Update on Support for Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Date: 
Friday, 23 December, 2016


A report to Council at its meeting last night (Thursday 22 December) confirmed that progress is being made for East Dunbartonshire to welcome refugee families and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children in the new year.

Council previously agreed to identify housing and the wider required support for up to four refugee families through the Syrian Resettlement Programme and up to four children through the Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children scheme.

Council Leader Rhondda Geekie confirmed, “We have established a working group locally which has already met.  It includes representatives from across housing, health and social care and education along with others who will all play an important part in welcoming and supporting the resettlement of those that come to east Dunbartonshire through these two schemes.

“We have now agreed that once appropriate housing and accommodation has been identified, officers will liaise with the Home Office to progress arrangements for the relocation to this area of families and children whose needs we can meet.

“I am greatly encouraged by the commitment of our Council teams and our Partners to work together to provide the full packages of support required to create better lives here in East Dunbartonshire for those that have experienced such terrible atrocities.” 

Further reports will be provided to future Council meetings on progress being made by the Working Group and the timescales for relocation as these are confirmed. 


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