OTLEY is opening its arms to Ukrainian refugees with plans to set up a scheme to help them find sanctuary in the town.

Local people are joining forces to set up the community sponsorship scheme - and they are being backed with money and support from the town council.

At its meeting last week, the council adopted a resolution of solidarity with Ukraine and also committed to support local efforts to welcome Ukrainian refugees. Support has also come from local churches, Otley Action for Older People and from people who have already registered to receive families fleeing the war.

The council has pledged funding to help set up an Otley Community Sponsorship Scheme which will also help other people escaping from conflict in the future. It resolved to earmark £2,000 for a local group established to support refugees coming to Otley. Any group receiving money would need to be a charity or community interest company and recognised under the government community sponsorship scheme for welcoming refugees.

Council Chair Cllr Richard Hughes said: “The Council could not fail to be impressed by the community’s desire to act at this time of shocking news from Ukraine. It is right that we use some of the resources of the Council, including money, to help local people and organisations come together to ensure there is a great Otley welcome for any refugees who come here.”

Cllr Penny Robinson, who chairs the Council Community Development Committee, said: “I am looking forward to the Committee working with others on the project and ensuring we soon receive an application for the earmarked funds.”

Cllr Richard Davies added that it was “a unanimous decision of the Council, reflecting the collective local desire to make a difference”, while Cllr Mick Bradley also pointed to the “way in which all Councillors wanted to commit to not only words, but action and financial support”.

Martin Gaskin, who has already applied to host a Ukrainian family, has been talking to the council about setting up a Community Interest Company to coordinate local efforts.

He said: “We know that there are already lots of local families who are contacting, trying to arrange visas for, and organising support for Ukrainian families in dire need of help. This fantastic support from Otley Town Council will boost efforts to coordinate that activity, help pool both resources and knowledge and lay the foundation for longer term welcome and support – whether for refugees from this current conflict or for those in need in the future. The Community Interest Company (CIC) will be set up in cooperation with the Council and other interested local institutions and individuals ensuring as many views and experiences as possible are accessed.”

Otley individuals, families or organisations wanting to be supported, give support, and be linked up with others doing the same, should contact the Council on admin@otleytowncouncil.gov.uk.

Councillors adopted a resolution written by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and subscribed to by local governments across Europe. It states:"We, local and regional leaders across Europe, strongly condemn the multiple attacks and violations of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. We express our full support and solidarity to the Ukrainian people and our peers in local and regional government. We will not accept that our European values and integrity be attacked again by the Russian Federation after the violation of Georgian territories by Russia in 2008. We are firmly opposed to the dismemberment of a free and democratic state in Europe."