The minutes were agreed as an accurate record of the previous meeting. There were no matters arising.

Mike Reed (Deputy Director) and James Undy (Head of Integration Policy) gave an overview of the work of the DCLG Migration Division. A copy of the presentation was included with the meeting papers.

Cllr Simmonds asked for clarification regarding the purpose of the Migration Impacts Fund. Mike Reed and James Undy stated that the aim of the fund was to help alleviate some of the pressures that host communities experience as a result of migration. The fund would, in most instances, be delivered via LSPs to support local services.

Action: Mike Reed to forward a MIF briefing to Ian Beattie for onward distribution to Taskgroup members.

Nadeem Ahmad stated that Government Offices needed to engage with Strategic Migration Partnerships to ensure that regional circumstances were taken into account during the funding allocation process. Mike Reed stated that there was an expectation that Government Offices would consult with SMPs to ensure that this was the case.

Paul Darling stated that funding had been agreed to enable local authorities to develop service models/specifications to become `specialist providers' as part of the UASC Reform Programme. UKBA have written to Strategic Migration Partnerships outlining an action plan and timeframe to deliver the UASC Reform Programme.

Cllr Simmonds stressed the need to resolve the `post-18 funding issues' before the Reform Programme could progress.

Paul Darling stated that UKBA are waiting for the completed returns from local authorities in order to finalise and settle UASC funding grants for 2008/09.

Paul Darling explained that the `unavoidable costs' incurred by local authorities during the Case Resolution Directorate (CRD) project have been paid for 2007/08 and have been approved for 2008/09. Payment for 2008/09 costs should be received imminently.

Cllr Watkins stated that there had been an increase in the numbers of UASCs presenting in the South East.

Action: Ian Beattie to collate data from all regions to see what the national trends are for new UASC presentations.

The RSMP review will be presented to the UKBA Regional Directors on the 21^st April and then shared with RSMP managers at the end of April to ensure accuracy and seek any further clarification.

Olvia Fellas gave an overview of the report and stated that a meeting had been held with Lin Homer, the Chief Executive of UKBA, to discuss the report on the 20^th February.

Ian Beattie stated that Lin Homer had agreed to follow-up the meeting with a formal UKBA response to the issues raised but, to date, the response had still not been received. Members agreed that the response was urgently required in order for the Taskgroup to undertake an informed discussion about the report and formulate a formal response.

Action: Ian Beattie to contact Lin Homer's office and request that the response be provided as soon as possible.

John Vine gave an overview of his role (a brief overview of the role was included with the meeting papers).

The UKBA Chief Inspector is an independent statutory post with a UK wide remit.

The Inspection Plan was launched on the 2 April and is available at: http://www.ociukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/inspection-programme/

The Chief Inspector will also have responsibility for Customs and Exercise after the new Bill (the inspection responsibility currently rests with Police Inspectorate).

The Chief Inspector stated that the LGA Taskgroup was a key stakeholder and looked forward to working with the members in the future.

Action: Ian Beattie to produce a brief report on the work of the Taskgroup for the next Wellbeing Board.

Cllr Watkins stated that the title of the Taskgroup name should now reflect its wider remit i.e. asylum, refugee integration and migration.

Action: Taskgroup to review its name at the next meeting.