To receive any questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.
Minutes:
Ms Ali Dominy stated in relation to item 8 on the agenda, Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, that she and her husband were the landlords of a house in Cullompton that has, since the autumn of 2017, been home to a family from Syria who were fleeing the horrors and destruction of war, a family who have been given this life saving and life changing opportunity by Mid Devon District Council decision to take part in the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme in which they and we thank you all so much. It was with great sadness that Mid Devon’s commitment to take five families seemed to stall after the first two in 2017. This we were told was due to a lack of private landlords having suitable properties, so it was with pleasure that we had heard that Anthea had come forward with the offer to purchase a house to facilitate another family being offered a home. Like ourselves, Anthea took the route of involving Mid Devon District Council from the start and so chose a house that was suitable in an area that would also be suitable. All seemed to be going well until at the last moment Anthea was told that Mid Devon had changed their mind and would not be taking any more families on the resettlement scheme. It was obviously a cruel blow particularly as Anthea had gone so far down the line of purchase with the approval of the Council.
When we were asked to have a look at the report issued in preparation of this meeting we were confused and concerned about paragraph 4.3 in the report that states that the work with the existing landlords, us being one of them has been extensive. This really hasn’t been the case. The report quotes concerns about possible issues that were raised before the first families arrived but did not accurately reflect the actual situation of the last two years. The report talks about consideration being given to the need for support that would need a minimum of two weekly visits by one or more officers. It also talks about twice weekly visits in the early months. We are pleased to say that both of these concerns proved unnecessary. Certainly there were initial visits required to welcome and settle the family and run through procedures but talking to those involved in our house and also those involved with the other Syrian family in Mid Devon we believe that two visits per family was all that was ever required.
As landlords we look after the maintenance of the property, Mid Devon are our tenants so as with any landlord/tenant relationship, we would expect them to leave any problems to us. Indeed we are more than happy to say that during the time that Mid Devon have rented the house from us, to our knowledge any problems with the house have been sorted out by us with no involvement from Mid Devon. There is a tireless band of volunteers who work with the families. We spoke to the lady who volunteers with our family in Cullompton, she is also involved with the family in Bradninch. She confirmed after setting up the property, Mid Devon had no further involvement with the families. All support is supplied by volunteers from the Refugee Support Group of Exeter.
We are all aware that things are unbelievably difficult for those juggling priorities within the housing services department of Mid Devon. However the commitment made by Mid Devon District Council to be part of the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme was a humanitarian decision of importance and should be honoured. Anthea and other volunteers are committed to make it happen. In 2018/19 the report states that there were 599 homeless approaches in Mid Devon, amid this vast number we are talking about one family. This is not a policy that is going to open flood gates to a tsunami of extra commitment, its one house and one family and one that comes with funding and volunteers. With this in mind surely Mid Devon can see their way to honouring their commitment to provide a vulnerable family, who have been through more than we can ever imagine, a safe home.
Laura Conyngham, also in relation to item 8 on the agenda stated that, it was heartening to see new faces in this Council and on this committee and we hope for a new approach. Mid Devon as you have heard already has two families, one in Bradninch and one in Cullompton. As well as the moral imperative Mid Devon are part of this nationally funded scheme. Are councillors aware of the cultural wealth that a Syrian family will bring to our community?
AntheaDuquemin stated that she lived in Bradninch and that she would like to ask a question about the marginal differences it would make to the total work of the council’s housing team if it accepts one more family under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme? The Council made a pledge in 2017 to accept up to 5 families under this scheme and at the time it didn’t seem like a lot but for those of us in the district who care a lot about being part of a community that makes this sort of commitment we felt very very positive about this. I understand there has been a change since that time and that the officers who are part of the housing team are having to work harder than they were before. However, since that time, as we know, the Council has already resettled two Syrian displaced families and in order to do that quite a lot of the tasks that were identified at the time that the scheme was originally discussed have already been undertaken so the scheme is already set up and ready to operate. We understood that until February this year the reason we couldn’t have more families here was because there weren’t enough private landlords ready to offer their houses for this scheme. Therefore, the house we are talking about in Crediton and which was chosen specifically for this scheme was chosen according to the directions we were given by the Council so that it would be suitable for a family and its already been approved. So lots of the work has already been done. In the discussion paper it says that twice weekly visits by Council officers are needed initially for a family at the start of their resettlement, I can accept that might be the case but as Ali says, how long does that go on for and really in the light of everything that the housing team do, what is the marginal difference of bringing in one more family? Particularly if you weigh up the additional amount of work for the housing officers against what it means for the family that is resettled and for those of us that really want to be part of a community that makes this sort of contribution.
Gerald Conyngham stated that he was the convenor of Welcoming Refugees in Crediton Group. I sent you all a letter as I wanted you to get a proper briefing beforehand. I just want to say that we did welcome the decision made by Mid Devon District Council in 2017. It was really great, we were overjoyed at the decision to take up to 5 families. Since then it has been really difficult to try to get private landlords, they can get more rents commercially than from people on housing benefit. So it was absolutely wonderful when we heard about this house and we were very upset when the decision was taken not to continue. We totally understand the pressure of homelessness, it is a big issue we are concerned about in Crediton. We understand that fully but we hope a way can be found going forwards. There is an alternative way that other councils use whereby they do it through an agency and they actually manage the house direct. I realise that also involves a bit of work but ultimately it would be less time consuming. What we are really saying is that we very much hope that you will look at this again and reconsider your decision so that we can welcome a family into Crediton.
Natalia Letch stated that she represented an organisation called the ‘Crediton International and Cultural Organisation’. We started in 2009 so we are not new in the business. We run free English lessons for migrant workers at the moment but refugees can also join our wonderful group. We have an advice centre, we have been trained by CAB and we run all sorts of social events like meeting with the Police if there are some hate crime issues. We also do a lot of cultural events like sharing food skills and special international crafts. Crediton is used to that, we are building this bridge between non English speakers and the host community and we certainly can welcome these people and we will be looking after them, so my question is would you consider that we can take a lot of this responsibility from you and only occasionally in very very serious cases would you need to be involved?
Ros Reeves, again speaking in relation to item 8 on the agenda stated that she also came from Crediton. Ever since she had volunteered at the Calais camp about three years ago I have wanted to be part of a group to rehouse a family here in Mid Devon. So, I am asking you, would you agree with us that there is a moral imperative for our communities to reach out to just this one family given the horrors endured by these people and our Government’s own scheme to help councils achieve this. We have worked so long and hard to comply with the council’s requirements and have come so close to being able to offer this house to a Syrian family only to see it disappear. It is tragic for us but most of all for a refugee family.
The Chairman thanked those who had spoken for their input and questions and stated that they would be addressed during discussion of the item.