Decision details

Oldham Council has been awarded funding (as part of a Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) bid) from the Government's Controlling Migration Fund to recruit two Local Authority Asylum Support Liaison Officers (LAASLOs) for two years. This report seeks approval to create these posts.

RESOLVED - That:
the decision is to accept the funding awarded and approve the establishment of two new fixed-term posts.

Option 1 - Do not participate in the scheme:
Funding has already been awarded to GMCA in respect of LAASLO posts working across GM, including within the Oldham area. Declining the offer to participate in this scheme would mean that the council does not utilise additional resources available to provide support to residents in the Oldham area.
Option 2 - Participate in the scheme with two FTE fixed-term posts:
Participation in the scheme would secure funding not otherwise available to the local authority to undertake work supporting asylum seekers and refugees. It is anticipated that this would reduce pressure on other services and support integration into existing communities.

Option 1 - Do not participate in the scheme:
Funding has already been awarded to GMCA in respect of LAASLO posts working across GM, including within the Oldham area. Declining the offer to participate in this scheme would mean that the council does not utilise additional resources available to provide support to residents in the Oldham area.

The Cabinet Member for Policing and Community Safety has been consulted on the proposals to accept the funding and recruit two fixed-term posts.