Mr Brian Kinney
Director
UASC Reform Programme
Border and Immigration Agency
2nd Floor, Block E,
Whitgift Centre
15 Wellesley Road
CROYDON CRO 1AT
22nd April 2008
Dear Brian
UASC Reform Programme
Following a number of meetings between your Officials and staff in Glasgow City Council, and other meetings conducted through the LGA and ADCS, I feel as though we are in a position to try and progress Glasgow City Council's involvement in becoming a Specialist Authority.
Glasgow City Council has indicated a Note of Interest in becoming a Specialist Authority already and I have been charged with the responsibility of drawing up a more detailed set of proposals that I can take back to our Elected Members for consideration. Some of the major issues that affect Local Authorities in England, such as the claims for back payment for funding to cover the real costs of accommodation UASCs, apply in Scotland. The solution, however, could be different in Scotland and I think it would be helpful if we could progress the particular Scottish content between UK Borders & Immigration, the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and any other interested Local Authority in Scotland. As stated previously when we indicated our interest in become a Specialist Authority, we would envisage a cluster number of 200 UASCs in Glasgow.
I am aware that there are a number of meetings with the English Local Authorities, such as the one tomorrow at the House of Lords, and the proposed meeting with Matthew Coates and Pauline Newman, representing ADCS. It is my proposal, however, that we need to have similar meetings but within a Scottish context. To help progress this I am proposing that Glasgow City Council host the ½ day Workshop, which would require the involvement of your own staff and the Scottish Government, plus any other Local Authority interested in becoming a Specialist Authority.
If you are in agreement with this proposal, we could also look at the evaluation of the Fir Court Project which you agreed to fund for a further six months. In a measure of demonstrating our intent, we would also be prepared to have a specialist recruitment campaign for more black and ethnic temporary carers. We would welcome some financial support to help develop the infrastructure, which would allow us to keep our care costs down and be able to start as a Specialist Authority relatively quickly.
I believe it would be vital in Scotland to reach agreement between UK Borders & Immigration, the Scottish Government and any Local Authority on becoming a Specialist Authority within the reform programme. To this extent I have copied this letter to Kit Wyeth in the Scottish Government and it would be my intention to contact both of you early next week to see if we can reach agreement on the way forward.
Yours sincerely
John Donaldson
Head of Immigration & Emergency Services