Ukrainian Displaced Persons - Resettlement and Support Arrangements
North Lanarkshire Council · 29 September 2022
Back to Policy and Strategy Committee — 29 September 2022 and its agenda
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Policy and Strategy Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref AG Date 29/09/22 Ukrainian Displaced Persons – Resettlement and Support Arrangements From Alison Gordon, Head of Children Families & Justice Social Work Services/Chief Social Work Officer E-mail Gordonal@northlan.gov.uk Telephone 01698 332001 Executive Summary This paper provides an update on the resettlement and support of Ukrainian Displaced Persons (UDPs) in North Lanarkshire though both the UK- wide Homes for Ukraine Scheme and Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme which were set up in response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine which unfolded following the Russian invasion in February 2022. North Lanarkshire Council has established a leading reputation in the support and resettlement of refugees since welcoming Congolese refugees in 2007, subsequent arrivals through the Syrian Vulnerable Person’s Resettlement Scheme (SVPRS) from 2015 and more recent arrivals through Afghan Resettlement Schemes (ACRS & ARAP) and the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS). Whilst the scale of arrivals and supporting framework for Ukrainian Displaced Persons is substantially different, arrangements put in place to support Ukrainian arrivals in North Lanarkshire have built on the experience and strong partnership working which has been developed through our involvement in previous schemes. This paper outlines work undertaken to date to support those arriving and resettling, at this point on an assumed temporary basis, in North Lanarkshire through the Homes for Ukraine and Super Sponsor Schemes as well at those housed temporarily within Welcome Hub accommodation in our area. It also sets out and seeks approval for future arrangements to support Ukrainian resettlement. Recommendations It is recommended that the Policy and Strategy Committee: (1) Note the position with the introduction of the Ukraine Schemes. (2) Endorse the approach outlined within the paper to future resettlement support for UDPs
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1. Background 1.1 As noted above the council has a proud and compassionate record of supporting people escaping terror by making them feel welcome in our towns and communities. Many people from Ukraine who have been living in fear whilst living in a war zone or displaced to neighbouring countries have arrived in Scotland since March 2022. As of mid-August 2022, around 14,000 Ukrainian nationals are estimated to have arrived in Scotland, the majority under the Super Sponsor Scheme, with others arriving through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme following private matching and a smaller number arriving through the Family Visa Scheme. 1.2 Family Visa Scheme – The first scheme launched in response to the Ukraine crisis by the UK government was the family visa scheme, which provides a route for Ukrainians currently resident in the UK to bring family to join them. Whilst under this scheme there is no obligation on families to provide accommodation, families are expected to provide a level of integration support. As with the other schemes for Ukrainian nationals, those arriving through this scheme have the right to access, benefits and services and the right to work with leave to remain for 3 years. There is no system in place to notify local authorities of those arriving under the Family Visa Scheme and arrivals under this scheme do not have access to welcome payments, nor do their family hosts have access to the ‘thank you’ payments which form part of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. 1.3 Homes for Ukraine Scheme – This scheme provides a visa route for Ukrainian arrivals who match privately through social media, prior connection or through charities and other networks with volunteer hosts in the UK who have registered interest through the Home Office and who are willing to offer spare rooms within family homes or other properties. Matches made though this scheme are notified to local authorities through the ‘Objective Connect’ system which facilitates the exchange of information. Local authorities have a role in carrying out safeguarding and suitability checks with respect to hosting arrangements pre-placement or retrospectively under this scheme. This involves undertaking local authority checks, accommodation checks and PVG (Protection of Vulnerable Groups) checks. Ukrainian arrivals under this scheme are entitled to a £200 ‘welcome payment’ and following the satisfactory completion of checks hosts can opt to receive a £350 monthly ‘thank you’ payment. Both of these payments are administered through local authorities. As with the other Ukrainian entry routes, arrivals are entitled to public funds/benefits, to access public services and to work. Hosts should not charge guests and are expected to provide general support with household arrangements beyond access to safe accommodation and private bedroom space and contributions a matter for individual agreement. 1.4 Recently the Homes for Ukraine Scheme has been extended to provide a route for Unaccompanied Minors to come to the UK. As Ukrainian arrivals are not categorised as refugees this is not part of the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) for Unaccompanied (3) Remit the oversight of this work to the Member Officer Resettlement and Relocation Group established to oversee the implementation of other resettlement schemes in North Lanarkshire, reflected in the current Programme of Work PO84.1 (8) The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Enhance participation, capacity, and empowerment across our communities Ambition statement (19) Improve engagement with communities and develop their capacity to help themselves
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Asylum-Seeking Children (UASCs). The scheme for Ukrainian minors is primarily designed to support young people who may have a UK connection but wish to travel independently or with someone who is not an immediate relative to match with someone in the UK although it may also support matches for those with no prior connection. The scheme and supporting guidance are relatively complex and young people seeking to enter through this scheme require parental consent for travel/arrangements and advance checks to be undertaken. Numbers predicted to arrive in Scotland through this route are at present relatively small and expected to be mainly older children. Supporting arrangements nationally are still evolving however the obligations on local authorities with respect to the monitoring and support of such arrangement are similar to those for private fostering. Those hosts approved for this process will require to commit to providing accommodation for 3 years, or until the young person turns 18; whichever is soonest. They will also be eligible to receive the £350 monthly thank you payment for the duration of this time. 1.5 Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme – The Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme, an enhancement to the wider Homes for Ukraine Scheme, was developed by the Scottish Government as a way to safeguard people and remove the need for them to privately match, often with strangers online, instead allowing them to choose the Scottish Government as a sponsor to their visa application. Once a visa is approved, they are able to enter Scotland and are provided with temporary accommodation at ‘welcome hub’, primarily hotel accommodation which has been commissioned directly by the Scottish Government with the intention that they are subsequently matched either with a pre-approved hosting arrangement or with a local authority or Registered Social Landlord (RSL) tenancy. The same entitlements to services and supports apply as to the overarching Homes for Ukraine Scheme. 1.6 Hosts for this scheme, often referenced as EOIs, are people who have expressed an interest through the UK government portal but who have not matched privately prior to visa application. Details of potential hosts in local areas are passed to local authorities through the Objective Connect system with local authorities expected to undertake equivalent safeguarding and housing suitability checks to those under the wider Homes for Ukraine Scheme. Once approvals are complete details are passed to a centralised matching service set up by the Scottish Government and COSLA. 1.7 There have been a number of challenges within the Super Sponsor Scheme due to both the level of demand/arrivals and challenges with both the supply of approved accommodation and with matching. Only some local authorities and RSLs have made direct offers of accommodation due to other demand pressures. Significant numbers of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) have been withdrawn, with others not progressed due to issues with the suitability of accommodation or, less commonly, safeguarding issues. It can also take time for checks to be progressed either due to other pressures on local authority staff or delays on the part of potential hosts, some of whom have not engaged with checks or wish to defer interest until after the summer period. There are further challenges with respect to the expectations of some UDPs who often express a preference for resettlement within a city or at least the central belt, often due to limited knowledge of the wider geography and nature of Scottish towns and regions. Many, once in country, have also expressed a understandable preference for independent accommodation. 1.8 The above pressures have necessitated the Scottish Government significantly expanding the number of commissioned ‘welcome hubs’ beyond the initial ‘points of arrival’ areas of Edinburgh, Renfrew/Glasgow and Cairnryan, to many more council areas including North Lanarkshire. In addition, a cruise liner has been commissioned for short-term accommodation within Edinburgh. Pressures have arisen both with
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respect to the availability of hotel accommodation and the impact on UDPs who have, in some instances, been living in hotel accommodation for close to three months. 1.9 These pressures led to the Scottish Government initiating conversations in early summer with local authorities and other organisations on options for alternative accommodation solutions. New applications to the Super Sponsor Scheme were subsequently paused by Scottish Government on 13th July 2022 and a rapid policy review undertaken. Outcomes of this review which has suggested changes to matching arrangements, including more localised matching, consideration of alternative accommodation options, and potential measures to address choice/non- acceptance of offers were scheduled to be discussed with COSLA leaders at their 26th August meeting. Local support structure and governance of resettlement arrangements: 1.10 Our small core Resettlement Team is situated within the Community Learning and Development (CLD) service within the remit of the Adult Learning and Resettlement Manager, with Social Work aspects of the programme being managed by a Social Work Manager. CLD and Social Work staff work closely together within the team. A Senior Social Worker co-ordinates the day-to-day work, line manages Social Work staff and is the main liaison point with COSLA and the Home Office. A CLD Development Officer post oversees the learning and integration aspects of the programme and the day-to- day work of the CLD Worker(s) (Resettlement). This includes employability, liaison with further and higher education partners and working with communities and other partners. 1.11 A Member Officer Group for Resettlement and Relocation including key partner representation has been established for a number of years and has provided a vehicle for oversight of resettlement activity, with wider policy developments or substantial changes in this area being the subject of reports to Policy and Strategy or the appropriate service committee as required. 2. Report 2.1 Homes for Ukraine and Scottish Super Sponsor Schemes – Local Picture 2.1.1 North Lanarkshire Council began receiving information on those who had applied to be named sponsors and had matched with individuals or families displaced from Ukraine at the end of March 2022. The first family was welcomed into a hosting arrangement in mid-April 2022, with further families arriving steadily over subsequent weeks. Currently there are 74 people being hosted in 32 approved arrangements across the Local Authority area, through the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ application process with a small number of families having moved on and other arrangements pending as illustrated in the table below. 2.1.2 Homes for Ukraine: Summary as of 26/8/22 Number of current guests in approved arrangements 74 Number of ended hosting arrangements 3 hosts accounting for 8 guests Number of arrangements with notice to end 2 hosts accounting for 4 guests Number of failed or withdrawn arrangements 7 Number of potential future hosting arrangements 6 Number of potential future guests 9
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2.1.3 Within a few days of arrival, all guests receive a welfare visit from a member of the Resettlement team. This includes payment of the £200 per person subsistence payment, which is a one-off payment made in cash. During this visit, information is provided around benefit entitlement, ESOL, education, health and other potential community supports. 2.1.4 Following the initiation of Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme, North Lanarkshire provided 5 council properties to the centralised matching service. On the 20th of May 2022, North Lanarkshire welcomed the first families through the Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme into their own homes. Subsequently 10 local properties in the Holytown area have been offered by a RSL. To date, 10 households comprising of 22 people have moved into their own RSL or council homes, with a further 5 households comprising of 12 people due to move in the coming weeks. 2.1.5 From May 2022 the Council has also received information with respect to just over 250 Expressions of Interest from potential hosts in North Lanarkshire. Contact has been made with all potential hosts with a view to initiating checks and to passing details of households subsequently approved to the matching service. As of mid-August 2022, 91 potential hosts have withdrawn or failed to respond to contact, with a smaller number of arrangements assessed as unsuitable. Checks are ongoing with respect to 67 households, with the most common reason for delay being the wait for hosts to return forms relating to Disclosure Scotland checks. Full checks have now been completed and passed for remainder of local households who are then available for matching. 2.1.6 In addition to matching undertaken through the central COSLA/Scottish Government matching service, local authorities are enabled to progress matches from Welcome Hubs in their area to available local properties or hosts where appropriate. In addition to this a number of hosts have proceeded to match privately with Ukrainians who have arrived through the Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme. 2.1.7 Super Sponsor Scheme: Summary as of 26/8/22 Arrangement Number of hosts/households Number of guests In progress Matched to LA/RSL 10 22 5 households total of 10 people Formally matched to NLC EOI 5 9 2 EOIs, 3 guests Privately matched 8 17 N/A 2.2 Welcome Hubs 2.2.1 North Lanarkshire Council was first approached in May 2022 to support the opening of an overspill site from the Welcome Hubs in Edinburgh and Glasgow, based on Scottish Government commissioned hotel accommodation in North Lanarkshire. The first hotel became operational on the 1st of June 2022. Subsequently, a further two hotels have become operational, with a total of 110 rooms now booked across the Local Authority. At time of writing, the three hotels are supporting over 130 guests between them. 2.2.2 The Resettlement Team are deployed in all three locations to provide ongoing wraparound support and guidance to those who are temporarily resident in the North
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Lanarkshire area. This includes completing an initial assessment and a COSLA matching form for those who require to be submitted to the central matching service. Over the Summer, support was provided with familiarisation within the local area and trips were arranged for guests to local attractions, as well as ongoing weekly support from Routes to Work and weekly ESOL classes offered within the hotel. The DWP/Scottish Social Security Agency and Health colleagues have also provided in reach support to those staying within hotel accommodation. 2.3 Towers Project 2.3.1 Following the ask from Scottish Government for local authorities to consider further accommodation options to relieve the growing pressure of escalating numbers of UDPs arriving and experiencing extended stays in temporary hotel accommodation, an agreement was reached between North Lanarkshire and Scottish Government in early July 2022 to reprovision accommodation within two tower blocks in Wishaw and Coatbridge. Birkshaw Tower in Gowkthrapple, Wishaw and High Coats Tower in central Coatbridge had been substantially vacated in line with the council’s Tower’s Programme. The agreement with the Scottish Government will see the temporary reprovisioning of up to 200 properties within these two blocks to support individuals and families fleeing from the crisis in Ukraine. The associated costs will be fully funded by the Scottish Government. 2.3.2 The framework provided by this agreement supports higher certainty and control for the council and its partners in planning for resettlement of UDPs locally. It is envisaged that around 60 flats in Birkshaw and 140 flats in High Coats will be brought back into use on a phased basis. A ground floor flat in each of the towers will provide a base for in-reach support from the council resettlement team and partner services. This will facilitate effective support and familiarisation with the local area for the individuals and families for whom these homes will offer refuge. Our experience is however that many arrivals are keen to return to work and education as soon as possible. Their resettlement into areas where the number of residents has recently declined due to movement from the towers also reduces any associated capacity pressures on local universal services. 2.3.3 Work to bring the two tower blocks back into use began quickly and is progressing at pace. It is anticipated that the first eight properties in Birkshaw Tower will be ready for occupation by the end of August 22, with all properties there due to be completed by the end of September 22. Preparatory work has also begun at High Coats with work scheduled to support the completion and release of properties on a phased basis from late September to early/mid December 22. The resettlement and housing teams are working together to maximise the potential for local marching from the three Welcome Hubs in North Lanarkshire, thus supporting individuals and families who have already begun to make connections and rebuild lives here, remain within North Lanarkshire, 2.4 Learning and Integration Support 2.4.1 Community Learning and Development staff from the Resettlement team currently provide learning and integration support in the form of English for Speakers of Other Languages classes and orientation of the local community. ESOL classes are being delivered face to face in 6 areas throughout North Lanarkshire, with creche support to ensure parents with young children can attend. All learners are currently offered at least 2 sessions per week ranging from Absolute Beginners to Level 3. In addition to these sessions targeted support such as ESOL for Work is offered to meet the needs of learners. Furthermore, applications have been submitted to Connecting Scotland for
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digital devices and Mi-Fi blocks to support connectivity, improving opportunities for learning, social connections and reducing isolation. 2.4.2 There is also practical advice on accessing other services, e.g., healthcare and introduction to community support, e.g. Befriending programmes. Although some people arriving are vulnerable and will require further support, there are also many who are highly-skilled and ready to contribute to local communities. There is ongoing liaising with partners such as DWP and Routes to Work, to support those ready into employment. 2.4.3 On a monthly basis the Resettlement team has arranged network meetings for all displaced Ukrainians and hosts. These sessions have been valuable as they allow both hosts and guests to connect with others living in North Lanarkshire. The Resettlement Team has arranged for partners to attend session to encourage access to services. The most recent session included representatives from partners including Routes to Work, Skills Development Scotland, NHS Lanarkshire, Fresh Start (North Lanarkshire) and DWP. 2.4.4 The Connect Youth Group has been established for young people aged over 16 years old who came through the various Resettlement programmes supported by North Lanarkshire Council. The young people are coming from various countries including Syrian, Sudan and Ukraine. Most of the group have signed up to do their Duke of Edinburgh award. They have been working on their skills, physical and volunteering sections over the last few months. They have plans to further work on their team working skills in September and have planned their final expedition in October. 2.5 Education 2.5.1 Children and young people who have arrived with their families to hosting arrangements or to council/RSL accommodation across Lanarkshire have already begun to attend local early years and school establishments, with some who arrived over the holiday period also benefitting from access to the summer programme and ESOL programmes prior to starting in school. Planning is in place to ensure appropriate support for individual children and young people within their establishments. A small number of older young people are continuing to engage remotely with educational programmes in Ukraine. 2.5.2 Education staff have also worked closely with the resettlement team to ensure education is available to children and young people who are in temporary hotel accommodation. A primary and secondary school close to each of the Welcome Hubs in Cumbernauld and Bellshill have been identified as ‘reception’ schools for these children with additional EAL resource put in place to support this arrangement. It is anticipated that many of these children and young people may move with family to one of the two towers with support following as appropriate. There is sufficient school and early years capacity in the Coatbridge and Wishaw area to accommodate the likely demand from families moving into these properties and detailed planning between the education and resettlement team will continue to ensure appropriate support both for local establishments and for children and young people. 2.6 Support and Governance 2.6.1 Our core Resettlement Team referenced at 1.11 have worked tirelessly and flexibly to respond rapidly to the support needs of those Ukrainian arrivals, their hosts and the Hubs. Whilst a small number of temporary administrative and support worker posts have been established to enhance the capacity of the team the pace at which demand
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has developed has also required additional staff to be temporarily deployed to support the team from CLD, Housing and Social Work as well as significant resource from Environmental Services to support the required accommodation checks for hosting households. Education Services and, with the initiation of the towers project, Housing Property Services have also contributed significantly to the response, with our finance and corporate communications team also closely involved. As outlined throughout the report partner support from health but also employability, DWP/SSSA and community and voluntary sector colleagues has also been key. 2.6.2 A Core Co-ordinating Group of council officers continues to meet weekly to support planning with an extended Partnership Planning Group meeting fortnightly. More recently a Project Board has been set up for the Towers Project attended also by Scottish Government link officers. 2.7 Next Steps • The Member Officer Group on Resettlement and Relocation will meet on the 5th September 2022 and will be updated on both the Ukrainian and all other resettlement programmes. An updated TOR and meeting schedule will be agreed at this meeting. • The Towers Project, overseen by its Board, will progress scheduled work to complete properties on both sites over the next three months. • The Resettlement Team will continue to work to support the Welcome Hubs, local matching and provide integration support including personal integration plans in collaboration with council colleagues and partners. Work will also be undertaken to complete outstanding safeguarding and suitability checks or to respond to new requests relating to hosting arrangements. Further scoping will take place to determine the capacity required within the team for the next 12 months • Children and Families Social Work will lead on any assessment and support activity related to unaccompanied minors, • Officers will continue to link with COSLA and Scottish Government colleagues on the continually evolving response to the crisis in Ukraine and the outstanding challenges with respect to resettlement. 3. Measures of success 3.1 Refugees and displaced persons are successfully integrated into local communities and can take advantage of opportunities within North Lanarkshire. 4. Supporting documentation Alison Gordon Head of Children Families & Justice Social Work Services/ Chief Social Work Officer
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5. Impacts ( http://connect/report-template-guidance ) 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The continuing work of the programme will support and direct the integration, learning and inclusion of the Afghan and Syrian families in line with the Fairer Scotland Duty and the Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013. If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality-and-fairer- scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts have been discussed and agreed with Financial Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Funding of 10,500 per person is provided by the Home Office to local authorities for each individual settled though the Homes for Ukraine (including the Scottish Super Sponsor Scheme) in the area. An additional tariff (age related) is payable with respect to children in early years and education placements: Early Years – 3000, Primary – 6580, Secondary - 8755 Whilst the Scottish Government has also announced a 11m fund to support enhancement of resettlement capacity within councils and has provided a letter of assurance with respect to the costs of local authority support to Welcome Hubs, further clarification is currently being sought by COSLA on this on behalf of local authorities with an ask that (proportionate) tariff income should be made available with respect to this population. The Scottish Government has committed grant funding of £5 million to the Towers Project. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People and Organisational Development? Yes ☐ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic Solutions? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact?
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Information Sharing agreement with Scottish Government with respect to exchange of information associated with the Ukrainian Resettlement Schemes has been reviewed by legal services. Agreement with Scottish Government re Towers has also been reviewed by legal services Whilst there are no other specific legal impacts, national guidance has been issued on a number of elements of Ukranian resettlement including on safeguarding, the role of local authorities and unaccompanied minors. 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☒ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Data sharing with SG is via Objective Connect platform, a vehicle already used for other council functions Where the impact identifies a requirement for technology, has an assessment been carried out (or scheduled) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Corporate Communications are part of the core co-ordinating group and continue to support with internal and external communications related to activity associated with UDPs Schemes. 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐
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If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? Risks are considered though the governance structures outlined within the report. These are currently assessed as relatively low although there are some related to demand pressures associated with resettlement activity and impact on other functions and community cohesion these are mitigated by careful planning. With respect to finances, the agreement with respect to the Towers Project, supported by open book accounting will mean council spend does not exceed the committed grant funding from Scottish Government. There is potential risk with respect to the current lack of clarity from government on the mechanism by which the costs of supporting welcome hubs will be reimbursed however this is largely mitigated by the associated letter of assurance and proactive advocacy of COSLA on this matter,