People fleeing war zones and persecution are being looked after in West Cheshire with the help of the council and central government.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is dedicated to supporting refugees and asylum seekers wishing to be granted refugee status who could come from many different countries around the globe.
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Numbers of people being hosted in Cheshire West right now are understood to be ‘small’ but Home Office figures won't be available until mid August.
Labour council leader Cllr Samantha Dixon explained her administration’s stance.
She said: “The priority which received the most support in our recent consultation on our Council Plan ‘Helping the Borough Thrive’ was ‘Vulnerable adults and children feel safe and are protected’. As a council we acknowledge our responsibilities to those who are homeless, vulnerable and who are fleeing violence.
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“We also believe this includes a responsibility to those who are displaced due to war and threat of violence in other parts of the world.”
The government-funded asylum seeker dispersal programme provides accommodation for families and individuals seeking asylum while their application is being processed.
Strategic Migration Partnerships plan for the most appropriate dispersal of asylum seekers by taking into account the impact on communities and local services to ensure community cohesion, social welfare and safety issues are properly considered.
Prime minister David Cameron has also agreed 20,000 Syrian refugees can settle in the UK by 2020 with 1,854 resettled so far.
CWaC is waiting for more details from the government about how the programme will work although the first 12 months of a refugee’s resettlement costs are funded by central government using the overseas development aid budget. And £129m has been allocated to support local authorities for years two to five.
Speaking about the asylum seeker dispersal programme, Cllr Dixon commented: “In the North West, this programme is run by contractor, Serco, on behalf of the Home Office.
"Serco officials have been working with private landlords in the borough for several months now to source accommodation and make sure it meets their usual quality and health and safety standards and I am pleased to report that the first asylum seekers have now arrived in the borough and are being supported here while their claim is assessed.”
The council leader added: “In terms of the Syrian refugee resettlement programme, the council is working closely with neighbouring councils and supports a Cheshire-wide approach to the resettlement of refugees. The council stated in September last year that it is willing to help but we are waiting for information and clarity from the government on programme requirements and financial arrangements.”
Cllr Dixon appreciates that members of the public are keen to help refugees and encourages anyone offering help to contact the British Red Cross Crisis Helpline on 0800 107 8727 for more information about current appeals and donation drives.
