decision due: 12 May 2021 by Executive Director Children, Families Lifelong Learning and Culture
Lead director: Executive Director Children, Families Lifelong Learning and Culture