Argyll and Bute Refugee and Asylum Strategy
Argyll and Bute Council · 26 November 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 26 November 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL RESETTLEMENT 26 NOVEMBER 2025 ARGYLL AND BUTE REFUGEE AND ASYLUM STRATEGY 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY December 2025 will mark the tenth anniversary of the arrival of the first refugees in Argyll and Bute under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme. Over the past decade, the Council has developed substantial capacity and expertise in delivering support to refugees and asylum seekers. The Refugee and Asylum Strategy has been developed to consolidate the learning and best practice gained through participation in national resettlement programmes and to provide a clear framework for future delivery. The Council’s approach is founded on strong partnership working and a sustained commitment to supporting cohesive, inclusive communities. From the initial resettlement of a small number of Syrian refugees in Rothesay in 2015, the international landscape has changed significantly. In response, the need for a strategic and coordinated approach to refugee and asylum support has become increasingly important. This Strategy sets out the Council’s outcomes and actions for the next five years to ensure a consistent, collaborative, and forward looking approach to resettlement and integration across Argyll and Bute. Recommendations Elected members are asked to: - • Approve Argyll and Bute’s Refugee and Asylum Strategy 2025 -2030. • Endorse the delivery plan appended to the Strategy and note future updates on the delivery of the outcomes will be brought to Community Services Committee. • Endorse the carrying out a review of the Resettlement Team structure with a view to right sizing to meet current demand and funding, with initial exploratory work being undertaken by officers on a detailed options appraisal and the formulation of proposals for permanence of the Resettlement Team.
Page 2
ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL RESETTLEMENT 26 NOVEMBER 2025 ARGYLL AND BUTE REFUGEE AND ASYLUM STRATEGY 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 Argyll and Bute’s Refugee and Asylum Strategy outlines the Council’s ongoing commitment to supporting refugee and asylum resettlement and describes its model of integration within a rural context. The Strategy also recognises the challenges posed by the current housing emergency, increasing levels of homelessness, and constrained financial resources. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS Elected members are asked to:- 3.1 Approve Argyll and Bute’s Refugee and Asylum Strategy 2025 -2030. 3.2 Endorse the delivery plan appended to the Strategy and note future updates on the delivery of the outcomes will be brought to Community Services Committee. 3.3 Endorse the carrying out a review of the Resettlement Team structure with a view to right sizing to meet current demand and funding, with initial exploratory work being undertaken by officers on a detailed options appraisal and the formulation of proposals for permanence of the Resettlement Team. 4.0 DETAIL 4.1 Refugee resettlement is identified as a priority within Argyll and Bute Council’s Priorities 2024–2027 and aligns with national commitments. The programme supports the Council’s overarching objective of strengthening both the population and the economy of Argyll and Bute. This work is underpinned by the Council’s core values of equality, opportunity, and enabling all individuals to achieve their potential.
Page 3
4.2 Reflecting a decade of successful refugee resettlement, the Refugee and Asylum Strategy establishes the framework and direction for the next five years, recognising the challenges presented by an increasingly uncertain global context. 4.3 The Refugee and Asylum strategy reflects our model of support in a rural context framed around housing, health and social care, Education, Employability, Learning English and Community Engagement. Resettlement support is rooted in partnership working and person centred proactive support from the day of arrival. 4.4 Refugee resettlement and asylum support in Argyll and Bute has to date been a reactive response to multiple global crises. The Argyll and Bute Refugee and Asylum Delivery Plan has been developed with the intention to move to a “business as usual” model of support less reliant on temporary arrangements and temporary resource whilst still providing the support as detailed in the strategy. 4.5 The structure of the Resettlement Team will be reviewed in 2026 to ensure its size aligns with the service needs and the level of support required to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of each resettlement programme. Funding for the Resettlement Team will continue to come from the UK and Scottish Governments and as humanitarian programmes evolve, the team will adapt accordingly. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 Argyll and Bute Council’s approach to refugee and asylum support is guided by compassion, statutory obligations, and a long-term vision for sustainable communities. Through welcoming those seeking safety, the Council strengthens the local economy, enhances cultural diversity, and fosters inclusive and resilient communities for the future. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy -The Refugee and Asylum strategy is a corporate priority for the Council. The strategy is underpinned by the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy: 2024 - gov.scot 6.2 Financial - The refugee programmes are fully funded by UK and Scottish Government. Each humanitarian scheme has a different set of funding instructions and per person tariff. 6.3 Legal - The Council’s work in relation to Refugee and Asylum requires to be undertaken in accordance with various legal frameworks, statutory and non-statutory guidance.
Page 4
6.4 HR - All HR implications will be actively managed through existing processes. 6.5 Customer Service - The delivery of the strategy will lead to improvements in Customer Service for refugees and asylum seekers. 6.6 Risk - There are no risks relating to the delivery of the strategy. 6.7 Climate Change - Is not a subject directly addressed in the strategy, however the impacts of climate change can significantly drive increased immigration. 6.8 Fairer Scotland Duty - The model of refugee integration outlined in the Strategy is designed to reduce socio economic inequality of opportunities. 6.9 Equalities - protected characteristics - The support provided to refugees and asylum seekers using our services is designed to improve outcomes. This relates to specific protected characteristics of ethnicity, religion and belief and contributes to the delivery of the Council’s Equalities Outcomes. 6.10 Consumer Duty - Refugees contribute insights and experiences on services, programmes, and local issues. The support provided to refugees and asylum seekers using our services is designed to improve outcomes. 6.11 Island Communities - Refugees and asylum seekers receive the same/equivalent support in island communities as on the mainland. 6.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing - Children’s rights are central to the development and implementation of this strategy. Douglas Hendry - Executive Director with responsibility for Resettlement Councillor Jim Lynch - Leader of the Council and Policy Lead 31.10.2025 For further information contact: Morag Brown Business Improvement Manager (Resettlement Lead) morag.brown@argyll-bute.gov.uk APPENDIX 1 Argyll and Bute Refugee and Asylum Strategy