COMMUNITY groups who have helped refugee families settle in Pembrokeshire have been praised by the county council.

At a meeting of the council’s Partnership Overview and Scrutiny Committee on March 16, members were told local groups such as Croeso Hwlffordd, Arberth and Abergwaun were doing a “phenomenal job”.

Jonathan Griffiths, director of social services and leisure, said the local authority planned to include these groups in future meetings, so their views and experience of helping Syrian families resettle in the county could be heard.

Ann Alderman, who leads the programme, said the council received £8,520 per adult and child for the first year, which was on a sliding scale over five years, falling to £1,000 in the fifth year.

Ms Alderman continued to say community groups did not receive any of this funding, and as a result had to raise between £2,000 and £4,000 per adult before a family was matched to them.

“At the moment it’s an unfair system and we acknowledge that, and we’re actually trying to work with the Home Office to make that a fairer system so that everyone can access that funding, which is what it’s designed to do,” said Mr Griffiths.

Members also heard both the council and local groups received between £2,250 and £4,500 to help pay for education costs for under-18s.

Anthony Maynard, head of children’s services, said Pembrokeshire had been identified as an area of good practice, and this was largely due to the efforts of volunteer groups.

Cllr Myles Pepper said the council could learn a lot from the groups' efforts, but must be "careful that we don't put too much on the voluntary sector, to the point they end up pulling their hair out".

Cllr Stephen Joseph echoed his sentiments, saying it was "imperative the council works with these groups and empowers and enthuses them instead of putting up barriers".

Members heard Pembrokeshire’s current pledge is to rehome between 10 and 12 families, compared to 70 families in Carmarthenshire, and 60 individuals in Ceredigion, over the five-year period.

They were told the disparity between the regions was due to a number of factors, including the costs of housing being higher in Pembrokeshire, as well as the provision of suitable local health care.

Cllr Joseph said it was a difficult subject, as local people were also waiting for housing, but added: "You have to remember these people come from a warzone.

"They're not idiots, a lot of them are doctors, nurses, they've got skills that could benefit the country."

Cllr Joseph also asked for clarification on how potential families were vetted.

“If we’re putting them on a housing estate next to other people, do we know that every person in that family is safe to be where they are?” he asked.

Ms Alderman said the matching panel dealt directly with police and took advice from them and the Home Office on any issues of concern.

Chairman David Bryan asked at what point potential families were judged to be refugees of war, not economic migrants.

Ms Alderman said families had to apply for refugee status while still in the camps, and this was assessed by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) before they were matched with a local group or council.

Cllr Margot Bateman asked if, after five years had expired, resettled families would be able to invite family members to join the in the UK.

She also asked how Brexit would impact this process.

Mr Griffiths said there was still much confusion about how Brexit would affect many things, but assuming other UK residents were still allowed to bring family to live with them after March 2019, the same would apply to those who had been resettled.

"It would be a decision for every individual or family," he said.

"We're resettling people to give them a new life and opportunity, it would be a choice for them as individuals."