URL: https://committees.oldham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5543

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Assistant Director of Community Safety and Cohesion, that sought approval to formally accept an £898,800 award from the Home Office in Asylum Dispersal Grant for the period 2025/26.   The Cabinet was advised that the Council had been awarded £898,800.00 in respect of Asylum Dispersal Grant.  This was an annual payment for the financial year 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026 and was paid by the Home Office to local authorities to facilitate Local Authorities to assist with costs of supporting Asylum Seekers.    The Asylum Dispersal Grant is a 'burdens' grant to mitigate the pressure of asylum dispersal and therefore does not have to be spent specifically or solely for expenditure on asylum seekers.    Options/Alternatives considered: Option 1 - to Accept the grant award of £898,800.  This will enable the council to mitigate the pressure on services and provide further funding to increase capacity in services to support Oldham residents. Option 2 – Do not accept the grant award of £898,800.  At a time of increasing pressures on services this would mean that the option to provide additional capacity in services would be lost. Option 1 was the preferred Option.   Resolved: That Cabinet agrees to accept the Asylum Grant Dispersal award of £898,800, form the Home Office, that will enable the council to mitigate the pressure on services and provide further funding to increase capacity in services to support all Oldham residents.

Date of Decision: September 22, 2025