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Powys County Times
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Powys cabinet backs role in Home Office asylum housing pilot
Taking part in a Home Office pilot scheme to support asylum seekers would give Powys County Council greater control over where people are placed, a meeting has heard. The council's cabinet has officially voted to express an interest in being part of a pilot scheme which would see the Government handing over cash to help boost Powys' housing stock. In exchange housing would be leased to the Home Office for 10 years, then returned to Powys wider social housing stock. The plans, which will involve a non-binding expression of interest alongside neighbouring councils Carmarthenshire and Monmouthshire, will have no impact on people currently on the housing waiting list, the meeting heard. Speaking at the meeting, the council's deputy leader Cllr Matthew Dorrance said: 'Currently the existing UK Government offering Clearsprings ready homes, procures accommodation within the authority for people seeking asylum. 'We don't have any control over that process; it does not include us in the sourcing of accommodation for asylum seekers and that will continue. 'Bringing a new scheme forward and collaborating with other authorities in the rural sector will give us greater control over the council accommodation that is used.' Cllr Dorrance said this would include the 'location and the support structure' put around the asylum seekers that are brought into Powys. Cllr Dorrance said: 'This scheme will enable the local authority to access UK Home Office funding that will provide us with capital resources for additional homes. 'What this proposal will enable us to do is add to the social housing stock. 'Because at the end of the 10 year period the homes we build using this external home office money will then become housing stock available to be used through the housing register." He said this would have no impact on those people already on the housing waiting list. Former council leader and now cabinet member for a more prosperous Powys, Cllr James Gibson-Watt (Liberal Democrat) welcomed the proposal. Cllr Gibson-Watt said: 'It's very important that this is about asylum not immigration, people who come to this country fleeing very dreadful situations.' He stressed that the UK under various treaties and conventions have an obligation to accommodate asylum seekers and process their claims in a 'fair way.' 'I'm very enthusiastic that the council should participate in this,' said Cllr Gibson-Watt. The cabinet voted unanimously to express their interest in being part of the scheme. Powys council's Reform UK group leader Cllr Iain McIntosh complained after the meeting that he had not been given the opportunity to object. A council spokesman explained that there is 'no provision' under the council constitution that allows leaders of opposition groups to speak at cabinet meetings on any item they wish to. A council spokesman said: 'Section nine of the Home Office Asylum Dispersal Pilot report states that here are no community specific implications for particular wards arising from this report. 'Therefore, the business of today's cabinet meeting was transacted in line with the council's constitution.'
Powys County Times
06-06-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Powys council to consider Home Office asylum seeker deal
Powys County Council is to consider a proposal from the Home Office which would see it get a boost to its housing budget in return for supporting asylum seekers. In a meeting of the cabinet next week, councillors will consider a pilot scheme being proposed by the Home Office which could increase support for the county's housing budget from Government funds. The paper recommends the cabinet puts forward a non-binding 'expression of interest' in the scheme on behalf of Powys County Council along with Carmarthenshire and Monmouthshire, to participate in the Home Office Asylum Dispersal Pilot. The plan would see the council buying or building new homes backed by Government money, then leasing them to the Home Office for 10 years before they return to the council's own estate. The Home Office would 'provide capital funding to Local Authorities to increase accommodation supply (of various types) in the medium-term (next 2-5 years)'. This would be through the 'purchase and renovation, or construction of new homes, including where practical on Local Authority owned land'. The Council would then 'lease the properties, which it would own, to the Home Office at Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates for a 10-year term', with Powys County Council 'regaining control of the properties after this when Home Office demand should be reducing following the implementation of wider initiatives.' It is thought this model 'will support a net increase' in the Powys County Council's own housing portfolio 'as well as add to the net availability of homes in each area where this model is taken forward'. The paper adds that 'should any new development of homes follow it is anticipated such projects would be funded by the Home Office and not incur costs to the Council but would ultimately lead to an increase in the Council's housing portfolio.' It is thought the plan would relieve one of the large financial pressures on Powys County Council which, the report says, has an estimated a budget gap of more than £60m over the next five years. it would cut the need for high-cost temporary accommodation currently being used for people on the social housing wait list. The boost in housing stock would also allow 'for quicker permanent housing to be offered to those in need of a home' and 'increase council tax revenue through a net increase in the number of homes in the county.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app The council would also have more of a say where people would be housed with the paper adding the council would be 'in a better position to shape the future design of asylum dispersal, especially in rural areas, as an alternative to having to comply with Home Office directives which may not be so sensitive to local need'. The paper adds that: 'The provision of accommodation and support for asylum seekers and refugees is a complex matter, which to be undertaken equitably and safely benefits from understanding and empathy across communities and neighbourhoods.' It goes on to stress that 'the Council, both officers and members, as an accountable public service, has a role to play in helping dispel rumours and misinformation about such matters and encourage a greater understanding within our communities'.
