Taking in Syrian refugees will cost Cannock Chase Council £85k
Taking in 10 Syrian refugees will cost Cannock Chase Council more than £85,000, it has emerged.
Councillors agreed to house the refugees as part of David Cameron's pledge to take 20,000 Syrian refugees over the course of parliament.
In a report to be discussed at a cabinet meeting on Monday, looking after the refugees will cost the council £85,200.
The papers state that each refugee regardless of age or gender will cost the council a flat £8,520.
Other costs, such as education, special education needs, benefits and primary and secondary medical care will be paid for by central government.
The most expensive refugee is an adult on benefits at £23,420, with the cheapest being a child under-three at £10,720 – according to the report.
Councillor Frank Allen, the cabinet member for housing, insisted that the council was there for the refugees if needed.
He said: "It's the humane thing to do.
"Every authority in the county except one is contributing in regard to taking their quota.
"We are not in the first tranche so we are not expecting any in the immediate future but when that time does arrive for us to do our part when we will be willing and ready.
"We are sat back waiting if we are needed. It's the only thing to do.
"We are hoping that after the first tranche then the government might produce more funding but we'll always do our part."
In the report prepared for the cabinet meeting, officers said: "Staffordshire authorities have worked closely together via the Staffordshire chief executive officer's group to respond to the Government's request and as a result made an offer to the Home Office to accept 50 Syrian refugees in the first tranche of relocation.
"Cannock Chase Council offered to accept 10 refugees, preferably families as a contribution to the first tranche."
