Local Communities Praised For Willingness to Help Syrian Refugee Families

Wrexham is a place that welcomes those who find themselves in difficulties.

That is the view of Lead Member for Communities and Partnerships, Cllr Hugh Jones who praised the welcome the people of Wrexham have given to Syrian refugee families who have been housed in the area.

In April this year, Wrexham Council’s Executive Board voted to resettle up to five Syrian families during the 2016/17 financial year.

The move by Wrexham Council came as part of the Home Office-funded Syrian Relocation Scheme, which provided support to local authorities to find accommodation for refugees fleeing the country, now in its fifth year of civil war.

Currently four families have been identified and allocated to Wrexham totalling 20 people.

Two families are in residence as of early November with a two further families expected to arrive in Wrexham by mid-December. Subject to the securing of a further private sector property a fifth family will be identified.

Home Office funding for the families’ support needs includes opportunities to learn English.

Introducing the report at yesterday’s Executive Board, Cllr Jones said: “I don’t think anyone in this room today or watching on the webcast can be unaware of the current situation in Syria, the innocent victims of war and acts of terrorism and the need for us as a community to act in a humanitarian way.

“Wrexham over the years has demonstrated its willingness to comfort those who find themselves victims of conflict and situations – this is another example of our willingness on this road.

“It can be truly said that Wrexham is a place that welcomes people who find themselves in these difficulties.

“The Home Office have funded a scheme of support for vulnerable Syrian refugees to relocate in the UK. As the report has indicated we have agreed to accomodate up to five families as part of the first arrangement.

Cllr Jones also paid tribute to council officer Gill Granger, fellow staff members and the ‘broad cross sections of the community’ who have made the Syrian families feel welcome.

He added: “The evidence we have from them [the families] is the support given to them is gratefully received. I would like to thank all those in terms of people involved in the communities who have helped integrate our Syrian guests into the community.

“We need to move to the next stage. It is a Home Office funded scheme, staged and being received in accordance to the scheme from the Home Office.”

Welcoming the report, Cllr Neil Rogers said: “I am equally pleased to support the recommendation this morning. One thing highlighted in my mind was the comments in 4.7 of the report about the families, their children and how they have adapted to life in peaceful Wales.

“You only have to look at the TV to see what has happened and the devastation made. It is had a huge impact on the people in Syria and the neighbouring countries.”

Reference was also made to ‘appalling comments’ made to Wrexham Council in relation to the refugee scheme, with Cllr Rogers adding: “We should be making people feel welcome. I would not want this to happen to any of us.”

Questions about the funding of the scheme were posed by Cllr Bob Dutton, who said: “On a practical level, the Home Office have committed to the first year of funding, is there any further information on that?”

It was noted that there is five years of tapered funding available for each family from the Home Office.

Council Leader Mark Pritchard added: “Wrexham has a proud and wonderful tradition in helping and supporting families who are fleeing war and persecution – long may it continue.

“I hope we always have the strength in Wrexham to continue the tradition and don’t allow individuals to influence us in making the wrong decision in helping and supporting refugees.