'Slow progress' in bringing Afghan refugees to Moray
Slow progress has been reported in getting Afghanistan refuges settled into homes in Moray.
The council agreed in September to take part in UK Government schemes to relocate refugees fleeing the Taliban.
It stated Moray would support up to 10 families and three unaccompanied children.
The refugees are currently being housed in holding hotels as officials match them up with the local authorities taking part in the schemes.
However the process has proved difficult.
The issue was discussed at a meeting of the Community Planning Board yesterday.
Carmen Gillies, the project officer for the arrival of Afghanistan citizens to Moray, said: "The positive news is we have Ministry of Defence approval for 10 properties – eight three-bed and one four and one five-bed.
"We are in touch with Cosla three or four times a week, but the matching process is incredibly slow.
"We are hoping to have the first families from mid-January. But there are families saying they don’t want to come to Scotland."
Ms Gillies added the reason for the reluctance was concern over losing contact with family in the south of England.
Graham Leadbitter, Moray Council's leader, said: "It’s good to see the the activities that have gone on since we agreed this.
"But it is slow going and matching families has been more difficult than first thought."
