Six more Syrian families could be re-homed in Powys
Six more Syrian refugee families could be re-homed in Powys due to the success of the original relocation scheme.
In October 2015, Powys County Council committed to the UK Government scheme to accommodate refugees who had fled the brutal civil war in Syria.
The Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme was set up with funding from the Home Office, and led to a total of 12 families being re-homed in Powys. The first families arrived in Ystradgynlais in July 2016, and the first families arrived in Newtown in December 2016, with the sixth family being re-homed in April of this year.
An evaluation of the scheme in Powys has found that it was viewed as an overall success by delivery partners, community groups and Syrian families themselves.
All families said they felt safe in their homes, and felt they had progressed in learning English and gaining independence.
The success of the scheme was also shown by a thank you event held in Ystradgynlais by the refugees, and in Newtown through a Syrian feast put on at Newtown Food Festival in early September 2017.
The evaluation also said the Syrian children had settled well in the education system, and the scheme showed how partners can work together to achieve a common goal.
Due to the success, county councillor and cabinet member for housing Jonathan Wilkinson has proposed another six families are re-homed, this time in Llandrindod Wells.
In a report set to be discussed by the council’s cabinet, Mr Wilkinson said: “It is proposed that based on the success of the SVPRS to date, that cabinet consider extending the council’s participation in the scheme to accepting a further six families. It is proposed that these families are accommodated in Llandrindod Wells.
“This is proposed based on the experience of other local authorities in the Mid and West Wales region who have successfully accommodated families in smaller, more rural communities than Powys, and the relatively lower rate of demand for three bedroom family homes in Llandrindod Wells when compared to other communities.”
The report will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
