ALMOST 90 Syrian refugees have started new lives in Wiltshire in the past two years, but more accommodation is needed if the county is to help others in the future, Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott has said.

She paid tribute to the people that had welcomed the Syrians under a government scheme, some of them survivors of violence or torture, others women or girls at risk.

Coun Scott told Tuesday’s full council meeting: “I cannot believe it was nearly two years ago. We were one of the first councils in the country to offer our help.”

Since then 87 refugees had started new lives in the county. They were integrating with their new communities, volunteering – including with the fire service – gaining work experience and getting jobs.

She paid tribute to the people who had stepped forward to get them settled in. Volunteers, faith groups and community organisations from several towns had helped them acclimatise to British life from helping with the language to donating bikes so they could get around before they got to grips with public transport or obtain a UK driving licence.

“I have not had one person come to me to say: ‘You have taken services away from us,’ People have always been very supportive of this scheme,” she said.

In a league table of more than 200 local authorities helping refugees as part of the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme Wiltshire was listed at number 23, ahead of Cotswold District Council, South Gloucestershire and Gloucester.

“I for one am proud that we are right at the top of this list. When you look at where other rural counties are I cannot see too many of them,” said Coun Scott.

But she said the number of Syrians who could be helped in the future depended on the availability of suitable accommodation.

The council wants people interested in renting their houses or flats to refugees to contact the housing team.

Self-contained properties with the own front doors that are available to rent for a year at the local housing allowance rate are being sought. Wiltshire Community Foundation provides support with cleaning and overseeing properties, decorating and furnishing.

Funding for the programme comes from the government’s international aid budget to cover costs like furnishing the homes and providing the refugees with the basic essentials to help them start their life in the UK.

She said the government was on track to realise its ambition of helping 20,000 refugees by 2020 but it relied on councils meeting their promises and maintaining current progress.

Coun Gavin Grant (Lib Dem Malmesbury) pointed to 25 local authorities in the South West that were taking part in the scheme and suggested others should be encouraged to join in.

Independent Christopher Devine backed the scheme. “What is especially pleasing is that this was done without detriment to the people of Wiltshire.”