A MOTION has been passed by Bromsgrove District councillors to affirm their commitment that refugee families from Syria will be welcome in Bromsgrove.

Councillor Michael Thompson proposed a motion at the latest full meeting of Bromsgrove District Council, held at the Council House on September 23.

The motion read: "The council notes the worst refugee crisis since the Second World War that is taking place as we meet.

"Council believes that it is right for Bromsgrove District Council to clearly affirm that refugee families from Syria will be welcome in Bromsgrove."

Councillor Peter McDonald seconded the motion, saying it was "obvious we could do our bit".

"We have to do out bit if we are a humane country," Cllr McDonald added.

The motion had called for Bromsgrove District Council leader Margaret Sherrey to have a meeting with the leader of Worcestershire County Council, Councillor Adrian Hardman, and agree to offer "sanctuary to at least 12 refugee families over the next year". 

Cllr Sherrey said at the meeting that she was pleaded to announce she had already had the meeting, and had agreed for Bromsgrove to be included in a joint bid to house refugees in the county - as long as the Government funds it for a full five years.

A vote was taken on the motion, which was passed.

A statement has been released from the seven council leaders which as well as the joint bid announcement also called for consent from other organisation that could offer support.

The wording of the leader's statement suggests the councils do not intend to find any funding from their own budgets, and are intent on putting the onus on central Government to cough up the financial support entirely.

The county council rejected a proposal for 12 Syrian families to come to Worcestershire in June due to fears over the costs, with the Home Office then only guaranteeing cash for an initial year of a five-year resettlement scheme.

No figure will be decided upon for Worcestershire's application until talks have concluded between the LGA and Government over the new financing arrangements.