Councillors to decide on Melton taking in families from war-torn Syria

Up to 10 families from Syria could be re-housed in Melton as part of the government's pledge to take in people displaced by the civil war in their country.

Borough councillors are due to vote on Wednesday on a recommendation for two families - up to 10 people in total - to be put up in private rented properties every year up to 2021.

The initiative is part of the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, which caters for the relocation of up to 20,000 Syrians in the UK.

Harrinder Rai, Melton Council’s head of communities and neighbourhoods, said: “We haven’t taken in any Syrian families yet and we are not looking to take any in at the moment.

“Members will be updated on the scheme and asked to vote on the principle of Melton taking in two families a year for the next five years.”

The war in Syria has claimed more than 250,000 lives, as well as displacing 11 million people from their homes.

President Bashar al-Assad’s forces are battling troops who oppose his rule as well as Islamic State’s Jihadist militants.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will identify people in camps in Syria who are particularly vulnerable and refer them to the Home Office as candidates to be resettled in the UK.

The government will pay for the initial relocation, support, health and education of any refugees who come to Melton with reducing funds available for the years that follow.

Members of the policy, finance and administration committee are voting on the proposals on Wednesday.

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