20 Syrian refugees to make Walsall their home

Council bosses are due to commit to housing the refugees during a cabinet meeting next week.

The pledge will be made in response to a call from the Home Office to help relocate those affected.

It follows on from a number of high profile court cases in recent months where people living in the borough have been charged with Syria related offences.

Those who will eventually come to the borough are set to be families, rather than individuals.

The council will receive funding from central government to help house the refugees, with £12,000 being made available per person over a period of five years.

Councillor Diane Coughlan, portfolio holder for social care, said: "The government has asked local authorities across the country to support its resettlement scheme but I also feel there's a moral obligation for us to do so too.

"I can only imagine the horror and suffering that many of these families have experienced having fled from their homeland.

"Other UK councils and our colleagues in the Black Country are in the process of offering their support and we're keen to help where we can.

"We're aware the government could, at any time, impose this upon local authorities, making it mandatory for councils to participate.

"This process will take careful and detailed planning which is why we will continue to proactively work with our partners and voluntary organisations to establish what services they currently offer and how future services could be tailored to welcome these families.

"We've made an indicative pledge to assist 20 refugees, whose accommodation and associated costs will be met fully by the government.

"Walsall has benefited from a diverse and welcoming community and we've already had a very positive response from residents and our partners offering help for these families."

The pledge follows on from other authority's in the West Midlands also stating their intention to take in refugees, with some already arriving in the Stafford area.

A report detailing Walsall Council's pledge states that if the authority accepted 'too many' refugees, it could put too much pressure on front-line services.

It is also claimed that the decision to take in the refugees has already received a 'significant amount' of support from members of the community.

A statement on the report reads: "It is felt that 20 individuals arriving in a staggered way over the next 10 months could potentially be housed directly into the private sector in Walsall, dependent upon rents sought by landlords.

"The council has already received a number of offers of assistance from private landlords who are prepared to help and have property portfolios in Walsall.

"It is felt that accepting too many individuals in any tranche could place existing front-line services under too much pressure, and could also invoke a negative response from some parts of the community that are already living in Walsall and competing for resources.

"Despite the potential for some members of the community to object, there has already been a significant amount of support from partners and community members for the council to offer assistance to vulnerable families from Syria.

"Based on this it is proposed that the council pledge to support similar numbers of Syrian Refugees as neighbouring local authorities."