A MEETING will be held in Clydebank next Wednesday, October 7 to pull together and co-ordinate the West Dunbartonshire response to the Syrian refugee crisis.

The event will include information from international aid agencies on what people can do to provide aid and support, as well as details of the next steps in Scotland and more locally.

West Dunbartonshire Council leader Martin Rooney previously stated that there is the capacity to house 50 families, or 200 individuals per year, however the actual figure will be much lower.

Tonight’s meeting will take place in Clydebank Town Hall at 7pm and is open to all residents.

Provost Douglas McAllister, who will chair the meeting, said: “I’ve been struck by the generous response of many individuals and groups in West Dunbartonshire to the developing Syrian refugee crisis. It confirms my view that the people of this area are generous and compassionate.

“This meeting will allow individuals and groups that are keen to take action to share information and coordinate their efforts so that the impact of what we do is as big as possible. I’d encourage anyone with an interest in helping the refugee crisis to attend and help us ensure that West Dunbartonshire does its bit to help.” Councillor Jonathan McColl, leader of the SNP, said: “We have agreed that West Dunbartonshire Council will play our part in helping the Syrian refugee crisis. The most important contribution we can make right now is to work with and support local groups and individuals who are already taking positive, practical action. That might be directing food and clothing donations to the right place, or raising funds to help refugees currently in camps in Syria, they will tell us what they need. It’s important we take action quickly to support the efforts of the wider community.” The meeting is being held after West Dunbartonshire councillors last month agreed to a series of actions to support refugees fleeing Syria,.

Other measures include donating £10,000 to help fund support for refugees in Scotland and coordinating the approach to collecting and storing donations from the public.

West Dunbartonshire Council says it is still assessing its capacity to house refugees in the area.

However it has stated any move to home refugees in the local authority area would not result in any existing resident having to wait longer for a home. That is because they would only be offered properties which are currently empty due to lack of demand. It is expected that the council would receive funding from the UK Government to assist in improving these properties.