WORK is taking place to resettle six to eight Syrian refugee families in Dorset.

Millions of refugees have fled their homes due to the civil war in the country since 2011 with the British Government pledging to rehouse 20,000 by the end of the current Parliament.

Dorset County Council’s Cabinet talked about the work being done in the county to resettle six to eight families displaced by the crisis. 

The authority has said that it would prefer to have a cluster area to settle the refugees as opposed to spreading them across the county due to accessibility and availability of services such as schools and mental health services.

The settlement of the refugees in the county for the first year will be funded through the Overseas Aid Budget with education, Department of Works and Pensions services and health all financed separately.

Cllr Robin Cook said: “This is a very important piece of work for a very small number of people really.

“We’re taking in about six to eight families. It’s taking a lot of time.”

Leader of the council, Cllr Robert Gould, said that it is “absolutely right and important” that Dorset plays its part. 

Cllr Jill Haynes, said that she wanted to make it clear that if there are any issues surrounding racism or xenophobia when it came to the refugees that the council would take a very strict line and report it to the authorities. 

The council report outlined that there has been many offers of support from individuals and the voluntary and community sector in terms of rehousing.

Housing officers in West Dorset and Weymouth have also confirmed they will also be able to secure accommodation for six families. 

Dorset Libraries Service has offered access to job clubs and orientation events once people are located in areas.

The Cabinet approved that officers will continue to progress proactively the process of resettlement based of six to eight families.

Council officers will also continue to work with districts and boroughs, partners and the voluntary and community sector to ensure the best outcomes for refugees in terms of location and provision.