At the beginning of the week, Cllr Geoff Lumley along with the Isle of Wight Labour party called on the Isle of Wight council (IWC) to agree to provide a safe haven for ten families fleeing war-torn Syria.
IWC “Determined to making some contribution”
In response, Cllr Steve Stubbings, the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Community Wellbeing, said,
“The Syrian refugee crisis is a very emotive situation. We are all human and we all feel very deeply for the plight of these individuals and families fleeing their country to find the safety in their daily lives, which we accept as a matter of course.
“The Administration of the Isle of Wight Council is determined to making some contribution to help alleviate the suffering of the refugees and is, therefore, investigating potential options available to possibly accommodate Syrian families on the Isle of Wight.”
Awaiting guidance from Government
He went on to say,
“However, no decision or plan for this can be made until we receive further information and guidance from central government which is taking the lead in this matter; this is expected next week.
“While this should not be a matter of funding and finance but a matter of human kindness, unfortunately, financing any relocation of refugees to the Isle of Wight would come at a cost and with additional pressures on local services such as education, health and housing.
“As a result of the government’s national austerity agenda and recent reductions in grant funding to public services across the Island, assurance from the government that the whole life costs of accommodating the refugees will be supported, is needed.
“This must be a matter for the council Executive’s consideration in any decision that is made.”
Image: syriafreedom under CC BY 2.0
