TO provide aid to Syrian refugees, Holsworthy Town Council have said they are supportive of the scheme but concerns have been raised on what support the rural town can provide.

Torridge District Council got in contact with Holsworthy Town Council to enquire as to whether they would be able to provide refugee for a Syrian family as part of the Syrian Vulnerable Person Rescue Scheme.

The Syrian family being housed in Holsworthy would require assistance in becoming settled and at a full council meeting councillors discussed the practicalities of taking in a family of refugees.

Although councillors were supportive of offering their services to any asylum-seekers or refugees, concerns were raised as to the practicality of placing those in need in such a rural area.

Councillors suggested that refugees homed in Holsworthy may face difficulty with isolation, if they are indeed to be the only Syrian family placed in the area.

It was suggested that close attention would have to be paid to whether Holsworthy can provide the correct amenities specific to their needs such as medical care and education.

Holsworthy town clerk, Vanessa Saunders said: “Although the council is supportive of the Syrian Refugees I am not sure that Holsworthy can support or provide them with what they need – they may feel isolated in such a rural area and we have to consider whether we have the correct amenities in close proximity to cater to their needs such as education and medical care.”

Torridge District Council have previously stated that they are ‘willing and available to assist’ with the refugee crisis and are now looking into where in their district they are able to place those in need.

The type of assistance provided to asylum-seekers and refugees will be led by Governmental policy.

Torridge District Council have informed the town council that it would be Torridge’s responsibility to provide funding for the family, at a cost of £12,000 per person, per year.

The district council have also approached other wards and close by to Holsworthy, Bideford have already agreed to take in a refugee family.

Holsworthy Town Council’s final decision was that although it is supportive of the Syrian Vulnerable Person Rescue Scheme in principle they need to consider the fact that they wouldn’t be able to provide any financial or resources assistance.

The council will now report back to Torridge District Council with their decision and see whether it is viable for the town to go forward with providing aid to refugees.