DORSET’S Syrian Resettlement Programme will see the arrival of up to eight families in the county before the end of the year.

After agreeing in June that officers proactively progress the resettlement of the families, Dorset County Council’s cabinet was eager to receive an update.

The updated report said that since June much activity has taken place to co-ordinate a potential offer to the Home Office along with districts and boroughs, Dorset Police, health partners and the voluntary and community sector.

Cllr Robin Cook, cabinet member for organisational development and transformation, said: “Dorset is taking its share of Syrian refugees. We are going to welcome two families in the first arrival who are expected to come sometime in November.

“We are expecting to take around six to eight families. It doesn’t seem a lot but we are involved in this and we are doing our bit. It’s a complex process. There is some funding available from the government, whether that is going to be enough, we don’t know at this stage. Other areas who are involved have said that is it adequate.

“We don’t know where they will be based yet but it is likely they will be spread across Dorset.”

Dorset could be expected to take up to 54 unaccompanied refugee children during the life of this parliament.