A GROUP of Syrian refugees could arrive in Monmouthshire next month.

Monmouthshire County Council agreed in September to take part in the relocation scheme for vulnerable Syrians fleeing the conflict in their homeland.

The county has already given refuge to interpreters who assisted the British army when it was operating in Afghanistan.

Council leader Cllr Peter Fox (Con, Portskewett) said there was a lack of clarity around the ongoing funding.

He told the full council: “As a council we have two options: to start planning to take in families from January 2016 and not wait for the Home Office to confirm figures for years two to five or to wait for confirmation for years two to five before taking the next steps. “Waiting for confirmation doesn’t stop us planning the logistics in preparation for arrivals.

“A particular challenge for us is the availability of appropriate housing. We’re working with the private rental sector and continue to have discussions with the Home Office in terms of the profile of arrivals.”

He said Caldicot Foodbank had offered to provide a welcome food pack for every household on arrival “which is a really positive step” and the In Need community group in Monmouth would collect furniture if the council is able to provide storage space.

Twelve single Afghan translators are now in the county along with one family, a total of 15 individuals.

He said the council was also talking to the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers in Monmouth about the translators having informal contact with the military.

• Campaigners opposed to Britain bombing targets in Syria gathered outside the office of Forest MP Mark Harper in Cinderford.

While utterly condemning the Paris attacks, Stop The War coalition, who held demonstrations against the proposed bombing by British armed forces in Syria  in towns and cities across Britain on Saturday, believe that bombing IS strongholds in Syria will kill innocent civilians and will increase the danger to our security by further radicalising young Muslims in the West.

John Muir, of the Stop The War Coalition in the Forest of Dean, said:

“The UK has been bombing countries for a decade and a half at the cost of millions of lives and an explosion in the number of refugees fleeing to Europe.

“The truth is that ISIS is a product of war and is supported by Western allies like Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

“More bombing will do nothing to help anyone anywhere let alone the people of  Syria, nor will it bring peace.”