Issue - meetings

To consider questions (if any) by members of the Council of which the appropriate notice has been given to the Assistant Director of Corporate and Contracted Services.

Councillor Pringle asked the following question in writing to the Leader of the Council:

Protection of EU citizens’ rights in Dacorum 

In view of recent advice to the government, as outlined in House of Commons Library briefing paper No: 8772 (Annex 1 below) and the deadline for EU citizens to apply for settled status being just 18 months away (Annex 2 below), does the Leader agree that it is incumbent on all levels of government to take responsibility for assisting EU citizens who have built their lives in the UK?

Does the leader agree that DBC should be doing all we can to ensure those EU citizens resident in Dacorum can optimise their opportunities of successfully apply for settled status rights.

In particular:

1.    Will the Leader ensure that Dacorum Borough Council will take all reasonable and necessary steps to assist EU citizens resident here, particularly the vulnerable, with applications for settled status?

2.    In particular, will he pledge to introduce the following measures:

1.    Immediately provide easily accessible information and support to EU citizens on the DBC website. This would include a letter from the Leader to EU citizens outlining in plain language that EU citizens are welcome in Dacorum and the support that they can access in applying for settled status (such as the example set by the leader of Vale of White Horse District Council Annex 3) and links to government information.

3.            Set up an urgent review of services to consider how DBC can further offer support to EU citizens in Dacorum in terms of:

1.    Helping with process

2.    Providing additional resources necessary, such as computer terminals in libraries for those who do not have the app

3.    Fast tracking requests for evidence of residence in Dacorum to support Settled Status applications and training staff to proactively assist such applicants

4.    Training staff to generally support and advise residents making such applications

5.    Commit to providing the funding necessary to reach out to vulnerable groups, such as

1.    providing grants to outreach groups and

2.    ensuring all DBC staff who work with the elderly, the homeless and residents with other vulnerabilities are trained in proactively offering appropriate support and identifying and supporting those at risk of failing to apply for settled status

ANNEX 1

Extract 1 from Briefing Paper No:8772 House of Commons Library

Commons Library Briefing, 3 January 2020

“The Home Office is undertaking a range of outreach and communications activities targeted towards EUSS applicants. But it has been estimated that about 30% of EU citizens may struggle with the EUSS application process, whether due to a lack of awareness of the scheme or difficulties making an application or proving their eligibility. They are therefore particularly vulnerable to losing their status and entitlements in the UK. Groups identified include the elderly, people with limited English, children and young people in the care system, homeless people, people who arrive soon before the deadline and people in casual employment.8

Another major concern the 3 million have  ...  view the full decision text for item 6

Councillor Pringle asked the following question in writing to the Leader of the Council:

Protection of EU citizens’ rights in Dacorum 

In view of recent advice to the government, as outlined in House of Commons Library briefing paper No: 8772 (Annex 1 below) and the deadline for EU citizens to apply for settled status being just 18 months away (Annex 2 below), does the Leader agree that it is incumbent on all levels of government to take responsibility for assisting EU citizens who have built their lives in the UK?

Does the leader agree that DBC should be doing all we can to ensure those EU citizens resident in Dacorum can optimise their opportunities of successfully apply for settled status rights.

In particular:

1.    Will the Leader ensure that Dacorum Borough Council will take all reasonable and necessary steps to assist EU citizens resident here, particularly the vulnerable, with applications for settled status?

2.    In particular, will he pledge to introduce the following measures:

1.    Immediately provide easily accessible information and support to EU citizens on the DBC website. This would include a letter from the Leader to EU citizens outlining in plain language that EU citizens are welcome in Dacorum and the support that they can access in applying for settled status (such as the example set by the leader of Vale of White Horse District Council Annex 3) and links to government information.

2.    Take immediate steps to publicise across Dacorum the risks that EU citizens face if they do not apply for settled status and the steps they should urgently take to do so.

3.    Set up an urgent review of services to consider how DBC can further offer support to EU citizens in Dacorum in terms of:

1.    Helping with process

2.    Providing additional resources necessary, such as computer terminals in libraries for those who do not have the app

3.    Fast tracking requests for evidence of residence in Dacorum to support Settled Status applications and training staff to proactively assist such applicants

4.    Training staff to generally support and advise residents making such applications

5.    Commit to providing the funding necessary to reach out to vulnerable groups, such as

1.    providing grants to outreach groups and

2.    ensuring all DBC staff who work with the elderly, the homeless and residents with other vulnerabilities are trained in proactively offering appropriate support and identifying and supporting those at risk of failing to apply for settled status

ANNEX 1

Extract 1 from Briefing Paper No:8772 House of Commons Library

Commons Library Briefing, 3 January 2020

“The Home Office is undertaking a range of outreach and communications activities targeted towards EUSS applicants. But it has been estimated that about 30% of EU citizens may struggle with the EUSS application process, whether due to a lack of awareness of the scheme or difficulties making an application or proving their eligibility. They are therefore particularly vulnerable to losing their status and entitlements in the UK. Groups identified include the elderly, people  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6