MONMOUTHSHIRE council has signalled it support to offer humanitarian aid for a limited number of Syrian refugees.

The council’s leader Peter Fox won cross-party support at a meeting of all councillors, held at County Hall last week, in signing up to the Syrian Vulnerable People’s Relocation Scheme, which could involve the county providing accommodation to those refugees regarded as the most vulnerable.

Cllr Fox told the chamber: “We felt very clearly as all groups do that we needed to signal Monmouthshire’s will offer humanitarian aid and to articulate through a discussion today, and offer the support we really think we could give and to make Her Majesty’s Government aware that we are interested in joining the relocation scheme.”

“It is a terrible situation which is almost incomprehensible across Europe and the world.”

Cllr Fox said he had been overwhelmed by the support from individuals offering room in their homes for refugees.

He said it is not yet clear at this stage how many refugees the council would be able to receive or the level of support needed.

“There are discussions with the Local Government Authority and Westminster Government to make sure there is enough financial support to make sure local authorities are not out of pocket in providing this support.”

Cllr Armand Watts said the council must think about what is needed in a succinct and quick way in terms of the resources, housing and social services assistance that would be needed.

He said cultural needs must be looked at within the community war torn families would be placed in.

Cllr Watts said: “I do not think Monmouthshire is best-placed. There is no mosque in Chepstow or a place to buy halal meat.”

Cllr Fox said the issue of capacity and services would be discussed with all parties to evaluate what the provisions there are and to make sure they are in place.

The scheme works to prioritise help for survivors of torture and violence and women and children at risk or in need of medical care.

Those eligible can bring their immediate family with them and are subject to the usual immigration checks and screening prior to a visa being granted.

Anyone accepted under the scheme will be granted humanitarian protections giving them leave to remain for five years with full access to employment and public funds.

Newport City Council agreed last week to provide 50 homes for Syrian refugees as part of a UK-wide scheme.

Torfaen borough council is due to discuss the issue at a meeting later this month, while Caerphilly borough council has said it is working closely with the Welsh Government and WLGA, as is Blaenau Gwent borough council.

Its leader, Cllr Hedley McCarthy has set up a local task group to support the Welsh Government Led Syrian Refugee Taskforce.