UKRAINIANS are set to be offered a ‘welcoming home’ in the Borders, as councillors passed a motion in support of refugees fleeing the war-torn country.

Council leader Mark Rowley put forward a motion at a meeting of the full council on Thursday (March 10) urging the provision of accommodation on a “temporary or permanent basis”.

Councillor Rowley said: “A hand-wringing expressing regret and horror motion just wasn’t enough because we do need to do something.

“Whilst I welcome the lighting of the tower in the blue and yellow of Ukraine as a gesture of solidarity we do, as a public body and as a group, have to express, and I’m afraid I can’t use any other term than horror, the abject horror, for what is happening in Ukraine and I think history will judge us hard if people going through our minute book in 50 years' time doesn’t see that this council absolutely said that.

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“I very much hope that the Borders, as it did with Syrian refugees, will provide a welcoming home to Ukrainians who are fleeing, whether that is temporarily or on a permanent basis. I couldn’t make it more clear that whatever government policies or interventions may be, I hope the Borders will offer a welcoming place.”

Councillor Kris Chapman, who has friends in Ukraine, said: “The people of the Borders are an amazing community in the way they rally, not only during times of COVID, to support our communities but now how they are rallying on an international scale to help people who are thousands of miles away. I thank you.”

Council chief executive Netta Meadows has been asked to use all communication channels to signpost the best ways for local groups to support the Ukrainian people, particularly through the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Members were told that the local authority is also to explore the possibility of making a financial contribution in support of the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.