On 24 June 2025 Cabinet:-
(i) Approved the acceptance of the Afghan Relocation Programme (ARP) funding over the course of the next three years to support the 124 refugees during the 2025/2026 period;
(ii) Approved the continuation of the ARP beyond the end of 2026;
(iii) Delegated authority to the Cabinet Member Social Inclusion, Community Safety and Equalities and Executive Director of Adults Social Care and Health to continue the commitment at current rates (as set out in 8.1) to the report for a further two years (2026/27 and 2027/28), subject to the ARP scheme remaining in place and no changes to government funding allocations;
(iv) Agreed not to support the establishment of a large transitional accommodation facility for Aghan refugees in Birmingham;
(v) Approved the continued use of private sector housing and Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) properties, including those acquired or renovated to meet the housing needs of families arriving under the ARP;
(vi) Approved the delivery of the ARP through the Refugee Integration Support Services Flexible Contracting Agreement (Reference P0915), covering the period up to 2028, with provisions for recommissioning or extension if necessary;
(vii) Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health in conjunction with the Director of Commercial and Procurement (or their delegate), the Executive Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer (or their delegate) and the Interim City Solicitor & Monitoring Officer (or their delegate) to take necessary actions, including entering into relevant contracts or other legal agreements to implement the above decisions.
THE DEADLINE FOR CALL IN IS 1600 HOURS ON MONDAY 30 JUNE 2025.