Agenda and minutes

View the meeting transcript

1.1. Apologies were received from Bethan Jenkins AM and Professor Helen Stalford.

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

Professor Helen Stalford, Liverpool University

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.

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

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.

4.1.a. The Committee noted the correspondence Adam Price AM to the Chair of Public Accounts Committee in relation to Tai Cantref Housing Association.

4.2.a. The Committee noted the correspondence from the Chair to the Chair of Public Accounts Committee in relation to Tai Cantref Housing Association.

4.3.a. The Committee noted the correspondence from the Chair of Public Accounts Committee to the Chair in relation to Tai Cantref Housing Association.

4.4.a. The Committee noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government in relation to the Welsh Government draft budget 2017-18.

4.5.a. The Committee noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to the Welsh Government draft budget 2017-18.

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

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

5.1. The Committee agreed the motion.

A participant from Oxfam Cymru’s Sanctuary in Wales Project

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

7.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received.

·         Agree terms of reference for inquiry into human rights

·         Forward work programme

8.1. The Committee agreed to consider and discuss matters relating to its forward work programme outside of committee.