THE situation in war-torn Ukraine will be on the agenda at tomorrow evening's meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council.
The authority's leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, has tabled a motion which is being seconded by his cabinet colleague, Cllr Ron Shepherd.
It reads as follows: "This Council is appalled by the shocking events in Ukraine and the devastating effects on her people.
"We welcome the generous support being offered by our local community to the people of Ukraine.
"As a council, we pledge to do all we can to facilitate and enable further support across North East Lincolnshire including for those families who have been forced to flee their homeland."
The meeting, to be held at Grimsby Town Hall at 7pm, is open to the public.
Meanwhile, there has also been a joint statement from East Lindsey, which oversees Holton-le-Clay and Tetney, and its partner local authorities in Boston and South Holland.
Following the Government’s announcement of its Homes for Ukraine scheme, through which people are asked to provide homes or a spare room rent-free for as a long as they can, any willing hosts can now register at https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk.
There will be a process of vetting, security checks and matching offers against the refugee families and individuals, with an expectation of the accommodation being for a minimum of six months. Hosts will be paid £350 a month per resettlement group.
While precise details of the visa process and sponsorship scheme are awaited, under the scheme Ukrainians who are matched and housed with a UK ‘sponsor’ will be granted leave to remain for three years.
They will be able to work, claim benefits and access public services in that time. All current details are available on the Government website, and any further local specifics will be posted on each council’s website.
Already 50-or-so offers of accommodation have been made, offers which will now be redirected to the Government site. In a later phase of the scheme, organisations such as charities and churches will also be able to sponsor refugees, with details to follow.
Additionally, today, working in partnership with all Lincolnshire councils, the Lincolnshire Community Foundation has launched an appeal dedicated to supporting those arriving in the county.
This Local Welcome Fund which will help to meet additional costs and provisions required by the refugee families and their hosts, such as to access transport, broadband and digital resources, access to leisure facilities, vouchers for toys etc.
It is available at: www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/LincolnshireCF-Ukraine.
For an overview on ways to help, see: www.gov.uk/government/news/ukraine-what-you-can-do-to-help
Private landlords, businesses and property owners willing to offer up homes in Lincolnshire for those seeking sanctuary are invited to email LincsResettlementPartnership@n-kesteven.gov.uk
Donations of money are encouraged to organisations or community groups that demonstrate an understanding of community needs, safe and legal working practices, and systems of accountability.
These include:
* Disaster Emergency Committee
* British Red Cross: Humanitarian aid in Ukraine
* MSF Doctors Without Borders
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