COUNCILLORS have agreed that the Borders should offer homes to 10 families of Syrian refugees - currently in camps neighbouring their war-torn country - over the next four years.

“This isn’t the time for grandstanding – to fail these people is not an option,” said Councillor John Greenwell, Scottish Borders Council’s equalities and diversity champion.

He was commending his council’s participation in the UK-wide Syrian Vulnerable Persons Scheme which prioritises women and children at risk, people in need of medical care and the survivors of torture and violence.

A unanimously endorsed report at last week’s full council meeting recommended that Galashiels should accommodate the first two families who are not expected to arrive until next year.

Councillors heard that the 10 families coming to the region were likely to comprise between 40 and 50 individuals, all of whom would be vetted by the UK Home Office which will meet the first year costs of resettlement.

It is anticipated SBC will receive £8,520 for each refugee to cover housing, cultural integration and the running of the resettlement scheme.

In addition, £4,500 will be allocated for each child aged 5-18 and £2,250 for each child aged 3-4 to cover the cost of education with an extra £1,000 for each child with special educational needs.

The resettlement package also assumes £2,200 per refugee for first year medical care costs and £12,700 in “DWP benefits” for one adult per family.

“There is likely to be additional funding to assist with the costs incurred in future years…the detail of this is still being worked through,” stated the report.