Herefordshire Council is actively working with Herefordshire’s varied communities and strategic partners to prepare the best local response to support Syrian refugees, although it is not expected that refugees will be homed in residents’ houses.

The council is part of the West Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership, a group formed from local government, Home Office, national government, statutory, voluntary and community and private sectors to help support asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants.

Ahead of this year’s International Day of Peace, which aims to highlight the importance of all segments of society working together to strive for peace, Herefordshire Council’s director for adults and wellbeing, Martin Samuels, said: “Herefordshire Council is co-ordinating a response to support refugees from Syria in a joined-up way, as this is an international problem that has many aspects.

"Understandably, the people of Herefordshire want to show their compassion and we have had offers of accommodation and support to refugees. We are keen to make sure there are suitable provisions made for both the local community and the relocated families, however the government is not currently anticipating the need to accommodate Syrian refugees in people’s houses."

He continued: “With limited resources and available facilities, the council has been asked by the Home Office to consider how it could support a small number of refugee families from Syria, should they be placed in the county.

"There will be a clear need for social housing, alongside access to education, social care and health services. Officers are working across our departments to determine how best to meet refugee families’ needs, in addition to continuing the council’s work to support residents and protect the vulnerable across Herefordshire."