PRIVATE rented accommodation is the favoured option for refugees heading to Furness, it has been agreed.

Barrow Borough Council's housing management forum met yesterday to discuss plans for accommodating refugees.

It was announced earlier this month that 30 family groups are bound for Cumbria, but it has not yet been decided where they will be housed.

Barrow's housing forum, held at the town hall, agreed that private sector assistance is the favoured option due to the lack of council housing stock available.

Councillor Bill McEwan, who represents Ormsgill, said: "We are still pursuing every option available but help from the private sector might be the most practical.

"It is the view that there is not enough council housing that is big enough to accommodate larger families."

While councillors and tenant representatives agreed they were happy to welcome refugees, there were concerns that the lack of three, four or five-bedroom housing would be an issue.

The majority of council housing stock available is mainly two-bedroom flats, and it was felt that these houses may not be practical if the town is to expect larger families or groups.

It was noted that there are around 1,600 people in the area that have already applied for council housing and there is currently a six-year waiting list.

The overall feeling clearly suggested that both the council and tenants would do what they could to help any refugees coming to the area.

Lisa Webb, one of the tenant representatives, said: "I have no qualms over filling the stock of empty houses.

"It would be really good to help these refugees."

This view was echoed by chairman of the meeting, Councillor Kevin Hamilton, who represents Risedale. He said: "You only have to look back at how many times the people of this area have helped in the past. This town did fantastic work with the refugees from Kosovo.

"We have a great history of helping those in need and it would be good to find a way to assist them."

The number of refugees set to come to Cumbria is still unclear. The government has confirmed the cost of the resettlement process will come from central funds.

The leader of Cumbria County Council, Stewart Young, said yesterday that the arrival of refugees in Cumbria will be delayed until the new year.

The news was confirmed yesterday at the authority’s ruling cabinet meeting in Carlisle.

Meanwhile, leaders of Millom Town Council are seeking the public's opinion before they come to a decision over housing refugees in Millom.

Wayne Ruddy, councillor for Newtown ward, said: “It’s not about a lack of compassion but I do believe that in Millom there is a problem with social housing development. If we can’t look after the people in our own ward how will we look after Syrian refugees?”

A number of councillors agreed with Cllr Ruddy, including deputy mayor, Doug Wilson, who felt that people would be concerned about security.

However, other councillors were calling for more decisive action, including Cllr Bob Kelly who believed the council should be helping people in Millom regardless of the refugee crisis.

He said: “If there are people in Millom who are homeless or living in unsuitable conditions then we should be doing something about it.

“We are a richer society than they will ever know. We should be as welcoming as we can be for these people without detracting from what we should be doing for our own ward.”

Councillors are keen to hear the views of people in the town and are set to continue discussions over the coming weeks.

Denise Burness, mayor of Millom, said the council could support refugees in a number of ways, such as establishing a distribution centre to donate warm clothing.