15 October 2015
The Solihull Full Council meeting of October 13th revealed that the Conservative controlling Group have yet to sign up to plans to help re-settle families fleeing war from Syria and other nations. Cabinet Member Cllr Karen Grinsell acknowledged that Solihull Council has not offered to take any refugees so far and told council but were "in discussion with the Home Office".
She added that as Solihull have historically accepted a number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children, "We already do our fair share".
Cllr Mark Wilson of Solihull Green Party put the question about refugees to Cllr Karen Grinsell at the full Council meeting. Mark said, “There is literally a crisis in the Middle East at the moment as about 9 million Iraqis and Syrians have fled war and violence. This is a humanitarian emergency and it is right that Solihull does its part to help these people, who have suffered more than we can imagine. Given that government funding for councils has been agreed for resettling refugees and other councils (including our neighbours in Coventry and Birmingham) have already signed up, I look forward to seeing how Solihull will help these people who are in such dire need."
