FIVE Syrian refugee families will be re-homed in the Cirencester and Moreton-in-Marsh areas after Cotswold District Council (CDC) members gave the plans their approval.

The decision was made at last week’s CDC cabinet meeting and has been backed by Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, but the move has not been universally welcomed, with a number of readers posting their concerns on the Standard website in reaction to the news.

CDC has agreed the plans in order to help the government meet its target of accepting 20,000 refugees by the end of the current Parliament in 2020.

Gloucestershire County Council ward councillor for Moreton-in-Marsh, Nigel Moor, Gloucestershire County Council ward councillor for Moreton-in-Marsh, said: “It is only right that all parts of the country play their part.

“Moreton has been chosen particularly for its communications. “It has a good range of facilities and that is important.”

Cllr Moor explained that while he was visiting the Greek island of Leros in the summer, he witnessed refugees being welcomed by local authorities and said that the UK should follow their lead.

Earlier this year, the CDC Liberal Democrats called a motion asking for the council to permit Syrian refugees to stay in the district.

Lib Dem ward councillor for Watermoor, Jenny Hincks, Lib Dem ward councillor for Watermoor, said: “If we can help those five families be safe, I am all for it.”

Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton Brown said: “This country has always had a proud tradition of being a welcoming host to people from around the world who face dire situations in their own country.

“I am pleased that CDC are playing a small but important part and I will be pleased to pay them a visit to welcome them when they arrive.”

However, some readers who do not welcome the news took to the Standard’s website to vent their frustration.

Eric Jones said: “I was happy to be contributing to humanely providing them security and shelter in a refugee camp in their own region. But I do not welcome them here, certainly not on a permanent basis. ”


Another reader, Pentheus, said: “Our enduring compassion will put our own security at risk.”


CDC said the number of refugees was proportionate to the population and that families would be "security cleared". The government has said that it will provide a grant to cover the cost of supporting refugees during their first year.


CDC leader Lynden Stowe said the estimated cost to the council of supporting refugees in the first year was £8,520 aper person and that they should seek confirmation about reimbursement.