Monmouthshire County Council has called a recent refugee report ‘misleading’, after it was suggested plans to re-home Syrian families fleeing bloodshed had been shelved.

A report from the Home Affairs Committee showed Monmouthshire was one of 17 Welsh local authorities that failed to take in a single refugee from the UK government’s Syrian vulnerable persons resettlement scheme.

Just 78 Syrians fleeing a disastrous civil war back home have been accepted into Wales between January and March this year. Around 1,500 have been re-homed elsewhere in the UK.

An official from MCC said the figures were ‘misleading’ and the council had every intention of honouring its commitment, with three families set to arrive later this summer.

Will McLean, MCC’s head of governance, improvement and engagement, said, “The picture given in the Home Affairs Committee’s Migration Crisis report is somewhat misleading as it examines only the numbers of refugees received by councils in the first quarter of this year.

“The council agreed in September 2015 to participate in the Home Office Syrian Resettlement Programme and the arrival of three families this summer is our first opportunity to welcome people fleeing the war in Syria.

“Officers and councillors have worked to ensure that we’re able to fulfil our commitment to participate and will continue to do so. The council has agreed to receive 20 families altogether.

“The Resettlement Programme has meant that the council has worked in partnership with a number of agencies to ensure a cohesive and effective plan.

“These bodies include the local health board, the police and local housing associations as well as local councillors and the council’s own directorates. Together we have looked at housing options, education for young people, medical support, help with integration and religious considerations.

“We are very grateful for offers of help made by Monmouthshire’s communities to welcome Syrian families to the county. Any costs associated with the resettlement will be met by the UK government.”