Meetings

Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales

This page gives details of any meetings held which will, or did, discuss the matter, and includes links to the relevant Papers, Agendas and Minutes.

Note: Meeting Agenda can change at short notice. Particularly where future meeting dates are indicated more than a week in advance. Please check before planning to attend a Committee Meeting that the item you are interested in has not been moved.

 

 

Meeting: 19/01/2026 - Equality and Social Justice Committee (Item 4)

4 Correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip to the Chair regarding welcome tickets for asylum seekers in Wales

Supporting documents:

Meeting: 21/06/2018 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 3)

3 Response from the Welsh Refugee Coalition to the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary – Refugee & Asylum Seeker Delivery Plan

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

3.3.a The Committee noted the response from the Welsh Refugee Coalition to the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary – Refugee & Asylum Seeker Delivery Plan.

Meeting: 21/09/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 5)

5 Letter from the Welsh Refugee Council in relation to refugees and asylum seekers in Wales

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

5.7.a The Committee noted the letter from the Llywydd in relation to Implementation of the Wales Act 2017.

Meeting: 21/06/2017 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd (Item 7)

Debate on the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee Report on their inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales

NDM6334 John Griffiths (Newport East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee on the inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales, which was laid in the Table Office on 6 April 2017.

Note: The response of the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children to the report was laid in the Table Office on 14 June 2017.

Minutes:

The item started at 15.35

NDM6334 John Griffiths (Newport East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee on the inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales, which was laid in the Table Office on 6 April 2017.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Meeting: 15/06/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 6)

Preparation for debate on the report on refugees and asylum seekers in Wales

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

6.1. The Committee discussed the preparation for debate on the report on refugees and asylum seekers in Wales.

Meeting: 06/04/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 4)

4 Additional information from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to refugees and asylum seekers in Wales

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

4.3.a The Committee noted the additional information from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to refugees and asylum seekers in Wales.

Meeting: 29/03/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 9)

Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales - consideration of draft report

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

9.1. The Committee considered and agreed its draft report, subject to minor changes. 

Meeting: 29/03/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 4)

4 Additional information from the Wales Strategic Migration Partnership in relation to refugees and asylum seekers in Wales

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

4.4.a The Committee noted the additional information from the Wales Strategic Migration Partnership in relation to refugees and asylum seekers in Wales.

Meeting: 29/03/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 4)

4 Report by the National Youth Advocacy Service: Children Services six monthly Narrative Report

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

4.5.a The Committee noted the report by the National Youth Advocacy Service: Children Services six monthly Narrative Report.

Meeting: 09/03/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 7)

Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales - consideration of draft report

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

7.1 The Committee considered and agreed its report on the inquiry into the refugees and asylum seekers in Wales, subject to minor changes.

Meeting: 09/03/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 3)

3 Letter from the Minister of State for Immigration in relation to refugees and asylum seekers in Wales

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

3.6.a The Committee noted the letter from the Minister of State for Immigration in relation to refugees and asylum seekers in Wales.

Meeting: 01/03/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 4)

4 Additional information provided by the Scottish Refugee Council in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

4.4 The Committee discussed the additional information provided by the Scottish Refugee Council in relation to refugees and asylum seekers. 

Meeting: 01/03/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 8)

Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales - consideration of draft report

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

8.1 The Committee discussed the draft report.

Meeting: 01/03/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 4)

4 Correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

4.1 The Committee noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to refugees and asylum seekers.

Meeting: 16/02/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 8)

8 Additional information regarding Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

8.2. The Committee noted the additional information regarding Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd in relation to refugees and asylum seekers.

Meeting: 08/02/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 3)

3 Correspondence from the Welsh Local Government Association in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

3.1.a The Committee noted the correspondence from the Welsh Local Government Association in relation to refugees and asylum seekers.

Meeting: 08/02/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 7)

Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers - consideration of key issues

 

 

 

                                       

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

7.1. The Committee discussed the key issues for inclusion in its report.

 

Meeting: 02/02/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 4)

4 Correspondence from the Chair to the Minister for State for Immigration in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

4.4.a. The Committee noted the correspondence from the Chair to the Minister for State for Immigration in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Meeting: 02/02/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 4)

4 Correspondence from the Chair to the Welsh Local Government Association in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

4.3.a. The Committee noted the correspondence from the Chair to the Welsh Local Government Association in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Meeting: 19/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 3)

3 House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts report on the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement programme

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

3.5.1. The Committee noted the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts report on the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement programme.

Meeting: 19/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 3)

3 Additional information provided by City of Sanctuary UK and Ireland and Chair of Asylum Justice in relation to the inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

3.1.1. The Committee noted the additional information provided by City of Sanctuary UK and Ireland and Chair of Asylum Justice in relation to the inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales

Meeting: 19/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 5)

Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales - consideration of evidence under item 2

Minutes:

5.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received under item 2 and agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children on matters raised during the session.

Meeting: 19/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 2)

2 Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales: evidence session 10

Carl Sargeant AM, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

Maureen Howell, Deputy Director, Equality & Prosperity Division

Alistair Davey, Deputy Director, Enabling People Division

John Davies, Senior Inclusion Manager, Equality & Prosperity Division

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

2.1. The Committee received evidence from:

 

·        Carl Sargeant AM, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

·        Maureen Howell, Deputy Director, Equality & Prosperity Division

·        Alistair Davey, Deputy Director, Enabling People Division

·        John Davies, Senior Inclusion Manager, Equality & Prosperity Division

 

2.2. The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children agreed to provide:

·        The contact details for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, following the inspection that was carried out in relation to integration and community cohesion and the subsequent feedback session that was held with the Cabinet Secretary;

·        Information about the outputs from the five communications programmes that are being run by the Welsh Refugee Council, or any other relevant organisations that receive funding for programmes from the Welsh Government.

Meeting: 19/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 3)

3 Additional information provided by the WLGA in relation to the inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

3.4.1. The Committee noted the additional information provided by the WLGA in relation to the inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales.

Meeting: 19/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 3)

3 Correspondence from the Chair to the Minister of State for Immigration in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

3.3.1. The Committee noted the correspondence from the Chair to the Minister for State for Immigration in relation to refugees and asylum seekers.

 

Meeting: 19/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 3)

3 Correspondence from the Chair to Clearsprings in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

3.2.1. The Committee noted the correspondence from the Chair to Clearsprings in relation to refugees and asylum seekers.

Meeting: 11/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 5)

5 Additional information provided by Oxfam in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

5.3 The Committee noted the Additional information provided by Oxfam in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Meeting: 11/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 5)

5 Additional information provided by the British Psychological Society in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

5.7 The committee noted the Additional information provided by the British Psychological Society in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Meeting: 11/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 5)

5 Additional information provided by the Wales Strategic Migration Partnership in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Paper 9a: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gateway-protection-programme-information-for-organisations/gateway-protection-programme

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

5.6 The Committee noted the Additional information provided by the Wales Strategic Migration Partnership in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Meeting: 11/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 5)

5 Correspondence from the UK Government's Minister for Immigration in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

5.5 The Committee noted the Correspondence from the UK Government's Minister for Immigration in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Meeting: 11/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 5)

5 Correspondence from the Chair to the Secretary of State for the Home Department in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

5.4 The Committee noted the Correspondence from the Chair to the Secretary of State for the Home Department in relation to refugees and asylum seekers

Meeting: 11/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 7)

7 Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales - consideration of evidence under items 2, 3 and 4

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

7.1 The Committee discussed the evidence under items 2,3 and 4

Meeting: 11/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 4)

4 Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales: evidence session 9

Canon Aled Edwards, Displaced People in Action

Faruk Ogut, Resettlement Project Co-ordinator, Displaced People in Action

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

4.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·         Canon Aled Edwards, Displaced People in Action

·         Faruk Ogut, Resettlement Project Co-ordinator, Displaced People in Action

 

4.2 Displaced People in Action agreed to provide:

·         Information about a mentoring project run by Sova which encouraged unaccompanied minors wishing to tell their stories to do so in a secure environment;

·         Information about Wales Strategic Migration Partnership discussions in relation to providing refugees with the same 56-day move on period that others at risk of homelessness have.

Meeting: 11/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 3)

3 Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales: evidence session 8

Alicja Zalesinska, Director, Tai Pawb

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

3.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·         Alicja Zalesinska, Director, Tai Pawb

 

3.2 Tai Pawb agreed to provide:

·         Details on the impact of the Right to Rent checks on individuals who have been refused asylum and who have no recourse to public funds;

·         Information on why there are increasing numbers of refused asylum seekers being evicted from asylum accommodation in recent years.

Meeting: 11/01/2017 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 2)

2 Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales: evidence session 7

Dr Mike Chick, University of South Wales

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·         Dr Mike Chick,UniversitySouth Wales

Meeting: 15/12/2016 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 7)

Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales - consideration of evidence under items 2, 3 and 4

Minutes:

7.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received.

Meeting: 15/12/2016 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 3)

3 Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales: evidence session 5

Catriona Williams OBE, Chief Executive, Children in Wales

Cheryl Martin, Development Officer, Child Poverty, Children in Wales

Rocio Cifuentes, Director, Ethnic Youth Support Team

Shehla Khan, Manager, Ethnic Youth Support Team

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

3.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Catriona Williams OBE, Chief Executive, Children in Wales

·         Cheryl Martin, Development Officer, Child Poverty, Children in Wales

·         Rocio Cifuentes, Director, Ethnic Youth Support Team

·         Shehla Khan, Manager, Ethnic Youth Support Team

Meeting: 15/12/2016 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 2)

2 Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales: evidence session 4

Naomi Alleyne, Director, Social Services and Housing, Welsh Local Government Association

Anne Hubbard, Director, Wales Strategic Migration Partnership

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

2.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Naomi Alleyne, Director, Social Services and Housing, Welsh Local Government Association

·         Anne Hubbard, Director, Wales Strategic Migration Partnership

 

2.2. The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) agreed to provide:

·         information about the Home Office-run schemes for refugees and asylum seekers that local authorities in Wales can participate in, outside of the Syrian Refugee Resettlement Scheme;

·         examples from regional community cohesion co-ordinators of local people in the community supporting refugees, such as “befriending” and providing language support.

 

2.3. The Wales Strategic Migration Partnership agreed to provide a copy of the research recently carried out by the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on refugees in Wales who overall have had positive experiences of being resettled in Wales.

Meeting: 15/12/2016 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 5)

5 Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales: note of visit to the Scottish Refugee Council

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

5.1.a. The Committee noted the note of the visit to the Scottish Refugee Council.

Meeting: 15/12/2016 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 4)

4 Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales: evidence session 6

Professor Bill Yule, British Psychological Society

Dr Gill Richardson, Executive Director of Public Health, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Roisin O’Hare, Asylum Seeker Nurse, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

4.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Professor Bill Yule, British Psychological Society

·         Dr Gill Richardson, Executive Director of Public Health, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

·         Roisin O’Hare, Asylum Seeker Nurse, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

 

4.2. The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board agreed to provide information about the health assessments carried out by looked after children nurses on unaccompanied minor refugees.

Meeting: 07/12/2016 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 3)

3 Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales: evidence session 2

Hayley Richards, Policy & Advocacy Officer, Oxfam

Neil McKittrick, Refugee Operations Support Manager, British Red Cross

Elinor Harris, Services Manager for International Family Tracing and Refugee Support, British Red Cross

Tracey Sherlock, Policy and Communications Manager, Welsh Refugee Council

Salah Rasool, Advice Caseworker, Welsh Refugee Council

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

3.1. The Committee received evidence from:

 

·         Hayley Richards, Policy and Advocacy Officer, Oxfam

·         Neil McKittrick, Refugee Operations Support Manager, British Red Cross

·         Elinor Harris, Services Manager for International Family Tracing and Refugee Support, British Red Cross

·         Tracey Sherlock, Policy and Communications Manager, Welsh Refugee Council

·         Salah Rasool, Advice Caseworker, Welsh Refugee Council

 

3.2. Hayley Richards, Oxfam, agreed to provide:

·         information from colleagues in Oxfam GB in relation to legal challenges for refugees and asylum seekers facing destitution;

·         information on the public expenditure saved by the Scottish Government as a result of their guardianship model for unaccompanied minors.

 

3.3.      Neil McKittrick, British Red Cross, agreed to provide information on the public expenditure saved by the Northern Ireland Government’s guardianship model.

Meeting: 07/12/2016 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 2)

2 Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales: evidence session 1

Sian Summers-Rees, Chief Officer, City of Sanctuary UK and Ireland and Chair of Asylum Justice

Professor Helen Stalford, Liverpool University

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

2.1. The Committee received evidence from:

 

·         Sian Summers-Rees, Chief Officer, City of Sanctuary UK and Ireland and Chair of Asylum Justice

 

2.2. Siân Summers-Rees agreed to provide evidential examples of the quality of accommodation provided by Lynx House.

Meeting: 07/12/2016 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 7)

Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales - consideration of evidence under items 2, 3 and 6

Minutes:

7.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received.

Meeting: 07/12/2016 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 4)

4 Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales: note of visit to Oasis and Trinity Centre, Cardiff

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

4.7.a. The Committee noted the note of its visit to Oasis and Trinity Centre, Cardiff.

Meeting: 07/12/2016 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 4)

4 Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales: note of visit to the African Community Centre, Swansea

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

4.6.a. The Committee noted the note of its visit to the African Community Centre, Swansea.

Meeting: 07/12/2016 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 6)

Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales: evidence session 3

A participant from Oxfam Cymru’s Sanctuary in Wales Project

Minutes:

6.1. The Committee received evidence from a participant from Oxfam Cymru’s Sanctuary in Wales Project.

Meeting: 01/12/2016 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 1.)

Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales - informal visit to Glasgow and Edinburgh

The Committee will be undertaking informal visits to Glasgow and Edinburgh, to inform its inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales.

Meeting: 19/10/2016 - Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee - Fifth Senedd (Item 7)

7 Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales - Consideration of approach to the inquiry

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

7.1 The Committee considered and agreed its initial approach to the Inquiry into refugees and asylum seekers in Wales.

 

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