Housing for Syrian refugees will be provided by Swale council, it has been revealed.

Its leader, Cllr Andrew Bowles (Con), told Wednesday's full council meeting that the authority would help up to 10 families over five years.

He said: “These refugees are from a war-torn area and we strongly believe that supporting them is the right thing to do, but importantly we are pleased that the design of the scheme provides additional funding and ensures that our humanitarian assistance is not at the expense of supporting families in need within our own borough.”

It is likely two households of refugees per year will be supported to stay in Swale over a five-year period and will be thoroughly vetted before arriving from camps on Syria’s borders.

“These families are currently in designated camps around Syria, and our involvement will be part of the national scheme working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,” said Cllr Bowles in his leader’s statement.

“I can assure members that the Home Office carry out extensive medical and security checks, to ensure that any families who do come to the UK meet the strict eligibility criteria that have been set.”

The council had already confirmed its commitment to helping those displaced by the conflict in Syria, but previously Cllr Bowles said he was waiting for more information on how it would be funded.

It is now known that the government will fully reimburse local authorities all costs involved.

Cllr Bowles stressed that the families would not be put in social housing but rather with private landlords who have offered to help. “Therefore, there will be no impact on those families already on our waiting list,” he added.

Kent County Council is due to help the families access services such as education and healthcare.

Cllr Bowles said that offers of help from individuals and other Swale organisations would be forwarded to the relevant agency so they could be taken up.

"There will be no impact on those families already on our waiting list" - Cllr Andrew Bowles

Not everyone was convinced the necessary funding would be in place to house the refugees.

Cllr Paul Fleming (Ukip), who represents Roman ward in Sittingbourne, said: "What I’m worried about is the burden coming back on the people of Swale and money not coming from central Government.

“We are cutting back on everything. Surely residents come first?"